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Crohns, Humira and low potassium

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/16/2007 5:37 PM (GMT 0)

Have just completed a long taper from high dose prednizone and started Humira Pens.  My legs and joints are weak and painful.  Found my potassium rock bottom and having to take powder supplements.  Has anyone confirmed low potassium due to Humira?  Prednizone? Both? 

Posted 10/16/2007 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
If diarrhea has been a symptom of your disease, it could be responsible for your low potassium numbers.
Posted 10/16/2007 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
I am taking potassium now as my levels were very low. I currently am not on any medication for the crohn's. I do have d every day, some days better than others.
Posted 10/16/2007 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Eat your potatoes and bananas, take your potassium suppliments.  You DON'T want to have to have IV potassium.  It HURTS.

Posted 10/16/2007 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
I eat bananas everyday for the potassium and rememeber drink plenty of water also.
Posted 10/17/2007 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Is there any way to know for sure your potassium levels are off without seeing the doctor. Doing the slow pred taper, humira myself. This pred taper has not caused as much joint pain, however, I do have some. I'm with you on the potatoe/banana thing teddybear. By the way...how's your Dad coming along?
Posted 10/17/2007 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
I drink so much water that I have to take potassium supps or I get charley horses in my legs
Posted 10/18/2007 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
i am currently on remicade and imuran but i still experience symptoms. my doctor wants to switch me to humira. do u think its a good switch? also, what are the financial costs of the medicine? i don't have very good insurance coverage...they only pay 70%...
Posted 10/18/2007 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
A lot of water can give you D too, but you need water if you have D, it's confusing.. lol
Coming off the pred can cause your heart to race/legs to hurt I was told by my GI, but low potas can do it too and cause the D.

Pred also eats potas from your system, it could've been the cause of it.
I have very low potas and am on Apo-K 600mg x 4 a day to help. Ask your doc for it if you got low potas, it's not expensive if you don't have coverage.
It's around $15 for the month I think (can't remember what my pharm said if I didn't have coverage, sorry)

Posted 10/18/2007 6:21 AM (GMT 0)
I am taking potassium supps. I was on remicade at the time it went low and had just tapered from pred. and entocort. My D really wasn't much worse than ever. Now after 3 mos, am going on humira. I am supposed to call the pharm co. tomorrow and discuss co-pay.
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