I am taking potassium and wondering if it is causing...
 

the terrible muscle spasms and pain I am having in my right leg. Both legs started having spasms in the back of my calves and now after being on it about 2 months, the pain in my rt leg and lower back, and thigh is so much worse. I do have some lumbar problems..yet never had it act up this badly? Strange question I know...yet I wonder about the potasssium? Have to take it with my BP med.

Haven't heard of those symptoms with potassium, froglady. I always thought that the opposite was true; it would ease cramping and spasms. I definitely hope you get the help you need soon. (Moose gets the leg cramps bad too and they always manage to hit my neck/throat and arches in my feet as well after a long walk/shopping at the WallyWorld).

I can't offer any advice on what you're expiriencing.

I can however, give you a moose size thread bump.:)

how much potassium are you taking?

maybe something is getting out of balance?

I wonder if taking magnesium would help with the spasms, or a calcium/magnesium blend.

[What is magnesium?

Magnesium is usually referred to as a "macromineral," which means that our food must provide us with hundreds of milligrams of magnesium every day. (The other macrominerals that all humans must get from food are calcium, phosphorus, sodium:nutrient, potassium, and chloride).

Inside our bodies, magnesium is found mostly in our bones (60-65%), but also in our muscles (25%), and in other cell types and body fluids. Like all minerals, magnesium cannot be made in our body and must therefore be plentiful in our diet in order for us to remain healthy.

Magnesium is sometimes regarded as a "smoothie" mineral, since it has the ability to relax our muscles. Our nerves also depend upon magnesium to avoid becoming overexcited, and this aspect of magnesium links this mineral to maintenance of healthy blood pressure. ]
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?t...trient&dbid=75

I have a magnesium thread here:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html

Many drugs deplete nutrients as well...some used for blood pressure.
If you post exactly what you are taking, I can answer you more accurately.
Even if you are having spasms from a lumbar trigger, some magnesium may
help.

Thanks Moose, muscle spasms are the pits aren't they! Sorry you get'em too.

Thanks Jo, I look over the site more when I can sit up at the "puter" longer.

Mrsd, I am taking HCTZ 50mg, pravastatin, and pot chloride ER 20meg 2tablets.
Will look at site you sent too a little later. an't sit up at"P" long. Thanks, Gaye

I can tell you right now...
 

1) You are taking a STATIN.... these damage muscles. I suggest you
visit the doctor ASAP and have a blood test called CPK. If you are experiencing muscle damage--the byproducts of this can permanently damage your kidneys.
Do you have any darkening of the urine? This would be a bigger warning sign.
In any case you need a doctor's appointment ASAP.

2) 50mg HCTZ will deplete potassium, thiamine (vit B1) and magnesium.
Also affected are zinc, CoQ-10, and phosphorus. (these are less critical, but still important).

Low magnesium then raises blood pressure further, and causes muscle cramping.
In extreme low levels it can affect the heart.

Thnkks so much mrsd..will see doc Monday. I the spasing has started and gotten worse and worse since taking the pot and hctz. Bless you for your help. :)