Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by Henry, Olney, MD on September 1, 2008:

After quadruple bypass, I had a pacemaker/defibrillator implant. It once "overcorrected" an a-fib. It wasn't pleasant. However, a few months later, I had full-up "treatments' (shocks) (even less pleasant!), corrected by moving the sensor lead?! Anyhow, I'm curious as to what supplement you were taking. Beta blockers interact with the darnedest things. Also, do you have the always cold side effect from beta blockers?

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No, I haven't noticed any long-term physical effects from the beta blocker. (The main side effect is a minor reduction in blood pressure, which is a nice problem for a guy to have!)

I'm not going to name the supplement, though, since it's a very proprietary formula, and I don't want to defame it by implication. But if I prove it has a lot of undocumented potassium in it, then I may blast them.... -rc

Posted by kriselda in kansas on September 1, 2008:

It very well may be that the supplement does NOT have any potassium in it, but that one or more of the ingredients it contains may react with your body's chemistry, with other supplements or with other medications you're taking to *create* potassium. Sometimes supplements - or medications, for that matter - have ingredients that can combine with foods and drinks to create something like potassium or other side effects. It's one reason why taking supplements is often seen as kind of risky, because they're not vetted like drugs are, and can be put on the market without any warning about potential side effects (and, in many cases, I suspect, without the company even being aware of the risk... though they certainly *should* be).

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Yep. The other possibility is that it's suppressing my body's ability to dump potassium, which would then lead to a build-up. If nothing else, it shows how little we know about our bodies, eh?! -rc

Posted by Leah, Karmiel, Israel on September 2, 2008:

I just wanted to tell you that I'm glad you're feeling better and that the answer to the problem was so simple and effective.

Here's wishing you continued good health!

I also hope you get a slew of upgrades, and that they don't let off after a week or two. I've been a premium subscriber for a several years now, and while I never canceled my free edition, I usually don't have time to read it. Still, it would be a shame to have to end it. I fully understand your reasons, however. Unfortunately, the cost of doing business only ever goes up.

Anyway, I love what you do and look forward to my weekly sanity check! I hope you get to do it for many, many years to come.

Best regards, and kudos to Kit for her insistence and persistence!

Posted by Kevin, Bromley, UK on September 2, 2008:

Just wanted to say I'm glad your condition has been easy to resolve, and let's pray it doesn't recur for you.

I had a heart attack 2 years ago, which resulted in my having 2 stents inserted. Unfortunately, one of the stents got blocked this year, and I recently had to have a single coronary bypass at very short notice.

This Is True was one of the few things I looked forward to receiving in my In Box to keep my spirits up while recovering, even though the old adage about "only when I laugh" was literally true!!

Long may This Is True continue.

Posted by Mike, West "By God" Virginia on September 2, 2008:

Glad to see you are "up and at 'em" once again. Sometimes us "he-male" types need a push to get checked out. Nice Kit was there to push you. I surely missed getting "my birthday" edition of TRUE (August 22). I guess the only way to ensure that doesn't happen again is to upgrade. After several "free" years for me, but "stressful" years for you, it's only fair I give us this present. I am going to do my part to end PVCs now. Who is with me?

Posted by john louisville ky on September 5, 2008:

hmmm, is there something about the dietary supplement. there must be other people using it.

my cardiologist says the heart will do what it wants to, but a dietary supplement shouldn't have such a side effect.

and, thanks for keeping me entertained, even when my jaw drops out of disbelief.

Posted by Dave - WV on September 5, 2008:

Way interesting. Hyperkalemia + stress = not good.

I'm looking into this myself (similar symptoms), and APPRECIATE the sharing of info. Then again, I might keel over tomorrow...

Will see what the doc says.

Posted by Larry - IA on September 6, 2008:

I realize that this is an obvious suggestion but sometimes it's that kind of thing that slips by unnoticed. Do you use a salt substitute? As I'm sure you are aware it is potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride thereby building up potassium in your system. Just a thought. Good luck on tracking it down.

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No, no salt substitutes or other rich source of potassium. -rc

Posted by Nancy - Los Angeles on September 6, 2008:

Randy, we can all wait, and we will wait indefinitely, for your amazing contribution to our mental health; your stories and humor make a phenomenal difference in our lives. Please just rest, relax, and take care of yourself. We will be here when you come back to us. I am one of those who thoroughly enjoyed your wit and information long before I could afford to help defray the costs. Now, at least, I can pay the tiny amount that pays for a subscription, but I wish I could do more. In the meantime, believe me when I say that you have a loyal following, even though many of us may be silent, who support you in spirit if not financially, and when we can possibly manage it, we will do so with the dollars, also. Randy, we NEED people like you in our lives. Please make yourself a priority.

Posted by Phil, Toccopola,Mississippi on September 6, 2008:

First off I want to tell you how much I love "This is True"! Have for a good long time now. Man, I wish I could send you a couple million to keep it going! It is one of the best newsletters I get. Heck... Who am I kidding... It is the Best! Thank You and Miss Kit too!

Second I know what you mean about something sneeking up on you. I am very health aware myself. I am also an EMR and I try to eat right and take Herbs and Vitamins too. Right? So just the other day a Rheumatologist tells me that my problem is VERY LOW Vitamin "D". Puts me on Mega~Dose D (50,000 units) and Nuerontin for nerve damage. All I can say is Woahhh MAN! I'm Still Weighing the advantages of finally getting a little sleep and the disadvantages of waking up in a cold sweat because of some Freaky Dream! And I do mean SCARRY FREAKY!

So I will be praying for you and Miss Kit... and "This is True". Man... just know that you are fighting the "Good Fight"!

Thank You so Very Much