Low Potassuim Level - Does Anyone Have This?

[Bessie]

I got a call from the cardiologist office today about my blood work. Everything came back o.k. except that my potassium level is low. They told me to start eating bananas every day or to take a potassium supplement. I have to go back in one month to get retested. I was wondering if anyone else has this and if it caused any symptoms. I have not felt well lately and I think this might has caused me to feel weak. Thanks in advance for any answers :)
Laura

[ICNDonna]

Potassium deficiency can cause weakness, fatigue, dizziness --- in extreme cases, it can cause mental confusion.

If bananas are a problem for you, there are other foods, such as potatoes, that are high in this nutrient. Or you might want to consider a supplement.

Donna

[BBB]

Wow Laura~ so sorry to hear that. I didn't know you were feeling bad. I think it is so hard to know why I feel tired, soar or just bad with so many health issues.

How does your bladder do with Bananas? I have found I do well with a big glass of milk and a banana every other day. I also eat plain baked potatos.

I hope you get to feeling better. I must of missed something while I was gone. What are you having surgery for?

Keep us posted. I am worried about you.
Betsy

[Bessie]

Thanks for the suggestions Donna. My husband got me some Potassuim supplements and I just took my first one. I hope it helps soon. I might try the bananas also. I looked on the internet and it said that peaches, cantaloupe, potatoes, bananas, and tomatoes are high in potassium. I am so thankful that they found this out before it became a big problem. :)

Betsy,
Yes, I have been feeling bad lately. Pretty much weak, no energy, high blood pressure, and leg cramps. I went to the cardiologist this week because my blood pressure kept going up. When I got there it was 170/90 so he put me on Altace. So far.....it is working :smile tee Now I need to get the potassium level normal and I pray that this is the answer. I can't wait to have some energy. I am not having surgery but I did have the botox injections done on 10-19. No luck with the botox either :rant: Thanks for the suggestion about the milk and banana. I think I will try that too :hi:
Take care,
Laura

[Judith56]

I have low potassium levels and potatoes are higher than bananas for potassium. I can drink V-8 which is uincredibly high in potassium, in fact whenever I feel lousy if I drink a good size glass I feel better within an hour. Low K levels also affect your muscles so that is why you may be having leg cramps. Dried fruit is also very high in potassium, infact it is higher than fresh fruit. Dasani water adds potassium and magnesium in thier water. It is not uncommon to also have low magnesium levels if your potassium is low, so when you go back ask if they might want to check that too. Hope your pills do the trick.

[sandymarie]

I do pray that this makes you feel much better. I think I may need the same thing, although I have never been checked for that. I do know a doctor that practices alternative meds. and he says that as we get older our bodies do not produce magnesium as it should. I think I should have taken it more seriously. I will start on the potassium and magnesium. I feel like a wet noodle most of the time. Maybe this will help all of us. Thanks for sharing. I missed talking to you yesterday. I pmed you last night. Things have been happening too fast for the past few weeks. Hopefully after the holidays, we will have more time to rest. Hope to talk to you soon.

JJ:smile tee

[traceann]

With my mom being a dialysis patient now a days, I am becoming well aware of all the high potassium sources - she has to stay far far away from that sort of stuff, ugh. Potatoes as mentioned are HUGE in potassium, as are sweet potatoes too. If she wants to eat them, maybe once a week or once every two weeks etc, I have to soak them in water before cooking them to leech out the potassium, lol. Orange juice is also another good source of potassium as well. If you get a chance, check out a renal diet and it will probably tell you what foods to "avoid" that are high in potassium and you'll have more ways for getting it to choose from than just bananas! ;)

[Kara29]

Laura,

I agree with some of the other suggestions that the ladies gave you for getting more potassium. Personally, I eat lots and lots of potato products. I have Celiac Disease so I can't eat anything with wheat in it. My choice of food is any sort of potato.

I hope you find a way to increase your potassium that works for you.

Have a Wonderful Holiday!

Hugs,

Kara

[GriffsMommy]

Laura,
I'm glad they found this in your blood work so you can take care of it. Hopefully this has been the cause of you being so tired lately and you'll start to feel better really soon. :grouphug:

[Bessie]

Well I went to the grocery store today and got some potassium rich foods.....I am going to get this potassium level where it needs to be :smile tee
Thanks for all of the support and suggestions. I have learned so much from this board. I am so grateful for everyone's help :pray:

[leelee88]

Laura,
Be careful with the supplements, they are a good source of pottassium but they can cause constaption.. Just thought I would let you know that...

Glad the high blood pressure medicine is working.. I have high blood pressure and when it gets high it's a scary feeling..

[Bessie]

Hi Ronda,
Yes, I already have problems with constipation so I use Miralax a few times a week and it seems to help. If I don't take it.....well lets just say....there is h**l to pay. I did that a couple of weeks ago and I thought I was going to pass out from having to strain (TMI) :lmao:
I did not know you have high blood pressure. Do you get any symptoms when it goes up? What medication do you use for it? I am on Altace and so far, so good. I will have to do two 24 hour urine tests and the urine has to be kept on ice so I will have an ice chest in my bathroom :lmao::lmao::lmao: I better make sure I am the only one using that restroom :toilet: I am going to wait and do them the week after Christmas because I don't want to carry my pee containers with me while I am Christmas shopping:tsk:
Take care and Merry Christmas :angel:
Laura