Re: still here, just very ill - I'm worried about you!!!!!!

[Guest guest]

Hey you -

My daughter, has low potassium. I don't know if you saw my posts on it

earlier. The oncologist found it, along with mono a couple weeks ago.

I'm confused. I forgot what it was the first time, but her latest blood test

said it was 3.2. It had gone up since the first blood test. Dr told us this is

the low end of normal.

Even when it was a bit lower, he did not put her on meds or supplements for it.

He told her to eat bananas and potatoes (with the skin) and green leafy veggies.

One doctor even told us that Coke has potassium in it.

I'm wondering if, since your levels are the same as 's, why you have been

put on supplements, and she hasn't. I wonder if that is what is making you feel

ill.

The oncologist she saw, is also an hematologist. What kind of doctor rx'd you

supplements? I'm a bit worried that you may not need to take supplements, and

just eat mor potassium.

Of course, I don't know your whole situation, and I'm no doctor, but it worries

me.

I have read that too much potassium is also a worry. I remember my grandma had

too much, and wasn't allowed to eat foods that are rich in it. I was thinking

about giving my daughter potassium supplements when she kept getting back

spasms. I thought maybe it would help. Then I found out that can be very

dangerous, so I didn't.

Please check this out, and make sure you REALLY need to take the supplements.

Big Hugs, and let me know what happens!

[Guest guest]

I've been researching this a bit lately because of Sis' situation with low

potassium. I believe I read the normal range is 3.5 - 5.5, and anything

below or above that is not good. They had Sis on 8 teaspoons of liquid

potassium daily, but it sent her IBS into overdrive and also gave her

vomiting and horrible burning. Her doctor switched her to slow release

tablets and she was taking those 6 times a day. But due to the horrible

digestive things going on, he put her on Nexium and cut the potassium to

twice daily and will work back up to it. Dr. Francomono is concerned,

however as to WHY she needs such massive amounts of potassium and why her

system doesn't retain it. She is on the smallest dose of Florinef for POTS

that there is. She will probably be seeing a Nephrologist this next week,

hopefully. This is something I happened to find about potassium:

Potassium (K), a cation, is the most abundant cation in the body cells.

Ninety-seven percent of the body's potassium is found in the intracellular

fluid (ICF) and 2-3% is found in the extracellular fluid (ECF), Which

comprises of intravascular (in vessels) and interstitial fluids (between

tissues). Potassium is also plentiful in the gastrointestinal tract. It

is the 2-3% in the ECF that is all important in neuromuscular function.

Potassium is constantly moving in and out of cells according to the body's

needs, under the influence of the sodium-potassium pump.

The normal serum potassium concentration ranges from 3.5 mEq to 5.5

mEq/liter; even minor variations are significant. The normal plasma/serum

potassium range is narrow; therefore, a serum potassium level outside the

normal range may be life threatening. A serum potassium level less than 2.5

mEq/L or greater than 7.0 mEq/L can cause cardiac arrest. Thus, serum

potassium values need to be closely monitored.

Normal renal function is necessary for maintenance of potassium balance

since 80% of the potassium excreted daily from the body is by way of the

kidneys. The other 20% is lost through the bowel and sweat glands.

Potassium must be replaced daily; approximately 40 mEq to 60 mEq/day suffice

in the adult if there are no abnormal losses occurring. Dietary intake in

the average adult is 50 mEq to 100 mEq/day.

Potassium influences both skeletal and cardiac muscle activity. For example,

alterations in its concentration change myocardial irritability and rhythm.

Alterations in acid-base balance have a significant effect on potassium

distribution. The mechanism involves shifts of (K+) between the cells and

extracellular fluid. Hypokalemia can cause alkalosis and, vice versa,

alkalosis can cause hypokalemia. For example hydrogen ions move out of the

cells in alkalotic states to help correct the high pH and potassium ions

move in (to maintain electroneutrality). Hyperkalemia can cause acidosis and

vice versa, acidosis can cause hyperkalemia. For example, in acidotic

states, some of the excess hydrogen ions enter the cells to help correct

plasma pH. In so doing, potassium ions are released from the cells in order

to maintain electroneutrality.

Knowledge of the above facts helps in the detection of abnormal potassium

state when pH disturbances are present. In such situations it is possible

that the serum potassium levels will appear normal even when total body

deficits or excesses are present.

Love Lana 0 :-)

Re: still here, just very ill - I'm worried about you!!!!!!

Hey you -

My daughter, has low potassium. I don't know if you saw my posts on

it earlier. The oncologist found it, along with mono a couple weeks ago.

I'm confused. I forgot what it was the first time, but her latest blood

test said it was 3.2. It had gone up since the first blood test. Dr told

us this is the low end of normal.

Even when it was a bit lower, he did not put her on meds or supplements for

it. He told her to eat bananas and potatoes (with the skin) and green leafy

veggies. One doctor even told us that Coke has potassium in it.

I'm wondering if, since your levels are the same as 's, why you have

been put on supplements, and she hasn't. I wonder if that is what is making

you feel ill.

The oncologist she saw, is also an hematologist. What kind of doctor rx'd

you supplements? I'm a bit worried that you may not need to take

supplements, and just eat mor potassium.

Of course, I don't know your whole situation, and I'm no doctor, but it

worries me.

I have read that too much potassium is also a worry. I remember my grandma

had too much, and wasn't allowed to eat foods that are rich in it. I was

thinking about giving my daughter potassium supplements when she kept

getting back spasms. I thought maybe it would help. Then I found out that

can be very dangerous, so I didn't.

Please check this out, and make sure you REALLY need to take the

supplements.

Big Hugs, and let me know what happens!