Potassium 'Critically' Low

[Charlie B53]

PD Nurse called, Lab had called her to report my potassium is 'Critically Low', the rest of the regular labs are not done yet.

She told me she had already called the pharmacy and ordered a supplement.  For me to take two IMMEDIATELY and one each morning.  Come back in next Monday for new labs to see if the dose will need adjustment.

Huh.  I knew from last months results that both Potassium and Phosphorous were low, at or 'just' below the minimums.  Looks like Potassium has dropped even more.

I eat little potatoes (carbs) and I don't have my banana ever day any more, down to maybe three a week.

My sugars have been a WHOLE lot better.  So I need to find other calories I can cut out and increase some of those that I have been skipping.

This diabetes AND PD are making me wonder just WHAT to eat anymore.


If I like it, I probably shouldn't have it.  And things that do have what I am finding out I need, have a lot of carbs and raise my sugars.

Portion control is a B%%%%, especially since I am a pretty big guy and all my life I have been used to eating BIG.

Having the PD solution on help put pressure on my stomach so if I eat slow it often makes me feel fuller quicker so I then eat less.  But still, I can't cool small.  Not after a lifetime of fixing a whole pound of spaghetti plus copious amounts of sauce.  That was fine when the kids were growing up, but with just the two of us, it lasts for DAYS.  So much that she doesn't really like me to cook, she wants to go 'out'.  THAT costs!

I can pretty near fix a whole meal for what it costs for one person dining out.  AND,  we get leftovers!  Which are often even better cause they soak and spread the spices even more.  Mmmmmmm.

But you know the old adage,  "If the wife ain't happy......."

So, I took my potassium supplement, and will have labs pulled again next Monday.

Will let you know how it goes.

Take Care,

Charlie B

[galvo]

You take care, too, Charlie.

[kristina]

Take good care!
When I was in hospital with severe anaemia, I was ialso nformed, that my Potassium was dangerously low
and they wanted to give me some medication for it straight away.
I asked them to "please wait until tomorrow with medication" and then I asked them,
could I please have a banana and a tomatoe instead and see what happens?
They asked the doctor and agreed and I had a tomatoe and a banana for the first time in years...
Next day my blood was taken and my Potassium was back to normal again and has remained normal ever since...
It seems to be a very sensitive, careful balancing act.
Good luck from Kristina.

[Rerun]

Yes, keep us posted and drink a glass of milk.

[Charlie B53]

About a month ago I did cut back on my milk.  Stopped drinking straight from the cow and back to store bought whole.  Was 1 and 1/2 gall a week, now more like a quart and a 1/2 a week.

But my sugars are way better.  So much better that PD has taken off that other ten pounds of water that I didn't realize was still on board.

Dropped two BP meds and my pressures are still acceptable, low 130's to very low 150's on occasion.

I miss the milk, but being somewhat insulin resistant I am taking a LOT.  60 units Lantus late evening, 25 to 30 Novalog with every small meal.  Sometimes I have to take a second shot when my sugar is still too high.

I have a box of granola cereal that I would like to eat, so I don't, much.  A standard bowl with milk, I take 30 units.  3 hours later I'm reading 280 and have to hit ANOTHER 30 units.  That's 60 units for one bowl of cereal with milk!  So you understand I don't have it but once or twice a month. 

If I like it, I probably shouldn't have it.

Tomorrow I have labs pulled again to check potassium level.  May not have results til late Wednesday, or Thursday.  Will post.

Got to remember to ask about this bruising so easy.  Big purple blotches if I bump or rub hard against anything.  Do I need Vit K?

[dialysisuser82]

Charlie, here are some websites with foods from low to high Potassium:

High-Potassium Foods
http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/potassium.cfm

low to high Potassium foods
http://www.orlandohealthdocs.com/kidskidney//files/2011/10/Low-Potassium-Diet1.pdf

I knew patients who had heart attack from eating pizza. In my case many closed calls from watermelon and fresh white corns.

[Charlie B53]

Nurse called with results of second labs.

Potassium is up to 4.3

Big change, she thinks I must be eating differently.

I did have potatoes 3 times in the last week.  Other than that only the pill she ordered.

I will have to check those links on potassium rich foods.

Wife just left to p/u a pizza, we spent most the day on the lawn mowers so she didn't get the roast into the oven.  So you know what we're having tomorrow, with lots of veggies.