Anyone else have low potassium?

Lynn_Marie · November 2, 2007

I just learned today that my potassium is a little low. I think I might be able to get it up by adding potassium rich foods to my diet. I like greens well enough to eat them and they are lowest in calories, but I wonder if I will always be able to swallow them??? Any ideas???

WASaBubbleButt · November 3, 2007

I had seriously low potassium and I had no idea. No symptoms except I was really tired all the time. I chalked it up to going to bed too late and getting up too early. I started getting more sleep and it still didn't go away. Found out by accident.

If your doc didn't give you supplements to take then it is probably just slightly low and a change in diet might be in order. Another issue, are you taking high blood pressure meds? Diuretics? Anything? That was a huge part of my problem. A HBP drug I was taking.

What is your doc suggesting?

Lynn_Marie · November 5, 2007

The doctor is suggesting that I take care of it by increasing Potassium in my diet. It was actually still in the reference range the lab gave, but the lowest it could be without being out of range...and Yes, it is more than likely due to the Hyzaar which has a diuretic in it. I know we're really not supposed to, but I took myself off it for the time being. I have my bp checked every Wednesday by an RN and it has been great for a long, long time now. If I don't see any change in it w/out the Hyzaar I'll just stay off it. However...if I see any edema or changes in bp I'll be right back on it!!! I also take CoregCR so it's not like I'm going completely off all bp meds.

Do you think I'll be able to get the greens down once I get good restriction? I'm thinking they may help my bowels, too.

WASaBubbleButt · November 5, 2007

The doctor is suggesting that I take care of it by increasing Potassium in my diet. It was actually still in the reference range the lab gave, but the lowest it could be without being out of range...and Yes, it is more than likely due to the Hyzaar which has a diuretic in it. I know we're really not supposed to, but I took myself off it for the time being. I have my bp checked every Wednesday by an RN and it has been great for a long, long time now. If I don't see any change in it w/out the Hyzaar I'll just stay off it. However...if I see any edema or changes in bp I'll be right back on it!!! I also take CoregCR so it's not like I'm going completely off all bp meds.
Do you think I'll be able to get the greens down once I get good restriction? I'm thinking they may help my bowels, too.

Everyone is different. I kinda swore off salad for a bit:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f80/okay-now-just-gross-43756/

Usually I can do iceberg lettuce quite well, it's things like spinach I can't do. I just didn't chew well enough in the above link.