Re: Severe flank pain and weight gain

[Guest guest]

I am available to work with you and your Dr. to get at the problem. This one-on-one with you and Dr will usually get you back to feeling better. I can give you details on the consulting arrangement if you email me at lowerbp2@.... This is probably the best approach if your PCP knows you well and will prepare him to care for the others like you he has or will have. I would stay away from the Endo you saw.1. Are you DASHing yet? If not start now.2. What has your K been doing. 3. Do you get up at night to pee?4. What has weight done?You no not mention any other meds but it would be unusual if you are not on any others.Did you read my Evolution article and take to your PCP?Any testing done for Cushing's.Any weight gain?CE Grim MDOn Jun 27, 2012, at 5:25 PM, Jeanette wrote: I have been on spiro for over a year now. I was taking 50 mg. twice daily. My blood pressure was well under control but I was feeling very tired and started getting flank pain. I reduced by spiro down to 25 mg. twice daily. I did this about 2 weeks ago. My blood pressure is still fairly good but I have not seen any improvement in the way I feel. My family doctor has been treating me and is happy to prescribe the Spiro for me but he is the first to admit that he doesn't know about Conn's Syndrome well enough to do anything other than prescribe the meds. He has send me to an endocrinologist for another matter but I was not impressed with the Doctor. He asked me is I was a diabetic and I told him "no". He said that was too bad because he was really good at dealing with diabetes. I had posted here about a year ago and gave all my blood work results. It was very obvious that I had hyperaldosteronism. It was felt at the time that I would be best off just going on the meds as I am going to be 70 next year. However, the way I have been feeling lately is so bad that I feel that I should look into this further as far as the possibility of surgery. I will have to have a cat scan and the adrenal vein test but my problem right now is trying to find a specialist that knows all about Conn's Syndrome and how to deal with it. I live on Vancouver Island but would be quite happy to go to a doctor in Vancouver, British Columbia, if I could find one that knew all about this ailment. I have been researching the endos in this area and Vancouver and have not found one that appears to fit the bill. Does anyone have a doctor that they can recommend in Vancouver or on Vancouver Island. My shape has changed drastically over the last year. I actually look as if I am 7 months pregnant. I have not changed my diet at all. The only thing I can think of is that it is hormonal related somehow. I look like a round ball!! I just hate it. I would really appreciate any comments for any of you. Thank you. Jan

[Guest guest]

I am available to work with you and your Dr. to get at the problem. This one-on-one with you and Dr will usually get you back to feeling better. I can give you details on the consulting arrangement if you email me at lowerbp2@.... This is probably the best approach if your PCP knows you well and will prepare him to care for the others like you he has or will have. I would stay away from the Endo you saw.1. Are you DASHing yet? If not start now.2. What has your K been doing. 3. Do you get up at night to pee?4. What has weight done?You no not mention any other meds but it would be unusual if you are not on any others.Did you read my Evolution article and take to your PCP?Any testing done for Cushing's.Any weight gain?CE Grim MDOn Jun 27, 2012, at 5:25 PM, Jeanette wrote: I have been on spiro for over a year now. I was taking 50 mg. twice daily. My blood pressure was well under control but I was feeling very tired and started getting flank pain. I reduced by spiro down to 25 mg. twice daily. I did this about 2 weeks ago. My blood pressure is still fairly good but I have not seen any improvement in the way I feel. My family doctor has been treating me and is happy to prescribe the Spiro for me but he is the first to admit that he doesn't know about Conn's Syndrome well enough to do anything other than prescribe the meds. He has send me to an endocrinologist for another matter but I was not impressed with the Doctor. He asked me is I was a diabetic and I told him "no". He said that was too bad because he was really good at dealing with diabetes. I had posted here about a year ago and gave all my blood work results. It was very obvious that I had hyperaldosteronism. It was felt at the time that I would be best off just going on the meds as I am going to be 70 next year. However, the way I have been feeling lately is so bad that I feel that I should look into this further as far as the possibility of surgery. I will have to have a cat scan and the adrenal vein test but my problem right now is trying to find a specialist that knows all about Conn's Syndrome and how to deal with it. I live on Vancouver Island but would be quite happy to go to a doctor in Vancouver, British Columbia, if I could find one that knew all about this ailment. I have been researching the endos in this area and Vancouver and have not found one that appears to fit the bill. Does anyone have a doctor that they can recommend in Vancouver or on Vancouver Island. My shape has changed drastically over the last year. I actually look as if I am 7 months pregnant. I have not changed my diet at all. The only thing I can think of is that it is hormonal related somehow. I look like a round ball!! I just hate it. I would really appreciate any comments for any of you. Thank you. Jan

[Guest guest]

Jeanette, It sounds to me like you should have your Cortisol checked. Look up

information on Cushing's Syndrome or Subclinical Cushing's Syndrome. SCS is

more likely and harder to DX if you don't have moon face or buffalo hump.

I suggest you print a copy of " Aldosterone Causes of Hypertension " from our

files and review, it will explain testing. (A copy for your doctor would also

be good!) This is written by the doctors at NIH that treated Maggie and me at

NIH (protocol 00-CH-0160).

Although not a doctor, I would be happy to try to answer questions if you have

any. BTW, HTN and severe flank pain is what got me here in the first place!

>

> I have been on spiro for over a year now. I was taking 50 mg. twice daily. My

blood pressure was well under control but I was feeling very tired and started

getting flank pain. I reduced by spiro down to 25 mg. twice daily. I did this

about 2 weeks ago. My blood pressure is still fairly good but I have not seen

any improvement in the way I feel.

>

> My family doctor has been treating me and is happy to prescribe the Spiro for

me but he is the first to admit that he doesn't know about Conn's Syndrome well

enough to do anything other than prescribe the meds. He has send me to an

endocrinologist for another matter but I was not impressed with the Doctor. He

asked me is I was a diabetic and I told him " no " . He said that was too bad

because he was really good at dealing with diabetes.

>

> I had posted here about a year ago and gave all my blood work results. It was

very obvious that I had hyperaldosteronism. It was felt at the time that I would

be best off just going on the meds as I am going to be 70 next year. However,

the way I have been feeling lately is so bad that I feel that I should look into

this further as far as the possibility of surgery.

>

> I will have to have a cat scan and the adrenal vein test but my problem right

now is trying to find a specialist that knows all about Conn's Syndrome and how

to deal with it.

>

> I live on Vancouver Island but would be quite happy to go to a doctor in

Vancouver, British Columbia, if I could find one that knew all about this

ailment. I have been researching the endos in this area and Vancouver and have

not found one that appears to fit the bill.

>

> Does anyone have a doctor that they can recommend in Vancouver or on Vancouver

Island.

>

> My shape has changed drastically over the last year. I actually look as if I

am 7 months pregnant. I have not changed my diet at all. The only thing I can

think of is that it is hormonal related somehow. I look like a round ball!! I

just hate it.

>

> I would really appreciate any comments for any of you. Thank you.

>

> Jan

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, I am dashing.  I do not know how my K is doing.  I take25 mEq a day and it seems to be doing the trick.  My bloodpressure is now acceptable to my Doctor.I get up to use the washroom usually once a night and sometimes

twice if I have had a cup of tea a little later in the evening.My weight is just going up and up but what shocks me the mostis how I look.  I actually look as if I could be delivering a baby

any day now.  I have had thyroid cancer so had my thyroid removed and I amon supplements for that.I have suffered with ovarian cysts all my life.  Had major surgery

for a burst cyst when I was only 20 years old.  I have cysts onmy liver and things on my kidneys and my lungs.  I have had numeroustests and have been told that they are nothing to be concerned

about.I believe I had a cortisol test many years ago and they didn't findanything unusual. I think I had to collect my urine for 24 hours.I have been in pain for at least 3 months now.  That is why I reduced

my spiro, thinking it might help, but it has not.My body cannot handle any stress at all....and that is good stresstoo.  I recently went on vacation.  It took three days of driving to get

there....my husband did all the driving.  When I arrived I was a basketcase.  Absolutely exhausted the whole time we were there and thenwe had to drive back home again.  

This sounds to me that the adrenals are not firing properly.  Whattype of test should I be taking.  My Dr. is very good about orderingany tests that I suggest.I thought I had the problem licked when my PA was diagnosed

and I am so disappointed that I am feeling just as ill now as beforeit was discovered so I feel that there is more going on that justexcess aldosterone.I have read your article and I did give a copy to my doctor when

I was first treated for PA.I am making another appointment with my Dr. to discuss all of this.Any suggestions as to what I might ask him for.  Thank you.

JanOn Wed, Jun 27, 2012 at 7:08 PM, Clarence Grim <lowerbp2@...> wrote:

 

I am available to work with you and your Dr. to get at the problem. This one-on-one with you and Dr will usually get you  back to feeling better.  I can give you details on the consulting arrangement if you email me at lowerbp2@....  This is probably the best approach if your PCP knows you well and will prepare him to care for the others like you he has or will have.  I would stay away from the Endo you saw.

1.  Are you DASHing yet? If not start now.2. What has your K been doing. 3. Do you get up at night to pee?4. What has weight done?You no not mention any other meds but it would be unusual if you are not on any others.

Did you read my Evolution article and take to your PCP?Any testing done for Cushing's.Any weight gain?CE Grim MD

On Jun 27, 2012, at 5:25 PM, Jeanette wrote:   I have been on spiro for over a year now. I was taking 50 mg. twice daily. My blood pressure was well under control but I was feeling very tired and started getting flank pain. I reduced by spiro down to 25 mg. twice daily. I did this about 2 weeks ago. My blood pressure is still fairly good but I have not seen any improvement in the way I feel.

My family doctor has been treating me and is happy to prescribe the Spiro for me but he is the first to admit that he doesn't know about Conn's Syndrome well enough to do anything other than prescribe the meds. He has send me to an endocrinologist for another matter but I was not impressed with the Doctor. He asked me is I was a diabetic and I told him " no " . He said that was too bad because he was really good at dealing with diabetes.

I had posted here about a year ago and gave all my blood work results. It was very obvious that I had hyperaldosteronism. It was felt at the time that I would be best off just going on the meds as I am going to be 70 next year. However, the way I have been feeling lately is so bad that I feel that I should look into this further as far as the possibility of surgery.

I will have to have a cat scan and the adrenal vein test but my problem right now is trying to find a specialist that knows all about Conn's Syndrome and how to deal with it. I live on Vancouver Island but would be quite happy to go to a doctor in Vancouver, British Columbia, if I could find one that knew all about this ailment. I have been researching the endos in this area and Vancouver and have not found one that appears to fit the bill.

Does anyone have a doctor that they can recommend in Vancouver or on Vancouver Island. My shape has changed drastically over the last year. I actually look as if I am 7 months pregnant. I have not changed my diet at all. The only thing I can think of is that it is hormonal related somehow. I look like a round ball!! I just hate it.

I would really appreciate any comments for any of you. Thank you. Jan

-- Jan Shimano

[Guest guest]

You need togive us ur Numbers again before Spiro. Ask your dr to do the

following now

Spot test of urine for Na k creat and protein better yet a 24 hr urine and add

urinary free cortisol.

Any bruising or stretch marks?

I'd u have not done the 14 day DASH TRIAL in book do it now. Suspect u will

quickly feel better.

[Guest guest]

Have Dr. check spot urine to validate DASH.I would recommend doing the 14 day trial in the book exactly to see if you feel better. Wait till after Saline if going to be done soon.CE Grim MDOn Jun 28, 2012, at 9:17 AM, Jan Shimano wrote: Yes, I am dashing. I do not know how my K is doing. I take25 mEq a day and it seems to be doing the trick. My bloodpressure is now acceptable to my Doctor.I get up to use the washroom usually once a night and sometimes twice if I have had a cup of tea a little later in the evening.My weight is just going up and up but what shocks me the mostis how I look. I actually look as if I could be delivering a baby any day now. I have had thyroid cancer so had my thyroid removed and I amon supplements for that.I have suffered with ovarian cysts all my life. Had major surgery for a burst cyst when I was only 20 years old. I have cysts onmy liver and things on my kidneys and my lungs. I have had numeroustests and have been told that they are nothing to be concerned about.I believe I had a cortisol test many years ago and they didn't findanything unusual. I think I had to collect my urine for 24 hours.I have been in pain for at least 3 months now. That is why I reduced my spiro, thinking it might help, but it has not.My body cannot handle any stress at all....and that is good stresstoo. I recently went on vacation. It took three days of driving to get there....my husband did all the driving. When I arrived I was a basketcase. Absolutely exhausted the whole time we were there and thenwe had to drive back home again. This sounds to me that the adrenals are not firing properly. Whattype of test should I be taking. My Dr. is very good about orderingany tests that I suggest.I thought I had the problem licked when my PA was diagnosed and I am so disappointed that I am feeling just as ill now as beforeit was discovered so I feel that there is more going on that justexcess aldosterone.I have read your article and I did give a copy to my doctor when I was first treated for PA.I am making another appointment with my Dr. to discuss all of this.Any suggestions as to what I might ask him for. Thank you. JanOn Wed, Jun 27, 2012 at 7:08 PM, Clarence Grim <lowerbp2@...> wrote: I am available to work with you and your Dr. to get at the problem. This one-on-one with you and Dr will usually get you back to feeling better. I can give you details on the consulting arrangement if you email me at lowerbp2@.... This is probably the best approach if your PCP knows you well and will prepare him to care for the others like you he has or will have. I would stay away from the Endo you saw. 1. Are you DASHing yet? If not start now.2. What has your K been doing. 3. Do you get up at night to pee?4. What has weight done?You no not mention any other meds but it would be unusual if you are not on any others. Did you read my Evolution article and take to your PCP?Any testing done for Cushing's.Any weight gain?CE Grim MD On Jun 27, 2012, at 5:25 PM, Jeanette wrote: I have been on spiro for over a year now. I was taking 50 mg. twice daily. My blood pressure was well under control but I was feeling very tired and started getting flank pain. I reduced by spiro down to 25 mg. twice daily. I did this about 2 weeks ago. My blood pressure is still fairly good but I have not seen any improvement in the way I feel. My family doctor has been treating me and is happy to prescribe the Spiro for me but he is the first to admit that he doesn't know about Conn's Syndrome well enough to do anything other than prescribe the meds. He has send me to an endocrinologist for another matter but I was not impressed with the Doctor. He asked me is I was a diabetic and I told him "no". He said that was too bad because he was really good at dealing with diabetes. I had posted here about a year ago and gave all my blood work results. It was very obvious that I had hyperaldosteronism. It was felt at the time that I would be best off just going on the meds as I am going to be 70 next year. However, the way I have been feeling lately is so bad that I feel that I should look into this further as far as the possibility of surgery. I will have to have a cat scan and the adrenal vein test but my problem right now is trying to find a specialist that knows all about Conn's Syndrome and how to deal with it. I live on Vancouver Island but would be quite happy to go to a doctor in Vancouver, British Columbia, if I could find one that knew all about this ailment. I have been researching the endos in this area and Vancouver and have not found one that appears to fit the bill. Does anyone have a doctor that they can recommend in Vancouver or on Vancouver Island. My shape has changed drastically over the last year. I actually look as if I am 7 months pregnant. I have not changed my diet at all. The only thing I can think of is that it is hormonal related somehow. I look like a round ball!! I just hate it. I would really appreciate any comments for any of you. Thank you. Jan -- Jan Shimano