Does anyone take 4-6 pharmaceutical-strength postassium capsules (10 meq) daily that have completely normal RBC Potassium levels?
This would be done due to muscle tightness issues. Any thoughts/concerns? I already take Mg and Ca.
Posted by Amy C (Member # 19297) on :
My new LLMD just gave me this but it says take every other day.
I did have low potassium levels in October but haven't been tested since then.
I was wondering if it's safe to take if my levels aren't low anymore?
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Anyone else?
Posted by beths (Member # 18864) on :
My potassium was low-I just started drinking coconut water-very high in potassium
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Does any specifically know if treating with Rx Potassium poses dangers if your lab work shows zero indication of a deficiency?
THis seems like very outside the box treatment and I'm OK trying IF no dangers are present. It can't cause heart issues, can it? I also am on hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) for hypertension and I know this depletes potassium.
Any LLMDs out there just give people these w/normal readings? If so, any help taking them, specifically for muscle tightness? I'm desperate for relief from the muscle tightness feeling so I'm open to anything within normal risk parameters.
Posted by LymeLearned (Member # 20565) on :
All I know about potassium is that we arrived at my daughter's dance class one day to learn that one of the dads who always showed up had lost all kidney function, and was in the hospital and would be forever on dialysis after this.
He was taking potassium and SOME other med...cardio, blood pressure, or cholesterol med. I never was able to find out which med had caused this, but I would proceed with extreme caution.
Read extensively and look up specifically every possible pitfall.
When I feared my kidneys were shutting down (I still pray they're not)...I was trying to learn about potassium rich foods to avoid, and nearly all foods had SOME potassium, so I don't know how people run low when they do.
There's so much we don't know. I would be very careful.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Potassium and calcium can be very dangerous.
I would never take either unless I knew what my levels were and checked often.
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
I was put on Rx Potassium while on the diuretic Diamox to prevent to low of a level while dealing with Lyme encephalitis.
Some drugs make you lose to much potassium. Maybe this is the reason you were prescribed Potassium.
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Better to look up good food sources of potassium. Smoothies can be very benificial which can give you a nutritional balance.
I make mine with Kefir(great probiotic source) Lots of good source if you google. Much safer to get it in your food,
Gael
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Gael, the tough part is I'm gluten/dairy-free. Therefore, no smoothies. I miss them a lot. Bananas are good, but how many. lol.
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Did you decide to cut out dairy, or did you have some kind of allergy testing done? Kefir (plain) is very beneficial and might do more good than harm.
I had gotten away from smoothies and juicing for quite a while and just got back to it. My gut was so sore from all these Pathogens that I hit a wall.
I just started on smoothies again 3 days ago and already am feeling a tremendous difference.
I added green and blueberry drink, bannana, cucumber, my digestive enzymes (super digestaway by soloray)antiparasitic) 3 soft cooked eggs, cloves (antiparasitic)
I wouldn't rule smoothies out. I think they are very valuable,
Gael
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Seek,
google gluten free + dairy free smoothies. I found a bunch of stuff. The one using cocunut milk sounds good.
I still think the kefir is very beneficial, but if you really can't tolerate dairy, there are alternatives.
Gael
Posted by cactus (Member # 7347) on :
Potatoes are also very high in potassium, if you can handle those.
I am on a med which can potentially lower potassium levels, and have a scrip for potassium pills - but don't take them.
Have found that when I take them, I feel significantly worse. Blood tests are fine, so LLMD and I decided to nix the extra potassium.
If you opt to supplement with pills - will you be checking your levels regularly?
Please stay safe.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
My doc only sees me once every six months now so it would be that long to have the levels re-tested (if the LLMD decided to at that time).
Posted by sunshinyday (Member # 14337) on :
Low potassium can cause High blood pressure and kidney problems.
My blood pressure was very high and I went to drs and they gave me a diuretic. I didn't take it as I didn't test for it. My naturapath tod me that High blood pressure is caused by a potassium deficiency.
I am now taking potassium and my blood pressure has come down and my kidney function has gone up. I was told that potassium chloride is the correct form we need.
This is not medical advice, just sharing personal experience.
Gail
Posted by Pam08 (Member # 19203) on :
I would definitely talk to your doctor about this. Potassium levels are nothing to mess around with. If your potassium is either too high or too low it can cause cardiac arrest. I would be very concerned about taking potassium if my levels were fine.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
I miss them a lot. Bananas are good, but how many. lol.