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Post by barbara on Jan 7, 2009 17:40:59 GMT -5
If it's the salt wasting causing the BP problems, what can I do? BP meds are hardly any help at all. Much more salt and I get diarrea big time! Florinef??
Barbara
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Post by Chris Jackson on Jan 7, 2009 21:16:04 GMT -5
No need to wait to drink the salt water after the initial vitals taken. Your results are classic for what happens in salt wasting though some people start climbing sooner than you. If you'd kept taking readings, you probably would have been back to where you started in 20 to 30 more minutes.
You're welcome, Chris
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Post by barbara on Jan 7, 2009 21:42:40 GMT -5
Chris, thanks!
I tried to follow your instructions, which is why I waited the 10 minutes after drinking the salt water. I also stopped taking the readings when I surpassed where I had originally started. Couldn't see the need to continue!
So, does this seem to indicate (possibly, even) that the salt wasting is contributing to the high BP at night? If so, is Florinef the treatment or ... ?? Any other suggestions?
Thanks again, Barbara
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Post by Chris Jackson on Jan 8, 2009 7:50:44 GMT -5
Aldosterone goes down at night, so is likely why your bp is higher at night. Make sure to read all the stickies on Aldosterone (in more stickies).
I say in general to try salt water, but if have to drink more than two large glasses a day, florinef should be continued. You are probably beyond that, but you can keep trying some more if you want. If salt water alone doesn't do it, then florinef has to be added. In the mean time drink as much as you think you need.
You're welcome, Chris
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Post by barbara on Jan 28, 2009 18:10:16 GMT -5
I am taking 2 1/2 grains of Armour (since Dec 4) and 25 mg H/C, both in divided doses.
I saw a new endo on Jan 22, and these are the lab results from that day (non-fasting, drawn approx 10:30 a.m.):
Free T3 -- 4.1 (2.3-4.2) (Dec '08, was 3.92, same range) Free T4 -- 1.25 (.8-1.46) (Dec '08, was 1.2, .8-1.8) TSH -- undetectable (Dec '08, was .08, .4-4.5)
Vit D -- 36 (30-80) (was 29.3, 30-60)
The endo wants me to continue 2 1/2 gr for five days a week and to take only 2 gr the other two days. She was happy with the Frees, but was worried the undetectable TSH would make my osteopenia/osteoporosis worse or cause other problems. She did say that the calcitonin in the Armour should also help my bones, and to continue supplementing with 4,000 to 6,000 iu's of D3 per day. Much to my surprise, she had no problems with me being on the Armour to start with, and even wrote me another prescription (with refills!).
I would like your opinion on these labs, as well as would like to know if the undetectable TSH is okay. My temps are slowly starting to stabilize, my body aches are starting to diminish, I'm not quite as fatigued/brain dead as I was, and I don't have any hyper symptoms that I know of.
Thanks! Barbara
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Post by Chris Jackson on Feb 1, 2009 12:47:41 GMT -5
These dumb doctors!!! Undetectable TSH is ok. Zero TSH can mean you are near or enough Armour. TSH can be zero even if you aren't on an optimal dose. I've seen TSH at zero with just 1/2 grain of armour. So really, TSH is not good for dosing at all. Low TSH does not cause osteoporosis. Low thyroid does, taking synthroid contributes. Armour counters osteoporosis. That is a lot of D3. Keep in mind the body discards what it can't use.
ALSO, low TSH does not mean you are hyper.
Go with the old free T4 range. People are getting sicker. Labs get the ranges from the sick people who are given the tests. That is why the ranges are going down. So your free t4 is low. That your free T3 is high, I think that might be because you aren't on enough HC or it isn't going to be strong enough. Read the sticky (in cortisol stickies) about knowing when to switch from HC to Medrol.
You're welcome, Chris
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Post by barbara on Feb 17, 2009 11:08:18 GMT -5
I increased my HC to 27.5 mg on Feb 1 (self-treating). I will have new labs drawn this coming Thursday, as I have to have a minor procedure done on Fri, Feb 20 -- which brings me to my question! I have some tissue growth in my throat as well as large amounts of thick, STICKY, clear mucus-type stuff. The doc wants to knock me out, and remove some of the tissue for a biopsy and to see if he can remove some of this other substance (mainly around/in my vocal folds). Of course, I will have to be fasting, which means no meds at all. Should I ask the anestheologist (spelling!) for something in my IV to counter-act this, and if so, what would your recommendation be? I have no idea how long it will be before I can swallow much of anything, and am quite concerned to have this procedure done, but also know that I must have the biopsy done. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks, Barbara
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Post by justaustin on Feb 17, 2009 20:50:14 GMT -5
Barbara,
You need to catch up with the anesthesiologist prior to surgery. Usually, you will have a pre-anesthesia consult. Be sure to tell the surgeon that you need this consult!! Tell (not ask) the anesthesiologist that you have adrenal insufficiency and that you need to receive 100mg IV Solumedrol while you are in Pre-Op Holding. You need this before they give you any drugs/sedatives/anesthesia. This will need to be repeated every 6-8hours until you are able to eat/drink/take oral medications. Be firm!! No Solumedrol=No Surgery, Period.
Should swallowing "pills" be an issue.... You can crush your HC and mix in apple sauce,pudding or yogurt.
Hope this helps, Laurie
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