Just Got Off Phone With Dr's. Office

[Guest guest]

I had a followup appt. by phone today. Ugh. Because I'm having bloating, they

advise me to get off of my iron for 3 days and then start it back up at 1 tablet

(27 mg) per day. ??? But I was having bloating issues before I got ON the

iron. They were surprised that that much iron was not constipating me. Also

advised me to get back on my iodine. (Don't worry, Val). Not gonna. They feel

that many of their thyroid patients have done well on iodine. They want to do

labs in two weeks on thyroid...t3, ft3, t4, etc. This is gonna be interesting,

isn't it? Because I'm not sure how she's going to read those numbers and go

from there. I almost don't know what to do or say to doctors anymore.

[Guest guest]

I felt the same way you did up until a couple of months ago when someone on the

NTH Adrenals group told me most people on these groups are treating themselves

with moderators help and ordering their own labs and drugs from the sourcelist.

What is the point in getting all stressed out wondering what " the doc " is going

to say. I feel more confident going to the doctor now. Whether she helps me or

not, I will find a way to get what I need with help from the moderators.

>

> I had a followup appt. by phone today. Ugh. Because I'm having bloating,

they advise me to get off of my iron for 3 days and then start it back up at 1

tablet (27 mg) per day. ??? But I was having bloating issues before I got ON

the iron. They were surprised that that much iron was not constipating me.

Also advised me to get back on my iodine. (Don't worry, Val). Not gonna. They

feel that many of their thyroid patients have done well on iodine. They want to

do labs in two weeks on thyroid...t3, ft3, t4, etc. This is gonna be

interesting, isn't it? Because I'm not sure how she's going to read those

numbers and go from there. I almost don't know what to do or say to doctors

anymore.

>

[Guest guest]

>> I almost don't know what to do or say to doctors anymore.

Tell them you were bloated before iron and you don't think that is the problem.

Are you taking potassium? That gets lost as well as sodium with adrenal problems

and your body uses much more potassium than sodium.

Dorothy

[Guest guest]

Dorothy,

Do you think that low potassium could cause the bloating? I was at 4.0 with a range of 3.5 - 5.3 in May when tested.

Subject: Re: Just Got Off Phone With Dr's. OfficeTo: RT3_T3 Date: Friday, July 2, 2010, 11:32 PM

>> I almost don't know what to do or say to doctors anymore. :(Tell them you were bloated before iron and you don't think that is the problem.Are you taking potassium? That gets lost as well as sodium with adrenal problems and your body uses much more potassium than sodium.Dorothy

[Guest guest]

Joan,YES!!! Low potassium causes lots of bloating and fluid retention. I am at 4.6 last test. It is amazing the difference taking potassium made for me. I take a prescription dose of 80meq daily split.Venizia

From: dorothyroeder <dorothyroeder@ gmail.com>Subject: Re: Just Got Off Phone With Dr's. OfficeTo: RT3_T3 (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) comDate: Friday, July 2, 2010, 11:32 PM

>> I almost don't know what to do or say to doctors anymore. :(Tell them you were bloated before iron and you don't think that is the problem.Are you taking potassium? That gets lost as well as sodium with adrenal problems and your body uses much more potassium than sodium.Dorothy

[Guest guest]

I am bloated and retaining water from my toes up. What is the reasonable amount of

potassium to take? Isn't too much potassium potentially fatal?

I would also like to know how to balance:

Magnesium

Potassium

Sodium

<>Roni

Immortality exists!

It's called knowledge!

Just because something isn't seen

doesn't mean it's not there<>

Subject: Re: Just Got Off Phone With Dr's. OfficeTo: RT3_T3 Date: Friday, July 2, 2010, 4:32 PM

>> I almost don't know what to do or say to doctors anymore. :(Tell them you were bloated before iron and you don't think that is the problem.Are you taking potassium? That gets lost as well as sodium with adrenal problems and your body uses much more potassium than sodium.Dorothy------------------------------------We are not medical professionals here, just patients sharing our experiences. Please use this information with the help of a competent doctor.

[Guest guest]

Venezia, Did you have fluid retention in your stomach? I have some K-DUR...20 Meq tablets...1500 mg. Seems like all of my electrolytes have been messed up. Taking seasalt, too! My bloating is inmy upper abdomen AND lower abdomen. The backs of my legs and hip muscles are sore, too.

From: dorothyroeder <dorothyroeder@ gmail.com>Subject: Re: Just Got Off Phone With Dr's. OfficeTo: RT3_T3 (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) comDate: Friday, July 2, 2010, 11:32 PM

>> I almost don't know what to do or say to doctors anymore. :(Tell them you were bloated before iron and you don't think that is the problem.Are you taking potassium? That gets lost as well as sodium with adrenal problems and your body uses much more potassium than sodium.Dorothy

[Guest guest]

I just read that your body flushes excessive potassium through urine, and does it well unless you have a kidney issue. Don't know for sure, but just read that. I would think you would have symptoms of excess that would warn you????

From: dorothyroeder <dorothyroeder@ gmail.com>Subject: Re: Just Got Off Phone With Dr's. OfficeTo: RT3_T3 (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) comDate: Friday, July 2, 2010, 4:32 PM

>> I almost don't know what to do or say to doctors anymore. :(Tell them you were bloated before iron and you don't think that is the problem.Are you taking potassium? That gets lost as well as sodium with adrenal problems and your body uses much more potassium than sodium.Dorothy------------ --------- --------- ------We are not medical professionals here, just patients sharing our experiences. Please use this information with the help of a competent doctor.

[Guest guest]

FINALLY! Thank heavens somebody gave me a number. I do have testing which includes potassium, but I have to look for it and I'm too tired now. However, this weekend I will find it.

I have 10meq potassium capsules, which were given to me to use when I would use the diuretic which was rxd for me. Well the diuretic causes me to have afib attacks and I stopped them. Soooo, I'm thinking that I will try the potassium I have to see if it makes a difference. If my feet and ankles go down I'll know it's working. Too bad I don't remember my potassium levels, but I will definitely find the tests.

Thanks so much for your info.

<>Roni

Immortality exists!

It's called knowledge!

Just because something isn't seen

doesn't mean it's not there<>

From: dorothyroeder <dorothyroeder@ gmail.com>Subject: Re: Just Got Off Phone With Dr's. OfficeTo: RT3_T3 (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) comDate: Friday, July 2, 2010, 11:32 PM

>> I almost don't know what to do or say to doctors anymore. :(Tell them you were bloated before iron and you don't think that is the problem.Are you taking potassium? That gets lost as well as sodium with adrenal problems and your body uses much more potassium than sodium.Dorothy

[Guest guest]

Hi Joan,My fluid retention was ALL over my body. Yes, stomach, toes, you name it. I would guess that the soreness you are talking about is from the swelling. Have you tested your levels lately?Venizia

From: dorothyroeder <dorothyroeder@ gmail.com>Subject: Re: Just Got Off Phone With Dr's. OfficeTo: RT3_T3 (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) comDate: Friday, July 2, 2010, 11:32 PM

>> I almost don't know what to do or say to doctors anymore. :(Tell them you were bloated before iron and you don't think that is the problem.Are you taking potassium? That gets lost as well as sodium with adrenal problems and your body uses much more potassium than sodium.Dorothy

[Guest guest]

Too much potassium can be fatal. I would not supplement unless you have tested.Venizia

From: dorothyroeder <dorothyroeder@ gmail.com>Subject: Re: Just Got Off Phone With Dr's. OfficeTo: RT3_T3 (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) comDate: Friday, July 2, 2010, 4:32 PM

>> I almost don't know what to do or say to doctors anymore. :(Tell them you were bloated before iron and you don't think that is the problem.Are you taking potassium? That gets lost as well as sodium with adrenal problems and your body uses much more potassium than sodium.Dorothy------------ --------- --------- ------We are not medical professionals here, just patients sharing our experiences. Please use this information with the help of a competent doctor.

[Guest guest]

Yes, Joan that's what i'ts supposed to do. My body is not doing its's thing. not enogh waster being secretedl...

<>Roni

Immortality exists!

It's called knowledge!

Just because something isn't seen

doesn't mean it's not there<>

From: dorothyroeder <dorothyroeder@ gmail.com>Subject: Re: Just Got Off Phone With Dr's. OfficeTo: RT3_T3 (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) comDate: Friday, July 2, 2010, 4:32 PM

>> I almost don't know what to do or say to doctors anymore. :(Tell them you were bloated before iron and you don't think that is the problem.Are you taking potassium? That gets lost as well as sodium with adrenal problems and your body uses much more potassium than sodium.Dorothy------------ --------- --------- ------We are not medical professionals here, just patients sharing our experiences. Please use this information with the help of a competent doctor.

[Guest guest]

Potassium is a diruretic. That means it helps get excess water out of the cells.

You need 2 potassiums to one sodium to make the cellular transport system work.

Unless you have a kidney problem, and you would probably know if you did, you

will have no problem excreting potassium. Just don't take your whole daily dose

at once. Take it every hour or two. I found it is mostly all gone in 1/2-1 hr.

If you want to keep the levels up, you have to keep taking it all day.

Too much potassium is bad for your heart. This only happens if your kidneys do

not excrete properly. You could ask your doctor to run kidney function tests if

you want. I took a lot more than 80 MEQ per day and never got my level over 4.5.

I am taking about 100 MEG now but my level has fallen to 4.0. Possibly because

my iron levels are down again and I am not using thyroid so well.

Dorothy

>

> Yes, Joan that's what i'ts supposed to do. My body is not doing its's thing.

not enogh waster being secretedl...

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Dorothy. I have atrial fibrillation so I have to be careful, but judging from the numers I've seen on this list, I took one of my 10 meqs jut now. I'll let you all know how this works.

It's so frustrating that we can't just go to a doctor actually knows what their business is all about and get diagnosed and treated in the most gentle but effective way. Instead we have to twist ourselves in knots, go to multiple doctors and each only looks at one part and then, theank goodness we finally have these groups to help us. Thank you all for your information and support.

<>Roni

Immortality exists!

It's called knowledge!

Just because something isn't seen

doesn't mean it's not there<>

Subject: Re: Just Got Off Phone With Dr's. OfficeTo: RT3_T3 Date: Saturday, July 3, 2010, 10:24 AM

Potassium is a diruretic. That means it helps get excess water out of the cells. You need 2 potassiums to one sodium to make the cellular transport system work. Unless you have a kidney problem, and you would probably know if you did, you will have no problem excreting potassium. Just don't take your whole daily dose at once. Take it every hour or two. I found it is mostly all gone in 1/2-1 hr. If you want to keep the levels up, you have to keep taking it all day.Too much potassium is bad for your heart. This only happens if your kidneys do not excrete properly. You could ask your doctor to run kidney function tests if you want. I took a lot more than 80 MEQ per day and never got my level over 4.5. I am taking about 100 MEG now but my level has fallen to 4.0. Possibly because my iron levels are down again and I am not using thyroid so well.Dorothy>> Yes, Joan that's what i'ts supposed to do. My body is not doing its's thing. not enogh waster being secretedl...> ------------------------------------We are not medical professionals here, just patients sharing our experiences. Please use this information with the help of a competent doctor.