Paranoid

[KICKSTART]

Since i was told the other day my potassium had doubled and that kind nurse said i could drop down dead anytime , ive gone paranoid. One of the things i get on a regular basis is indigestion and last night when i went to bed i got it , right in the middle of my chest. I kept telling myself its only indigestion but i got really stressed out , especially as i live on my own. I just dont know what to do , i dont want the panic attacks back or i will think its my heart.

[Deanne]

I know what you're saying. I wish I had a suggestion, but I don't. I've had the same feeling several times, over my potassium level and because of other things. I had a DVT (blood clot) once. I was supposed to stay off my feet for the first few days of treatment, but there was a snowstorm. I couldn't get into my driveway without shoveling it on my way home from the hospital, so I was out there shoveling, sure I was going to drop dead at any second from doing it. Then there was the blood sugar level incident from prednisone......

Anway, I understand and hope you get a good blood test soon to put you at ease.

[G-Ma]

Kickstart...did they give you that stuff to drink to force out the potassium?  did they inject the stuff to get your heart in rhythm again?  If that was all done, sit back, put up your legs, take a deep breath and know that you will be fine.  If none of the above was done, get on the phone to a good Dr, NOW. Nurses be damned anymore.

[KICKSTART]

G-MA  My only treatment has been to increase my dialysis , i do PD  and i was on a machine overnight (which i am certain caused my problems because prior to going on the machine i never had an issue with my potassium (for years i did manuals) So now im back on manuals 6 times a day! Im off to the hospital tomorrow for bloods but to be honest its only been 2 days , so i wonder if there will be any difference in that short time ? This is why im so on edge . The thing is over here we dont get a choice of doctor !

[dwcrawford]

What makes anyone here think they are going to have a choice of doctors in a few...

[G-Ma]

Kickstart..question the mixture you are using..that is what I should have known to do the beginning of June...but no...stupid me went a whole month with my heart doing summersaults in my chest and all the nurses and Drs kept doing was increase my dry weight....question everything all the time.  Let us know how you are.

[LightLizard]

hoping for a change for the better for you, Kickstart.
if i may, i would remind you of the importance of deep, full breaths.
they can be helpful in dealing with states of stress.
 

[TiffanyJean]

Kickstart -

I'm saying prayers for you! hope that this all gets better soon. As for being paranoid about being alone, is there a friend or relative that you can have call you on a schedule then at least if (god forbid) you dont answer and then don't call back in a short amount of time, then they come over and check on ya.

Prayers and blessing your way!! Take care!!

TJ

[kellyt]

Just for kicks ask your doctor to do a "re-draw" on your test.

Out of the blue once (this was probably in  2006 or early 2007) my doctor called me personally and asked me how I was feeling.  I said fine.  He asked me multiple questions and then finally said that my potassium was really high.  I felt fine.  He arranged for me to have another blood draw that next morning and it was within range.  That scared me, especially when he told me that potassium is what is used in the "lethal injection" to stop the heart.  yikes!

Good Luck.   

[Phraxis]

You may have already gone this route, but I suggest meeting with your dietition and get yourself a strict "no potassium" diet for six weeks to drive it down.