Low Potassium

Has any dealt with having low potassium?   i guess my potassium was so low it starting making me throw PVC's which i feel...feels like my heart pounding out of my chest, getting leg cramps and a massive headache...i'm taking potassium pills for 4 days...has anyone else had issue with their potassium levels???

I've experienced it three times since my surgery.  Shortly after surgery I had round one which was a liquid potassium (horrible!).  I currently take an OTC potassium 3-4 times a week.

I didn't have the side affects of low but it can very dangerous to have low or high potassium.  Is your doctor going to check your level again after?

my surgeon makes everyone take powdered potassium (Klor Con) everyday for the first 4 months after surgery, then as needed.  Said our stomachs can't tolerate/absorb the pill form of potassium as it is too stong...... The powdered stuff is nasty but better than the alternatives.....

Don't mess with this.  Low potassium has directly contributed to both of my cardiac arrests.  It can be life threatening.

Have you told your doc you are still having bad symptoms even after 4 days?  You need to if you haven't. You may possibly be a candidate for the liquid (which IS gross) potassium which gets into your blood stream faster.  I had 5 doses the day after my first cardiac arrest - my potassium level was just below a 1.  Usually when they see that level it is in a corpse.

PLEASE do whatever you have to do to get this taken care of ASAP.  You can go from just "feeling a little funny" to full blown cardiac arrest in a literal "heartbeat".  You will probably have no warning that it's even coming.  It's essential to get an issue like this resolved NOW.

Please keep us posted-hopefully you can get it taken care of immediately.

I was just discharged from the hospital today. While in the hospital my potassium levels were low. They gave me an IV supplement that took about 12 hours to fini**** can be very dangerous as it can cause cardiac arrest and dizzy spells. I have been struggling with abnormally low blood pressure for the last 6 months and this can be attributed to low levels of potassium.

Please talk to your doctor about this; it can be fatal.

I have been hospitalized three times with low potassium. When mine gets low, I pass out and hit the floor without much warning. I have had IV potassium each time as well as liquid. I cannot tolerate the pills at all, so I try to eat foods high in potassium.