What can be done for dangerously low potassium?

The first week of August and Aug 30th I was in the emergency room because of dangerously low potassium. Each time I had to have IV's to replace and build up my level. After the first time I was put on pills. It took some doing to find it in Gel Caps. I'm taking: Potassium CL 10mEq, (two a day). This seemed to be working however four weeks later I was back in the emergency room to go through the whole painful ordeal again. So it obviously "isn't" working. The WLS DIDN'T cause this problem but it sure has magnified it! I've had problems with low pot since 1993 when I've had to go on diuretics because of a botched surgery. Since then I've put on water weight like crazy and my pot has been on the low side since. However since the Bypass it has been dropping to "very dangerous levels" and even the pills are not keeping that in check! I am afraid one of these days it will be causing a heart attack, and heart attacks are already a big risk with my family's history of heart disease. Does anyone know if this is the "right form" of potassium? Perhaps the pills are not being absorbed because of the WLS? I know there are liquid forms of this, but it was so bitter I couldn't drink it. However if I did use the liquid form would it be absorbed better? Any help would be appreciated as I would just as soon avoid a heart attack if possible. ;) Yes I know I should call my surgeons office but I have always been so rushed by them that I don't feel comfortable calling them for any reason. He is the only surgeon I have dealt with that I've felt as if I'm intruding whenever I've had to call his office for any reason. Although I'm very happy with the bypass and the skill of my surgeon, I feel that I am not welcome to call. I have not felt this way with any other doctors office but this one. So it makes it hard to get help when I feel I need it for any reason. So far, post op, I have not needed to call until now. But I will have to as this can not continue to go on. But I am curious if any one else has had this problem and what if anything cured it. Thanks.

We greatly appreciate your interest in helping us build our Q&A database. To discourage vandals from posting garbage, however, we require people to register before posting.

You must be logged in to post an answer. Click here to log in.

×