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 – 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…
Submitted by deb on Mon, 06/27/2011 – 02:57 Giorgio Buzzi, MD, Neurologist Buzzi G, Mostacci B, Sancisi E, Cirignotta F. Sleep complaints in Periodic Paralyses: a web survey. Functional Neurology 2001, 17 (3). From the Sleep Medicine Unit – Dept. of Neurology S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital – University of Bologna, Italy. SUMMARY Section 1. Background: K+ and REM sleep homeostasis….
Submitted by deb on Wed, 09/07/2011 – 03:04 For your convenience, arranged by topic, a “shelf” of journal articles on the periodic paralyses. If you have a favorite link to suggest please pass it along. Textbook and Reviews Meola G, Hanna M G and Fontaine B. Diagnosis and Treatment of Muscle Channelopathies. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2009;80:360–365. Dr Michael…
Submitted by deb on Thu, 07/26/2012 – 17:00 PLoS One. 2012; 7(7): e40235.Published online 2012 July 10. Splicing of the rSlo Gene Affects the Molecular Composition and Drug Response of Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels in Skeletal Muscle Maria Maddalena Dinardo,#1 Giulia Camerino,#1 Antonietta Mele,1 Ramon Latorre,2 Diana Conte Camerino,1 and Domenico Tricarico1,* The molecular composition and drug responses…
Submitted by deb on Mon, 06/27/2011 – 02:22 Hao Cheng, MD The use of local anaesthetics on patients with periodic paralysis presents some unusual challenges. Many patients report that these agents trigger weakness or paralysis, a phenomenon which is substantiated in medical literature. Some patients also report that the agents do not produce the desired anaesthesia. The…
Submitted by deb on Mon, 06/27/2011 – 19:16 Periodic Paralysis Patients at Increased Risk of MH Patients with Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis and Paramyotonia Congenita are at increased risk for Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) during surgery. Patients with all types of periodic paralysis often become paralyzed during or after surgery, from stress, chilling in the OR and the use…
Submitted by deb on Fri, 07/01/2011 – 22:01 When evaluating patients for periodic paralysis it is vital to obtain accurate results from blood draws. Because potassium levels which vary only a fraction of a point may be enough to trigger weakness in some patients, the lab may need to be made aware of specialized procedures which should…