post-op death - Page 3 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Baja Big Dog · 10-15-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poet_kelly

Thanks, Baja. I was certainly not suggesting that we should all run about and buy some potassium. If you think your potassium might be low, call your doc and ask for a blood test.

Kelly

Has anyone had a LOW potassium issue? Curious...

I wonder if low potassium issues is as bad as high levels?

I had HIGH levels, and that is what concerned the doctors....

poet_kelly · 10-15-2009, 08:47 AM

Well, the women who passed away obviously had an issue with low potassium. I don't know how common it is, though. I think mine may have been low a few weeks after my surgery. I was vomiting a lot and I went to see my surgeon and he did not check it. A couple days later I went to the ER because I thought I was dehydrated and needed IV fluids. And I was dehydrated and did need IV fluids, but they also ended up admitting me because I had pneumonia. But I think my potassium may have been low because I had several of these symptoms and had been vomiting a lot, which can cause it to be low. I recall them putting me on a heart monitor right away in the ER, so they may have been concerned about low potassium. I don't actually remember them saying it was low, though. But I was kind of out of it by that point.

Kelly

lvl0rg4n · 10-15-2009, 08:59 AM

May she rest in peace.

Do we know if there's a place where we can donate to her family?

poet_kelly · 10-15-2009, 09:02 AM

That's a lovely thought. Not that I know of. The sister did not say anything about it when she posted about her death. If I hear of anything, though, I will let you know. I would be willing to donate a little, too.

Kelly

JustJoy · 10-15-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poet_kelly

OK, I looked up symptoms of low potassium. Apparently it can be caused by a number of things, including vomiting. So if you are vomiting a lot, perhaps you would want to have your potassium checked.

Muscles need potassium in order to contract, and that includes the heart muscle. If there is not enough potassium, your heart cannot beat effectively

Symptoms of low potassium include weakness, fatigue, cramping in the arm or leg muscles, numbness or tingling, nausea, palpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly), excessive urination, excessive thirst, fainting, and psychological symptoms like depression and hallucinations.

Kelly

Kelly,

Thank you for posting the symptoms. We have to watch this with my husband due to his high blood pressure meds. He's actually having to take potassium to keep his levels up. It's the excessive urination that causes his, and the excessive urination is caused by his meds.

Bananas are high in potassium so, if in doubt, eat one. Fatigue is my husband's first symptom. If you're having palpitations take yourself to the doc asap, don't bother rationalizing it just go. It's better to be told you're okay than to do nothing and not be okay.

gooberific · 10-15-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baja Big Dog

Has anyone had a LOW potassium issue? Curious...

I wonder if low potassium issues is as bad as high levels?

I had HIGH levels, and that is what concerned the doctors....

My cousin had her RNY about 4 1/2 or 5 years ago. About a year into it, her potassium had dipped really low (she was on a potassium supplement per doc's orders). She couldn't stand taking the pills because of the taste and size, so she just wasn't taking them. She collapsed and had to be taken to the ER, and she was admitted for a couple days.

...Which reminds me, I forgot my vitamins yesterday and today so I'll go take 'em.

sweetie333 · 10-16-2009, 01:31 AM

but I think Kelly you should be getting your potassium from multivitamins. right?

poet_kelly · 10-16-2009, 08:06 AM

Your multi probably has potassium in it, yes. Apparently that isn't enough in some cases, though. But for most people, it's probably fine.

Kelly

loki8481 · 10-16-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baja Big Dog

Has anyone had a LOW potassium issue? Curious...

I wonder if low potassium issues is as bad as high levels?

I had HIGH levels, and that is what concerned the doctors....

I was about a week and a half post-op when I went to the hospital for a pain in my calf (which ended up being a bloodclot that the hospital completely didn't diagnose, but that's a whole other issue). while there, they took my bloodwork and told me that I was dehydrated + had dangerously low potassium. I had to stay in the hospital for a day and a half on IV fluids till my blood normalized.

haven't had an issue since then, though. (I take my multi-vit and otherwise don't really even think about it)

BrandnewMe · 10-16-2009, 10:12 AM

I'm reading the back of my multivitamins and I don't see potassium. ??? I'm taking Celebrate Multi Chewables. Should I be concerned?