just when I thought I was okay now this

[dancer67]

So I go in for my fllow up with my primary care this morning. I had to do a BP recheck, because my BP was still high, and I was on hydrochlorothiazene 12.5 mg. It didn't do much good. So she now has me on Liprosil(I think that is it) .05 mg 1X a day starting tomorrow.

I was also in ER for chest pains on Tuesday. So now I have to go to get an echocardiogram, and then pick up a halter monitor. Because I have heart palpitations, and I had the chest pain. Even though my chest X-Ray and EKG were normal.
I was relieved that day that I was okay. Now I have to do this. And not until the 27th.

On top of all of this, my bloodwork cam back with low potassium(level of 3.1) when it should be between 3.5-5.0. The HCTZ that I was on for my high blood pressure should not have made my potassium be that low. On top of it my Calcium was high of 11.2(should have been 8.5-10.6) and having blood calcium levels high is never normal. So, the clacium level makes me so scared because it could mean a tumor on my thryroid, or even cancer. Or I am hoping it was just the HCTZ that did it, I don't know.

Three years ago, I had a kidney stone, and they found a mass on my kidney. They did a CT Scan with contrast and they ruled it out as an accessory spleen. But now she is question the low potassium, the mass on my kidney that may not be in fact, an accessory spleen at all, plus I had sever stomach pains, and they ruled it to be IBS. So she did a complete blood workup to check my adrenal gland system to possibly see if I have Aldosteronsim. Which is an abnormal function of my adrenal gland with ow without a tumor. Tumors are usually benign, but it could mean sugery which I am scared to death of!!!!

So now I don't even know if I really have IBS, or an accessory spleen. Or do I have a tumor on my adrenal gland instead now and that is what was causing my stomach pains? I had low potassium then in 2007 also.

With my heart palpitations, my blood pressure issues, low potassium, I feel like I am falling apart and do not know which way is up or down.

I felt so good after Tuesdays ER appt I wish I could go back to that feeling that everything is okay. But eveything is not okay at all now. 

Now we are talking tumors, cancer, surgery, heart issues. I am so overwhelmed. I don't know which way is up or down. My husband says that I am not going to die. But I can't help thinking that all of this for three years I was compeltely fine and now I am not.

I am so sick of all of this that I just want to crawl in a hole and die.

[BigDaddy]

dancer,
I am sorry you are feeling this way! I know how you feel though.
I recently had to have chest xrays, echo, and the monitor.
Just remember how strong anxiety is and how it affects your mind,
and in turn your mind produces physical symptoms. Early this
year, when I the heart tests, I had been fine until my boss
started having heart palps and then all of a sudden, mine increased
and seem to get worse. I stated in another post that common causes
are called that, because they are common. That means you are more
likely to be having issues because of a something that happens to lots
of people. I understand completely how you feel though. I can sit here
and rationalize for you, but can't rationalize for myself.
Just try to relax. I hope you feel better soon!!!

Larry

[dancer67]

Well, I have heart palpitations pretty much all of my life. The weird thing is once I started the potassium supplements they have been much better, and I noticed they got worse with my HCTZ blood pressure meds. I am off of those now.
So the Holter Monitor and Echo should tell me if they are benign or not.

I am scared to think to, that my low potassium is due to Primary Aldostenoism, and the radiologist made a mistake on my CT Scan 3 years ago and said it was an excessory spleen, rather then an adrenal andenoma(Benign tumor on my kidney). But I had the urologist confirm that it was excessory spleen, he never mentioned anything about adrenal andenoma . You would think they could tell the difference right??

Uggggh, I hate all this.

 

[cascdm]

You know, while I can totally empathize because I do the very same thing....your post spirals from a couple of realistic concerns about your BP, palpitations, and chest discomfort....to a kidney mass...tumor....cancer...surgery.  Slow down girl!!!!

Let's talk it out together.

1.  Your blood pressure is elevated.  This very well may be a primary hypertension that is cardiac related and needs treatment.  Also, don't fool yourself by not thinking that your anxiety doesn't jack up your bp by 20-30 points.

2.  While I can't explain your slightly high calcium, your potassium of 3.1 is most likely caused by your the HCTZ you were on.  Electrolyte abnormalities, particularly a low or high potassium level can cause abnormal heart rhythms, extra heart beats.  I wonder if some the palpitations you are feeling are some PVCs or PACs caused by your low potassium.  Now that your off HCTZ it should improve.  Eat some bananas, they are packed with potassium as are some yogurts, orange juice. 

3.  Be diligent with what your doctor has recommended.  Do the echo, do the holter.  And try to hang in there until the 27th.  You know from your ER visit that you did not have an acute cardiac event because your EKG was normal.  Your chest xray did not reveal a grossly enlarged heart or any lung issues that would indicate heart failure.  She is doing the adrenal w/u to be thorough.  Don't immediately think that your previous CT scan result and IBS diagnosis is wrong.

Finally, Are you on any sort of anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication?  I am not a medicine pusher, but I know that I finally relented after my physical symptoms and all consuming thoughts truly began to take over my life.  The one that I am on, I'm told, takes 4-6 weeks to become fully effective.  I have completed week 4.  While not 100%, and though I am still having moments where I take my pulse and have horrid thoughts, I have found that my fears, palpitations, tingling...yadayadayada, have been somewhat quieted.  They are there...and I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks and a possible dose adjustment if need be to quiet this health anxiety beast even more. 

Anyway, hang in there.  I totally can empathize with you.

[diana66]

I realize there can be more going on - but I get blood work every 6 months due to fact I am on medication for hypertension.  I have cycled with low potassium, high calcium - and back to normal - over time.  I have also had low iron.  My doctor has never panicked (not saying I have NOT) and it has always returned to normal.  Sounds simple, but daily multivitamin and eating 1 banana per day seems to help.  I wish you luck and PEACE while you try to figure this all out.

[dancer67]

I know she (My Dr.)is trying to be thorough. My thoughts go crazy over this stuff and I panic.

I keep wondering about my potassium issue. I have had heart palps for a long time. Even before the HCTZ(they just seemed to get worse). And WHY is my potassium that low? I read probabilty of Potassium being low due to poor diet is unlikely, and having low potassium 3 years ago makes me wonder. Becaus since being on the Potassium supplements, they have improved. I don't even get them, and if I do I hardly notice.

The calcium issue. Of course I think Cancer. That they missed something onmy chest X-Ray and the lung cancer spots were to small to see. My Whit Blood Cell count was elevated(not much) but it was. I never drink a lot of milk, or take Vit D supplements, and I live in a cold climate and not outdoors alot. Maybe a side effect of HCTZ? It was such a low dose though.

My chest X-Ray and blood work were fine for my heart. And my EKG. But I fear they will find something horrible on Echo and Holter.

My goodness, after all of these tests, I am running out of things to look for. I have been X-rayed, CT scanned on every part of my body except my head(and maybe that is where I really need it )

My Dr said to drink lots of water for the Calcium, it is supposed to help deplete it.

And of course, my mind goes right to having an adrenal gland tumor, and although usually benign, I get scared because I seem to fall into the low percentage category alot of times, so if I did have one, could it be cancer?

I am scared of surgery to remove it.

Or if I have a tumor on my thyroid, and need surgery on my neck(eeeewww).

I wonder, how do people cope with this stuff who do NOT have HA? They seem to waltz in to the Dr's and waltz out, seemingly not worried, and go about their business.

Maybe it is because they are not afraid. Not afraid of pain or dying. 

[sixpack]

Dancer

you were worried about all kinds of odd things with your lady stuff too.  You are letting your imagination run away with you.  To me it seems so logical to look at all of your fears that have turned into being nothing horrendous and then look at how similar this situation is.....

We've all, or many of us anyway, have ended up in the group where really odd things have happened-against the odds etc.  That doesn't mean you are doomed or will always have this happen to you.  The fickle finger of fate is not always going to pick you.   

A few years back my Ca was a bit high....  doc said hmmmm probably because of all the extra milk you are drinking since you are nursing.  Hey I don't drink milk....  That's been almost 13yrs ago.  I don't know if went up or down or sideways after that because I never had it checked again.

[dancer67]

I just got a call from the on call Dr for some of my lab results.

My potassium has come up from 3.1 to 3.3. So I have to stay on the Potassium supplements. But, my calcium level is now normal. It is now 9.4(normal is 8.6-10.6). So I feel better about that.

I just wonder why my potassium is so low, it has to be due to the HCTZ???

The on call Dr said I had a "dirty" Urine sample, and they couldn't test it. It was full of white cells. He said that if he was my treating Dr I would be treated for a UTI. Well, I wasn't given a clean catch urine cup, and I had the ending of my period.(They did not ask me this). So, I have no symptoms. And he is not mt my Dr and says he would "assume" my kidneys are functioning properly, but my kidney function showed now normal on my blood work. But he doesn't have that information in front of him. He was also kind of rude and said that "I guess you do not know how to give a clean urine sample". HUH????!!!???

So now I am probably going to have to go back on Monday for another sample. Ugghhh  

[shrublet]

Nope, it does not HAVE to be from the HCTZ. Please leave that kind of speculation to the doctors. If he had felt that something was significantly wrong with your potassium levels he would have followed through further with you.

And I don't think he was being that mean! :) I mean, the quote is out of context but most people really don't know how to take a clean urine sample, hehe. (I worked in a biomedical lab for awhile- veterinary, anyways- and it's really, really easy to contaminate a sample.) Going back for another sample is an irritation but it's nothing to stress over. They are being responsible and thorough. I've been told a couple of times I need to go back in for a follow-up sample- sometimes I never did. I've also had white blood cells a couple of times. More than a couple of times actually and most of the time it was just contamination from skin cells or something.

Anyways. This stuff is NOT worth going into panic over. Focus on the good stuff.

[dancer67]

Yes, again,.My imaginatin is running wild again. (Thanks Sixpack).

Okay, so right now. My BP has stabilized. The new medication(lisiniprol) seems to be working. BP is down last check to 124/82. My best ever, ever. Also, I have noticed I have not had any lip tingling or brain chugs today.(I thought they were from withdrawal from Effexor XR but Dr did not agree becasue it had been since July) Not sure if it is due to BP coming down, or Potassium levels being stablized. Either way, it hasn't happened all day. First day since July. If the Thiazide did not cause my Potassium levels to decrease, then what else could it be? I read that it is rarely due to diet.{{sigh}} She just told me to stay on Potassium supplements.

Second, since BP has stabilized, chanced are good I do not have any adrenal gland issues since my BP would not respond to an ACE Inhibitor, and it has. But my difinitive bloodwork will be back on Monday.

Third, I keep worrying now about that darn Echo I have to have the day after Thanksgiving, and that stuipd Halter Monitor I have to wear. Okay, logically my EKG was normal, my chest Xray of my heart was normal, being on the monitor at the hospital was normal. So what are my chances of there being something wrong? Probably very slim, but again, I go back to my MOMO twins that were a <1% chance of happening and it DID happen. I am still haveing heart palps. Not as bad though. They are here and there. Not nearly as bad as they were while using the Thiazide drug.

Last. My Dr.(She is my new primary care Dr.) actually called me this morning to check up on me even though she was not on call. She wanted to ask me if I got my lab results okay fo the Potassium. I did tell her that the Dr on call was rude to me and she apologized, and she said he was probably cranky, and that we would just repeat the Urinalysis.(They did not tell me to give a clean catch and I even asked). But how SWEET was that? She called me to ceck up on me!!! I am in heaven with my new Dr. She is from Pakistan, and sometimes hard to understand her but she is SO SO SO SO nice.

Okay, focusing on new BP now(YAY), and going to try and relax until Monday for the rest of test results(Thyroid and adrenal glands).

And try and not panic over heart thing.

Thank you

[wowthisismetoaT]

I am so sorry to hear that you are so upset right now.  If there is one thing I have learned from having HA, it is that I have a tendacy to lump every symptom I have ever had together when something goes wrong.  Please don't do this.  It is so unlikely that your low potassium, high calcium, and palps are related.  I have low potassium and my doctor told me to eat a banana.  No one was concerned at all.  If you have palps regularly and go to your doctor asking about it, they will typically have you wear the monitor to be on the safe side.  Doctors can't take chances with your heart when you are there to get help.  I would consider it normal procedure and not a sign that something is wrong at all.

I will be in prayer for you.  Did you ever get the bondage breakers book that was recommended on the WTM site?  If you did, pm me.  I would like to direct you to three prayers in there that have really helped me.  The rest of the book didn't do a lot for me...but that one section really did.  It is kind of hidden in there.

*HUGS*

[dancer67]

I will be in prayer for you.  Did you ever get the bondage breakers book that was recommended on the WTM site?  If you did, pm me.  I would like to direct you to three prayers in there that have really helped me.  The rest of the book didn't do a lot for me...but that one section really did.  It is kind of hidden in there.

*HUGS*

I never did get that book. I should though.

I am trying hard not to let this stuff get to me. But past experiences are creeping up on me again, and I cannot shake that feeling that there is just way more to all of this then what it is.

The last time I shook off this feeling of uncertainty, and was told it was ONLY a UTI, turned out to be three long months of he** with stomach pains that nobody could figure out and landed myself in the Psych ward.

So I think I have a lot of PTSD.

Thanks for the hugs.

[losing_life]

The last couple of time I got my urine check I also had high white blood cell counts and was told it wasn't a clean catch.  Of course this freaked me out but it didn't freak out my doc.  I never went back ot get another test.  I do have issues with colitis and IBS-C and I have noticed that lot of us anxiety sufferers have issues with IBS.  Anyways I think that there is a connection between the white blood cell level and the inflamation caused by the IBS. 

[wowthisismetoaT]

If you were at the end of your period, that explains the elevated WBC count in the urine.  I'd go repeat the test with a clean catch so you can put your mind to rest on that one.

[dancer67]

If you were at the end of your period, that explains the elevated WBC count in the urine.  I'd go repeat the test with a clean catch so you can put your mind to rest on that one.

Yes, that is what the Dr said to. Plus it was not a clean catch. I am not to worried about the urine test. UTI's are easily treated anyways even if I did have one, and I do not have the symptoms of one. Just the ding dong nurse didnt tell me to do a clean catch.

I can probably repeat it this week.

Should have the rest of my bloodwork results tomorrow.