The visit went really well...I guess the bottom line is this, everything came back normal, my renin like I posted was just a tad over what it should be, but he said it was really nothing too panic over or get worried about. He also said he see's no Adrenal issues with me as far as lab work goes, along with MRI, and CT scan.. Putting the big picture together. The Plama Free metanephrine came back at a great level.. I found out my aldosterone was a 17, and 8 months ago it was a 9 ( but was on B/P med at the time of testing ) I asked him if HC could affect this test and he said yes, but if anything HC would decrease my aldosterone. However though, the aldosterone was done during the second half of my cycle..so not sure how reliable that test is..If Proges converts into cortisol, and if cortisol raises aldosterone..who know which way is up. He did say he is not convinced that my head issue is adrenal related,or even kidney realated, and strongly advised me too work my doc too get me off HC,as the HC may have done something.. and he put a note into my regular doc that a Neurologist is high priority for me at this time.
We'll see how that goes, I called my reg doc a week ago asking for a referrall too a neurologist, and they told me the best they could do was move my appointment date UP with the Endo from June 23rd, too June 13th...
If I wait til June too see what the endo says, then it could be early fall before I even see a neurologist, which kind of ticks me off..Having too wait that long.

I had too keep a record of my AM pressures, and PM pressures for him, 2 solid weeks worth, and he said some were higher then he would like too see them, but placed me as Primary hypertension, which means it is not caused by my kidneys..since I am still spilling protien in my urine( he di say this was a concern for him, but will will watch it ) *he called it something albumin that I am dealing with * However he did say this test was not as high a level as the last one, but he wanted too put me on Cozaar for high B/P he said it will help lower the pressure and protect my kidneys from the spilling of protien, or something like that.. I had such a hard time grasping what he said with my head all out of sorts.. I HATE THAT, not grasping or taking in the info he gave me *ugh*.... I need too research this med...so far not really finding much...I have too go get blood drawn a week from the date I start the B/P med too check potassium level. So, this worries me some.. He also told me too stay away from salt:wacko:

He told me, ya know you really are prettyhealthy if you look at your blood work.. I have had cardiac workup with C-Reactive protein, CT Scans, MRI with and w/out contrast, and so much blood work.. I sort of feel relieved that my kidneys are ok, but still feel confused about all this.. :(

So this was my visit :)

Cozaar

This is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist...I took valsartan another of these drugs for about 5 yrs. never realizing it was causing me problems...it raises potassium and mine was probably higher than it should have been most of that time...I kept having pounding heart beats. THat is much improved off the Diovan. Be sure to watch out for potassium rich foods and salt substitutes.

HC has some mineralcorticosteroid activity so it would probably suppress aldosterone...if it did anything to affect it. Not sure...

OY!... ok now I do not want too take it *lol*

Missy, ring your reg dr back and say to them that the Dr Sparrow said that the neuro was a priority and to please make the arrangements. Reinforce that they may be dealing with two seperate issues and your health is important.

Albuminuria I think is the word you were thinking of, Josh has this, always has + for protein these days. Just needs to be monitored for any increase so ....wait and see. Some people never get worse, others do so don't ignore it but there is no need to stress either.

If you have dipsticks at home, ++ is time for more testing. Oh and albumin is the most common protein found in urine, can be caused by certain meds, pain killers, herbal remedies, auto immune disease etc.

If your BP is still going to high, this is putting stress on the kidneys so they may not be filtering quite as good, by improving the BP, you help the kidneys to function as best as they can. Too much salt is hard on the kidneys for most people as well and does raise BP's.

It can be frustrating when blood work looks great, you can know that the person isn't doing well but it needs the right test to show up, sometimes you can get clues from bloodwork, sometimes you don't from the more routine bloods. Hang in there, they are taking it seriously and looking for the "why's".

Missy make notes of how you feel on the BP med and since you were told to reduce salt note this and watch your blood work for a drop in sodium or excessive urination. Bring it too the doctor's attention because all this is important pieces of the puzzle...it may really be of help to the doctor in finding your problem.

I'm glad the doc is ruling out what it isn't and I hope he can soon figure out what it is. I have a friend who struggles with finding out what is truly wrong. She has had several tests and they know what it isn't but don't know what it is yet and that can be frustrating if it goes on for a long time.
When they do start tapering you off the HC make sure you do it very very slowly. It can be rough to taper and the slower the less difficult it is. Some people are more affected by tapers than others. I can do a fairly fast taper from high doses while I know others that they have to go very slowly or they get really really sick.
I like that your doc is keeping an open mind to all sorts of possibilities...that is very helpful.
Well Missy I hope you can find the magic combo of whatever to feel better. It's no fun feeling yuccky!

(grh)

I guess what consfuses me the most is.. if salt is bad for our kidneys then why is it recommended for those with adrenal issues? Is this like a *catch 22* thing?

Thank you all so much for you thoughts..I was wondering.. if it turns out I do not have addison's disease, do I have too leave the board :( I really like it here ALOT..the support and understanding here is too much too give up.

Sue I called my doc this afternoon, and asked for them too get me into a neurologist. I just had too find one that is in my PPO. Then call them with the info and they will make am appointment for me. So chris and I looked for one this evening so will call them tomorrow with the info. So, this is a go for me. I hope it does not take months too get in.. :wacko:

Missy, Yes too much salt is bad for kidneys but if you have primary addisons you are also not producing aldosterone which is the hormone that regulates the salt levels and tells the kidneys how much salt to keep andhow much to excrete. This is why those with primary addisons need higher salt, they take florinef to replace the aldosterone. If you are secondary, then most addison's people don't need to take florinef at least for a whle.

Josh still doesn't have a dx but I am still here :) People here battle with the chronic stuff daily, if it helps you to be here, then you are welcome :)

If it looks like the appt is going to take too long, get your nephrologist to ring and push it as a high priority, he should be more than happy to do so.

It is hard to work it all out, everything with our bodies interact, remember that dr's spend years studying to understand it all and still don't always know how it all works, people here have learnt what they have had to do deal with their own issues, make sure they know emergency treatment etc. When you are dealing with rarer disorders, it is often the way as so few drs have the experience in them. Boards like this can be invaluable, but the downside is the experience can be more focussed into specific areas (this of course is one of the upsides as well :)) eg: if you went to an epilepsy board they would probably tell you that it could be a seizure that is causing the head issues because that is their experience. yet if an addisonian was low enough in salt then they could have a seizure without it being epilepsy.....it does get confusing. As all here have had to do, listen to your body, write down any changes or patterns (if you keep a journal of symptoms sometimes the patterns show up when you look back over it) and bring it to your dr's attention. Take written lists to appt's, include symptoms, any changes since previous appt both good and bad and questions, take pen and paper with you as well to write things down so you will remember later. I know that I am more than happy to toss ideas around as I am sure others are too, we all have had trouble with health and we want to help. (grh)

Missy of course you are welcome on the board! If you notice in the links sections there are forums for several endocrine and autoimmune as well as pituitary diseases/disorders.

Salt is like a medicine for an Addison's patient...we have trouble holding onto it and lose it through our kidneys from lack of aldosterone.