LOW POTASSIUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok I went to the E.R. Yestreday for extreme!!!!!!!!!!!! abdominal pain. got there and they wanted me to wait becouse there was about an hour -two hour wait ahead of me. extremely frustrated by the fact that I was in tears from all the pain, I called my docs office and spoke to the on call doctor. He had them take me back right away. then they did x-rays, blood work .. than get this... they came in with 2..... mark that down 2! barrium fluid shakes.. so they could do a cat scan.. of course i reminded them for the 10 th time ..I AM A BARRIATRIC SURGERY PATIENT WHERE THE HELL AM I GONNA FIT THAT IN MY POUCH????? they said ohh we just figured it would go right thru..... can u say IDIOTS.. mind you this was the same hospitol where i had my surgery.... well got my labs back and the nurse says they have to give me potassium iv becouse i am extremly low on potassium. then they send me home 4 hours later.. with no answer to my pain.. I go online this morning to research this potassium stuff. come to find out low potassium causes all the symptoms i was having,,, Weakness inmy leggs abdominal pain,, feeling like i was gonna pass out.... hmm what a world huh? any one else here ever have this problem.....???

Hi Jeannie! YES! I had a big problem with low potassium immediately after surgery. While I was in the hospital, they gave me an IV potassium drip. It was slow and painful. The IV was in my hand and it had gotten so swollen! It also would sting (it's salty)so badly that they gave me something to calm down. This went on for two whole days. Even after all of this, I then had to drink a cherry flavored potassium drink...YUK!!! Ok, so I did finish most of it and thought, "well girl, at least you got through another hurdle.", only to find out I had to repeat everything for a second day. Seems it takes a lot to get the numbers back up once your potassium is depleted in your system. All my numbers are fine now. Hopefully we both won't have to go through that again. Take care of yourself. Mo

So sorry to hear about your trouble, hon. Just wanted to thank you though, cause my Surgeon sent me home w/a script for potass and I was *****ing about having to take 'another' pill....Thanks for the wake up!! Best to you. Cass

Hi Jeannie, I had my Lap RNY on Jan 17. The first week after surgery I was doing as well as to be expected. However after the first doctor follow up I began to get sick and weak. After 2 weeks passed I was so sick with EXTREME nausea, unable to stand, eat or drink ANYTHING. Called my doctor the next morning on an emergency basis - had to go to the emergency room and once the test came back I had to be admitted due to Pancreatitis, Dehydration and Low Potassium. My total hospital stay was about 21 days and had to have my gallbladder removed but the Low Potassium remainded a problem during my stay and was given numerous meds in my IV to bring the level up. I believe it finally was under control when I left the hospital but remains to be monitored by my physician. I'm still dealing with a little weakness, nausea, dizziness but I am about to take a short walk that I am hoping will help rebuild my endurance. Best wishes with the continued weight loss, I have lost approximately 41lbs and counting..... Erica