Low potassium

Posted by giggles14 @giggles14, 4 days ago

I have low potassium that I can't seem to get away from, I usually take a pill for & it straightened it's self out. This time I have had a lot of complications like nothing sounds good to eat, sleeping, very tired, passing out feeling, muscle spasms like crazy, urine smelling weird, heart not beating the way it should, plus a few other things going on. I have not had some of the symptoms I'm experiencing in my past, are they normal? When should I seek medical attention? I just know I don't feel like I usually do when my potassium is low. Any answers would be Greatly Appreciated Thank You For Any Advice!!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Support Group.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | 4 days ago

@giggles14 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!

It sounds like you have not seen a doctor about low potassium, yet? Do you have blood tests that show your potassium is trending low? When was your last complete blood workup? Are you a CKD patient? Are you on dialysis? These answers would make it easier for me to answer questions from you!
Ginger

26mary | @26mary | 23 hours ago

Can you increase your potassium intake in your diet? I have the opposite problem of having too much and I watch my diet

Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | 21 hours ago

@26mary welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You ask about increasing potassium intake in the diet but then say that you have the opposite problem of having too much. I admit I’m a bit confused. Do you need to increase or decrease potassium? Many people with CKD need to decrease potassium. Is that your situation? You can get lists of foods and beverages that shows the amounts of potassium high to low from a dietician that is knowledgeable about renal nutrition. Do you have a dietician that you can get this information from? (That is helpful and easier than finding it on nutrition labels that aren’t always available like in the case of fresh fruits and vegetables.)

26mary | @26mary | 10 hours ago

I'm pretty clued up on all that. I think, because my kidneys aren't working well, my potassium tends to be higher and I keep an eye on what I eat and drink. If yours is too low, maybe you can increase your dietary intake? I don't eat much processed food, mainly vegetables. 26Mary

nycmusic | @nycmusic | 7 hours ago

Sorry for your suffering…you do need to see a doc and get current blood tests as well as a thorough checkup…that may help you focus on problems that most need your attention, in order to alleviate your suffering…trying on our own to ‘’fix’’ this or that can throw things off balance… a good primary doc can interpret tests/symptoms to get your most important issues addressed without causing further problems. Wish you the best.