Rabidtears Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 I hope this is the right board for this post. If not, sorry! Okay, long story short, I shattered my elbow about 3 weeks ago because i thought I was still young enough to skate! At the ER they said my potassium level was really low. It was 2.2ml or whatever the measurement is. At the time, I wasn't thinking straight naturally, so I forgot to tell them I take lithium. I just said that I drink a little coffee in the am. They gave me potassium tabs to drink. Now, I know with Lithium you are supposed to have labs done every so often, but my insurance is exhausted until July and I currently cannot afford labs. So far, Lithium is the only thing that has shown to truly work for me. I only take 150mg atm. (I need to update my cocktail on here eventually. I was given vistaril as an emergency anti anxiety because i'm mean as hell until i'm regulated again)) How can I try to bring up my potassium levels or prevent them from beieng low until July? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabidtears Posted April 11, 2017 Author Share Posted April 11, 2017 also, can lithium cause hypertension as well? just curious on that aspect because i suppose it could have been high due to pain from surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Eating potassium rich foods ... bananas, dried fruit, yogurt, sweet potatoes/white potatoes, avocado ... and I am sure more. Most fruit do. Also coconut water, orange juice, prune juice, and other fruit juices. Milk. There are things out there like the nutritional shakes that have potassium, and when mixed with milk adds to it, but you should (IMO) run this by your DR first. Can you afford prescription potassium supplements? I had to be on those once when my potassium was low. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabidtears Posted April 11, 2017 Author Share Posted April 11, 2017 I'm not sure how much potassium supplements run, but probably not since prescription is rarely affordable lol and thank you for your response!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted April 11, 2017 Share Posted April 11, 2017 4 minutes ago, Rabidtears said: also, can lithium cause hypertension as well? just curious on that aspect because i suppose it could have been high due to pain from surgery. I don't think it causes direct hypertension, but both the articles below list cardiac side effects of taking lithium: http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/lithium-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20064603 http://www.livestrong.com/article/127394-cardiac-side-effects-lithium/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabidtears Posted April 11, 2017 Author Share Posted April 11, 2017 Thank you Melissaw!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooster Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 I have no idea if it's appropriate for your situation. However, salt substitute is most often potassium. Check the label, though, so you know what you're getting before you buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 @Rabidtears ... I am glad I could help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.jpg.fedab7a34947a1dd69135e802e0eccd4.jpg)
Recommended Posts