Any Cf'ers had low potassium levels?

[Shine]

Okay so about 4 weeks ago I was Christmas shopping with my my sister and mum. Had only been in the mall 20mins when I started getting these severe cramps in the lungs and all over body. It got so bad that my lungs seized up for 4 seconds (couldn't breathe) and then my legs became weak and I collapsed in the mall.

To cut a long story short...I was rushed by ambulance to hospital, they did x-rays, lots of bloods and several E.C.Gs.

When test results cam back...turns out I had low potassium levels. So was given a potassium drink. I felt a bit better but still had cramping and numbness in my arm - (like the circulation in my arm was not there.

So the docs decided to put me on some Valium for about 4 days to relax my muscles. That stuff is good! lol
I was taken off it and then given paracetamol after that. I was hospitalized for 12 days.


When I asked my doc why I was low, he said it was b/c I had been on Prednisone for too long & Salbutamol combined can decrease potassium levels. That was the first I had heard of this.

So my question is,

Has anyone else had this happen to them before?

 

[Shine]

Okay so about 4 weeks ago I was Christmas shopping with my my sister and mum. Had only been in the mall 20mins when I started getting these severe cramps in the lungs and all over body. It got so bad that my lungs seized up for 4 seconds (couldn't breathe) and then my legs became weak and I collapsed in the mall.

To cut a long story short...I was rushed by ambulance to hospital, they did x-rays, lots of bloods and several E.C.Gs.

When test results cam back...turns out I had low potassium levels. So was given a potassium drink. I felt a bit better but still had cramping and numbness in my arm - (like the circulation in my arm was not there.

So the docs decided to put me on some Valium for about 4 days to relax my muscles. That stuff is good! lol
I was taken off it and then given paracetamol after that. I was hospitalized for 12 days.


When I asked my doc why I was low, he said it was b/c I had been on Prednisone for too long & Salbutamol combined can decrease potassium levels. That was the first I had heard of this.

So my question is,

Has anyone else had this happen to them before?

 

[Shine]

Okay so about 4 weeks ago I was Christmas shopping with my my sister and mum. Had only been in the mall 20mins when I started getting these severe cramps in the lungs and all over body. It got so bad that my lungs seized up for 4 seconds (couldn't breathe) and then my legs became weak and I collapsed in the mall.
<br />
<br />To cut a long story short...I was rushed by ambulance to hospital, they did x-rays, lots of bloods and several E.C.Gs.
<br />
<br />When test results cam back...turns out I had low potassium levels. So was given a potassium drink. I felt a bit better but still had cramping and numbness in my arm - (like the circulation in my arm was not there.
<br />
<br />So the docs decided to put me on some Valium for about 4 days to relax my muscles. That stuff is good! lol
<br />I was taken off it and then given paracetamol after that. I was hospitalized for 12 days.
<br />
<br />
<br />When I asked my doc why I was low, he said it was b/c I had been on Prednisone for too long & Salbutamol combined can decrease potassium levels. That was the first I had heard of this.
<br />
<br />So my question is,
<br />
<br />Has anyone else had this happen to them before?

 

[mag6125]

I haven't had anything as severe as you described but I have been told a few times that my potassium was a little on the low side. I've had periods of bad muscle spasms/cramps in my calves and feet and wondered if it had something to do with it, but never really bothered to ask.

 

[mag6125]

I haven't had anything as severe as you described but I have been told a few times that my potassium was a little on the low side. I've had periods of bad muscle spasms/cramps in my calves and feet and wondered if it had something to do with it, but never really bothered to ask.

 

[mag6125]

I haven't had anything as severe as you described but I have been told a few times that my potassium was a little on the low side. I've had periods of bad muscle spasms/cramps in my calves and feet and wondered if it had something to do with it, but never really bothered to ask.

 

[Brad]

I am on low dose o Pred all the time .
I drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water a day, This can flush out potassium
and electrolytes from the system.
I add 10 oz of G2 twice a day and also eat 1 or 2 bananas a day.
This helps with the cramps and weakness. I can tell when my level
starts dropping just like I can tell when my sugar is dropping.
I get bad leg cramps when it does get low.I keep a heating pad near the bed so when I get a bad one I can
put the heat on it to keep it from getting sore.


I have heard and I am sure it is true with me.
But I heard that most Cfers are perpetually dehydrated.
Thats why I am sure to drink the water and G2.

 

[Brad]

I am on low dose o Pred all the time .
I drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water a day, This can flush out potassium
and electrolytes from the system.
I add 10 oz of G2 twice a day and also eat 1 or 2 bananas a day.
This helps with the cramps and weakness. I can tell when my level
starts dropping just like I can tell when my sugar is dropping.
I get bad leg cramps when it does get low.I keep a heating pad near the bed so when I get a bad one I can
put the heat on it to keep it from getting sore.


I have heard and I am sure it is true with me.
But I heard that most Cfers are perpetually dehydrated.
Thats why I am sure to drink the water and G2.

 

[Brad]

I am on low dose o Pred all the time .
<br /> I drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water a day, This can flush out potassium
<br /> and electrolytes from the system.
<br /> I add 10 oz of G2 twice a day and also eat 1 or 2 bananas a day.
<br /> This helps with the cramps and weakness. I can tell when my level
<br /> starts dropping just like I can tell when my sugar is dropping.
<br /> I get bad leg cramps when it does get low.I keep a heating pad near the bed so when I get a bad one I can
<br /> put the heat on it to keep it from getting sore.
<br />
<br />
<br /> I have heard and I am sure it is true with me.
<br />But I heard that most Cfers are perpetually dehydrated.
<br /> Thats why I am sure to drink the water and G2.

 

[theLostMiler]

Ive had low potassium after tests upon hospital admission, so I've gotten a potassium drip before... thats all though. I experience the occasional leg/muscle cramps as well though. especially when on antibiotics.

 

[theLostMiler]

Ive had low potassium after tests upon hospital admission, so I've gotten a potassium drip before... thats all though. I experience the occasional leg/muscle cramps as well though. especially when on antibiotics.

 

[theLostMiler]

Ive had low potassium after tests upon hospital admission, so I've gotten a potassium drip before... thats all though. I experience the occasional leg/muscle cramps as well though. especially when on antibiotics.

 

[Shine]

Hey thanks for your replies <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I mostly get the cramps in my chest and back muscles. Does anyone have these kind of cramps? Just wondering...

 

[Shine]

Hey thanks for your replies <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I mostly get the cramps in my chest and back muscles. Does anyone have these kind of cramps? Just wondering...

 

[Shine]

Hey thanks for your replies <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />I mostly get the cramps in my chest and back muscles. Does anyone have these kind of cramps? Just wondering...

 

[PepperKitty]

Years ago I was hospitalized for low potassium. But now I fight high potassium. I've been hospitalized several times because it was causing problems with my heart. I don't feel any symptoms. I do get a lot of cramps from other causes.

 

[PepperKitty]

Years ago I was hospitalized for low potassium. But now I fight high potassium. I've been hospitalized several times because it was causing problems with my heart. I don't feel any symptoms. I do get a lot of cramps from other causes.

 

[PepperKitty]

Years ago I was hospitalized for low potassium. But now I fight high potassium. I've been hospitalized several times because it was causing problems with my heart. I don't feel any symptoms. I do get a lot of cramps from other causes.