| Author | Subject: any help low potassium |
| Sue | Posted At 16:34:21 05/24/2002 Hello i am new to this board and just glad we have the internet! Can anyone help or maybe have experience of low potassium, my husband has been on Hemo dialyss for about 10 months now and his potassium has always been low at 2.3 he's on a potassium diet and a supplement of slow-k. we live in the UK and find many more kidney sites for the US than the UK, we also find from visiting web sites that the US is far more advanced than over here! We would like to know if there is any other medical condition that can have an affect on one's potssium level, as the doctor at my husbands unit has stopped him from doing his home trainging twice now, because of his potassium level but wont listen when we tell him about all the potassium my husband takes in through eating. sorry to be so long winded about this i send my best wishes to everyone who uses this board and many thanks in advance ............Sue |
| Beth Witten | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 1 replies) Posted At 16:08:33 06/02/2002 Your husband's doctor is probably as frustrated as you and your husband are since it is unusual for people with kidney disease to have to worry about low potassium. I found a message and response posted on the Nutriquest web site that might give you ideas of other causes for low low potassium to investigate. Be sure to copy and paste this entire link into your browser's address line: www.nutrition.cornell.edu/nutriquest/040599/potassium.html. Another source of information on causes and treatment for low potassium is at www.emedicine.com/aaem/topic291.htm. |
| sue | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 14 replies) Posted At 09:58:01 06/03/2002 Hello Beth thank you very much for your advice and the web page's fingers crossed that these sites will be of help to my husband, and his doctors ........... best wishes Sue |
| Carla | Low potasium w/mood changes (Currently 3 replies) Posted At 15:55:16 11/27/2002 Hi! I have a close friend who is 61 and was diagnosed with ovian cancer 7 years ago. She has had 4 reoccurences and chemotherapy treatments for each reoccurence. Shortly after her initial surgery and treatment, friends and family noticed a personality change. Recently, she was admitted for dehydration and pneumonia and they found her potassium is low. I realize this can happen with dehydration. I have read about possible mood changes when the potassium is low. My question is.....could this be the reason my friends personality changes? Is it possible that when she is eating potassium enriched foods, her level rises and she is much like her old self but can also lower just enough to change her mood? Any direction on this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! |
| Beth Witten | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 2 replies) Posted At 10:23:57 11/30/2002 I found information on potassium that provides information about emotional side-effects of low potassium at www.nursewise.com/courses/K_hour.htm. You don't say if your friend also has kidney problems, but I hope your friend's doctor is closely monitoring her potassium and her kidney function. Some chemotherapy medications are known to cause kidney damage. There is a delicate balance between too low and too high potassium and neither is good. If her kidneys are functioning fully, her body will be able to get rid of excess potassium. However, if her chemo treatments have damaged her kidneys, they may not be able to do this well enough. People with kidney disease have their potassium measured regularly and are often put a potassium restriction because too much potassium can cause irregular heartbeat and even heart attack. Besides low potassium, there could be other reasons for your friend's personality change. Obviously, dealing with a chronic and potentially fatal illness plus repeated treatments associated with it can negatively affect one's mood, personality, and even relationships with friends and relatives. Your friend sounds like a fighter, but she may be questioning whether it's worth the effort. Seeing a grief counselor or joining a support group may help her emotional state. She could ask the hospital where she's receiving treatment if they can recommend a social worker or mental health professional who has experience dealing with health concerns. The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) can refer her to a local support group for cancer survivors -- perhaps even women who are living with ovarian cancer. |
| Laura | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 1 replies) Posted At 00:18:53 12/02/2002 Hi...I too have very low potassium range at 2.5 an on K Dur but seems not to help...I also am on quite alot of medication along with diabetes...if you can help it would be well appreciated...Laura |
| Beth Witten | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 21:11:14 12/02/2002 I suspect that you've done this, but if not, you should talk with your doctor about what more you can do to get your potassium level up. When you talk with your doctor, be sure to: 1) Tell your doctor all the drugs you're taking including over-the-counter and herbal supplements whether prescribed by him/her or other doctors. One or more of them could be causing your low potassium level. For instance, diuretics (water pills) are known to lower potassium levels. 2) Ask what other physical conditions may contribute to your low potassium level and what can be done to determine if you have these or how to control them. 3) Ask exactly when (how often daily, with or after meals) you should take your K-Dur. If you're not taking it in the right dosage and at the right time, it may be less effective. 4) Ask to speak with a dietitian to learn what foods contain potassium. It's important that your potassium be closely monitored since both low and high potassium can cause serious problems. |
| Michelle | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 2 replies) Posted At 21:18:01 12/15/2002 Sue, I do not know if you are still here, but my husband also was having low potassium (2.8). He was taking 50 Meq a day and was still losing potassium. We pushed the Dr.'s to do some testing. He had a CT scan done that showed he had a benign tumor on his right adrenal gland (Conn's syndrome).We have learned that this condition takes the potassium away and causes the blood pressure to go very high.Am just trying to help, not scare you. You may want to check out this web-encyclopedia.http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003206.htm I hope I might have helped in some way. Michelle |
| maria | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 6 replies) Posted At 19:55:01 12/19/2002 Need help. Does anyone know what causes a decrease in potassium levels? My fiance was rushed to the hospital and was found to have extremely high blood pressure. They found that his potassium levels had become extremely low. He is a healthy 35 year old and is not presently on any medications. |
| Beth Witten | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 09:36:39 12/21/2002 Your question is one that your doctor should answer after seeing the test results. Many health conditions can cause high blood pressure and/or low potassium. You and/or your fiance should be sure to fullly describe any symptoms that he has had recently. Be sure to mention any prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, and/or recreational drugs that he has taken. High blood pressure can damage several organs, including the heart and kidneys, and can lead to strokes. Low (or high) potassium can affect heart rhythm and can lead to heart attack. I'm glad that he is getting the medical attention that he needs and hope that he is better soon. |
| elaine sinclair | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 10:05:48 01/03/2003 i think i winning i have a potassium level of 1.8 my lowest was 1.1 i take 12 sando k a day its refuse to go up , ihave had this for 13 years and still no one can find a cause . I find a lot of gp in this country dont even know what it is I am constantly looking for help |
| elaine sinclair | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 10:07:52 01/03/2003 i think i winning i have a potassium level of 1.8 my lowest was 1.1 i take 12 sando k a day its refuse to go up , ihave had this for 13 years and still no one can find a cause . I find a lot of gp in this country dont even know what it is I am constantly looking for help |
| Beth Witten | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 23:30:18 01/10/2003 Some causes of low potassium include: * Diarrhea, vomiting or other GI problems * Diabetes * Kidney disease (can also cause high potassium) * Use (or overuse) of diuretics (water pills) * Long term use of cortisone, laxatives, digitalis, aspirin, etc. (Be sure your doctor knows all medications you are taking) * Excessive sweating * Too little potassium in the diet * Any of several diseases including Bartter syndrome, Cushing syndrome, Fanconi syndrome, Gitelman syndrome, and Liddle syndrome Low potassium can cause fatigue, acne and dry skin, irregular heartbeat, GI problems, and can even cause death. You should see a dietitian or physician who specializes in nutritional problems. |
| Jimmy Hurley | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 14:03:23 01/16/2003 My mother-79 yrs old-ended up in hospital yesterday with heaviness in the chest and high BP-around 210/150 and irregular heartbeat. The tests showed no heart damage but pointed to a low level of potassium-2.8, I think. The emergency doctor told me flat out, that low potassium would not have been the cause of the symptoms. I find this incredible in light of what I read on sites etc. Is the following causal chain flawed: Low Potassium could lead to High BP which could lead to tightness in the chest and an irregular heartbeat...... |
| Pam | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 1 replies) Posted At 21:21:00 01/16/2003 This past summer I was rushed to the ER by my husband with light headedness, hurting all over, difficulty breathing and I had extremely low BP when I got there. They checked my potassium and immediately gave me a high potassium drink to raise it quickly. I have had no prior problems and there is no reason I should have had problems at that time. I got very nauseated and had to be medicated for that so that I would not start throwing up and loose more potassium. My level at that time was 1.8 and two days later it had only gone up to 2.3 but finally came into the low normal range. I could always tell when it fell because I would get weak and start legs and arm cramps but it never got as bad as the summer incident. Christmas Day 2002, I started having severe diarrhea which ended up being colitis. I went to the Dr. 5 days after is started because I thought it was only the flu so I waited. When she checked my blood my potassium was down to 2.0 again so she started me on prescription potassium 40 mg. per day thinking that would bring it up. Well, it is now three weeks later and I am still only up to 3.0. My colitis is under control now so I am no longer depleting my potassium that way. WE are totally unsure why this is happening but I continue to have weakness and get very tired on a daily basis. I am doing several things to try to bring it up with a high potassium diet, Orange juice with light salt in it, bananas, you name it and we are trying it. My question to anyone is....I am experiencing headaches with all of this and I was wondering if anyone else has this affect. I am a healthy 45 year old teacher, wife and mother. This has really got me worred as it does my doctor. Thanks for your time. Pam from Texas |
| mary ann Hampton | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 19:30:52 01/27/2003 I had a heart attack in 2001 and my potassium was 2.8 and I am wondering if my potassium it.... and now I have low potassium again I have been having my potassium check every week for two months how they have me on 80 kdur...ands its 3.8 So I dont know what is going to happen I really enjoyed this web site on potassium...... And I also I have a lot of chest pains...... Its scares me....... But I know the Lord and am ready go if he calls me..... |
| Beth Witten | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 16:54:08 01/29/2003 Are you seeing a heart specialist (cardiologist) or is your primary doctor managing your care? What has your doctor said about how well your potassium is being maintained? Low potassium can lead to heart attack! If you're having chest pain now, you need to notify your doctor right away and/or go to the emergency room. You could be having angina or a heart attack and a cardiologist is the best one to evaluate the cause of your chest pain and whether or not low potassium is contributing. |
| Rita Dempsey | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 12:21:18 02/11/2003 I've been doing some reading on low potassium and I have heard that there is something in chewing tobacco and licorice (candy) that depletes your body of potassium. This might be important to some people. |
| arnold parsons | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 4 replies) Posted At 22:09:13 02/17/2003 hi i sure not much good at wrighting but will try.have just read these posts on low potassium.i went to a doctor at the university here in ohio.i was in the need of a heart bypass at the time they put me on med till they got the rest of the testing done.after about four mounths had passed i got very sick they put me in the hospital and ran more tests they found a cyst in my left kidney is all they found after two more mounths of being very sick i lost from a 168 pounds to 149 couldnt walk by my self was hurting i was wanting to die then they found i only had a one point six potassium it took a week in icu to bring it back up was on two iv at same time one they called flashes they had let it stay down over two months it did sever damage to my muscles and nerves and the potassium still wouldnt stay up i was on 8 20mg of potassium a day they found it had depleted it from my bones were it is stored.then after week in and out of the hospital.for the muscle and nerve damage they found the cyst in the kidney was a renin produceing cyst it was depleting the potassium they tryed a laser to breake up the cyst but it caused problems with the kidney then i had surgery on it but i still on three 20mg aday i had the surgery done on the heart but guess it was to late the low potassium had done to much damage i take med to control my heart rate i take med to control my kidneys breathing it damaged my liver and nerve system i am on three med for my nerves two pain med am on 19 meds a day some as much as 6 times aday so if any one that reads this be sure and not let your potassium stay down to long the damage dont come back i guess i can be thank full this will be my last year trying to deal with this i am 59 years old now i wish the university had read my last to blood works i had done they showed the potassium going down but got over looked by my doctor i kind of feel i have been cheated out of about 10 years of my life well better get off here sorry for wrighting so much but guess just wanting to talk about this tonight and thanks for your time . arnold parsons |
| maryann | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 21:14:52 02/21/2003 I have low potassium lots of chest pains and the doctor put me on 80 mg of k dur and its only 3.8 now. I am really worried I have apointment with a Kidney March 4th to see what is going on....... I love this E Mail.... and reading about everyone elses problems.....I hope to know more next week what is going on. |
| T. Nguyen | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 18:40:27 02/27/2003 Hi, I am 35 and having Low Potassium problems for 20 years. I just knew the problem in the last 10 years, and taking pills since then. I am taking 8 pills a day (20MEG each). I already saw the Kidney doctor, and they found nothing, and he said I may born with it. Would you have any suggestions or know someone has similar problems can give me some ideas to make my health better. Thanks, T. Nguyen |
| Beth Witten | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 00:57:18 02/28/2003 You might want to look at this fact sheet on Medline Plus: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003484.htm About half way through the fact sheet, it lists several conditions that can lead to low potassium levels (also called hypokalemia). You might want to look at medications that you take. According to this fact sheet the following drugs can cause potassium to be low: acetazolamide, aminosalicylic acid, amphotericin B, carbenicillin, cisplatin, some diuretics, insulin, laxatives, penicillin G, phenothiazines, salicylates, and sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Let your doctor know all the medications that you're taking no matter who prescribed it or whether it's something you can buy without a prescription. |
| arnold r parsons | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 08:25:22 03/05/2003 was reading the post about being on eight 20mg of potassium a day and the doctor saying you might of been born that way that sounds about like the doctor i had i two was on eight 20mg of potassium a day and after many tests all they could find was a renal cyst in my left kidney they keep looking for a tumor or cyst in my lungs but couldnt find any there then it had got much worse they had over looked my last lab works i had done and my potassium had went down to one point six and had been there about two mounths it destroyed my muscles and my nerves and the nerves dont come back they sent me to a hospital in columbus ohio and they found the cyst was a reni produceing cyst it was what was takeing the potassium this has left me on 19 med a day i live from day two day now potassium is a very inportant chem for the mucles and nerves heart rate when it goes below 2.2 it becomes critical and if low potassium stays long then the ck blood levels should be watched they will tell if any muscle damage has been done i have found these things out the hard way believe me arnold parsons |
| Beth Witten | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 10:09:04 03/11/2003 I found an article from the American Association of Family Practitioners on renal cysts, how doctors should assess for them, symptoms and treatment. It's pretty clinical, but might be something to print and show your doctor (www.aafp.org/afp/20010115/288.html). The article refers to hyperaldosteronism that can cause patients to have low potassium, high blood pressure, headache, fatigue, muscle weakness, occasional paralysis, and numbness. I found a fact sheet on this condition on the National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000330.htm I'd suggest you talk with your doctor about these things. If he/she discounts this, you might want to seek a second opinion. Low potassium isn't normal. |
| Tami | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 20:25:07 03/25/2003 My father just suffered a cardiac arrest. Luckily EMT was there to shock him back. When we arrived to hospital docter's said his potassium was very low. In turn they started him on IV potassium drip. My father drinks beer every night. Some nurses said this could have caused his potassium to be low. What are the other causes of low potassium? |
| Beth Witten | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 21:26:53 03/27/2003 You can find some things in the previous emails. Your father's doctor and a dietitian may be able to suggest causes of the low potassium, including health conditions, medications, and/or diet. So far as beer and low potassium (also called hypokalemia), here is a link to a web site that discusses how drinking 6 beers a day (or a liter of wine or 5-6 drinks) can cause liver disease and can lead to low potassium. www.vh.org/adult/provider/familymedicine/FPHandbook/Chapter05/19-5.html |
| Jewel Hodge | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 11:04:59 04/10/2003 I'm 61 years old and I have low potassium 3.0 is that at a dangerous level or not. I have lots of leg cramps and also in my toung, and arms. I have CHF also, which worries me a great deal. I take K-dur 20mg two tablets three times a day, is my potassium to low? Please let me know the meds don't seem to be raising the levels, but continue dropping |
| Beth Witten | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 22:53:20 04/11/2003 Different labs have slightly different normal ranges for potassium but on the lab report, it gives the lab's normals. In general, the normal range for potassium is 3.7-5.2 mEq/L. An internal medicine physician and a registered dietitian should be able to take into consideration your physical condition, your diet, and your medications and should be able to suggest things you can do to get your potassium level to rise. |
| Kathy Rust | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 15:44:33 04/21/2003 I am a 39 yr. old white female who recently went in for a micro-discectomy on my L5/S1 disc. I was being wheeled to surgery when the Dr. came and said we could not do the surgery today because my potassium was at 2.7. They checked it twice. I knew nothing about potassium until he started explaining things and scared me good. I will be trying surgery again on April 30th. I am taking K-Dur 20MEQ CR tabs right now trying to raise it. ( 4 HUGE pills a day). I do take maxzide 75/50 diuretic, but it is for water retention not high blood pressure. I am actually (normally) really healthy. The Dr. asked if I was feeling overly tired and I said yes, but who isn't with today's lifestyle? I have 2 kids, a job, house, and horses that require a lot of time. I think I lead a rather average lifestyle and eat normally as well. I am curious as to why this has happened and as to why it wasn't caught before now. I have had blood work in the recent past for hormone levels, cholestrol, and a work up prior to going onto Acutane for my face. Has anyone else had an experience somewhat similar? Is this a really uncommon level (2.7)? Everyone at the hospital acted like I was going to keel over any minute? If anyone has any thoughts I would appretiate it. Thanks, Kathy |
| Beth Witten | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 00:15:11 04/22/2003 A potassium level of 2.7 is very low. Low levels of potassium cause muscle weakness and can even cause a heart attack. Some diuretics can cause your body to either retain or lose too much potassium. Be sure to remind your doctor that you're taking this diuretic and ask if any of your other medicines could be contributing to you low potassium. You can read about Maxzide on MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health of the federal government: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202207.html. Meanwhile, you might also want to ask the doctor what high potassium foods you could eat to increase your potassium. Personally, I'd rather do this than take 4 huge pills if I had a choice. |
| Kathy Rust | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 11:43:25 04/22/2003 Beth, Thank you for the info. I have an apt. with my MD on Friday to review all of my meds. I will have to continue to take the huge pills right now because my neurosurgeon insists that my potassium be up in order for him to do my back surgery.I have had a herniated disc pressing on my sciatic nerve for 6-8 months now and really need the discectomy(sp). I have tried everything short of surgery so far and it's time. I have horses and a 10 & 13 yr. old and I want to be more active than I can be with them right now. This potassium thing just threw me a curve. I have checked into the food issue, my sister is also a nurse (unfortuantly we live a few hundred miles apart). I'm really good about checking things out and carrying up on them once I become aware. I'm scared about surgery and even more so now but I believe in my Dr. and have had about enough of the pain and pills! Have a great day, Kathy |
| loretta dunford | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 20:16:14 05/03/2003 I have a sister that has very low potassium it was 2.5. She want to know what kind of food she can get to help to bring it up.She just found it out when she supposed to have her surgery.The doctor gave her some pills to take and they gave her some by iv. LORETTA DUNFORD |
| Beth Witten | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 15:11:12 05/08/2003 I'd suggest that your sister ask her doctor to refer her to a dietitian. A Dietitian can talk with your sister about what she likes to eat and explain which of these foods and others are high in potassium. As you sister is taking medications for potassium and eating foods with more potassium, it is important for her to have her blood checked for potassium to be sure that it doesn't go too high. |
| Sue | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 19:03:17 05/22/2003 My friend has had a stomach bypass (gastric bypass) and has had problems keeping her potassium level at a good level. Also, she was recently drinking and fell and now has a severe brain injury. Her potassium level continues to go very low. She has not had anything to drink for 4 weeks now, and has not had a cigarette for that long. Any suggestions? |
| Beth Witten | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 22:21:02 05/22/2003 Gastric bypass and drinking can each lead to low potassium. It's important for people that have gastric bypass surgery to have ongoing contact with a dietitian and emotional support. It's good that she's stopped drinking and smoking, but if your friend has a severe brain injury and she isn't competent to make her own decisions, she will need someone to help make her wishes known to doctors and other healthcare providers. Hopefully she has a spouse or has named a family or friend to do this for her. This person should talk with her physician and ask for a dietitian to advise the family about foods and supplements that she should take to improve her potassium and how often to monitor it. If she has severe brain injury, she may need ongoing help to take care of herself and/or to relearn how to do those things she needs to do to be able to care for herself as much as possible. Occupational therapists can help people relearn activities of daily living. |
| mary ann Hampton | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 15:50:03 06/03/2003 IHave low potassium and myKidney doctor gave me aldactone,,,,I have high blood pressure to and its took care of both ......I am off all my pottassiumand alll most off all of my blood pressure...... My Harmones were low but everything is working real good. I thought someone might like to here this......... |
| Paula | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 12:22:08 06/09/2003 Here are 2 sites everyone should check out for low potassium http://www.rerowland.com/K40.html and http://www.wchstv.com/producecorner/potassium-rich_fre.html |
| Annabelle | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 01:55:49 09/20/2003 Hi can anyone help me here on this query. One time I went to my GP feeling unwell she did Blood tests and when they came back she said my pottasium levels were low. That was it nothing else. I got it checked again a few weeks back and it is Normal. Does the Pottasium Levels change???? I feel unwell quite a bit with flu type feeling and very tired some days very nausea. Tight feeling in my chest ie Kind of breathless not so much chest pains a tight feeling???? Can anyone help on this. |
| Beth Witten | Re: any help low potassium (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 22:59:42 09/21/2003 Body chemicals change, especially when you're ill and vomiting. Messages in this thread list several possible conditions that cause low potassium. Since both low and high levels of potassium can be dangerous, you should call your doctor and ask for an appointment. Some things I would discuss include: 1) Describe all of your symptoms that you included in this email. Tell the doctor when you first noticed them, when you have them, how severe they are from 0 (very low) to 10 (very high), and how much they interfere with your life. 2) Ask what tests were done before to rule out possible reasons for your low potassium. 3) If you didn't have tests for all the conditions listed in this thread, ask your doctor what tests you would have to have to see if you have any of those conditions. 4) If your potassium level is low again, ask if anything you're doing or taking could be affecting this and what you should be doing to keep your potassium in the normal range. 5) Ask if you should have your blood checked regularly (how often) for your potassium level. If your doctor says to wait until you have symptoms, ask what symptoms you should look for. |