Val's story (con't)

[Guest guest]

I've gotten back most of the testing from National Jewish. All the tests

for pheo, VMA, etc., are normal, 5-HIAA is 4 (0 - 15) (test for carcinoid).

The echo shows some damage (murmurs consistent with tricuspid regurgitation

and mitral regurgitation), probably related to phen-fen use in 1997. Left

ventricle is normal. EF Biplane = 75%.

The MRI (3mm and 6mm slices) is normal, chest x-ray and tuberculosis are

negative. So, still nothing obviously wrong except elevated aldosterone,

low renin, HTN, sweats, and all the other associated symptoms we've all

talked about.

I don't see any results from the three-week heart monitor. I tested it for

a few days by going off K and did have more events until I resumed

potassium. A week ago, off spiro and on K, my K was 4.0 (3.5 - 5.2).

I've leaving tomorrow for Mayo Clinic. I've been off spiro nearly six

weeks. My BP is holding reasonably, probably because I am staying under 800

mg Na. I'm becoming progressively weaker and am having numbness in the

forearms, hands and legs. I've had to stop walking. The difference in

strength, on and off spiro, is remarkable. I'm on HCTZ to try to control

the swelling. It does better than Triam/HCTZ 37.5/25, but I'm still

swelling in spite of the diuretic. I'm gaining weight.

Val