Guest guest Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 I have had the top endocrinologist in the state and the top nephrologist try to figure out the cause of my low potassium. I have had numerous CT scans, MRIs and blood tests but they can't figure it out. They have consulted with the Mayo Clinic and other specialists throughout the country. They are somewhat blaming the prednisone but only because they don't have any other ideas. It started 2 years ago when over night I gained 30 pounds water weight. I was put on lasix and only took it for 2 days before my potassium dropped to 1.3 and I was hospitalized for a week. Now after 2 years without taking lasix I still can't hold potassium. I take 240mEq oral and 150mEq IV everyday and still frequently have critically low levels. I did take spiralactone for a few months with no effect. The fact that it was so dramatic overnight makes me hesitant to blame the whole thing on prednisone since I've been steroid dependent for about 12 years. But there is no rhyme or reason to pred so who knows. If anyone has any experience or ideas in this area I'd love an answer! Having a central line for blood draws and daily infusions has added a whole new mess to the equation. I've been septic twice in the past 10 months and of course the pred is a huge culprit in that by lowering my immune system. Always something exciting going on medically:-) Re the severely low potassium ... my husband suffered from this for years. It's very important to find out the underlying disease that causes it and in my husband's case it was Hyperaldosteronism. Recent Activity 2 New MembersVisit Your Group Give Back for Good Get inspired by a good cause. Y! Toolbar Get it Free! easy 1-click access to your groups. Start a group in 3 easy steps. Connect with others. ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Hiya , I also have chronically low potassium, though not nearly as low as yours........ I have been told that I flushed out my salts by drinking too much water when i moved from AK to SC (and was trying to stay hydrated) to having kidney cancer. It took 6 weeks for the doc to decide it was not kidney cancer byt age appropriate spots. The cancer scare followed a heart cath which showed pristine arteries but...oh! look...... dangerously low potassuim levels. " Take a few of these pills and see me later....sorry about the tube into your herat........... " OY!!!! I am on Sipronolactone as well, and take 20meq of potassium daily and can just stay above the normal level. If you find an answer, please share it with me as I have yet to find a reason to be deficient. Sorry to all as this has not really been related to Xolair. Mike McBride " Blessed is he who, with a hunger that is never satisfied, day and night throughout this present life makes prayer and the psalms his food and drink, and strengthens himself by reading of God's glory in Scripture. Such communion will lead the soul to ever-increasing joy in the age to come. " St. of Karpathos. ________________________________ From: meagainbenny <meagainbenny@...> Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 2:44:44 PM Subject: [ ] Re: Cushings Hi , This probably isn't the cause if you've had so many professionals working on your case but, when I was on a PICC for the sinus infection from HE** this past Fall, my Potassium went way low and it was eventually determined that the Normal Saline or whatever the antibiotics I was on were diluted in, was causing my Potassium to fall. I needed Potassium supplementation IV while I was on the antibiotics but once the antibiotics were done, I didn't need the K anymore. I just thought I'd throw that out there, again it's probably not the case with you but, it's an idea. Meagan > > > > > > > > Re the severely low potassium ... my husband suffered from this for years. It's very important to find out the underlying disease that causes it and in my husband's case it was Hyperaldosteronism. > > > > Recent Activity > > > 2 > New MembersVisit Your Group > > > > Give Back > for Good > Get inspired > by a good cause. > > Y! Toolbar > Get it Free! > easy 1-click access > to your groups. > > > Start a group > in 3 easy steps. > Connect with others. > .. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Have you read the complications associated with Prednisone? It does mess around with the Potassium levels...also albuterol lowers potassium levels, etc. I have been told mind you just told by ER doctors that lasix does not help with prednisone water retention. I am here in Rochester at Mayo right now and am seeing a PGA endocrinologist tomorrow morning so I will know more hopefully after he evaluates me and does some testing. By the way, you are watching your sodium intake aren't you? LMA Re the severely low potassium ... my husband suffered from this for years. It's very important to find out the underlying disease that causes it and in my husband's case it was Hyperaldosteronism. Recent Activity 2 New MembersVisit Your Group Give Back for Good Get inspired by a good cause. Y! Toolbar Get it Free! easy 1-click access to your groups. Start a group in 3 easy steps. Connect with others. ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 Interesting! I only have the central line to replace potassium (and for IV phenergan to combat the nausea due to my huge oral potassium dose) So I am guessing it is not the cause but it sure doesn't hurt to talk to my drs and see what they think. Thanks! Hi , This probably isn't the cause if you've had so many professionals working on your case but, when I was on a PICC for the sinus infection from HE** this past Fall, my Potassium went way low and it was eventually determined that the Normal Saline or whatever the antibiotics I was on were diluted in, was causing my Potassium to fall. Recent Activity 2 New MembersVisit Your Group Give Back for Good Get inspired by a good cause. Y! Toolbar Get it Free! easy 1-click access to your groups. Start a group in 3 easy steps. Connect with others. ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 My sodium levels are always in range. I do have some level of prednisone induced water retention but the lasix got rid of the 30 pounds I gained overnight nearly 2 years ago. It seems it was an isolated event. They are not sure what caused it nor why my potassium continues to be out of wack inspite of no diuretics. I have been told to never take a loop diuretic such as lasix again as it would probably be deadly. The water retention I can deal with as it is fairly mild most of the time. I do know that prednisone and albuterol can play a role in hypokalemia but mine is extremely severe. Initially I had to have daily blood draws as my daily potassium dose would kill a person quite quickly. But for whatever reason I dump all of it through both my sweat and urine. Re the severely low potassium ... my husband suffered from this for years. It's very important to find out the underlying disease that causes it and in my husband's case it was Hyperaldosteronism. Recent Activity 2 New MembersVisit Your Group Give Back for Good Get inspired by a good cause. Y! Toolbar Get it Free! easy 1-click access to your groups. Start a group in 3 easy steps. Connect with others. .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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