Low Potassium Again
I think I figured out why I’ve been having so many emotional issues recently, along with my unusual sleep patterns. I got a phone message on Friday from my primary doctor telling me that I had to call the office back because of my blood test results. By the time I got the message and called the office was closed.
Today I learned that my Potassium level is low again. It’s 3.3, which usually isn’t bad since 3.5 is the normal range. But, since I have chronic illnesses especially Myasthenia Gravis this can cause me problems.
It’s a long story about how it took so long to get my blood test results over to my Nephrologist (Kidney Dr.) but I didn’t hear anything by late afternoon. So I called that office. They didn’t call me back until after 5 PM. By then, as is usual for me, the MG symptoms were kicking in. But it was really bad today.
The nurse I spoke to told me to go to the ER because she could hear my slurred speech and shaky voice. I was so upset that I had my husband get on the phone and tell them that I know how to control my symptoms and that I was ready for my medication when they called. He went back and forth with them.
Finally they understood that I wasn’t going to the ER. It then took 3 more phone calls to tell me how to increase my medications and to go for more blood work on Monday. Sheesh! I do feel very fatigued, am having leg cramps and all over muscle cramps. The MG symptoms are also causing my muscles to twitch. But I know to rest, take my meds on time and if I feel that the symptoms are getting worse to go to the ER.
It’s funny, it’s either doctors don’t know about Myasthenia Gravis or they overreact. Even though this ordeal was annoying, I had to laugh about it. I’m thinking positively that now that I know what’s wrong I’ll be feeling better soon.
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Hope you are feeling better soon!
Migraine Chick’s last blog post..Battling Holiday Depression
Glad to see you are doing better and feel for you when it comes to getting the results of test. Sometimes it seems in the age of the computer information should travel much faster.
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I wish you well and get well soon
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First of all, I hope you are feeling better. I have never heard of MG- I’m not familiar with it at all. Is there any natural remedy that can help keep it in check at all?
Maureen’s last blog post..Recession Proof Industries- What is the best?
I just looked up MG online. That is something very difficult to live with. Hugs and best wishes.
I hope you get to feeling better soon! I will keep you in my thoughts.
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Although I don’t have MG, I do get muscle cramps in my legs on a daily basis. We keep a lot of bananas in the house and I eat about three a day.
I’m glad to see you online and twittering, so you must be doing better.
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Chronic illness is never an easy thing to deal with. Then it seems communication in this day and age, is slower that it needs to be with all the technology available. Good Luck! Happy Holidays!
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I had a low pottasium reading a few months ago after a routine blood test. The next time I went the levels were normal again. Whatever the eventual outcome I wish you all the best.
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Well with luck the new Administration will help speed things up health communication wise (assuming you’re U.S.). I’m very glad you have the wisdom and ways to control it yourself!
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Thanks Migraine Chick, I’m feeling better little by little.
Scott, I hope that one day all dr’s, labs, hospitals, etc. begin to use computers to connect with each other.
Maureen, I have to be very careful with any herbal remedies due to the type and amount of medication I’m on currently.
Thanks for your kind words Karen. I am doing much better with the MG than a lot of other people. I am grateful for every day and try to live as positively as possible.
Thanks for thinking of me Sadie
Julie, did you know that there are many more foods that are higher in Potassium than bananas? When I first had low Potassium and the cause wasn’t known, I was told to eat dried apricots. Good thing is that they are delicious.
Same to you Christina! I plan on having a good holiday season whether or not I’m feeling well.
Thank you Mark for being so kind.
Diane, I’m hoping the same thing when it comes to speeding up communication. It will make things so much easier for all concerned.
Thank you again for your personal touch reply to my earlier post. I returned to read about MG and now see that while my personal reply to you is not (thankfully!) the same, your condition must be excruciating to endure. You have my best thoughts and strongest prayers!
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I’m glad you stood your ground and didn’t let them push you around. If you would have gone to the ER, who knows how long you would have sat there.
Yes, we can all hope that better communication in the health field comes soon!
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Thank you again Diane for taking the time to learn about Myasthenia Gravis. It is a rare disease and I am under the treatment of one of the best nuerologists who specializes in this disease. I have good and bad days but more often, good!
I’m glad too Barbara. Sitting in the ER is not my favorite things to do, especially when I’m not feeling well LOL.
I hope you will be feeling much better very soon!
Can’t say I blame you for not wanting to go to the hospital. Sounds like you know your own body and will know when you need more help.
Thanks for the info about dried apricots- I love the taste, but they give me terrible gas if I eat too many. My 95 year old ‘Pop’ will perhaps eat up the remainder of the bag if I tell him they have lots of potassium
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I too just recently had my potassium levels. I had noticed the muscle cramps before I went to the doctor but, I just thought that it was either from my Fibromyalgia or from my Hypoparathyroid. Turns out it was from my Lasix for my swelling. The doctor wound up giving me a Rx for some potassium pills to take for 7 days. For those of us with chronic health problems it seems like it is always something! Ahhh
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When your electrolytes are off it can make you feel awful. I hope that they are checking your other levels (like magnesium, calcium and sodium) as when one goes off it usually affects the others. I have this problem because of my adrenal insufficiency. Whenever I am stressed, emotionally or physically, my levels go out of whack and it takes awhile to get them straightened out. You do need to be careful though, they affect your heart, so you don’t want to mess around with them.
Hope they get things back on track soon for you and that you will be feeling much better.
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Heather, LOL on the gas. I don’t have that problem with apricots thank goodness.
Yes Mandy it does seem that way. But we get through it, don’t we?
Maureen, some one else had suggested that I have my Adrenal glands checked. Now that you’re saying this, I just may do this.
Have a very Merry Christmas season and a Happy New Year! We hope the potassium levels out so you can feel a lot better!
Your FL furiends,
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I had my blood work done yesterday Samantha and Mr. Tigger. No word yet. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!
I suddenly developed extremely low potassium as well. (I was actually lucky they caught it due to routine screenings being done for another reason). Severely low potassium can actually be very dangerous as it messes up how your heart works. Like you, my Dr freaked out (I was a 2.7 so I learned later he had every right to freak! Haha!)
I ended up having to go through 6hr potassium infusions twice a week bc nothing else would raise the level. Eventually it seemed to level off & while I am always on the low side, it’s no longer dangerous. I hope yours has too!
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