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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by overtheedge on January 23, 2006, at 18:52:18
Other than chest pains, is there any other side effects of low potassium? thanks.
Posted by LegWarmers on January 24, 2006, at 15:34:51
In reply to Low potassium, posted by overtheedge on January 23, 2006, at 18:52:18
When I had low potassium I felt really light headed
Posted by Racer on January 24, 2006, at 16:13:50
In reply to Low potassium, posted by overtheedge on January 23, 2006, at 18:52:18
Yes, there are, including your muscles going wonky. Avoid it, and I know you know how it would happen to you. I found that I avoided it by drinking a Gatorade every day. 50 calories, which I was willing to do to avoid it.
Good luck.
Posted by overtheedge on January 24, 2006, at 18:29:18
In reply to Re: Low potassium » overtheedge, posted by Racer on January 24, 2006, at 16:13:50
Gatorade?UGH...to stressed..thinking right now i rather have low potassium....last time, with the almost heart attack, gave me a false sense of security? i know when i think it gets to low that i need to go to ER......and with the working out at the gym, so far so good..... and going IP hoping end this week or next when bed is avail.......
Posted by spriggy on January 25, 2006, at 23:44:46
In reply to Re: Low potassium, posted by overtheedge on January 24, 2006, at 18:29:18
They told me in the hospital that my blood work showed low potassium but they assumed it was from being dehydrated from vomitting so much.
I still very, very weak. I wonder if that's the reason. I've been making myself eat 2 bananas per day. I hope that will help.
Oddly enough, they also told my blood work showed that I had elevated glucose levels- I thought that was odd since I had not been eating (vomiting).
Any ideas on why my glucose would be high when I wasn't eating at all and puking?
Posted by Lonely on February 22, 2006, at 0:04:46
In reply to Low potassium, posted by overtheedge on January 23, 2006, at 18:52:18
My husband was hospitalized (4 years ago) w/what was thought to be a stroke and had extremely low potassium. They started an IV in the ER and he showed fairly significant improvement. Because they thought he was having a stroke and/or heart attack (no clot found) they did heart catherization, MRIs, CT Scans, etc. and found some damage to the left side of his heart which I suspect was caused in part by low potassium. It seems to be genetic in his family - sister and father had it. It's potentially serious although many doctors snub the idea. I think it's part of what triggered the attack that landed him in the hospital. The "stroke" turned out to be MS but I think the potassium worked into the picture somehow.
The woman in Florida (on the news)who was on life support that was withdrawn a year or two ago had basically succombed to a heart attack that destroyed her brain due to low potassium. Her family sued the doctor.
Apricots are excellent sources of potassium. But, they have the side effect of gas and in some people, loose stools. Check the labels on fruit juices and other beverages - there's a big difference in potassium volume in different products.
This is the end of the thread.
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