Submitted by deb on Sun, 07/17/2011 – 21:31 by Elson M. Haas, M.D. Potassium is a very significant body mineral, important to both cellular and electrical function. It is one of the main blood minerals called “electrolytes” (the others are sodium and chloride), which means it carries a tiny electrical charge (potential). Potassium is the primary positive…
Submitted by deb on Sat, 06/25/2011 – 23:22 Pain Often Overlooked Pain is an often overlooked component of the periodic paralyses. Patients who report muscle pain in association with their episodes are too often told that the periodic paralyses are not painful despite many authoritative reports to the contrary. In fact the pain which accompanies the periodic…
Submitted by deb on Sun, 06/26/2011 – 22:39 Description of Myoclonus Here is a description of myoclonus by Joseph Jankovic, M.D: Myoclonus describes a symptom and generally is not a diagnosis of a disease. It refers to sudden, involuntary jerking of a muscle or group of muscles. Myoclonic jerks may occur alone or in sequence, in a pattern or…
Submitted by deb on Sun, 06/26/2011 – 22:13 Myoclonus is the sudden, involuntary jerking of a muscle or group of muscles. Myoclonic jerks may occur alone or in sequence, in a pattern or without pattern. They may occur infrequently or many times each minute. Myoclonus sometimes occurs in response to an external event or when a person…
Submitted by deb on Sun, 06/26/2011 – 22:54 Part One There is little available medical literature to guide the physician in the care of the pregnant patient who has periodic paralysis. The first part of this packet consists of abstracts and quotations drawn from current literature. But this information is limited. Because Periodic Paralysis International has a…
Submitted by deb on Mon, 06/27/2011 – 00:31 In July of 1998 we conducted a survey of 64 self-reported clinically diagnosed periodic paralysis patients, all members of the HKPP Listserv. The questionnaire underwent no formal validation process, nor was the data assessed by personnel trained in this field. The patients surveyed were drawn from several countries and…
Submitted by deb on Mon, 06/27/2011 – 00:09 Part Four Case Studies – ATS Patient #18 Two Pregnancies: ATS2; Hypokalemic episodes Symptoms began in early childhood; Are your symptoms worse with your menses? Yes Pregnancy No 1: Age 32 Diagnosed at time of this pregnancy: No Episodes consisted of daily moderate weakness, some paralysis. Hospitalized due to right-sided paralysis…
Submitted by deb on Mon, 06/27/2011 – 20:54 Acetazolamide (aka Diamox) is frequently prescribed as therapy for the periodic paralyses. While most patients take this drug without incident it can interact with other drugs. Physicians should be aware of potential problems which might arise. Acetazolamide can decrease excretion of dextroamphetamine, anticholinergics, mecamylamine, ephedrine, mexiletine, or quinidine because…
Submitted by deb on Fri, 02/01/2013 – 21:45 Because this is a frequently asked question from patients we post here a reply: Question: My doctor wants to prescribe a medication called acetazolamide. Is that okay for someone with Hypokalemic periodic paralysis. When I look on the web it says this medication causes you to excrete potassium. How…
Submitted by deb on Sat, 07/25/2015 – 18:54 The antibiotic Bactrim is well-known to produce muscle weakness, even paralysis in patients with Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis. It is contraindicated in patients with Anderson-Tawil Syndrome because of its propensity to produce cardiac arrhythmia, but many clinicians do not realize that it also produces hyperkalemia in a majority of patients…