Anyone have Primary Aldosteronism (Conn syndrome)?

Posted by maya48 @maya48, Oct 2, 2022

I have PMH of hypertension and the main reason is primary aldosteronism , which is caused by a tumor on the left adrenal adenoma, and after i had left laparoscopic adrenalectomy, the ( Aldosterone/plasma activi ration produce from right adrenal adenoma is still high resulting in hypertension ( 110+, 150 +), my doctor start to give me ( eplerenone 50 mg X 2 day ) and after 2 weeks raised the dos to ( eplerenone 50 mg X 4 day ) but my blood pressure still not responding.

any thoughts?

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Profile picture for florentina99 @florentina99

Anyone else struggling with Hyperaldosteronism or Conns syndrome. Sadly ,now due to complications I have permanent heart problems,digestive problems and intense muscle pain.I have started on low dose Nortriptyline for the pain.
If only my Drs had been better informed, I wouldn't be suffering like this! Every test under the sun except the ARR blood test!!!
They thought I was making up my symptoms as I was a health care professional and tried to treat me for a mental illness!!!!

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In 2022 I suddenly started having high BP -always had very low BP), fatigue, sense of thirst, frequent urination, all the good stuff. For 2 years, doctors at UCHealth (where I was being treated for breast cancer) claimed it is my anxiety + reaction to therapy. In 2024 a good cardiologist suspected PA, and after all tests I was diagnosed with PA in Feb. 2024. CAT scan found no tumors, and I have postponed AVS until I speak with a nephrologist too. 100mg Spironolactone daily: fixed potassium levels, no high blood pressure, all good with urination etc. My limited experience gives me the impression of most specialists are still in the dark about the disease (so, not comprehensive testing or medical exploration), and insurance companies are happy to oblige. Good luck with your journey, and I wish you the best.

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Profile picture for stellgp @stellgp

In 2022 I suddenly started having high BP -always had very low BP), fatigue, sense of thirst, frequent urination, all the good stuff. For 2 years, doctors at UCHealth (where I was being treated for breast cancer) claimed it is my anxiety + reaction to therapy. In 2024 a good cardiologist suspected PA, and after all tests I was diagnosed with PA in Feb. 2024. CAT scan found no tumors, and I have postponed AVS until I speak with a nephrologist too. 100mg Spironolactone daily: fixed potassium levels, no high blood pressure, all good with urination etc. My limited experience gives me the impression of most specialists are still in the dark about the disease (so, not comprehensive testing or medical exploration), and insurance companies are happy to oblige. Good luck with your journey, and I wish you the best.

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Thank you for your recent message.
Unfortunately in my case diagnosis took over 10 years, despite also seeing
a cardiologist. I think at that time my k levels were normal or else I'd
just finished Sando K.
It would seem I have some form of neuropathy down my right side.
My dose of spironolactone is tiny,at 12.5 my this maintains my k.but later
on in the day( as I take this am)my BP creeps up, especially if I am
stressed.I also take a low dose beta blocker at night.
I am unfortunate to live in the middle of England where there are no Conns
specialists just general endocrinologists mostly specialising in diabetes
and thyroid disease. I am not well enough to travel. I am concerned I have
a slow growing adrenal adenoma that wasn't identified on my previous scans,
maybe 4 years ago now. I am a retired operating theatre nurse so have a
good understanding of my disease.
My GP just treats my symptoms now as says cannot assist me further. I saw
numerous specialists over the years but was accidentally diagnosed by a
brilliant gastroenterologist looking at my causes of bloating and
constipation! It was indeed a traumatic journey getting someone to believe
me. I see there is a book called Misdiagnosed by Miles by Tammie
Robie....her journey with P.A. I've ordered it.
Good luck with your journey, I wish you well.

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Profile picture for stellgp @stellgp

In 2022 I suddenly started having high BP -always had very low BP), fatigue, sense of thirst, frequent urination, all the good stuff. For 2 years, doctors at UCHealth (where I was being treated for breast cancer) claimed it is my anxiety + reaction to therapy. In 2024 a good cardiologist suspected PA, and after all tests I was diagnosed with PA in Feb. 2024. CAT scan found no tumors, and I have postponed AVS until I speak with a nephrologist too. 100mg Spironolactone daily: fixed potassium levels, no high blood pressure, all good with urination etc. My limited experience gives me the impression of most specialists are still in the dark about the disease (so, not comprehensive testing or medical exploration), and insurance companies are happy to oblige. Good luck with your journey, and I wish you the best.

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I am trying to decide whether to take spironolactone (12.5 mg) half tablet. The PA in cardiology is considering and/or trying to exclude a diagnosis of primary aldosteronism characterized by low potassium and high sodium.
My test results show normal potassium levels going back 3 years. My sodium levels are already low and have been low or low end of normal for the last three years. Both recent aldosterone readings (8.1 and 14.6) are within the normal range of 4.0-31.0.

But my docs say blood work “does not fully rule out primary aldosteronism as you are plasma renin activity is less than 1 and your plasma aldosterone concentration is greater than 10.” Renin is the one reading out of range… @ 0.5(low normal) and 0.3 (low) in Dec. and Jan.
Were you treated Denver @ CU Health? Did you have a reaction to and side effects from Spironolactone. I'm concerned it may be risky.

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That's not terribly high hypertension. I went into ER with hypertension of 258/158 which is how my Conns was diagnosed. I left the ER when they got it down to 200/100 which was considered safe. I take Losartan and Eplerenone now but after a year or two of Eplerenone my white blood cells count is affected, low, so I try and give it a break now and then. Just remember that BP isn't terribly high

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How do you feel on that high of dose of eplerenone? I just started it for high aldosterone. Doctor wanted me on 50mg to start but I am sensitive to drugs she was OK with me starting at 25 mg for a week or so to ease into it. I have only been on it for 3 days and I feel like I am dragging around with no energy. It started reducing my blood press right away.

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Profile picture for csage1010 (Sue) @csage1010

Hi Martin,
I was just diagnosed with hyperaldosteronism. I am 58 y.o. and my doctors have been suspecting that this might be the cause of my very high blood pressure which came out of the blue at age 45 (13 years ago) The big hint was that my K+ levels were also low and I struggle to maintain them even on 40 mEq/day. My aldosterone levels had been okay until about 3 weeks ago, when they went from 10ng/dL (Jan 22) to 19 ng/dL (Sept 22) and my ALDO/PRA ratio went up from 37 to 126.7. To rule out an adrenal tumor, my nephrologist ordered an MRI of my abdomen and the results were normal. So, if you know what else could be causing my hyperaldosteronism I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you. Sue

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What do K levels have to do with high aldosterone? I was just diagnosed with it after tests were run but a test for K levels was not one of them. Nor did my doctor mention K levels.

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