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Low Potassium/magnesium levels w/diuretics

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Posted 5/6/2011 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Any body out there have experience with low potassium/magnesium levels due to diuretics you,ve been prescribed?

My levels plummeted after my docs took me off spironolactone , furosemide, and potassium and put me on amiloride (5mg)hydroclorathiazide (50mg). My urologist wanted me on it to help prevent calcium oxalate stones which I have a problem with. I landed in the hospital on Monday night because my potassium dipped to 2.6. It took intravenous drugs and potassium horse pills to get my level back in the normal range today and I was released. I have another metabolic panel on Monday to see if they have perceived me enough potassium supplement as I was put back on spironolctone and furosemide.

Susie
Posted 5/6/2011 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Susie, yes, that happened to me some years ago when I was on a diuretic in addition to other BP medication.  I had strange symptoms of prickly sensations at the onset and then waves of semi-unconsciousness and erratic heart beats (at least it seemed so to me at the time) when my husband called 911.  The hydrochlorozide depleted my potassium.  They gave me IVs and kept me overnight.  It was also in the 2's.  then I was told to eat a lot of bananas when they released me.  I was pretty ignorant of all this and, honestly, my GP never warned me about the possibility of low potassium.  No longer with that doctor and I'm on different BP medication.  Also, hydrochlorozide raises blood sugar so patients need to be aware of that too.  I hope you're doing better.
Posted 5/6/2011 1:33 AM (GMT 0)

Susie, I had a similar experience early on.  They added spironolactone (Aldactone) to the furosemide (Lasix) and I have had no further problems.  I couldn't take the potassium horse pills.

Hope things have worked out for you.

Hugs,

Connie

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