On hold for a month due to LOW potassium :( - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

determination · 10-22-2009, 07:38 PM

and Im SO bummed. But Im also SO greatful that I have amazing doctors that know what to look for and are watching out for me.

Im looking for Baja Dogg...... He/She claims to be the "Potassium Expert" on a post from a while back.

I am 30. My WLS Coordinator told me that people my age should NOT have such low levals. I had my blood drawn 2X's thinking that the first one was a "fluke" But nope. My leval is a 3.2 I dont know what that means but Im wanting to find out how and why I am so low? Is it Genitic? Is it something wrong with my body??

Im hoping that anyone that has any advice will chime in. My Dr wants me to pick up the RX tonight and continue for a month then recheck the levels.

We were shooting for the end of December for my surgery (WLS coordinator and the "team") Im PRAYING that my husbands insurance doesnt change again then I would be devistated!! I have an appt with the Surgen in two weeks anyways to set a surgery date but still they want to be sure my levels are up to normal.

jerseygrl684 · 10-22-2009, 07:40 PM

Potassium affects your heart... it can actually give you a heart attack. That being said, i've had low potassium about 5x in the hospital... the potassium IV is so painful to be honest, but it brought it right back up. At least you know this is something you have to watch post-op already.

Bananas!!!!!!!! Eat them!

sherry7 · 10-22-2009, 08:03 PM

I've had low potassium problems for years...even before gastric bypass.

Are you on blood pressure medication? The BP meds that have a diuretic in them can contribute to low potassium levels.

Kelly mentioned getting potassium by IV. I've had to do that a couple of times, and it definitely hurts like hell. But, it's a quick way to get your levels up, and then you maintain with prescription potassium meds. If changing insurance after December becomes an issue, perhaps the doctor would consider the IV route.

Eating bananas won't hurt you, but honestly, it won't help that much either. I'd have to eat 47 bananas each day to equal the 2 prescription potassium pills I take each day.

determination · 10-22-2009, 08:09 PM

Nope... NO Blood Pressure medications. I dont currently take any medications except for Vitamin E, A Multi Vit and Iron.

The insurance part worries me because for 3 years it wouldnt approve the WLS so it was a miracle that they approved it and I hope they dont chage it!!
Or else Ill be an out of pocket!

besides being obese.. Im as healthy as a obese horse. Not even pre diabetic. So why the low potassium? Strange.

I will be picking up the meds tonight for sure because I DONT want that IV pump!

Highlandlass · 10-22-2009, 08:10 PM

Here is a link to see potassium rich foods - at least you can try to loads of them to bring yours up.
Potassium Rich Foods - Foods High in Potassium
Good luck.

poet_kelly · 10-22-2009, 09:19 PM

It's really good they caught that. There was a woman who posted on another WLS board that had surgery in September and died a month later because her potassium dropped too low and caused her to go into cardiac arrest. Apparently she called her surgeon and complained of not feeling well but he did not check her potassium. You most defintely want it fixed before you have surgery.

Kelly

mistymee · 10-22-2009, 09:40 PM

Well, I'm glad that they found out this issue before they operated and not after when it'd be far more difficult to overcome.

If the IV meant that you'd get your surgery sooner, I would definitely look into that! It hurts but it's temporary and would be the fastest way to get to your goal.

Good luck, whatever you do!

determination · 10-22-2009, 11:12 PM

Oh my Goodness!

I picked up the medication tonight.. Talk about a HORSE pill!!

He said drink LOTS and lots of water with it. I also picked up one of those medication cases but I think Ill need a bigger one after WLS. Any suggestions on where to find large ones??

Im SURE I wouldnt be able to swallow these things after WLS. Im hoping I can get this under control so I wont have to eventually have an IV Post-op.

Josephine · 10-22-2009, 11:22 PM

I hope the problem is fixed soon and you get better. The plus side is that since they didn't hook you up to an IV right away, that number must not be life threatening and you can get it under control with prescriptions. *hugs*

poet_kelly · 10-23-2009, 12:17 AM

I was in the hospital for three weeks with pneumonia after my RNY, and they gave me potassium pills then. I made them cut them in half for me but I still had a terrible time swallowing them. A couple times they actually made me puke. But that might not have been just because of those pills. They were giving me tons of pills. I was taking about 14 pills just at breakfast time. I had the hardest time getting them all down.

I found one of those pill boxes at Walmart that was pretty big. So try there. They do make them in all different sizes, so if you can't find the right kind in the store, I'm sure you can order one online. It will really be your friend after surgery, so it would be worth it to order one if you need to.

Kelly