what I'm missing from my diet.

[babydragon]

Just got back from the hospital. My husband took me due to racing heart, high blood pressure, bad muscle spasms, lightheadedness. Turns out my potassium levels were low. If I had gone on longer without getting help it could have ended in heart failure.

This made me think of what else I may not be getting.

I know I'm not getting all the Vit. C I need.

It has been decided that some tests needs to be run to see what else I'm low in. Also I'm going to see a dietitian to try and prevent this from happening again.

I just wanted to bring this to everyones attention because it can be dangerous. I've always wondered if my medical diet could be causing low levels in minerals and vitamins.

[ICNDonna]

It can be hard to get enough potassium on an IC diet --- and some people actually try to avoid foods rich in this very essential ingredient. I had an experience with low potassium, but not nearly as serious as yours. I still take a supplement every day.

What they will probably order is a blood test. It's a great idea to work with a dietitian.

Donna

[jeanniebug]

I'm sorry to hear about your experience, I'm very glad you are ok. I had to work with a dietician, about a year after being diagnosed, because I knew I was not getting all the nutrients I needed. I can't take supplements, they aggravate my IC. I too, was especially concerned with potassium and vitamin C. Of course nothing can take the place of working one on one with your doctor and/or nutritionist, but here is some info I wanted to share with you. I've copied and pasted it from a website that I like. I cannot tolerate many of these foods. But I am able to tolerate potatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli etc. I try to make a big mess of steamed vegetables several times per week. I have also found the only fruits I can tolerate, are pears and watermelon.

*********************************************************

HIGH potassium (more than 225 milligrams per 1/2 c. serving)

These foods would be beneficial to athletes or to others who incur heavy fluid loss. Patients on potassium-restricted diets should avoid them, or eat them sparingly, as advised by their nutritionist. All meats, poultry and fish are high in potassium.

Apricots (fresh more so than canned)

Avocado

Banana

Cantaloupe

Honeydew

Kiwi

Lima beans

Milk

Potatoes (can be reduced to moderate by soaking peeled, sliced potatoes overnight before cooking)

Prunes

Spinach

Winter squash


MODERATE (125 - 225 mg per serving)

These foods can be a large part of most people's balanced nutrition plan. Persons restricting their potassium might be cautioned to include no more than one or two servings from this list per day, depending on their medical restrictions.


Asparagus

Beets

Blackberries

Broccoli

Carrots

Cherries

Corn

Eggplant

Green peas

Loose-leaf lettuce

Mushrooms, fresh

Pears

Summer squash, including zucchini

Watermelon


LOW potassium (less than 125 mg per serving)

These foods give less electrolyte value per serving for people who need to increase their potassium levels.

They should be a major part of the menu plan for people limiting their intake.


Bell peppers

Blueberries

Cabbage

Cucumber

Green beans

Iceberg lettuce

Mushrooms
*********************************************************
THE HEALTHFUL POTATO
Misinformation and misconceptions regarding the nutritional value of the potato abound. In fact, an average (~5.3 oz) potato with the skin contains:

45% of the daily value for vitamin C
as much or more potassium (720 mg) than either bananas, spinach or broccoli
trace amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, folate, magnesium, phosphorous, iron and zinc
all for only 100 calories and no fat.
And potatoes with the skin on are an excellent source of fiber. In fact, with 3 grams of fiber per serving, a potato equals or exceeds that of many "whole" grain products—whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta and many cereals.
Despite the popular notion, the majority of nutrients are not found in the skin, but in the potato itself. Nonetheless, leaving the skin on the potatoes retains all the nutrients and makes them easier to prepare.
*********************************************************
I was very concerned about vitamin C. I was eating alot of potatoes to get it. One thing my nutritionist shared with me, is that brussels sprouts are very high in vitamin C. I just never thought about them. Eating only 6 of them gives 90% of your daily requirements. So I eat 7 or 8, because any leftover vitamin C is excreted in the urine, so, it's ok to go over some. I do not like brussels sprouts! However, I've learned to eat them, because I have to. 1/2 cup brussels sprouts also contain around 249 mg of potassium. I top mine with melted mozzarella cheese, or a homemade salad dressing I make from cottage cheese.

I hope some of this information is helpful to you. Take care- :grouphug:

[Ruchily]

I thought the IC diet limits our vit. C intake and potassium as well cause the stuff is painful? What SHOULD we eat with vit. C and potassium that is IC safe? I'm new....thanks for bearing with me! :grouphug:

Love,

Ruchily

[missychan]

My daughter had the same experience when she was 14. We thought she was having a panic attack, it was HORRIBLE! Rushed her to the ER, where they too thought it was anxiety. They asked her all the "questions"... Are you afraid to talk to mom? Are you doing drugs? Are you pregnant? Are you being abused? They did the same to me... then brought in a social worker because they were convinced she was "hiding" something. They also kept me from her, as they thought I was the one upsetting her...

They finally did a tox screen to rule out drug use... and there it was. Her potassium levels were almost non-existant! Two hours of torture they put her through, and a simple blood test had all the answers... ugh!

She spent the night in ICU, and the next day, all was well. She's 19 now and doing fine, but it was pretty scary at the time.

I can't offer any better advice than what you already have, but I can send a hug your way!

Good luck,

Missy

[traceann]

Ruchily, from what I have read, the potassium, vitamin C etc, affects differently than suppliments of Vit C, and like the potassium used in the potassium sensitivity test. It's best to get these things from food from what I understand. Hopefully if someone has a better explanation or if I am wrong ;) they will chime in!!

Hugs!

[Julie B]

Tracey is right, the Vitamin C in foods doesn't accumulate in the urine in the same way that Vit C pills do. Lots of good advice here about potassium also. A person should never restrict it unless their doctor says there is a medical need.

I think the reason that people get confused about potassium is that they sometimes use a potassium test to diagnose IC. They put a solution of potassium and water into the bladder and see if it hurts. (Pretty nasty, I hear.) If it hurts, they are supposed to use a rescue lidocaine solution to numb the bladder back up. Putting potassium directly into the bladder, however, is much different than consuming it in foods. Great ideas everyone........