The rare disease….Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis

For those of you who don’t know, I was diagnosed with Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis in 2003, and I have been dealing with it since then with multiple hospital visits and stays, multiple attacks of muscle weakness, and irregular heartbeats…..but I am still fighting, I am stronger than ever, and I will live my life to the fullest… Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis has nothing on me!

What is Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis?

Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis is a disorder that causes occasional episodes of muscle weakness and sometimes a lower than normal level of potassium in the blood. Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is congenital. This means it is present at birth. In most cases, it is passed down through families (inherited) as an autosomal dominant disorder. In other words only one parent needs to pass the gene related to this condition on to you in order for you to be affected. Occasionally, the condition may be the result of a genetic problem that is not inherited.

What are the symptoms of Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis?

Symptoms include attacks of muscle weakness or loss of muscle movement (paralysis) that come and go. There is normal muscle strength between attacks. Attacks usually begin in the teen years, but they can occur before age 10. How often the attacks occur varies. Some people have attacks every day. Others have them once a year. During attacks the person remains alert.

The weakness or paralysis:

• Most commonly occurs at the shoulders and hips
• May also affect the arms, legs, muscles of the eyes, and muscles that help with breathing and swallowing
• Occurs off and on
• Most commonly occurs on awakening or after sleep or rest
• Is rare during exercise, but may be triggered by resting after exercise
• May be triggered by high-carbohydrate, high-salt meals or drinking alcohol
• Usually lasts 3 to 24 hours

How is Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis diagnosed?

During an attack of muscle weakness, blood potassium level is low. This confirms the diagnosis. There is no decrease in total body potassium. Blood potassium level is normal between attacks. During an attack, muscle reflexes are decreased or absent. And muscles go limp rather than staying stiff. Muscle groups near the body, such as the shoulders and hips, are involved more often than the arms and legs.

How is Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis treated?

The goals of treatment are relief of symptoms and prevention of further attacks. Muscle weakness that involves the breathing or swallowing muscles is an emergency situation. Dangerous heart arrhythmias may also occur during attacks. Any of these must be treated right away. Potassium given during an attack may stop the attack. Potassium can be taken by mouth. But if weakness is severe, potassium may need to be given through a vein (IV). Avoiding alcohol and eating a low-carbohydrate diet may help. A medicine called acetazolamide may be prescribed to prevent attacks. Your doctor may tell you to also take potassium supplements because acetazolamide may cause your body to lose potassium. Hypokalemic periodic paralysis responds well to treatment. Treatment may prevent, and even reverse, progressive muscle weakness. Although muscle strength starts out normal between attacks, repeated attacks may eventually cause worsening and permanent muscle weakness between attacks.

My lesson…

In life, we are constantly facing obstacles, but we can choose how to react to them. Whether you are facing self-esteem issues, stress, addictions, relationship struggles or a serious illness like me, don’t let anything stop you from doing what you love the most. Facing obstacles can make us better and stronger people. Love others, but love yourself more.

“Dealing with my illness has taught me to love myself and allow some imperfections in my life. God has a plan for me, and I believe he wants me to inspire others to live life to the fullest regardless of the obstacles people face”.

Going Bananas!

Summer time is almost over, but we still have another month of three digit temperatures to deal with. This is why it is important to know about this vital electrolyte and mineral called “Potassium”.  Potassium is important for muscle strength, nerve functioning, and a healthy cardiovascular system. It helps keep the water and electrolyte balance of the body. Potassium levels can be affected by how the kidneys are working, the blood pH, the amount of potassium you eat, the hormone levels in your body, excessive sweating, and taking certain medicines.

If you are a long distance runner like me, love to workout outdoors in the heat, or sweat more than other people during exercise, you need to pay attention to your potassium intake. According to Women’s Health Magazine, these are the 8 signs you are not getting enough potassium:

1. You are constantly wiped out: as mentioned before, potassium helps with muscle strength, nerve functioning and cardiovascular system. If your body lacks this electrolyte and mineral, you are most likely to feel exhausted throughout the day or a workout session.
2. You have high blood pressure: potassium intake is important to keep the blood pressure and heart healthy. Get your blood pressure and potassium levels checked regularly.
3. You eat primarily out of bags and boxes: processed food can be extremely high in sodium which can often change the potassium levels. When sodium levels go up, the potassium levels go down. Therefore, it is important to stay away from processed food and have a balanced healthy diet rich in potassium.
4. Your muscles feel weak or crampy: again, potassium is important for muscle strength. Not having enough potassium in your body can lead to muscle weakness and cramping. If you are sweating excessively, you might have the feeling of muscle weakness and even spasms.
5. Your heart skips a beat: remember that the body loses potassium each day through urination and sweat. It is important to replace the potassium you lose every day to ensure you keep a healthy cardiovascular system. Low potassium levels can lead to irregular heartbeats and even cardiac arrest. Yes, it is scary!
6. You feel dizzy: you might have experienced this in the past but never related your dizzy feeling to low potassium levels. Irregular heartbeats due to low potassium levels can cause dizziness, so it is important to make sure you consume potassium rich foods to help this feeling go away quick.
7. Constipation: I wasn’t really aware of this sign, but according to Women’s Healthy Magazine, low potassium levels can also slow down other bodily functions such as your digestive system.
8. Tingling and numbness: in order to keep your nerves healthy, you need to have normal potassium levels. I have had this feeling many times, especially after a long run, so make sure you hydrate and eat. It is recommended to drink coconut water because of the amount of potassium it provides in each bottle. So try coconut water instead of those sugary energy drinks to hydrate and recover from a hard workout.

Besides bananas, which are often associated with potassium, there are other foods rich in potassium including scallops, salmon, white beans, dark leafy greens, potatoes, dried apricots, yogurt, avocados, and oranges.

So next time you experience any of the symptoms above, don’t be scared and go bananas!

Reference:

Crain, E., (2014, February). “8 signs you’re not getting enough potassium”. Retrieved from: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/printwhlist?nid=95991

What motivates me to run…

In 2003, I was diagnosed with something called “Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis” which is a rare condition that causes occasional episodes of severe muscle weakness and low potassium levels. It is often triggered by a high carbohydrate diet and strenuous exercise. Before diagnosis, I used to struggle with my workouts and the constant lack of energy, sleep, and appetite. I was constantly in the hospital hooked up to a machine that would monitor my heart, feeling weak, dizzy, with migraines and no energy at all. There were many times I thought I was not going to make it pass that day. Finally my diagnosis was set, and I had no other choice but to learn everything there is about Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis.

After learning about this rare condition, it seemed almost impossible to become a distance runner….but that didn’t stop me from doing what I love the most. I had to learn how to manage this condition by changing my eating habits and physical activity. After eleven years, I have been able to run over seven half-marathons and many local races. I am currently training for my first full marathon scheduled for January 2015.

Being diagnosed with a low potassium deficiency that causes severe muscle weakness, and people telling me I can’t or shouldn’t be running or doing certain physical activity has been my biggest motivator to run, get fit, and healthy. I ran my last half marathon in 1 hour and 40 minutes which got me to qualify for the Houston Full Marathon and hopefully join the Texas Army National Guard Marathon Team!

Running is my passion and I am good at it. I feel free and at peace when I run. Some people need yoga to relax; I need a pair of running shoes and a trail to find that peace of mind. Running keeps me healthy, fit, and most important content with my life. Some people might never understand the feeling we get after a long run, especially when running a race. I always think to myself “Thank you God for helping me get through another run, another race without any muscle weakness”.

Don’t let anything stop you from doing what you love the most…facing obstacles can make us better and stronger =)