I have recently been back and forth to the doctors for the past two weeks as my kidneys have been leaking large anounts of protein, I have a raised potassium level of 6.2 and my sodium levels have dropped and are 125. My blood pressure has also increased and I started medication for my blood pressure 3 days ago, where as it is normally on the low side. My GP has now made an urgent request for me to see a kidney specialist and are thinking it maybe addisons disease or nephrotic syndrome. For the last few weeks I have felt a bit run down with quite severe headaches, palpatations (occaisionally breathless but not severe) and weeing quite frequently I dont have any odema. I am not sure wheather I should be concerned about all this or whether it is something that will fix itself in time. I am not on any other medication about from my insulin via a pump and the new blood pressure medication. My hba1c is the best it has been in years (6.8%) and I am normal weight. Please could someone maybe give me a bit more insight into these problems but in a simple form, it would be much appreciated. :|
Should I be concerned?
- Thread starter Sugar pie
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WhitbyJet
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Sugar Pie - I am sorry I cannot help, I once had high potassium levels due to impaired renal function and being prescribed wrong BP medication, and I was very ill for a period of time, but once the meds were stopped and I stuck to a low potassium diet everything returned to normal.
You should not be sitting there at home over a weekend with such worries, I would say call NHS direct, or your GP out of hours service or even go to A&E, elevated potassium levels can be life threatening, you have other issues so please do ask for advice and help from a medically qualified person
Sending you a big hug and hoping you are feeling better very soon x
Sugar Pie - I am sorry I cannot help, I once had high potassium levels due to impaired renal function and being prescribed wrong BP medication, and I was very ill for a period of time, but once the meds were stopped and I stuck to a low potassium diet everything returned to normal.
You should not be sitting there at home over a weekend with such worries, I would say call NHS direct, or your GP out of hours service or even go to A&E, elevated potassium levels can be life threatening, you have other issues so please do ask for advice and help from a medically qualified person
Sending you a big hug and hoping you are feeling better very soon x
Thanks for the reply WhitbyJet - I am back at the GP tomorrow but have been suffering from really bad head pains all day. Hopefully they will suggest something then. Really appreciate your get well message.
Hi Sugar
Sorry I missed this, I was tested for Addisons , had really bad symptoms , I looked like David Dickinson who had been locked on a sunbed for a week..on full power! I had low sodium ,high potassium ,very low BP, was passing out when I stood up, lost A LOT of weight. I had the short Synachtin test, I was OK..but I do have low Cortisol serum levels . So my Adrenals were not good at this point but I had been on and off Steroids. I feel now they have recovered somewhat and don't have the problems like I did but now I do get low potassium from time to time now, due to training and sweating a lot, but this I can treat myself.
Sorry probably not much help, but just wanted to say, it sounds like they are covering all bases with your tests so hopefully things will be found and sorted out for you. I did not have headaches but I do know that kidney problems can give very severe headaches. I did have very severe Odema when I had the adrenal problems.
Please let us know how you go on and if they get to the bottom of this for you, and as WJ says if you feel worse don't hesitate to get into Hospital, electrolyte imbalances can be very dangerous.
Sending my best wishes
Sorry I missed this, I was tested for Addisons , had really bad symptoms , I looked like David Dickinson who had been locked on a sunbed for a week..on full power! I had low sodium ,high potassium ,very low BP, was passing out when I stood up, lost A LOT of weight. I had the short Synachtin test, I was OK..but I do have low Cortisol serum levels . So my Adrenals were not good at this point but I had been on and off Steroids. I feel now they have recovered somewhat and don't have the problems like I did but now I do get low potassium from time to time now, due to training and sweating a lot, but this I can treat myself.
Sorry probably not much help, but just wanted to say, it sounds like they are covering all bases with your tests so hopefully things will be found and sorted out for you. I did not have headaches but I do know that kidney problems can give very severe headaches. I did have very severe Odema when I had the adrenal problems.
Please let us know how you go on and if they get to the bottom of this for you, and as WJ says if you feel worse don't hesitate to get into Hospital, electrolyte imbalances can be very dangerous.
Sending my best wishes
Hi Sugar, I do have Addissons Disease, I was diagnosed at the age of 29, after retuning from a weeks holiday in Cyprus where despite having kept a hat on, to cover my face it was extremely pigmented. I looked like one big dark freckle! Prior to this at the age of 22 I was diagnosed with Hypothyroid, & despite me continually telling the doctors that no I did not feel better on thyroxine, it took 7 years for them to refer me to an endogrinologist! As soon as I walked into his office he said "I think I know what's wrong with you" I had been feeling so tired, had been suffering with terrible headaches, dizzyness, vommitting & utterly felt awful. My Gp had kept telling me to exercise, I joined a gym...advice I think that could have killed me, after one visit I thought I was going to die, I do remember being treated like a hypocondriac and felt such utter relief to find that there was actually something wrong with me!! The endo put me straight on Hydrocortisone, then a few weeks later I had to go in to hospital for a couple of days for a short synatisn (can't remember name, after 13 years) test.
I have since gone on to dvelop other endocrine problems Type 1 Diabetes being one. I am almost 42 & feel 72.
If you do find you have Addisons, messgae me, I may be able to give you advise on what to do in a crisis.
Good luck.
I have since gone on to dvelop other endocrine problems Type 1 Diabetes being one. I am almost 42 & feel 72.
If you do find you have Addisons, messgae me, I may be able to give you advise on what to do in a crisis.
Good luck.
