test for sodium and pottasium

Sage48 · 05-25-2007, 07:35 PM

I have had adrenal insuffiency for a few years, have been on 20 mg. of cortef a day. Dr. tried to ween me down last fall...but that was not good...levels fell greatly...from 30 down to 13 as of when he tested me...and that was not fun... Now Dr. had me go for a sodium and pottasium (sp. wrong!) test today...why??? I do crave salt...feel really tired, droopy if I don't eat chips etc....need salt.... Last week I had a problem where I almost passed out...actually everything went really gray...and I sat down on the floor rather than fall.... I had a lumbar radiofrequency the previous week....do you all think that is what is causing these problems??
I have been also having some tachacardia.. and hypoglycemia again...also... These are all of the things I had originally...before the cortef......this is not going to be fun to have all of these symptons again... I see my dr. on 6/1..but just wondered if anyone knew why the salt test?????

thanks...

Sage

cloud2 · 05-26-2007, 02:00 AM

Primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency? If primary, you should perhaps also be on fludrocortisone (Florinef). Salt cravings, Na/K imbalance, low blood pressure & gray-outs... you mention 3 of those 4 which point to primary AI and possible need for Florinef to support that issue. This sounds like what your Dr. is checking for. If he/she doesn't bring that medication up in your next visit, you should. Hope you get to the bottom of things,
Cloud2.

kmatthew · 05-26-2007, 04:18 AM

This same thing happened to me about a month ago when they tried to wean me from 30 to 20 mg of cortef. I had horrible symptoms and I was not feeling well at all, and had all the salt cravings. They put my dosage back where it was, and now I am fine.
I did not pass out but had a very hard time keeping equilibrium and I was so tired and grouchy all the time. I learned from this board that cortef decreases should be at 2.5 at a time. It turns out I still needed the full 30.
I hope you are better soon.

Sage48 · 05-26-2007, 01:02 PM

Thank you for your replies...I have secondary insuffiency.. caused by prednisone ....nasty stuff... Dr. had tried to wean me last Sept. He had me going down 5 mg. but it brought all of the symptoms right back. He said in Jan. that he wanted to try to wean me in May...have an aptt. on 6/1. But, I don't think that is going to happen. Right now, I am holding on by my fingertips...trying to eat correctly etc. But I am soooo worn out.. Thanks for your help.

Sage