topic Re: Potassium in Wellness

Potassium

kismet — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:02:23 GMT

A few months ago I had my bloodwork done and my Potassium level was 3.4 at my GP. Two months later I had bloodwork done at my oncologist and my Potassium was 3. He calls my GP while I was there and told him I need Potassium. I got a prescription and honestly I have had so many problems with it. I had to take something for my stomach but can't take both at the same time. I just had had it and sent a message to my GP that I'm stopping the Potassium. Is there anything, other than certain foods, that will raise my Potassium. If I don't take the Potassium I don't need the stomach prescription.

I am taking a water pill and my GP changed that but I seem to retain water on the new pill so I went back onto the old water pill and will see him in a few weeks.

Re: Potassium

m0rgan — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:11:01 GMT

My father in law needed potassium and ate a banana every day. In your case that may not be enough but you could try this and see if it helps.

Re: Potassium

CAMOGIRL — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:24:34 GMT

Definitely try bananas. High in potassium.

Re: Potassium

Jtdmum — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:29:20 GMT

Apples are one of the highest sources of potassium. Bananas are very good too!

Hope you feel better and congratulations for taking charge of your health!

Re: Potassium

tervuren — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:52:25 GMT

My daughter in law is a dialysis nurse and she provided my husband with a list of potassium rich foods he needs to AVOID due to kidney issues.

Potassium rich include, potatoes (white and sweet) dried beans, dried fruit (dates, figs, and prune juice) mushrooms, avocado, pumpkin, asparagus, tomato, winter squash, peanuts, almonds, pecans, yogurt, tomato sauce, chocolate. As for fruit the list includes oranges, orange juice, bananas, apricots, kiwi, pear, nectarines, and melons. ,

hope this helps .

Re: Potassium

ilovefall — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:53:44 GMT

What does GP mean? My husband takes liquid Potassium as he couldn't stomach the pill form.

Re: Potassium

SilleeMee — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:56:58 GMT

OP said "other than certain foods" so what about beverages? Soy milk is high in potassium, if you can drink it then give it a shot. Prune juice and apple juice are also high in potassium. @kismet

Re: Potassium

KingstonsMom — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:59:30 GMT

@ilovefall wrote:
What does GP mean? My husband takes liquid Potassium as he couldn't stomach the pill form.

@ilovefall

GP = General Practitioner (Dr.)

Re: Potassium

151949 — Wed, 10 May 2017 12:01:55 GMT

If ones potassium is too low you will suffer from muscle cramps and eventually a cardiac arrest. Do not stop taking you potassium without telling your doctor. The water pill is making your potassium too low.I understand your frustrated with this , but seriously, potassium is a life or death situation.You will not survive if it goes too low.You need to work on this with your doctors.

Re: Potassium

LTT1 — Wed, 10 May 2017 12:12:56 GMT

@kismet

The normal potassium level in the blood is 3.5-5.0 milliEquivalents per liter (mEq/L)

A potassium level that is too high or too low can be serious. Abnormal potassium levels may cause symptoms such as muscle cramps or weakness, nausea, diarrhea, frequent urination, dehydration, low blood pressure, confusion, irritability, paralysis, and changes in heart rhythm.Sep 28, 2016

My idea is that potassium levels levels are vital and so it would be best to continue to call and work with your doctor on this problem. It may take awhile to stabilize the levels of K+.

He will know how safe it is for you to be miserable with which -- nausea from the med vs dangerously low. He will also be able to advise you re: another RX, or eating K+ rich foods instead.

Re: Potassium

hopi — Wed, 10 May 2017 12:33:20 GMT

Dead Sea salts have this mineral and your body can absorb in in baths.

They are wonderful for the skin and relaxing.

Re: Potassium

Sunshine Kate — Wed, 10 May 2017 12:37:13 GMT

Bananas and orange juice are high in potassium. When I took a water pill it said on the Rx bottle to eat a banana or drink a glass of orange juice daily.

Re: Potassium

MalteseMomma — Wed, 10 May 2017 13:03:52 GMT

try "Lyte Balance" electrolyte concentrate .I use it daily.I tiny capfull into anything you drink does it for me Coffee, tea, water,juice ,whatever you like. No taste Amazon... single order or subscribe and save.............lol

Been using it for a few yrs now.

@kismet

Your 3.5 is the prefered range,why was your Dr concerned?

Re: Potassium

Nomorebirthdays — Wed, 10 May 2017 13:16:03 GMT

@kismet. Banana, oranges and I believe artifical salt substitute is potassium. Oh and potatoes. I would talk to Dr. Before doing anything drastic, maybe your diuretic needs adjusted. Or Dr. Is waiting to further evaluate kidney or heart function. It will be hard for Dr. If change meds on your own. Some diuretics and laxatives are potassium sparing and some are not.

Re: Potassium

x Hedge — Wed, 10 May 2017 14:59:16 GMT

Banana & potato daily, plus other high K foods. Still wasn't enough.
After 120 days of daily potassium pill I was able to back my potassium from daily to every other day. Be patient, and work w your doctor.
To ease irritation, always take your potassium w a meal and dont lie down for at least 30 min after taking it. Oranges/juice too rough on the stomach.

Re: Potassium

Nomorebirthdays — Wed, 10 May 2017 19:01:26 GMT

@kismet. I've given this more thought. Since you retain fluid and have an oncology Dr. Tells me you are dealing with more than borderline low potassium. I just urge you to follow up with your doctor's, not people here including me. Strangers do not know your medical history or why you have a cancer specialist.

Re: Potassium

ALRATIBA — Wed, 10 May 2017 19:13:10 GMT

My PCP gave me a list of high potassium foods quite a few years ago when I was having a problem with leg cramps. (There are lots of lists online.)

Both white potatoes and sweet potatoes are high on the list - along with bananas and apricots - my personal favorites.

Re: Potassium

Moonchilde — Wed, 10 May 2017 19:28:30 GMT

The easiest short term solution until the OP can talk with her doctor again is a low dose potassium pill, available in any drugstore. But I caution low dose, as too much potassium can be as bad as too little.

Re: Potassium

Wannabeincali — Wed, 10 May 2017 23:56:32 GMT

@kismet

Do you eat a high salt diet? Esp table salt? (bad for you! Himalyan Pink Salt, and Sea Salt, in moderation, are better for you) Do you eat a lot of processed foods?

Salt and potassium need to be kept in balance (electrolytes). Too muchmof one, leads to excretion in urine of the other. Aremyou on any blood pressure meds?

My mom, who was diagnosed with high blood pressure, has been able to lower the dose of her medication via her diet. We cut out all processed foods. She eats low sodium, and has a banana and 1/2 c applesauce per day. She eats lean protein, lots of salads and greens (broccoli, kale, spinach, etc), sweet potato, as well as other fresh fruits and veggies. She drinks lots of war, and a moderate amount fruit juices. She is 94 yo. Her last blood test actually showed her potassium was high normal (2 points from the highest normal range). Her sodium was at the lowest point of noral. The doctor actually told us to cut back on the bananas, to just 1 every other day. She told is the blood pressure medication can increase potassium, so potassium rich foods should be cut back a little bit. The doctor was impressed though with how good her blood test was overall.

Re: Potassium

pitdakota — Thu, 11 May 2017 02:41:41 GMT

@kismet, you stated your oncologist ordered the tests, so I am not sure if you are receiving chemo or going through periods of nausea, etc.

However, please be sure and check with your doctor and keep a close eye on that potassium level. There is a very little range of normal potassium level and when it is low, heart arrhythmias which can be fatal can and do occur.

Additionally you stated you went back on your water pill which will cause you to lose more potassium daily.

This is nothing to play around with, without working with your doctor. Ask him or her about what happens with both too high or too low potassium levels and work with your doctor to try and maintain enough potassium intake to prevent your potassium from dropping. There are also liquid forms of potassium supplements that can be taken if you are having problems with pills. But bottom line is you need to really partner with your doctor and be aware of what happens when the potassium drops and work with your GP to see if dietary sources such as bananas or orange juice will keep your potassium level in the normal range or if you do need a supplement due to being on diuretics.

Since you don't see the doctor for a couple of weeks, I would try to take increase dietary intake at a minimum. Your potassium level can drop to dangerously low levels in just a couple of days so please take this seriously.

And by all means make sure and keep that appointment with your doctor. Best of luck to you.