Comment from: cashmere28333, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: July 07
I woke up in the ICU on life support, the resident doctor did not know about Addison's and ties to imbalances. I have had congestive heart failure, 2 heart attacks and TIA's from dialysis, still on going for 2 years, need help from new doctor. I go to the national top hospital, but it is only as good as the doc that opens the door to the sub clinics.
Comment from: clare, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: June 12
An assessment done preoperation found in the blood test that my potassium levels were 3.5 quite low, I had no idea why I was feeling stressed confused and was getting visual disturbances. I have been on water tablets for 20 years, the hospital told me to eat a Banana every day, I never realized the side affects. I suffer for chronic diarrhea, and muscle pains, and until I searched this site I couldn't pin point the problem. I will make an appointment to see my GP, thank you so much for all the information. I now know why I have all these symptoms.
Comment from: 25-34 Female (Patient)Published: May 27
I was having heaviness in my chest and palpitations of the heart. I assumed it was from stress. When the stress disappeared the palpitations and heaviness in my chest didn't, so my husband made me go into the emergency room where they ran EKG's, cat scans, and chest x rays. All of which came back normal. Until the blood tests came back with low potassium levels they immediately gave me potassium and within a couple days I was feeling myself again. I now take supplements everyday and haven't had any problems since.
Comment from: Viv, 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: May 26
Low potassium was diagnosed through a general blood check I had last week, as was high creatinine. One of my kidneys was removed due to cancer (over 10 years ago). My GP periodically checks my blood. Your site is very informative and clearly explains low potassium, its causes and symptoms. The muscle wasting that has occurred in my body this year is now, perhaps, explained together with general weariness that feels abnormal.
Comment from: Lisa, 25-34 Female (Patient)Published: May 11
I have been to the hospital for fainting, heart palpitations several times in the last few years. Every time I was released with good EKGs, but they had to give me IVs and told me I had low potassium, but was never told to get treatment. I'm a very healthy person, who doesn't drink or smoke. I don't take diuretics or have an eating disorder. I do suffer from severe constipation due to stress. I read the comments by other readers who have been dismissed by a primary care physician regarding this issue. I don't know if they think I'm too young, but it is concerning. I will try my chiropractor & the V8.
Comment from: Diana, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: March 13
I went on a water pill Metolazone and lost 13 pounds in 3 days. I also got very weak and had some slight chest pain. I called the nurse the next day. She had me go in right away for blood test. A short time later nurse called back and said that my potassium was 2.1. I needed to be checked into the hospital right away.
Comment from: 55-64 Female (Patient)Published: January 07
I take hydrochlorothiazide for high blood pressure. My hypokalemia was diagnosed by a blood test. It was at 2.9, and the doctor called me as soon as he received the results and prescribed a potassium supplement. I'm due for another blood test now, after 3 months, to check again. Ironically, my mother (in assisted living) was also diagnosed with low potassium via blood test; hers was probably caused by chronic diarrhea, which she had not admitted to the doctor because of embarrassment.
Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on MedicineNet. The opinions expressed in the comments section are of the author and the author alone. MedicineNet does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Suggested Reading on Low Potassium (Hypokalemia) by Our Doctors
Muscle cramps are involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscles that do not relax. Extremely common, any muscles that have voluntary control, including some organs, are subject to cramp. Since there is such variety in the types of muscle cramps that can occur, many causes and preventative medications are known. Stretching is the most common way to stop or prevent most muscle cramps.
Gastroenteritis (viral gastroenteritis, stomach flu) is an infection caused by a variety of viruses that results in vomiting and/or diarrhea. Even though it is often called the "stomach flu," it is not caused by the influenza viruses. Viruses that can cause gastroenteritis (stomach flu) include: rotaviruses, adenoviruses, caliciviruses, astroviruses, Norwalk virus, and a group of Noroviruses. Gastroenteritis is not caused by bacteria. The main symptoms of gastroenteritis include vomiting and watery diarrhea, however, headache, fever, and abdominal cramps (stomach ache) may also be present.
Diarrhea is a change is the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Cramping, abdominal pain, and the sensation of rectal urgency are all symptoms of diarrhea. Absorbents and anti-motility medications are used to treat diarrhea.
Dehydration is the excessive loss of body water. There are a number of causes of dehydration including heat exposure, prolonged vigorous exercise, and some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The best way to treat dehydration is to prevent it from occurring.
Palpitations are unpleasant sensations of irregular and/or forceful beating of the heart. Palpitations can be relieved in many patients by stress reduction, stopping cigarettes, and reduction of caffeine and alcohol.
Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often precedes vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but they are symptoms of many conditions. The causes of vomiting differ according to age, and treatment depends upon the cause of nausea and vomiting.
Hyperkalemia is an abnormally high level of potassium in the blood. Symptoms of hyperkalemia include nausea, fatigue, tingling sensations, or muscle weakness. Hyperkalemia may also cause no symptoms. Slow heartbeat and weak pulse are more serious symptoms. Causes of hyperkalemia include kidney dysfunction, medications, adrenal gland diseases, and potassium shifts. Treatment of hyperkalemia is dependant upon the cause.
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are premature heartbeats originating from the ventricles of the heart. PVCs are premature because they occur before the regular heartbeat. There are many causes of premature ventricular contractions to include: heart attack, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, hypokalemia, hypoxia, medications, excess caffeine, drug abuse, and myocarditis.
Heart rhythm disorders vary from minor palpitations, premature atrial contractions (PACs), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), sinus tachycardia, and sinus brachycardia, to abnormal heart rhythms such as tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular flutter, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), Wolf-White-Parkinson syndrome, brachycardia, or heart blocks. Treatment is dependant upon the type of heart rhythm disorder.
Myofascial pain syndrome is muscle pain in the body's soft tissues due to injury or strain. Symptoms include muscle pain with tender points and fatigue. Treatment usually involves physical therapy, massage therapy, or trigger point injection.
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Healthy Living Tips
This site complies with the
I woke up in the ICU on life support, the resident doctor did not know about Addison's and ties to imbalances. I have had congestive heart failure, 2 heart attacks and TIA's from dialysis, still on going for 2 years, need help from new doctor. I go to the national top hospital, but it is only as good as the doc that opens the door to the sub clinics.
Related Reading: congestive heart failure | dialysis