Question about diuretic

I just got a scrip for hydraclorathyazide  HCTZ(something close to that) because my ankles have been swelling some again and there's been that pressure in my lower legs despite drinking 80+ oz of water a day not including what I drink at the gym.

Anything that I should be concerned about.  It talked about in the paperwork if you were prescribed potassium, but I wasn't.  Do I need to be careful about my potassium levels.  Poweraid or gatoraid should do that trick for me shouldn't it.

Thanks!

I take generic lasix on a regular basis and accompany that with 2 potassium. At one point a few years back, my BP was up and my PCP added a 2nd diuretic as well. I guess it was too powerful, because I had light-headedness often when I'd stand. After I'd been on the 2 diuretics for a while I had alot of bad legs cramps, esp at night, so my potassium levels were tested and were critically low.

I think the potassium is more of an issue if you are using diuretics long-term. For short-term use, Gatorade or a similar drink s/b fine. I also use a lite salt that has potassium instead of sodium and I no longer taste a difference.

BTW, I love Gatorade - I grew up in a jock family and the original lemon-lime was a staple in our fridge - but can't have it at the moment. I've tried G2 but not cared for it.

I thought the general rule of thumb was to prescribe potassium along with the diuretic?  I think you should double check with your PCP because it's quite easy for us WLS folks to get our potassium out of whack.  Better to be safe than sorry.

When I was taking lasix regularly, I had to take potassium, too.  After my WLS, I had to switch from my pill form to a powder (yuk!).  At least it isn't as bad as the IV potassium in the hospital, yeeow!

Have you thought about wearing a light compression knee high sock to help with the swelling?  That's what I do now that I don't take lasix any more.  I still get a bit of swelling in one ankle, and the compression sox keep everything moving nicely.  Of course, in FL you might feel like you are choking to death if you have to wear any kind of sox! 

Kix

I took hydrochlorthiazide for several years before my surgery, and I never had to take potassium supplements.  I think it's a pretty mild diuretic, so it may not affect potassium levels as much as some of the stronger diuretics.  But you may still want to check with your doctor's office, especially since it would be pretty easy to add a potassium supplement.  I would not suggest adding a potassium supplement without talking to your doctor though, as getting too much potassium isn't good either. 

I hope the diuretic helps solve the problem with the swollen ankles!!!

Kellie

Thanks guys.  It's just a 30 day supply and I'm hoping it helps with the ankles and to move the number on the scale too!  Maybe "scale" and I will make up on Monday.  I'm going to have to weigh anyway because I like to have a weight around my monthly surgiversary and yesterday was 9 months.

I took HCT for years without taking potassium, but I did have leg cramps at first and added 1 magnesium pill per day as suggested by the doc. That cleared it right up. I had to do the same thing shortly after surgery even though I was no longer on HCT, I started with leg cramps again.  One thing I would be careful of with you is your blood pressure, HCT is given to lower blood pressure also and you mentioned yours was pretty low in another post.

Jenn