Re: New member story

Posted March 19, 2008 · March 19, 2008

Hey Den

Are we the same person?? I also have had crohns since 1983 and

diagnosed in 2004 with Rheumotoid Arthiritis and not I have the c-4 5

and T5 and T6 herniation's with cord compression at the T-5 & 6

level. The herniations are new to me though. Are you followed by a

Rheumotoid ologits [sp] ?? If not I highly recomend it strongly. When

you looking at the inflamatory response from auto-immune disorders

the connective tissue disorder comes very important. I have been on

Remicaide infusion for the Crohn's and to prevent future joint

distruction. Remicaide and Methotrexate are my mainstay as well as

prednisone when I need to use it. I can relate 100 percent to the

conditions as a whole.

Your history will be very important to a Rheumotoligist. I am

awaiting for a neuro-surgeon consult on April 15th, the pain has been

overwhelming across the shoulders and a painful numbness in the ring

and pinky fingers. As of now I have had 2 episodes of passing out due

to intense pain.

Holler back if I can help

n South Louisiana

>

> Hello all. My name is Dennis (please call me Den). I am 38, married

> and have a long history of Crohn's Disease (an auto immune disorder

> causing inflammatory bowel disease). My Crohns Disease has taken a

> huge toll on my body over the past 17 years including 8 surgeries

for

> bowel removal and other complications. I am proud to say however

that

> I have been working full time my whole life except for periods of

> disability after my surgeries.

>

> In Sept. 2007, I woke up on a Sunday morning with pain in my neck

and

> had trouble turning my head. I had previously had this temporary

> condition a number of times over the years, but it always went away

> after a few days. As the day wore on, we were driving to my

parent's

> house for a visit and the pain traveled from my neck to between the

> shoulder blades. It felt like I had been " punched " between the

> shoulder blades. By that evening, I was in a lot of discomfort and

my

> hands were numb, but went to bed intending to get up work the next

> day. I have a sales job and sit at a computer all day. I have been

> with my employer fro 20 years as of next year.

>

> I woke up Monday morning at 5 a.m. and could not lift my arms for

the

> pain it caused. My wonderful wife got up and took me to the E.R.

> After many hours, we were told that I had severe arthritis in the

> cervical spine and was give Vicodin and 2 weeks off work. I was

also

> sent to my G.P. for a follow up. My G.P. advised that the x-rays

also

> showed some disc herniations and disc deterioration. The G.P.

advised

> physical therapy (which I did for almost a month) and more time off

> work. The P.T. helped for a short period. I was made to purchase a

> home traction unit and used this in conjunction with my regular

P.T.

>

> My condition started to worsen as time went on, so P.T was

> discontinued and I was sent to have an MRI done. The MRI showed

> severe deterioration of discs C-3 thorugh C-7, herniations from C-3

> through C-7 and my spinal cord was compressed due to a particularly

> bad herniation at C-4 C-5.

>

> My G.P. advised going to a pain clinic for steroid injections

> directly into the cervical spine. I have two injections done and

> experienced temporary improvement for a few days after each

> injection, but went back to misery shortly thereafter. It was then

> that I was referred to my neurosurgeon.

>

> The neurosurgeon determined that I had no reflexes at the elbows to

> the hands and advised immediate surgery due to the spinal cord

> compression. I was to have a three level discectomy and fusion

(using

> cadaver bone as my bones were too weak from years of steroids for

my

> Crohn's) to include plating. Surgery was Dec. 28, 2007. Up waking

up

> from surgery, I found that the neurosurgeon has actually done a

four

> level removing three discs and a 4 level plate. I was in the

hospital

> for 4 days and in my rigid neck collar for two months and then

> advised to slowly discontinue its use. I actually went back to work

> part time last week, but things have been going downhill as far as

> pain in the neck radiating down into the shoulder blades and I'm

> having trouble holding my head up. I haven't been back to work this

> week so far. The neurosurgeon advised going back into the collar. I

> am waiting on a callback this morning as to what else may need to

be

> done.

>

> Of all the surgeries I have had in my life, this has been the

> toughest to heal from. I have been off work for almost six months,

> not counting the half days I worked last week. I am looking to

> network and maybe share some stories and advice. Thanks for reading!

>

> Den

>

Posted March 19, 2008 · March 19, 2008

den, welcome to the group. is your neurosurgeon the only surgeon you saw

prior to surgery?

would it be possible for you to see other neuro and ortho surgeons now to

get further advice or maybe to clean up what might need cleaning up? my heart

goes out to you. keep the faith. marsha

**************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL

Home.

(http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?ncid=aolhom00030\

000000001)

Posted March 21, 2008 · March 21, 2008

Hi .

Nice to meet another Crohnie with the same spinal problems. I do not

currently see a rhuemotologist although my mother was diagnosed with

RA a few years ago, so I may have that gene. I am also an identical

twin and my twin brother also has Crohns. I take

Prednisone,Imuran,Cipro,Flagyl and most importantly-Humira. I was on

Remicade since 1998 when it was approved by the FDA and was one of

the first people here in Pa. to get it, but had too any antibodies

built up after 10 years and was max'd out on dose and frequency-so

they switched me to Humira which is great!

All that aside I am coming up on 3 months post surgical, but because

of the Crohns, I heal very slowly. Still hoping to go back part time

next week. I had the numbness in the hands as well. It was not

enjoyable at all. Have you had any spinal surgery yet for your

condition?

> >

> > Hello all. My name is Dennis (please call me Den). I am 38,

married

> > and have a long history of Crohn's Disease (an auto immune

disorder

> > causing inflammatory bowel disease). My Crohns Disease has taken

a

> > huge toll on my body over the past 17 years including 8 surgeries

> for

> > bowel removal and other complications. I am proud to say however

> that

> > I have been working full time my whole life except for periods of

> > disability after my surgeries.

> >

> > In Sept. 2007, I woke up on a Sunday morning with pain in my neck

> and

> > had trouble turning my head. I had previously had this temporary

> > condition a number of times over the years, but it always went

away

> > after a few days. As the day wore on, we were driving to my

> parent's

> > house for a visit and the pain traveled from my neck to between

the

> > shoulder blades. It felt like I had been " punched " between the

> > shoulder blades. By that evening, I was in a lot of discomfort

and

> my

> > hands were numb, but went to bed intending to get up work the

been

> > with my employer fro 20 years as of next year.

> >

> > I woke up Monday morning at 5 a.m. and could not lift my arms for

> the

> > pain it caused. My wonderful wife got up and took me to the E.R.

> > After many hours, we were told that I had severe arthritis in the

> > cervical spine and was give Vicodin and 2 weeks off work. I was

> also

> > sent to my G.P. for a follow up. My G.P. advised that the x-rays

> also

> > showed some disc herniations and disc deterioration. The G.P.

> advised

> > physical therapy (which I did for almost a month) and more time

off

> > work. The P.T. helped for a short period. I was made to purchase

a

> > home traction unit and used this in conjunction with my regular

> P.T.

> >

> > My condition started to worsen as time went on, so P.T was

> > discontinued and I was sent to have an MRI done. The MRI showed

> > severe deterioration of discs C-3 thorugh C-7, herniations from C-

3

> > through C-7 and my spinal cord was compressed due to a

particularly

> > bad herniation at C-4 C-5.

> >

> > My G.P. advised going to a pain clinic for steroid injections

> > directly into the cervical spine. I have two injections done and

> > experienced temporary improvement for a few days after each

> > injection, but went back to misery shortly thereafter. It was

then

> > that I was referred to my neurosurgeon.

> >

> > The neurosurgeon determined that I had no reflexes at the elbows

to

> > the hands and advised immediate surgery due to the spinal cord

> > compression. I was to have a three level discectomy and fusion

> (using

> > cadaver bone as my bones were too weak from years of steroids for

> my

> > Crohn's) to include plating. Surgery was Dec. 28, 2007. Up waking

> up

> > from surgery, I found that the neurosurgeon has actually done a

> four

> > level removing three discs and a 4 level plate. I was in the

> hospital

> > for 4 days and in my rigid neck collar for two months and then

> > advised to slowly discontinue its use. I actually went back to

work

> > part time last week, but things have been going downhill as far

as

> > pain in the neck radiating down into the shoulder blades and I'm

> > having trouble holding my head up. I haven't been back to work

this

> > week so far. The neurosurgeon advised going back into the collar.

I

> > am waiting on a callback this morning as to what else may need to

> be

> > done.

> >

> > Of all the surgeries I have had in my life, this has been the

> > toughest to heal from. I have been off work for almost six

months,

> > not counting the half days I worked last week. I am looking to

> > network and maybe share some stories and advice. Thanks for

reading!

> >

> > Den

> >

>

Posted March 21, 2008 · March 21, 2008

Hi Marsha.

I was not seen by anyone other than the ER docs, my GP and physical

therapists...and of course my neuro-surgeon. He did it all while he

was in there. Removed three discs, added cadaver bone grafts, drilled

out bone where the nerve bundles needed more room and removed any

spurs and finally added the plate. I think I just need more healing

time to get back into shape. My Crohns disease makes me heal quite

slowly as can attest to. My wife is the office manager for a

Chiropractor and we get free spinal care. He is very anti-surgery,

but when he saw a copy of my MRI, he actually suggested the surgery

as well. I was a mess. Thanks for the advice and take care Marsha!

>

> den, welcome to the group. is your neurosurgeon the only surgeon

you saw

> prior to surgery?

> would it be possible for you to see other neuro and ortho surgeons

now to

> get further advice or maybe to clean up what might need cleaning

up? my heart

> goes out to you. keep the faith. marsha

>

> **************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video

on AOL

> Home.

> (http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?

ncid=aolhom00030000000001)

>

Posted March 22, 2008 · March 22, 2008

Yes, your right about the healing. Any small cut or scrape can take

me up to a month to heal and allways leaves scars. Once a paper cut

grew to a mamath infection on my right hand .When there is a Auto-

immune disoder present that complicates and distorts the entire

playing field. Any options such as surgery must be well thought out

and weighed. Crohn's and Rheumotoid is a nasty pair of demons to deal

with if any surgery is needed.

n South Louisiana

> >

> > den, welcome to the group. is your neurosurgeon the only

surgeon

> you saw

> > prior to surgery?

> > would it be possible for you to see other neuro and ortho

surgeons

> now to

> > get further advice or maybe to clean up what might need cleaning

> up? my heart

> > goes out to you. keep the faith. marsha

> >

> > **************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the

video

> on AOL

> > Home.

> > (http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?

> ncid=aolhom00030000000001)

> >

Posted March 22, 2008 · March 22, 2008

Hi Den

It is nice to see ya here. Before I forget it I would like for you to

let me know about the signs and symptoms you was having when the

Remicaide sickness hit ya.I beleive I am at that point now. Can you

beleive that I still have 10-14 trips to the bathroom daily with all

of the pain med's I take. CRAZY!!! The Demerol 150mg every 4 hrs

hasn't stopped it up yet.

I do not see the Neuro-surgeon until April the 15th. After reading

the postings of other's here I beleive that I woud only surgery IF

1. There was increased danger of the spinal cord being compressed

more . The pressure is unbearable now to say the least. Example--

if I move a certain way , I stand up to fast or if I get upset or

startled ,during sex, ect . When/if these events occur a wave of

pressure begans starting at the compression site T 5-6 and

radiates up to my head and all the way down through the lumbar

region. I have had 2 occasions that I passed out due to this. It

will pass usually within 3 to 5 minutes generally.

This is what I deal with anytime there is a release of adrenaline

and it's pretty scarry. Allthough I have delt with cronic pain

for years that is the straw that has broke the camel's back.

Another example of what I feel is if my spinal colum is a inter-

tube and you are adding air to it to the point of bursting.

By what I have read here all that maybe all that may have to be

done is the portion of the bone that is compressing the cord be

removed.

2. The second indication for me to consider sugery would be if

the area needs stabilazation to prevent the spinal cord

being severed.

As for having sugery to control the pain I do not think [as for now]

it would help but I would if there was a chance to prevent futher

profound cord damage . If others have delt with cord compression

issues I wonder what your plan and or experiences was. Can ya help ?

The herniation issues are in second place at this point.

Best Wishes

N South Louisiana

> > >

> > > Hello all. My name is Dennis (please call me Den). I am 38,

> married

> > > and have a long history of Crohn's Disease (an auto immune

> disorder

> > > causing inflammatory bowel disease). My Crohns Disease has

taken

> a

> > > huge toll on my body over the past 17 years including 8

surgeries

> > for

> > > bowel removal and other complications. I am proud to say

however

> > that

> > > I have been working full time my whole life except for periods

of

> > > disability after my surgeries.

> > >

> > > In Sept. 2007, I woke up on a Sunday morning with pain in my

neck

> > and

> > > had trouble turning my head. I had previously had this

temporary

> > > condition a number of times over the years, but it always went

> away

> > > after a few days. As the day wore on, we were driving to my

> > parent's

> > > house for a visit and the pain traveled from my neck to between

> the

> > > shoulder blades. It felt like I had been " punched " between the

> > > shoulder blades. By that evening, I was in a lot of discomfort

> and

> > my

> > > hands were numb, but went to bed intending to get up work the

> next

> > > day. I have a sales job and sit at a computer all day. I have

> been

> > > with my employer fro 20 years as of next year.

> > >

> > > I woke up Monday morning at 5 a.m. and could not lift my arms

for

> > the

> > > pain it caused. My wonderful wife got up and took me to the

E.R.

> > > After many hours, we were told that I had severe arthritis in

the

> > > cervical spine and was give Vicodin and 2 weeks off work. I was

> > also

> > > sent to my G.P. for a follow up. My G.P. advised that the x-

rays

> > also

> > > showed some disc herniations and disc deterioration. The G.P.

> > advised

> > > physical therapy (which I did for almost a month) and more time

> off

> > > work. The P.T. helped for a short period. I was made to

purchase

> a

> > > home traction unit and used this in conjunction with my regular

> > P.T.

> > >

> > > My condition started to worsen as time went on, so P.T was

> > > discontinued and I was sent to have an MRI done. The MRI showed

> > > severe deterioration of discs C-3 thorugh C-7, herniations from

C-

> 3

> > > through C-7 and my spinal cord was compressed due to a

> particularly

> > > bad herniation at C-4 C-5.

> > >

> > > My G.P. advised going to a pain clinic for steroid injections

> > > directly into the cervical spine. I have two injections done

and

> > > experienced temporary improvement for a few days after each

> > > injection, but went back to misery shortly thereafter. It was

> then

> > > that I was referred to my neurosurgeon.

> > >

> > > The neurosurgeon determined that I had no reflexes at the

elbows

> to

> > > the hands and advised immediate surgery due to the spinal cord

> > > compression. I was to have a three level discectomy and fusion

> > (using

> > > cadaver bone as my bones were too weak from years of steroids

for

> > my

> > > Crohn's) to include plating. Surgery was Dec. 28, 2007. Up

waking

> > up

> > > from surgery, I found that the neurosurgeon has actually done a

> > four

> > > level removing three discs and a 4 level plate. I was in the

> > hospital

> > > for 4 days and in my rigid neck collar for two months and then

> > > advised to slowly discontinue its use. I actually went back to

> work

> > > part time last week, but things have been going downhill as far

> as

> > > pain in the neck radiating down into the shoulder blades and

I'm

> > > having trouble holding my head up. I haven't been back to work

> this

> > > week so far. The neurosurgeon advised going back into the

collar.

> I

> > > am waiting on a callback this morning as to what else may need

to

> > be

> > > done.

> > >

> > > Of all the surgeries I have had in my life, this has been the

> > > toughest to heal from. I have been off work for almost six

> months,

> > > not counting the half days I worked last week. I am looking to

> > > network and maybe share some stories and advice. Thanks for

> reading!

> > >

> > > Den

> > >

> >

>

Posted March 22, 2008 · March 22, 2008

I guess my only concern would be, but can't be addressed now, is the

cadaver bone. I had a synthetic bone graft performed and I hear that

is the better way to go. I would be interested to hear what the group

thinks about this. I had a bone graft on my wrist years ago and they

used my own bone from my hip. That healed well. They chose to use

synthetic this time since it is less trauma to the body. I do have to

wear a bone growth stimulator for 4 hours a day. Do you have to do

that with the cadaver bone?

Thanks for any input anyone can offer.

Lynda

> >

> > den, welcome to the group. is your neurosurgeon the only surgeon

> you saw

> > prior to surgery?

> > would it be possible for you to see other neuro and ortho surgeons

> now to

> > get further advice or maybe to clean up what might need cleaning

> up? my heart

> > goes out to you. keep the faith. marsha

> >

> > **************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video

> on AOL

> > Home.

> > (http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?

> ncid=aolhom00030000000001)

> >

Posted March 23, 2008 · March 23, 2008

lynda, they used a synthetic bone for my fusion. that was fine with me. no

problems with it. my doctor much preferred it over the alternatives. i have

heard bad things about healing in the hip after using hip bone. i just

wonder how many people do this, have fusions and are very happy and successful

with it. i strongly suspect that once they are cured they leave this group and

therefore the only information we have with each other are those of us who

have not been so successful. i strongly suspect that there might be people

out there who have been very successful and we do not know this. marsha

**************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL

Home.

(http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?ncid=aolhom00030\

000000001)

Posted March 25, 2008 · March 25, 2008

Hi again . When the Remicade antibodies built up, I started

having reactions like labored breathing and increased pulse....like

2x regular. They had to hit me with a massive dose of IV steroids the

first time it happened. AFter that, I had to take a course of

steroids before and after the infusion. I still ran high fevers for

two days the infusion and in the end, the side effects were almost

worse than the Crohns. The Humira is GREAT if your insurance will

cover it.

As for the spinal surgery, I had no choice really. I kept dropping

things as I had almost no feeling in the hands and as I said in an

earlier post, I had no reflex action from the elbows down. The

healing for me has been the hardest part. Every time I think I'm

ready to go back to work, another setback. Just typing this is

painful as I sit on the sofa with my laptop I have to keep my head

resting back on pillows. My wife and her friends call me bobblehead

or pinhead....LOL.

When my wife's employee, a very good chiropractor, told me after

seeing my MRI that I should be careful of falling as I could end up

paralyzed and then actually suggested surgery-I think that hit home

as he is very anti-surgery. I would always advise folks to think it

through because 1 week after my surgery, I told my wife(I was pretty

drugged up), that I would never have spinal surgery again. In

hindsight, I do feel better and hopefully will not need any more

done, but my lumbar region isn't too good either. Best of luck to you

!

> > > >

> > > > Hello all. My name is Dennis (please call me Den). I am 38,

> > married

> > > > and have a long history of Crohn's Disease (an auto immune

> > disorder

> > > > causing inflammatory bowel disease). My Crohns Disease has

> taken

> > a

> > > > huge toll on my body over the past 17 years including 8

> surgeries

> > > for

> > > > bowel removal and other complications. I am proud to say

> however

> > > that

> > > > I have been working full time my whole life except for

periods

> of

> > > > disability after my surgeries.

> > > >

> > > > In Sept. 2007, I woke up on a Sunday morning with pain in my

> neck

> > > and

> > > > had trouble turning my head. I had previously had this

> temporary

> > > > condition a number of times over the years, but it always

went

> > away

> > > > after a few days. As the day wore on, we were driving to my

> > > parent's

> > > > house for a visit and the pain traveled from my neck to

between

> > the

> > > > shoulder blades. It felt like I had been " punched " between

the

> > > > shoulder blades. By that evening, I was in a lot of

discomfort

> > and

> > > my

> > > > hands were numb, but went to bed intending to get up work the

> > next

> > > > day. I have a sales job and sit at a computer all day. I have

> > been

> > > > with my employer fro 20 years as of next year.

> > > >

> > > > I woke up Monday morning at 5 a.m. and could not lift my arms

> for

> > > the

> > > > pain it caused. My wonderful wife got up and took me to the

> E.R.

> > > > After many hours, we were told that I had severe arthritis in

> the

> > > > cervical spine and was give Vicodin and 2 weeks off work. I

was

> > > also

> > > > sent to my G.P. for a follow up. My G.P. advised that the x-

> rays

> > > also

> > > > showed some disc herniations and disc deterioration. The G.P.

> > > advised

> > > > physical therapy (which I did for almost a month) and more

time

> > off

> > > > work. The P.T. helped for a short period. I was made to

> purchase

> > a

> > > > home traction unit and used this in conjunction with my

regular

> > > P.T.

> > > >

> > > > My condition started to worsen as time went on, so P.T was

> > > > discontinued and I was sent to have an MRI done. The MRI

showed

> > > > severe deterioration of discs C-3 thorugh C-7, herniations

from

> C-

> > 3

> > > > through C-7 and my spinal cord was compressed due to a

> > particularly

> > > > bad herniation at C-4 C-5.

> > > >

> > > > My G.P. advised going to a pain clinic for steroid injections

> > > > directly into the cervical spine. I have two injections done

> and

> > > > experienced temporary improvement for a few days after each

> > > > injection, but went back to misery shortly thereafter. It was

> > then

> > > > that I was referred to my neurosurgeon.

> > > >

> > > > The neurosurgeon determined that I had no reflexes at the

> elbows

> > to

> > > > the hands and advised immediate surgery due to the spinal

cord

> > > > compression. I was to have a three level discectomy and fusion

> > > (using

> > > > cadaver bone as my bones were too weak from years of steroids

> for

> > > my

> > > > Crohn's) to include plating. Surgery was Dec. 28, 2007. Up

> waking

> > > up

> > > > from surgery, I found that the neurosurgeon has actually done

a

> > > four

> > > > level removing three discs and a 4 level plate. I was in the

> > > hospital

> > > > for 4 days and in my rigid neck collar for two months and

then

> > > > advised to slowly discontinue its use. I actually went back

to

> > work

> > > > part time last week, but things have been going downhill as

far

> > as

> > > > pain in the neck radiating down into the shoulder blades and

> I'm

> > > > having trouble holding my head up. I haven't been back to

work

> > this

> > > > week so far. The neurosurgeon advised going back into the

> collar.

> > I

> > > > am waiting on a callback this morning as to what else may

need

> to

> > > be

> > > > done.

> > > >

> > > > Of all the surgeries I have had in my life, this has been the

> > > > toughest to heal from. I have been off work for almost six

> > months,

> > > > not counting the half days I worked last week. I am looking

to

> > > > network and maybe share some stories and advice. Thanks for

> > reading!

> > > >

> > > > Den

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

Posted February 6, 2010 · February 6, 2010

Hi Max, thank you for reading my story and sending replies! I had chemistries

repeated on Feb 3rd at my FP doc; he has not called with results. He has to

send everything out so it typically takes a few days. Suzanne

>

> Hi Suzanne,

>

> Your story says:

> On Feb 1, I woke up with what seemed like a partially paralyzed hand; I

> was not laying on the hand or arm so it was not constricted. The third,

> fourth, and fifth fingers as well as the outer half of my hand were numb

> and I could not move them; it was a different sensation from being

> â€œasleepâ€.

>

> And in your test results I noticed K=5.1 at sometime. My best ignorant

> guess is that sometimes such numbness in hands can be due to high

> potassium. Check it out with doc.

>

> Max.

>

Posted February 6, 2010 · February 6, 2010

Hi Em, thank you for your reply. I appreciate you reading through my story and

am happy to hear someone else developed the heat intolerance. Everyone keeps

telling my I'm having " hot flashes " ie menopause; and while I agree my FSH and

LH certainly are high, I have never believed that my symptoms were menopausal.

Suzanne

> >

> > Hello, I am new to the Hyperaldosteronism group. I've had many undiagnosed

symptoms for two years; I was seen by several physicians in 2008 but with no

diagnosis. Last week I returned to my endocrinologist and reported updated

(advancing) symptoms. I learned today that lab testing from Jan 29, 2010,

showed elevated aldosterone, normal renin levels; I do not have numbers yet but

will post them asap. I posted my HTN story and test results from 2008 online

today under Conn Stories, Suzanne's Story; will update with 2010 lab results

soon. (I apologize for the size of the test results file; I'll try to scale it

down and repost tomorrow.) If anyone has any input I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thank you all, Suzanne

> >

>

Posted February 6, 2010 · February 6, 2010

Hello Dr Grim and all, I didn't know you should not use a tourniquet or squeeze

your hand for an accurate K level; I had blood drawn on Feb 3 and they used a

tourniquet, I also squeezed my hand. The technician didn't hit the vein well

and the blood came out slowly so she had to move the needle around; at the time

I thought I should tell her to redo it because it would be hemolized, but they

are not great at drawing blood at my FP so I was just glad she hit a vein. My

BP at the FP on Feb 3 was 110/76 - yeah! When it is higher I can really feel it

pounding in bed at night; it is a relief to have less pounding. I will buy a BP

cuff this weekend so I can take it myself.

I had stopped the HCTZ last Monday due to low NA, and on Feb 3 my FP asked me to

stop the beta blocker because my HR was in the 50s; he increased the captopril

to 25 mg twice a day. I took the first increased dose this morning and do not

feel great; I may call him and ask to switch back to the low doses of beta

blocker and captopril that I was on, since I felt a little better with that

combination.

I'll call endo on Monday to request repeat chemistries; he mentioned it when he

called about the low NA, and they do a much better job of drawing blood there.

Suzanne

>

> > Hi Suzanne,

> >

> > Your story says:

> >

> > On Feb 1, I woke up with what seemed like a partially paralyzed

> > hand; I was not laying on the hand or arm so it was not

> > constricted. The third, fourth, and fifth fingers as well as the

> > outer half of my hand were numb and I could not move them; it was a

> > different sensation from being Ã¢Â€ÂœasleepÃ¢Â€Â.

> >

> > And in your test results I noticed K=5.1 at sometime. My best

> > ignorant guess is that sometimes such numbness in hands can be due

> > to high potassium. Check it out with doc.

> >

> > Max.

> >

>

Posted February 6, 2010 · February 6, 2010