Wellness

[hopi]

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

They are wonderful for the skin and relaxing.

[Sunshine Kate]

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. 

[MalteseMomma]

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?

[Nomorebirthdays]

@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.

[x Hedge]

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.

[Nomorebirthdays]

@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.

[ALRATIBA]

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.

[Moonchilde]

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.

[Wannabeincali]

@kismet

Hi

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.

[pitdakota]

@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.