Potassium Issue - HELP!

See if you can get your doc to switch you to potassium citrate, brand name is Urocit-K.  Smaller pills and less gross.  I take chloride (2x/day) and citrate (3x/day).  The liquid sounds vile.  The citrate has an added benefit of helping prevent kidney stones too.

OK - low K is nothing to eff around with; my daughter has a kidney issue in which her kidneys do not keep postassium in her body like they are supposed to, instead it flushes through with her urine.

She takes the liquid you are describing 4x/day.  We get it at Walgreens where they can flavor it and get rid of some of the nasty flavor.  She gets it raspberry and it costs only $2.99 extra.  I have tried it with and without, and I could drink it if I had to with the raspberry flavor.

We were told be her nephrologist to dilute 10mls in 8oz of liquid; she likes ginger ale or sprite for some reason.

She is 10 and can swallow pills, the ones you are referring to are HUGE, and her nephrologist (who is the head of pediatric nephrology at the Children's Hospital of Philly) said that the liquid is better because it gets into your blood quicker and doesn't cause stomach problems like the pills can.  The liquid is a better choice for taking the K.

PM if you have any other questions :)  And get your ass to Walgreens for some flavoring - even if you have to pay out of pocket for a fresh refill - it's less than $20 for a month's supply!

Jen

Wynter, Potassium also comes in powder form. I had low potassium a couple years ago when going through chemotherapy. My Oncologist wrote me a script for potassium supplements and it had a citrus flavor. I mixed it with juice. It was tolerable, much better than what you are describing with the liquid. Ask your doc to write u a script for the packets you can mix with a liquid.

I have been having trouble with my potassium and have had similar problems with the extended release tablets. My pouch will not digest them - no matter how small I chop them up. 6 hours later, I throw them up - and they're the same size they were when I took them.

My levels have ranged from 1.9 - 2.9 and they are still checking me frequently. I seem to be symptom free unless I get below about 2.7 - then I start getting leg cramps. At 2.6, they admit you... and then they usually won't let you out until you are over 3.2. And they have to put in a pic line to give it by IV... believe me, supplements at home are better!

My doc has finally found a solution that works for me. He prescribed a brand called "micro-K" - not to make you think they are small - they are about an inch long. But they are filled with a powder and the capsule is a quick dissolve. What I do with it is take the pill whole and then drink a cup of hot tea to dissolve the capsule. Works like a charm.

Hope you get it straightened out!