Periodic Paralysis IS Life-Threatening
Recently there has been some question about the prognosis
for those of us with Periodic Paralysis (PP). Some say that they have read that
it is "NOT life-threatening." The following articles refute this
misperception. Some PP literature perpetuates the misinformation that PP is
not Life-Threatening. This is very scary for us. Doctors and others need to
understand that we can die during episodes.
This is one article:
Interesting article about PP from 1994...
The most important information in this article is very
important but rarely found anywhere...I have mentioned this many times...but I
do not think others believe it. We need to be diagnosed and we need to do
everything possible to avoid the episodes...
Periodic paralysis: clinical evaluation in 20 patients
Out of 20 patients:
"Although periodic
paralysis may be considered a benign disease we found respiratory distress
in 5 patients, permanent myopathy in 1, electrocardiographic abnormalities
during crises in 4; death during paralysis occurred in 2. Therefore
correct diagnosis and immediate treatment are crucial."
More:
Periodic paralysis and ventricular tachycardia: Possible role of calcium channel blockers
Pediatric Cardiology January 1996, Volume 17, Issue 1, pp 31–34
“Few patients have been reported
with familial periodic paralysis and ventricular tachycardia. The natural
history of these cases was unfavorable, with most dying because of a
presumed cardiac dysrhythmia. We report for the first time the results of
an electrophysiologic study of a similar case and the successful use of calcium
channel blockers, shedding light on the possible mechanism and management of
these patients.”
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02505808
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02505808
Cardiac arrhythmias in hypokalemic periodic paralysis:
Hypokalemia as only cause?
Muscle Nerve. 2014 Sep;50(3):327-32. doi: 10.1002/mus.24225.
Epub 2014 Aug 12.
“Nine patients died from arrhythmia.”
“Clinicians should be aware of and prevent
treatment-induced cardiac arrhythmia in HypoPP. “
Asymptomatic cardiac arrhythmias in periodic paralysis. - NCBI
“These cases of periodic paralysis with associated
arrhythmias have been regarded as exclusively ventricular in origin with
poor prognosis.:
Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis with Arrhythmia
ANDERSEN CARDIODYSRHYTHMIC PERIODIC PARALYSIS (1972)
A variable prolongation of the QT interval, ventricular bigeminy, and short runs of bidirectional ventricular tachycardia were observed. Sudden death in this syndrome was reported…(1972). http://www.omim.org/static/omim/icons/related-references.png
…………………
Added 1/18/2017
SUDDEN DEATH IN EPILEPSY:
RESEARCHERS FINGER POSSIBLE CAUSE http://healthcarevision.co/sudden-death-in-epilepsy-researchers-finger-possible-cause/
“
One had mutations in a potassium ion channel gene, which disrupts the normal firing of neurons; another had mutations in a sodium ion channel gene with a similar function. Both genes are linked to SUDEP in people, and the sodium channel mutation can cause Dravet syndrome,...”
…………………
Added 5/17/2017
Hello All,
Hello All,
A few weeks ago I had to wear a
heart monitor for two weeks. I finally got the results of it, (ZIOxt) and was
not surprised. I have previously been diagnosed with several different
arrhythmias. This time two new ones showed up. I had 11 episodes of Supraventricular
Tachycardia (SVT). The longest run was 14 beats. I also had what the doctor
said was worse than SVT...***Ventricular Tachycardia*** (VT).
The other things that showed up
have been recorded previously but no Long QT showed up and there were no Sinus Pause/Arrest with Atrial Escape
episodes that showed up like that night in the ER (thank goodness)...so now we
know that it was most likely caused by the drugs given to me that night in the
ER as we had expected.
I wanted to share these results
for a few reasons…to warn once again about the issues of taking drugs...even in
an emergency situation. Much thought must be given to the serious effects they
can cause those of us with PP/ATS. I am lucky the atrial part of my heart
worked as the pacemaker that night or I would not be here today.
The other issue was that as I was
researching what these particular arrhythmia mean, I was reminded in my
research that these heart issues/irregular beats are the direct result of the
PP.
"What causes ventricular
tachycardia?
....But in most cases ventricular
tachycardia is caused by heart disease, such as a previous heart attack, a
congenital heart defect, hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy, or
myocarditis. Sometimes ventricular tachycardia occurs after heart surgery.
Inherited heart rhythm problems, such as ***long QT syndrome*** or Brugada
syndrome, are rare causes of ventricular tachycardia.
***Some medicines-including***
***antiarrhythmic medicines***, which are used to treat other types of abnormal
heart rhythms-can cause ventricular tachycardia. ***Less common causes include
blood imbalances, such as low potassium levels and other electrolyte
imbalances****."
This means that I have two counts
against me with long QT AND electrolyte imbalances...(my mother also had
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)...and here is another reason I cannot take
drugs/meds....
My warning is this: ventricular
tachycardia is related to electrolyte imbalance...at any time VT can turn into
Ventricular Fibrillation, which can be fatal. We need to do everything we can
to avoid episodes...to avoid the heart issues. We need to stay in balance in
all ways. Change our diets as necessary. We need to know what our triggers are
and avoid them, including most drugs, exertion, etc.
PP can be fatal and has been for many people before us, including some members of my family. My own great uncle died at 41 during an episode.
Discussing my options with the doctor, we know that I
cannot take any drugs and an ablation is out of the question...so all I can do
is avoid the triggers...which I do...but my heart has been damaged from a
lifetime of potassium shifting and not knowing it...and all the drugs from the
misdiagnoses, etc....so I will take each day as it comes....
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/tc/ventricular-tachycardia-topic-overview#1
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/tc/ventricular-tachycardia-topic-overview#1
Added 2/01/2017
If we manage our symptoms well, stay balanced in all ways, etc., we can live longer with a better quality of life but PP can be fatal and we need to understand that. Anytime we go to the ER, hospital, have an IV, use anesthesia, provoke our symptoms to get diagnosed, take drugs, do medical testing, have a colonoscopy, have surgery, are given MRI contrast, have medical procedures, swim alone, over do physically, push ourselves, do not eat right, get ill, get stressed, and more, we risk death by going into a paralytic episode which can affect our heart, breathing, breathing muscles, oxygen levels, cause choking and lead to death.
Added 12/19/2017
There has been some discussion today about doctors wanting to provoke episodes in order to get 'proof' of either "faking" paralysis or actually having Periodic Paralysis.This article will explain why we should never provoke episodes of paralysis. Periodic Paralysis can be life-threatening. We need to avoid episodes at all cost...not provoke them at will for the doctors, research or anyone else...We are an education, support and "ADVOCACY" group. We are here to try to keep everyone safe and alive when dealing with the medical professionals in our lives...Those of us with Andersen-Tawil Syndrome (ATS) or who suspect they may have ATS should even use more care in avoiding episodes and should never allow provoking. We have even more of risk of sudden death due to our Long QT arrhythmia......
Provocative testing can be dangerous and is not a favored first-line method of diagnosis. Potassium challenge tests risk hyperkalemic arrhythmia, even in an acute care setting. ... Both hyperkalemic and hypokalemic periodic paralysis can present with normokalemia during attacks.Apr 21, 2008
Practical aspects in the management of hypokalemic periodic paralysis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2374768/
Hypokalemic periodic paralysis - NCBI - NIH
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3700163/
by H Abbas - 2012 - Cited by 3 - Related articles
Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a rare genetic disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of skeletal muscle weakness with associated hypokalemia which is precipitated by stress, cold, carbohydrate load, infection, glucose ... Provocative testing can be dangerous and is not a favored first-line method of diagnosis.
Practical aspects in the management of hypokalemic periodic paralysis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2374768/
2008 - Cited by 42 - Related articles
Apr 21, 2008 - Provocative testing can be dangerous and is not a favored first-line method of diagnosis. Potassium challenge tests risk hyperkalemic arrhythmia, even in an acute care setting. ... Both hyperkalemic and hypokalemic periodic paralysis can present with normokalemia during attacks.
Until Later…
If we manage our symptoms well, stay balanced in all ways, etc., we can live longer with a better quality of life but PP can be fatal and we need to understand that. Anytime we go to the ER, hospital, have an IV, use anesthesia, provoke our symptoms to get diagnosed, take drugs, do medical testing, have a colonoscopy, have surgery, are given MRI contrast, have medical procedures, swim alone, over do physically, push ourselves, do not eat right, get ill, get stressed, and more, we risk death by going into a paralytic episode which can affect our heart, breathing, breathing muscles, oxygen levels, cause choking and lead to death.
Added 12/19/2017
There has been some discussion today about doctors wanting to provoke episodes in order to get 'proof' of either "faking" paralysis or actually having Periodic Paralysis.This article will explain why we should never provoke episodes of paralysis. Periodic Paralysis can be life-threatening. We need to avoid episodes at all cost...not provoke them at will for the doctors, research or anyone else...We are an education, support and "ADVOCACY" group. We are here to try to keep everyone safe and alive when dealing with the medical professionals in our lives...Those of us with Andersen-Tawil Syndrome (ATS) or who suspect they may have ATS should even use more care in avoiding episodes and should never allow provoking. We have even more of risk of sudden death due to our Long QT arrhythmia......
Provocative testing can be dangerous and is not a favored first-line method of diagnosis. Potassium challenge tests risk hyperkalemic arrhythmia, even in an acute care setting. ... Both hyperkalemic and hypokalemic periodic paralysis can present with normokalemia during attacks.Apr 21, 2008
Practical aspects in the management of hypokalemic periodic paralysis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2374768/
Hypokalemic periodic paralysis - NCBI - NIH
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3700163/
by H Abbas - 2012 - Cited by 3 - Related articles
Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a rare genetic disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of skeletal muscle weakness with associated hypokalemia which is precipitated by stress, cold, carbohydrate load, infection, glucose ... Provocative testing can be dangerous and is not a favored first-line method of diagnosis.
Practical aspects in the management of hypokalemic periodic paralysis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2374768/
2008 - Cited by 42 - Related articles
Apr 21, 2008 - Provocative testing can be dangerous and is not a favored first-line method of diagnosis. Potassium challenge tests risk hyperkalemic arrhythmia, even in an acute care setting. ... Both hyperkalemic and hypokalemic periodic paralysis can present with normokalemia during attacks.
Until Later…
I recall an article about a study involving 15 out of 36 participants who died during provoked episodes. Is this in our files? I will try to find it in my saved info.
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