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Author Topic: Low Potassium... What to do, what to do?  (Read 3483 times)
aharris2
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« on: July 31, 2009, 03:43:56 PM »
Today my brother's PCP called to say that his potassium was a little low (3.3) and that he would like to put him on potassium pills. I laughed. (Has he spoken to the neph? I seriously doubt it.)

Who out there wants to take a pill when their potassium is a little low? Not us, we celebrated with a nice Latin American lunch including platanos maduros and tomato slices. Tonight the celebration will continue with MASHED POTATOES (oooh, ahhh!) And then, for dessert, either a banana milk shake or a banana split (yes, yes, extra binders for the dairy product and no calcium tablets tonight) savoring the "forbidden foods".

 :bandance;  :bandance;  :bandance;

Low potassium? LET'S PARTY!
 :beer1;
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Life is like a box of chocolates...the more you eat the messier it gets - Epofriend

Epofriend - April 7, 1963 - May 24, 2013
My dear Rolando, I miss you so much!
Rest in peace my dear brother...
cookie2008
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« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2009, 04:09:32 PM »
I have low potassium my neph keeps a close eye on it he told me to eat high potassium foods and if dont bring it to the levels it needs to be he suggests the pills, ive tried them but they upset my stomach bad.
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Jean
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« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2009, 04:17:00 PM »
My first thought would be Pizza, Pizza and more pizza.
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Wenchie58
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« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2009, 04:31:50 PM »
Small Blessings.  I would LOVE to be told my potassium is low.  I have mine in check finally, but I totally avoid potatoes....and <sniff sniff> it's potato salad season!
Enjoy the party while you can!!!
 :cheer:
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Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning Satan shudders and says "Oh s**t, she's awake!"

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kellyt
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« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2009, 05:53:11 PM »
Since transplant my potassium has been low.  My Nephrologist tells me to eat food high in potassium.  He also gave me K-Dur to take as needed when I need to take a Lasix.   Low potassium can cause problems like severe muscle cramps.

Now, is his potassium still within the range, but on the lower side?  If so, then I say celebrate it!  But if it's lower than the range I'd ask his Neph. what he would suggest.
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1993 diagnosed with glomerulonephritis.
Oct 41, 2007 - Got fistula placed.
Feb 13, 2008 - Activated on "the list".
Nov 5, 2008 - Received living donor transplant from my sister-in-law, Etta.
Nov 5, 2011 - THREE YEARS POST TRANSPLANT!  :D
del
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« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2009, 06:16:36 PM »
Hubby's potassium and phos was low after he started home hemo. The nurse mentioned adding phos to his dialysis bath.  Hubby said NO WAY!!!  I've had to limit food for sooo long if I need extra phos and potassium it is going over the lips!!!  LOL!!!
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Rerun
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« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2009, 06:43:34 PM »
I would just go look at a gallon of milk and my potassium would jump 3 points!

Party some for me too.                  :yahoo;
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kellyt
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« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2009, 06:43:51 PM »
Quote from: del on July 31, 2009, 06:16:36 PM
Hubby's potassium and phos was low after he started home hemo. The nurse mentioned adding phos to his dialysis bath.  Hubby said NO WAY!!!  I've had to limit food for sooo long if I need extra phos and potassium it is going over the lips!!!  LOL!!!

Good for him!  Might as well enjoy it!
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1993 diagnosed with glomerulonephritis.
Oct 41, 2007 - Got fistula placed.
Feb 13, 2008 - Activated on "the list".
Nov 5, 2008 - Received living donor transplant from my sister-in-law, Etta.
Nov 5, 2011 - THREE YEARS POST TRANSPLANT!  :D
jbeany
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« Reply #8 on: July 31, 2009, 07:22:01 PM »
Bananas, ooooooohhh - eat some for me!
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Zach
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« Reply #9 on: July 31, 2009, 07:48:13 PM »
Have a V8 Juice!    :clap;
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Uninterrupted in-center (self-care) hemodialysis since 1982 -- 34 YEARS on March 3, 2016 !!
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No transplant.  Not yet, anyway.  Only decided to be listed on 11/9/06. Inactive at the moment.  ;)
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KICKSTART
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« Reply #10 on: August 01, 2009, 04:21:18 AM »
Can i swap ? mines sooooooo high !
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RightSide
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« Reply #11 on: August 03, 2009, 03:36:32 PM »
I'm the same way (probably because I'm still making urine).  My neph told me to eat a small banana every now and then.  That got my potassium right back where it belonged.

Not every ESRD patient has to lower their potassium intake, especially if s/he is still making urine.
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Jean
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« Reply #12 on: August 03, 2009, 06:20:48 PM »
OR, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
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Stoday
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« Reply #13 on: August 03, 2009, 07:13:09 PM »
I used to drink four pints of milk a day. That's whole milk in glass bottles.

Oh happy days!
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Diagnosed stage 3 CKD May 2003
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thegrammalady
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« Reply #14 on: August 04, 2009, 09:59:54 PM »
since i started nocturnal both my potassium and phos has really fallen in line. i've gotten to drink orange juice and eat cantalope. and i'm not taking any binders. i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!! pills, forget it i vote for eating/
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