What counts look better?
how did you know that you were low in potassium?
Many salt substitutes have potassium in them but was always told to advise my patients to beware of these products.
bizi

I keep all my annual labs, and IF the range comes in lower end, I'm aware. My potassium comes in lower end, so with the help of a friend who deals with CFS, we are up on getting more potassium going in. As long as we're in ranges, docs don't address anything. We have to be aware. She put me onto low sod V8, mix it with my MSM drink in the morning, use 1/2 distilled water, 1/2 V8 and the MSM which I use for joint pain.

Hi Bizi! Re: Potassium counts
I use an Application (APP) on my cell phone mostly to count my daily calories. It's called "MyFitnessPal." I like it a lot, but I understand there are other good ones too. Not only does it count calories (you input your foods eaten each day ), but it records and counts some nutrients like Vit. C, Vit. A, Protein, Fiber, Salt, Sugar, etc. I'm doing fine with everything, with the exception of Potassium! I would say the great majority of time, the APP indicates to me that I have not eaten enough potassium. Some days, it is pathetic. At least when I think about foods with high potassium in them and make a purposeful effort to eat them, my counts get super close to a good number.

Today I had the v8, half a baked potato, a few apricots and a lot of veggies.

At some point, I might ask one of my doctors to test my blood count of potassium since it seems I've been eating so little of this.

But I do hope making an effort to eat foods high in potassium will correct any potential problems.

I just automatically take 2-4 99mg caps potassium complex thru the day. I know I'm lower.

Molly...I re read your first post in this thread. Years ago I was on a lot of prednisone and gained about twenty five pounds. I was beside myself. In my particular case, when I got better, I was able to lower the dosage and stayed on top of the doctor lowering the med every chance I got. I got on another med at some point that wasn't such a big issue in terms of weight gain. I also took a mild diuretic for a short time.

Ironically, even though this was a long time ago, I ended up doing very much the same diet I've described in my other post. Again, hard as heck. I recall drinking a lot of water and being diligent about not eating anything salty, sugary and avoided flour. (These days I've eliminated flour).

I know Topamax instead of other meds in it's class can be helpful. I think that is definitely something to ask the doctor about. Even if you can only make a partial switch...every little bit helps.

You might consider doing something like Weight Watchers, but since you have medication and health issues, I know from experience that weight loss is stubborn and for me this meant little to NO sugar or flour items. To be more specific, WW does not advocate a great reduction ...practically eliminating sugar and flour. But, I have found that when we have a lot going against us due to meds, etc., eliminating certain things, especially flour and sugar, might be necessary. Not everyone "gets" this unless they've been in the thick of things. A person can still do WW and just chose to tweak it by not eating those things. But weight Watchers does offer support and accountability....which is great!

And coming here, hopefully is helpful as well. I do find support of any kind very helpful.

Wishing you strength and success.

What problems can you have with a low potassium?
I have never thought about my potassium intake.
I guess I could just drink a glass of v8 juice like you suggested.
bizi
hi vowel lady, I too will take all of the support I can get. thanks!

Hi bizi, I’ve been supplementing with methylcobalamin (B12) for about four months and have developed heart palpitations and muscle spasms from low potassium levels. I just started a thread about it on the PN forum, "B12 Supplements and Potassium Depletion."

Well, sadly having a variety of health problems, it seems I've experienced a variety of weird things including a fairly bad potassium deficiency. Years ago, I was taking a diuretic and some other med that can deplete potassium. Do you think my doctor at the time told me to eat foods high I potassium??? NOPE. One day, I was washing the dishes and all of a sudden my fingers spasamed. Not sure if that is how you say or spell it. I lost total control of my muscles in my hands and it was frightening. I called his emergency number...actually my husband did as I was having trouble using my fingers.
He told us to eat a lot of bananas and drink a lot orange juice. Then come in for a blood test and he would determine of I needed potassium supplements. If I recall correctly, he never gave me supplements....just told me to continue eating bananas, etc. So, in answer to your question....I personally know it can cause muscle spasms and I suspect it can really mess with your heart!!!!
I was young then and trying to cope with being newly diagnosed with Lupus and hardly paid attention to that experience and I'm actually glad you reminded me of it. If that happened to me now, I would demand to see my blood test results.
I do know that every time I've been hospitalized, out comes the IV Bag of potassium. Hmmm.
Just drank a full glass of the low salt v8. Probably will ask that my count be checked at my next blood test!
I think when on a diet and/or taking certain meds, it's very easy to run into trouble re: having enough potassium.
I'm looking for that darn water high in Potassium...and will check out Auntie Audrey's other thread.

Hi Vowel Lady, in my area the Vitamin Water Zero Revive fruit punch is always available at Target, and sometimes at Walmart. Here is the product: http://www.target.com/p/vitaminwater...#prodSlot=_1_2

If you click on the “label info” you’ll see that it contains 880 mg of potassium and is sweetened with Stevia.

I called my local Target and they said they have that brand and lots of flavors, but wouldn't tell me if they have that particular one. No problem. I will visit the store in a day or so. If they don't have it, I will order on line or see if my food store will order it. Thank you for the link!!!


Trying to revamp my eating slightly to include more foods rich in potassium. Here are some possible foods: http://www.health.com/health/gallery...721159,00.html

I think beans, sweet potato, yogurt, tomato paste, and prunes were higher than I thought.

Between this, the v8, the water and an occasional supplement...I should be in a much better place!