Potassium?

[Morgan]

This may sound silly, but - I read somewhere there's a test having to do with potassium to diagnose IC. If potassium is so painful to IC...(filling the bladder with it, anyways...) Then would taking a potassium supplement...or eating foods rich in potassium bother IC as well?

[ICNDonna]

Potassium is absolutely essential. And ingesting it is not the same as putting it directly into your bladder. You might think if it like you would salt. If you have a scratch on your finger and get salt on it, it hurts! But if you put that same salt on an egg and eat it, you don't get any reaction at all.

Potassium deficiency can cause, among other things, weakness and changes in the electro-cardiogram. (I've been there!)

Warm hugs,
Donna

[njgal]

Hi:
Has anyone had the potassium testing performed?
My new urologist was going to do it and then said that it would be too "painful" Does this diagnostic testing confirm IC? Thanks!!
NJGAL

[MelanieJ]

Hi NJGAL,
I think I posted this to you recently...??? Anyway, yes, I had the potassium sensitivity test done. I found it to be much less traumatic than the cysto/hydrodistension/biopsy that I had done previous to it. Yes, I had discomfort and pain with instillation but it was quickly washed out and lidocaine instilled. I did not flare after the procedure and was finally diagnosed with IC.

Hope this helps.
Melanie J.

[njgal]

Thanks Melanie!
You very well may have , Brain fog has been setting in more and more lately.. I think it is all the meds ! Again, I thank you for your response!!
NJGAL

[bubs]

I had the potassium test done also. It caused me to flare for a week or two but I was already in one. I didn't think it was too bad because the Dr. washes it out quickly and then puts in lidacaine. The Dr. can give you pain meds also. I would much rather do that than go under a general.
Bubs