Question:
How can I get more potassium?

I am 6 wks post op RNY. I had blood work done due to a fever for 5 days. It showed no signs of infection but did show low potassium. My PCP ordered liquid potassium which I cannot tolerate. I am so nauseous all the time, anything I put in my mouth makes me sick(I don't vomit, I just feel like it.) Any suggestions on how I can get potassium in? What do I do about not being able to eat anything? I can keep liquids down. I'm having a CAT scan of my abdomen done tomorrow. Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.    — Brenda H. (posted on June 13, 2001)

June 13, 2001
I'm assuming you can't stand to eat bananas??? There are potassium pills that may help if you can swallow them alright.
   — Danmark

June 13, 2001
I am pre-op but, I have very low potassium. My doctor has me taking pills 2xs a day. He very specifically told me not to take them on an empty stomach. Maybe this is your problem? Also, squash, bannanas, pototes, and many veggies are very high in potassium. Try checking like web md or one of those sites for a list of high potassium foods. I remember seeing one on there somewhere. Hope this helps.
   — [Anonymous]

June 13, 2001
Hello, I can tolerate and drink lots of Diet V-8 splash, the flavors are tropical, berry and straw-kiwi.. I love the tropical.. it has lots of potassium in it.. as well as propel (made by gatorade) But I dont like that too much..Hope this helps... I was prescribed caplets to take twice a day.. had a hard time swallowing them.
   — Gail M.

June 13, 2001
Have you talked to your PCP about this? Does he/she know that you aren't taking the prescribed potassium supplement? Don't mess around with low potassium. It can give you a heart attack and put you in a coma pretty quickly if your levels drop too low. If push comes to shove, you can get a potassium IV, but let me tell you, those are NASTY. My nurse told me when I had mine that they refer to it as "liquid fire." It burns all the way in and pretty much felt like torture to me! The potassium pills are HUGE suckers! Probably want to avoid those too if you can. I really suggest you discuss this with your doctor; however, eating high potassium foods won't hurt you and is a good place to start, but please follow up soon with your doctor.
   — BethVBG

June 13, 2001
I take a cheap, OTC potassium. They're about the size of an aspirin. It takes 4 to hold my levels steady, but once I got there, they hold steady all the time. Each person will be a little different, but do use your labs to adjust and not just "guess". Potassium is too critical an element to just "eat a banana a day" or just add a pill and not recheck. I take all my vites with food, so have not had gastric distress with it.
   — vitalady

June 13, 2001
Talk with your PCP or surgeon about alternative forms of potassium supplementation. I used to take a timed-release potassium tablet (Slow-K) that was a smooth, enteric-coated tablet no larger than an aspirin. There are several other brands available that are easier to take than the liquid which is truly nasty stuff. Remember that potassium levels need to be monitored very closely by a physician during the entire time that you are taking any supplements at all. It is just as dangerous to have high potassium levels as low levels. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

June 14, 2001
I am on the State food program and I suggest that if you can't eat whole bananas that you try banana baby food. It is high in potassium as well as other nutrients you may need. Good Luck!
   — Lynda T.