HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Potassium

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/21/2011 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Doc put me on a potassium supplement last week becuz my levels were low.  Did a blood test yesterday and my numbers are back up to the normal range.  I emailed him about it and asked should I now stop it and he said no continue with it.

Anybody else take a potassium supplement regularly?  I thought you weren't to take it all the time.  I could be wrong, but just wondered what you guys do.  Hugs!

Posted 9/21/2011 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
I can only tell you what the doc told me, and that was, my levels are now within normal range so therefore
I didn't need meds. I guess they all have their own ideas. Hugs.
Posted 9/21/2011 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
If you stay on the Potassium, please get blood work done regularly. I would request weekly. High Potassium can cause heart arrhythmias. I am a little confused on why he would continue you on it if your levels are fine now...
Posted 9/22/2011 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
I was on it for ages; years, if I remember rightly.

After coming off the IVs and fizzy blackcurrant drinks, I went on to either four or six tablets a day, and slowly weaned down from there, over the course of several years.

It may well be that he wants to make sure that you are capable of holding your own, potassium-wise, before he takes you off the med entirely, especially if you're still likely to be losing potassium through d.

Kindest wishes,

Ivy.
Posted 9/22/2011 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
I've wondered about my potassium too. I heard restless leg syndrome could be due to low potassium, and I sometimes suffer with this. I usually attribute it to low b12 or iron, too.

Anyone know if potassium in a daily banana or multi-vitamin is enough?
(Actually, I just looked and there is no potassium in my vitamin.)
Posted 9/22/2011 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Pmedic hit the nail on the head. When it comes to potassium too much is not a good thing . If the dose you are on is very small you should be ok though . Just dont take more than that .
Posted 9/22/2011 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
Roni,

A banana a day is just a drop in the bucket. I actually realized with my last flare I wasn't getting enough potassium and it was causing leg cramps. I have read we need 2500 -3500 mg a day. One banana has 400 - 500 mg.

Other good sources are avocados, orange juice, low sodium V8, coconut water, and milk.

Nanners, I would definitely make sure your doc keeps up on the blood work. When I was researching better sources of potassium for myself I remember reading several different places that potassium supplements should only be used under close supervision of a doctor. So one of those things, definitely a good thing if your body needs it, but not if it doesn't!
Posted 9/22/2011 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys! Although I feel more confused now than before. I still do have some d, so maybe thats why he is leaving me on it. Also, its maybe because of the Atrial Fibrillation I have been having, that he is trying to correct. It is a prescription of Potassium and the dose he gave me is 10 MEQ extended release. So I don't know if that is a high or low dose. Hugs!
Posted 9/22/2011 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
Well you know Gail, we'll just have go with the presumption that the doc knows best!! Hugs
Posted 9/22/2011 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
A little off topic I know, Nanners, but MedPage Today just had an article today on statins benefiting those a/A Fib. They believe due to their reducing inflammation.

We actually need very little potassium so even slightly low potassium can be detrimental to our welfare. I remember years ago one of my neighbors you would swear was healthy as a horse was hospitalized for several weeks due to low potassium. She was going stir-crazy in the hospital that long but her potassium level was so low and not responding well they were afraid to release her.

Of course, that was years ago and they wouldn't treat that way now plus they know a lot more now but still its clear that despite not needing a lot of potassium we definitely need adequate potassium.

Like the others I would insist on close monitoring blood work but continue taking it as directed.
Posted 9/22/2011 3:35 PM (GMT 0)

I did have severe leg cramps and muscle weakness when my potassium was running low..I have stayed on potassium pills in low doses after my levels had come up just in case and then eat a banana a day. When I have had severe D for a prolonged period of time, low levels have been a problem along with other nutrients and vitamens.

Cindy 

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply