Re: Diagnosed with HyperAldosteronism

[Guest guest]

read my evolution article for insight. Big tumors start as small tumors. ALWAYS.CE Grim MDOn Apr 18, 2012, at 2:06 PM, adesertdiva1 wrote: Until a few days ago I had never even heard of hyperaldosteronism but was given this diagnosis a few days ago by my Iternal Medicine Specialist. I am a 53 year old female and have been suffering unexplained HBP for over 10 years. I have been hospitalized 3 times during hypertensive crisis, most recently 1 year ago. I have been taking several medications which have all failed to bring my BP down. Average BP 170/135. When the pressure does come down it usually goes very low. 90/65. I have been prescribed novo spirozine 25-25. I have been on it for 3 days and am to gradually come off all the other HBP meds. So far it is bothering my stomach (history of ulcers) but I am hoping that will go away as I get used to it. I had a CT Scan of adrenals but it did not show any abnormalities. 24 hour urine and assorted blood tests were used for my diagnosis. I have been following the DASH diet for 10 years. My mother has 's Disease (I know it is not the same)so wondering if there is a possiblity of genetic link..? After reading the literature provided I am wondering how I could have this diagnosis when the adrenal glands appear normal. I was not advised that I have low potassium and during the appointment with the specialist I did not know enough to ask. I am very concerned about going off all the HBP meds (even gradually)for just one. No mention was made to me of surgery. Any advice gratefully appreciated.

[Guest guest]

It takes a very well trained eye (not a standard radiologist)to read scan (both

MRI and CAT) results. My MRI report said normal adrenals. My doctors at NIH

read the same MRI and saw several small adenomas (tumors) on both adrenals; far

from normal. You can always send your actual CD to NIH and have them check it

out. If you have hyperaldosteronism, NIH is the way to go!

>

> > Until a few days ago I had never even heard of hyperaldosteronism

> > but was given this diagnosis a few days ago by my Iternal Medicine

> > Specialist.

> > I am a 53 year old female and have been suffering unexplained HBP

> > for over 10 years. I have been hospitalized 3 times during

> > hypertensive crisis, most recently 1 year ago. I have been taking

> > several medications which have all failed to bring my BP down.

> > Average BP 170/135. When the pressure does come down it usually goes

> > very low. 90/65.

> >

> > I have been prescribed novo spirozine 25-25. I have been on it for 3

> > days and am to gradually come off all the other HBP meds. So far it

> > is bothering my stomach (history of ulcers) but I am hoping that

> > will go away as I get used to it.

> >

> > I had a CT Scan of adrenals but it did not show any abnormalities.

> > 24 hour urine and assorted blood tests were used for my diagnosis.

> >

> > I have been following the DASH diet for 10 years. My mother has

> > 's Disease (I know it is not the same)so wondering if there

> > is a possiblity of genetic link..?

> >

> > After reading the literature provided I am wondering how I could

> > have this diagnosis when the adrenal glands appear normal. I was not

> > advised that I have low potassium and during the appointment with

> > the specialist I did not know enough to ask. I am very concerned

> > about going off all the HBP meds (even gradually)for just one. No

> > mention was made to me of surgery. Any advice gratefully appreciated.

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I am having a very hard time making yhe " leap of faith " that your Internal

Medicine Specialist has provided you anything other than an opinion! Where are

you located and what is novo spirozine? (I couldn't find it in MedlinePlus but

looks like it might contain spironolactone)

You need to tell us what the " several medications " you are on including dosages.

Are you/they taking BP according to approved standards? 170/135 to 90/65 would

be a huge drop for me! What causes it to go that low?

Adrenals that " look normal " to many may harbor real secrets to a doctor very

experienced in looking for HA. It also may be dependent on the quality of the

scan. They look for much more than just an adneoma! Low K (potassium) is found

in only about 1/3 of people with HA and you are way premature to be considering

surgery, IMHO.

I would not worry about coming off BP meds if you indeed have PA and it is being

controlled by something like spiro. I was on 7 and when I stopped 3 of them my

BP stayed the same and it actually went DOWN with 2! I monitor my BP at home

every am before meds. I stopped 1 med every 2 weeks and watched for changes.

Your doctor should be able to help you with this,the trick is knowing what you

are changing and monitoring results!

Good testing is the best way to KNOW you are heading in the right direction,

IMHO! Fill us in and let's see if we cn help!

>

> Until a few days ago I had never even heard of hyperaldosteronism but was

given this diagnosis a few days ago by my Iternal Medicine Specialist.

> I am a 53 year old female and have been suffering unexplained HBP for over 10

years. I have been hospitalized 3 times during hypertensive crisis, most

recently 1 year ago. I have been taking several medications which have all

failed to bring my BP down. Average BP 170/135. When the pressure does come

down it usually goes very low. 90/65.

>

> I have been prescribed novo spirozine 25-25. I have been on it for 3 days and

am to gradually come off all the other HBP meds. So far it is bothering my

stomach (history of ulcers) but I am hoping that will go away as I get used to

it.

>

> I had a CT Scan of adrenals but it did not show any abnormalities. 24 hour

urine and assorted blood tests were used for my diagnosis.

>

> I have been following the DASH diet for 10 years. My mother has 's

Disease (I know it is not the same)so wondering if there is a possiblity of

genetic link..?

>

> After reading the literature provided I am wondering how I could have this

diagnosis when the adrenal glands appear normal. I was not advised that I have

low potassium and during the appointment with the specialist I did not know

enough to ask. I am very concerned about going off all the HBP meds (even

gradually)for just one. No mention was made to me of surgery. Any advice

gratefully appreciated.

>

[Guest guest]

I am having a very hard time making yhe " leap of faith " that your Internal

Medicine Specialist has provided you anything other than an opinion! Where are

you located and what is novo spirozine? (I couldn't find it in MedlinePlus but

looks like it might contain spironolactone)

You need to tell us what the " several medications " you are on including dosages.

Are you/they taking BP according to approved standards? 170/135 to 90/65 would

be a huge drop for me! What causes it to go that low?

Adrenals that " look normal " to many may harbor real secrets to a doctor very

experienced in looking for HA. It also may be dependent on the quality of the

scan. They look for much more than just an adneoma! Low K (potassium) is found

in only about 1/3 of people with HA and you are way premature to be considering

surgery, IMHO.

I would not worry about coming off BP meds if you indeed have PA and it is being

controlled by something like spiro. I was on 7 and when I stopped 3 of them my

BP stayed the same and it actually went DOWN with 2! I monitor my BP at home

every am before meds. I stopped 1 med every 2 weeks and watched for changes.

Your doctor should be able to help you with this,the trick is knowing what you

are changing and monitoring results!

Good testing is the best way to KNOW you are heading in the right direction,

IMHO! Fill us in and let's see if we cn help!

>

> Until a few days ago I had never even heard of hyperaldosteronism but was

given this diagnosis a few days ago by my Iternal Medicine Specialist.

> I am a 53 year old female and have been suffering unexplained HBP for over 10

years. I have been hospitalized 3 times during hypertensive crisis, most

recently 1 year ago. I have been taking several medications which have all

failed to bring my BP down. Average BP 170/135. When the pressure does come

down it usually goes very low. 90/65.

>

> I have been prescribed novo spirozine 25-25. I have been on it for 3 days and

am to gradually come off all the other HBP meds. So far it is bothering my

stomach (history of ulcers) but I am hoping that will go away as I get used to

it.

>

> I had a CT Scan of adrenals but it did not show any abnormalities. 24 hour

urine and assorted blood tests were used for my diagnosis.

>

> I have been following the DASH diet for 10 years. My mother has 's

Disease (I know it is not the same)so wondering if there is a possiblity of

genetic link..?

>

> After reading the literature provided I am wondering how I could have this

diagnosis when the adrenal glands appear normal. I was not advised that I have

low potassium and during the appointment with the specialist I did not know

enough to ask. I am very concerned about going off all the HBP meds (even

gradually)for just one. No mention was made to me of surgery. Any advice

gratefully appreciated.

>

[Guest guest]

Sounds like an echo here. I have been saying/doing this now for about 40 years. Picking up HTN related xray findings others have missed.CE Grim MDOn Apr 21, 2012, at 2:09 PM, maggiekat7 wrote: It takes a very well trained eye (not a standard radiologist)to read scan (both MRI and CAT) results. My MRI report said normal adrenals. My doctors at NIH read the same MRI and saw several small adenomas (tumors) on both adrenals; far from normal. You can always send your actual CD to NIH and have them check it out. If you have hyperaldosteronism, NIH is the way to go! > > > Until a few days ago I had never even heard of hyperaldosteronism > > but was given this diagnosis a few days ago by my Iternal Medicine > > Specialist. > > I am a 53 year old female and have been suffering unexplained HBP > > for over 10 years. I have been hospitalized 3 times during > > hypertensive crisis, most recently 1 year ago. I have been taking > > several medications which have all failed to bring my BP down. > > Average BP 170/135. When the pressure does come down it usually goes > > very low. 90/65. > > > > I have been prescribed novo spirozine 25-25. I have been on it for 3 > > days and am to gradually come off all the other HBP meds. So far it > > is bothering my stomach (history of ulcers) but I am hoping that > > will go away as I get used to it. > > > > I had a CT Scan of adrenals but it did not show any abnormalities. > > 24 hour urine and assorted blood tests were used for my diagnosis. > > > > I have been following the DASH diet for 10 years. My mother has > > 's Disease (I know it is not the same)so wondering if there > > is a possiblity of genetic link..? > > > > After reading the literature provided I am wondering how I could > > have this diagnosis when the adrenal glands appear normal. I was not > > advised that I have low potassium and during the appointment with > > the specialist I did not know enough to ask. I am very concerned > > about going off all the HBP meds (even gradually)for just one. No > > mention was made to me of surgery. Any advice gratefully appreciated. > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Sounds like an echo here. I have been saying/doing this now for about 40 years. Picking up HTN related xray findings others have missed.CE Grim MDOn Apr 21, 2012, at 2:09 PM, maggiekat7 wrote: It takes a very well trained eye (not a standard radiologist)to read scan (both MRI and CAT) results. My MRI report said normal adrenals. My doctors at NIH read the same MRI and saw several small adenomas (tumors) on both adrenals; far from normal. You can always send your actual CD to NIH and have them check it out. If you have hyperaldosteronism, NIH is the way to go! > > > Until a few days ago I had never even heard of hyperaldosteronism > > but was given this diagnosis a few days ago by my Iternal Medicine > > Specialist. > > I am a 53 year old female and have been suffering unexplained HBP > > for over 10 years. I have been hospitalized 3 times during > > hypertensive crisis, most recently 1 year ago. I have been taking > > several medications which have all failed to bring my BP down. > > Average BP 170/135. When the pressure does come down it usually goes > > very low. 90/65. > > > > I have been prescribed novo spirozine 25-25. I have been on it for 3 > > days and am to gradually come off all the other HBP meds. So far it > > is bothering my stomach (history of ulcers) but I am hoping that > > will go away as I get used to it. > > > > I had a CT Scan of adrenals but it did not show any abnormalities. > > 24 hour urine and assorted blood tests were used for my diagnosis. > > > > I have been following the DASH diet for 10 years. My mother has > > 's Disease (I know it is not the same)so wondering if there > > is a possiblity of genetic link..? > > > > After reading the literature provided I am wondering how I could > > have this diagnosis when the adrenal glands appear normal. I was not > > advised that I have low potassium and during the appointment with > > the specialist I did not know enough to ask. I am very concerned > > about going off all the HBP meds (even gradually)for just one. No > > mention was made to me of surgery. Any advice gratefully appreciated. > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Dr Grim

Thank you for your reply. I am now off all of the HBP meds that I have been

taking with the exception of furosemide which I take occasionally for water

retention (I only take it when I can't get my shoes on). I started on the

novo-spirozine-25 on April 21 so just on it a little over 2 weeks and

surprisingly my blood pressure has gone down! It is still to high but a great

improvement. The average daily reading since starting the novo-spirozine is

139/87. Before starting with this med the average daily pressure was 169/112.

As suggested I read your Evolution article and although I admit to not

understanding a good deal of it I did get the general idea. I will see the

Internal Medicine Specialist in another 2 weeks for a follow up and will

hopefully learn more.

My question is this:

Given that the CT scan was read as normal and given that it may not have been

read correctly, what can I do? Someone on the message board suggests NIH (not

familiar with that). I should also mention that I live in a land of socialized

medicine so more specialists, scans etc are not really an option. i.e. the wait

time for an MRI is now over a year and specialists appointments 10 to 18 months.

Thanks for your help and all you do here for PA sufferers.

>

> > Until a few days ago I had never even heard of hyperaldosteronism

> > but was given this diagnosis a few days ago by my Iternal Medicine

> > Specialist.

> > I am a 53 year old female and have been suffering unexplained HBP

> > for over 10 years. I have been hospitalized 3 times during

> > hypertensive crisis, most recently 1 year ago. I have been taking

> > several medications which have all failed to bring my BP down.

> > Average BP 170/135. When the pressure does come down it usually goes

> > very low. 90/65.

> >

> > I have been prescribed novo spirozine 25-25. I have been on it for 3

> > days and am to gradually come off all the other HBP meds. So far it

> > is bothering my stomach (history of ulcers) but I am hoping that

> > will go away as I get used to it.

> >

> > I had a CT Scan of adrenals but it did not show any abnormalities.

> > 24 hour urine and assorted blood tests were used for my diagnosis.

> >

> > I have been following the DASH diet for 10 years. My mother has

> > 's Disease (I know it is not the same)so wondering if there

> > is a possiblity of genetic link..?

> >

> > After reading the literature provided I am wondering how I could

> > have this diagnosis when the adrenal glands appear normal. I was not

> > advised that I have low potassium and during the appointment with

> > the specialist I did not know enough to ask. I am very concerned

> > about going off all the HBP meds (even gradually)for just one. No

> > mention was made to me of surgery. Any advice gratefully appreciated.

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me.

Novo spirozine 25 is a combination med spironolactone and hydroclorathiazide.

I have now stopped the other medications and SURPRISINGLY my blood pressure has

come down! So far no adverse reactions to the new medication except continued

edema (which I am used to ).

From other posts and from reading Dr. Grim's post on " evolution " I realize that

my CT scan may have been read incorrectly. The problem is that I don't know

what to do about it. Another specialist is almost out of the question as I live

in a land of socialized medicine and the wait times are 10 to 18 months.

> >

> > Until a few days ago I had never even heard of hyperaldosteronism but was

given this diagnosis a few days ago by my Iternal Medicine Specialist.

> > I am a 53 year old female and have been suffering unexplained HBP for over

10 years. I have been hospitalized 3 times during hypertensive crisis, most

recently 1 year ago. I have been taking several medications which have all

failed to bring my BP down. Average BP 170/135. When the pressure does come

down it usually goes very low. 90/65.

> >

> > I have been prescribed novo spirozine 25-25. I have been on it for 3 days

and am to gradually come off all the other HBP meds. So far it is bothering my

stomach (history of ulcers) but I am hoping that will go away as I get used to

it.

> >

> > I had a CT Scan of adrenals but it did not show any abnormalities. 24 hour

urine and assorted blood tests were used for my diagnosis.

> >

> > I have been following the DASH diet for 10 years. My mother has 's

Disease (I know it is not the same)so wondering if there is a possiblity of

genetic link..?

> >

> > After reading the literature provided I am wondering how I could have this

diagnosis when the adrenal glands appear normal. I was not advised that I have

low potassium and during the appointment with the specialist I did not know

enough to ask. I am very concerned about going off all the HBP meds (even

gradually)for just one. No mention was made to me of surgery. Any advice

gratefully appreciated.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Or you could hire NE to read your CT. May your pressure be low!CE Grim MS, MDSpecializing in DifficultHypertensionOn May 6, 2012, at 17:08, adesertdiva1 <calgary4home@...> wrote:

Dr Grim

Thank you for your reply. I am now off all of the HBP meds that I have been taking with the exception of furosemide which I take occasionally for water retention (I only take it when I can't get my shoes on). I started on the novo-spirozine-25 on April 21 so just on it a little over 2 weeks and surprisingly my blood pressure has gone down! It is still to high but a great improvement. The average daily reading since starting the novo-spirozine is 139/87. Before starting with this med the average daily pressure was 169/112.

As suggested I read your Evolution article and although I admit to not understanding a good deal of it I did get the general idea. I will see the Internal Medicine Specialist in another 2 weeks for a follow up and will hopefully learn more.

My question is this:

Given that the CT scan was read as normal and given that it may not have been read correctly, what can I do? Someone on the message board suggests NIH (not familiar with that). I should also mention that I live in a land of socialized medicine so more specialists, scans etc are not really an option. i.e. the wait time for an MRI is now over a year and specialists appointments 10 to 18 months.

Thanks for your help and all you do here for PA sufferers.

>

> > Until a few days ago I had never even heard of hyperaldosteronism

> > but was given this diagnosis a few days ago by my Iternal Medicine

> > Specialist.

> > I am a 53 year old female and have been suffering unexplained HBP

> > for over 10 years. I have been hospitalized 3 times during

> > hypertensive crisis, most recently 1 year ago. I have been taking

> > several medications which have all failed to bring my BP down.

> > Average BP 170/135. When the pressure does come down it usually goes

> > very low. 90/65.

> >

> > I have been prescribed novo spirozine 25-25. I have been on it for 3

> > days and am to gradually come off all the other HBP meds. So far it

> > is bothering my stomach (history of ulcers) but I am hoping that

> > will go away as I get used to it.

> >

> > I had a CT Scan of adrenals but it did not show any abnormalities.

> > 24 hour urine and assorted blood tests were used for my diagnosis.

> >

> > I have been following the DASH diet for 10 years. My mother has

> > 's Disease (I know it is not the same)so wondering if there

> > is a possiblity of genetic link..?

> >

> > After reading the literature provided I am wondering how I could

> > have this diagnosis when the adrenal glands appear normal. I was not

> > advised that I have low potassium and during the appointment with

> > the specialist I did not know enough to ask. I am very concerned

> > about going off all the HBP meds (even gradually)for just one. No

> > mention was made to me of surgery. Any advice gratefully appreciated.

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I assume that you meant to write ME. If this is what you meant then I am

interested in doing so. What is the procedure and cost? I assume I can get a

copy of the CT scan from the referring doctor so I will request to tomorrow.

> > >

> > > > Until a few days ago I had never even heard of hyperaldosteronism

> > > > but was given this diagnosis a few days ago by my Iternal Medicine

> > > > Specialist.

> > > > I am a 53 year old female and have been suffering unexplained HBP

> > > > for over 10 years. I have been hospitalized 3 times during

> > > > hypertensive crisis, most recently 1 year ago. I have been taking

> > > > several medications which have all failed to bring my BP down.

> > > > Average BP 170/135. When the pressure does come down it usually goes

> > > > very low. 90/65.

> > > >

> > > > I have been prescribed novo spirozine 25-25. I have been on it for 3

> > > > days and am to gradually come off all the other HBP meds. So far it

> > > > is bothering my stomach (history of ulcers) but I am hoping that

> > > > will go away as I get used to it.

> > > >

> > > > I had a CT Scan of adrenals but it did not show any abnormalities.

> > > > 24 hour urine and assorted blood tests were used for my diagnosis.

> > > >

> > > > I have been following the DASH diet for 10 years. My mother has

> > > > 's Disease (I know it is not the same)so wondering if there

> > > > is a possiblity of genetic link..?

> > > >

> > > > After reading the literature provided I am wondering how I could

> > > > have this diagnosis when the adrenal glands appear normal. I was not

> > > > advised that I have low potassium and during the appointment with

> > > > the specialist I did not know enough to ask. I am very concerned

> > > > about going off all the HBP meds (even gradually)for just one. No

> > > > mention was made to me of surgery. Any advice gratefully appreciated.

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Good you may be able to go to Spiro alone and stop the lasix. Keep DASHINGMay your pressure be low!CE Grim MS, MDSpecializing in DifficultHypertensionOn May 6, 2012, at 17:20, adesertdiva1 <calgary4home@...> wrote:

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me.

Novo spirozine 25 is a combination med spironolactone and hydroclorathiazide.

I have now stopped the other medications and SURPRISINGLY my blood pressure has come down! So far no adverse reactions to the new medication except continued edema (which I am used to ).

From other posts and from reading Dr. Grim's post on "evolution" I realize that my CT scan may have been read incorrectly. The problem is that I don't know what to do about it. Another specialist is almost out of the question as I live in a land of socialized medicine and the wait times are 10 to 18 months.

> >

> > Until a few days ago I had never even heard of hyperaldosteronism but was given this diagnosis a few days ago by my Iternal Medicine Specialist.

> > I am a 53 year old female and have been suffering unexplained HBP for over 10 years. I have been hospitalized 3 times during hypertensive crisis, most recently 1 year ago. I have been taking several medications which have all failed to bring my BP down. Average BP 170/135. When the pressure does come down it usually goes very low. 90/65.

> >

> > I have been prescribed novo spirozine 25-25. I have been on it for 3 days and am to gradually come off all the other HBP meds. So far it is bothering my stomach (history of ulcers) but I am hoping that will go away as I get used to it.

> >

> > I had a CT Scan of adrenals but it did not show any abnormalities. 24 hour urine and assorted blood tests were used for my diagnosis.

> >

> > I have been following the DASH diet for 10 years. My mother has 's Disease (I know it is not the same)so wondering if there is a possiblity of genetic link..?

> >

> > After reading the literature provided I am wondering how I could have this diagnosis when the adrenal glands appear normal. I was not advised that I have low potassium and during the appointment with the specialist I did not know enough to ask. I am very concerned about going off all the HBP meds (even gradually)for just one. No mention was made to me of surgery. Any advice gratefully appreciated.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

So the addition of this striking fall in BP. ALMOST certainly related to the Spiro part May your pressure be low!CE Grim MS, MDSpecializing in DifficultHypertensionOn May 6, 2012, at 17:20, adesertdiva1 <calgary4home@...> wrote:

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me.

Novo spirozine 25 is a combination med spironolactone and hydroclorathiazide.

I have now stopped the other medications and SURPRISINGLY my blood pressure has come down! So far no adverse reactions to the new medication except continued edema (which I am used to ).

From other posts and from reading Dr. Grim's post on "evolution" I realize that my CT scan may have been read incorrectly. The problem is that I don't know what to do about it. Another specialist is almost out of the question as I live in a land of socialized medicine and the wait times are 10 to 18 months.

> >

> > Until a few days ago I had never even heard of hyperaldosteronism but was given this diagnosis a few days ago by my Iternal Medicine Specialist.

> > I am a 53 year old female and have been suffering unexplained HBP for over 10 years. I have been hospitalized 3 times during hypertensive crisis, most recently 1 year ago. I have been taking several medications which have all failed to bring my BP down. Average BP 170/135. When the pressure does come down it usually goes very low. 90/65.

> >

> > I have been prescribed novo spirozine 25-25. I have been on it for 3 days and am to gradually come off all the other HBP meds. So far it is bothering my stomach (history of ulcers) but I am hoping that will go away as I get used to it.

> >

> > I had a CT Scan of adrenals but it did not show any abnormalities. 24 hour urine and assorted blood tests were used for my diagnosis.

> >

> > I have been following the DASH diet for 10 years. My mother has 's Disease (I know it is not the same)so wondering if there is a possiblity of genetic link..?

> >

> > After reading the literature provided I am wondering how I could have this diagnosis when the adrenal glands appear normal. I was not advised that I have low potassium and during the appointment with the specialist I did not know enough to ask. I am very concerned about going off all the HBP meds (even gradually)for just one. No mention was made to me of surgery. Any advice gratefully appreciated.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Americans really can't go from specialist to specialist that easy either - specialists that know what they are doing anyway, because we don't have the money or the insurance. And with insurance most can't switch very easy either.

To echo what you have, I responded to only Spiro after many years with uncontrolled HTN - well over 5 but less than 10 of HTN iI think (2001 would have been the first inkling of elevated BP and the symptoms of low K at times), and a daily of 160-170/120 and often much higher. Hospital stays just like you (they never checked aldosterone or renin or anything adrenal related though) and sometimes on 5 BP meds at once. My point is that my CT of the adrenals was also read as normal and the doc wrote Conn's syndrome on my order so hopefully they knew what they were looking for or to look for. But I have had just one CT and it said normal. When I get the money eventually I am going to have Dr G or another radiologist look them over again, jst to be sure.

I am turning 45 in a week and just stopped my spiro a few months back because I am dashing well - not super great, but well, and exercising more. My endocrinologist who I had at first said I really wasn't a candidate for surgery due to age and the dangerously high blood pressure. But that was before the CT anyway and the CT was normal, so nothing to cut me open for anyway so far. But it seems the one's who report back have had great luck with the surgery and I don't recall in my short time on the list any regrets. At 45 and in pretty good shape otherwise, especially before all this, I would myself be nervous about surgery anyway.

If I outsalt it, ie..over 1400 I know it immediately, but I can live without frozen pizza and spaghettios anyway. So I am being careful, but it was clearly Conns, and the spiro effect couldn't have been more dramatic unless I got J-LO to bring it to me in a nurses outfit .... I wish..... I had the low K on every single blood test for at least 5 year, but usually they never told me, they hust ignored it. But I think I already told you I now know my symptoms were nearly all Low K related. When that finally got under control I felt like a new old man. .

From: adesertdiva1 <calgary4home@...>Subject: Re: Diagnosed with HyperAldosteronismhyperaldosteronism Date: Sunday, May 6, 2012, 5:08 PM

Dr GrimThank you for your reply. I am now off all of the HBP meds that I have been taking with the exception of furosemide which I take occasionally for water retention (I only take it when I can't get my shoes on). I started on the novo-spirozine-25 on April 21 so just on it a little over 2 weeks and surprisingly my blood pressure has gone down! It is still to high but a great improvement. The average daily reading since starting the novo-spirozine is 139/87. Before starting with this med the average daily pressure was 169/112.As suggested I read your Evolution article and although I admit to not understanding a good deal of it I did get the general idea. I will see the Internal Medicine Specialist in another 2 weeks for a follow up and will hopefully learn more.My question is this:Given that the CT scan was read as normal and given that it may not have been read correctly, what can I do? Someone on the message board suggests

NIH (not familiar with that). I should also mention that I live in a land of socialized medicine so more specialists, scans etc are not really an option. i.e. the wait time for an MRI is now over a year and specialists appointments 10 to 18 months.Thanks for your help and all you do here for PA sufferers.> > > Until a few days ago I had never even heard of hyperaldosteronism > > but was given this diagnosis a few days ago by my Iternal Medicine > >

Specialist.> > I am a 53 year old female and have been suffering unexplained HBP > > for over 10 years. I have been hospitalized 3 times during > > hypertensive crisis, most recently 1 year ago. I have been taking > > several medications which have all failed to bring my BP down. > > Average BP 170/135. When the pressure does come down it usually goes > > very low. 90/65.> >> > I have been prescribed novo spirozine 25-25. I have been on it for 3 > > days and am to gradually come off all the other HBP meds. So far it > > is bothering my stomach (history of ulcers) but I am hoping that > > will go away as I get used to it.> >> > I had a CT Scan of adrenals but it did not show any abnormalities. > > 24 hour urine and assorted blood tests were used for my diagnosis.> >> > I have been following the

DASH diet for 10 years. My mother has > > 's Disease (I know it is not the same)so wondering if there > > is a possiblity of genetic link..?> >> > After reading the literature provided I am wondering how I could > > have this diagnosis when the adrenal glands appear normal. I was not > > advised that I have low potassium and during the appointment with > > the specialist I did not know enough to ask. I am very concerned > > about going off all the HBP meds (even gradually)for just one. No > > mention was made to me of surgery. Any advice gratefully appreciated.> >> >>

[Guest guest]

Nurse J-LO wasn't available so your wife and I arranged for Nurse Bobbit to deliver your b-day cake!

> > > > > Until a few days ago I had never even heard of hyperaldosteronism > > > but was given this diagnosis a few days ago by my Iternal Medicine > > > Specialist.> > > I am a 53 year old female and have been suffering unexplained HBP > > > for over 10 years. I have been hospitalized 3 times during > > > hypertensive crisis, most recently 1 year ago. I have been taking > > > several medications which have all failed to bring my BP down. > > > Average BP 170/135. When the pressure does come down it usually goes > > > very low. 90/65.> > >> > > I have been prescribed novo spirozine 25-25. I have been on it for 3 > > > days and am to gradually come off all the other HBP meds. So far it > > > is bothering my stomach (history of ulcers) but I am hoping that > > > will go away as I get used to it.> > >> > > I had a CT Scan of adrenals but it did not show any abnormalities. > > > 24 hour urine and assorted blood tests were used for my diagnosis.> > >> > > I have been following the DASH diet for 10 years. My mother has > > > 's Disease (I know it is not the same)so wondering if there > > > is a possiblity of genetic link..?> > >> > > After reading the literature provided I am wondering how I could > > > have this diagnosis when the adrenal glands appear normal. I was not > > > advised that I have low potassium and during the appointment with > > > the specialist I did not know enough to ask. I am very concerned > > > about going off all the HBP meds (even gradually)for just one. No > > > mention was made to me of surgery. Any advice gratefully appreciated.> > >> > >> >>