Any drs or nurses that could help? Please

[Potassium123]

Hi

i made a thread recently but can’t find it now arghh, I name changed for it and can’t remember what I name changed to either so just figured it would be easier to start a whole new thread,

I was unwell over a month ago and in hospital for a few days, they picked up I had low potassium and gave me a prescription for sando k and told me to get a blood test in a few days. I did that and the potassium was still low, so more sando k and another blood test. And repeat. And repeat. Now unfortunately this is my 5th (I think) prescription for sando k. I just took it 3x a day for 7 days last week and had a blood test yesterday- they’ve just called with the results because apparently the potassium was 2.8. Am I being UR to be a bit worried about this? It was previously in the low 3s so I know 2.8 is a bit lower, but it’s not serious is it? From googling it says it’s only serious from 2.5? I’ve got another prescription for sando k and more blood tests next week, just slightly worried as the last few doses of sando K didn’t do much and if it’s 2.8 now I’m worried it’ll keep falling. I’ve tried eating loads of potatoes and bananas but I’ve been having awful headaches and pins and needles which I’m not sure if is down to the low potassium or me worrying about it!

can anyone please offer any advice or knowledge about this? Or any advice at all? Thanks in advance, just a bit of an anxious person in general x

Do you take any medicines? One of them could be causing this. Or do you have any medical conditions?

Tbh I would ask the Doctors caring for you to reassure you as only they know the full context.

You need to go to A and E now.

2.8 needs urgent treatment.

You also need a proper diagnosis and treatment, not just repeated courses of Sando K and advice to eat bananas.

Who rang you, I would go to hospital to have your bloods rechecked, an ecg and see what treatment you need. Are you on any other medication or have any medical conditions that can affect it.

As a nurse I agree with other posters. This does warrant further investigation. Not sure if A&E would help as you are being treated so it is a chronic problem. I guess they could give you IV potassium which might help.

A+E should refer this on to Medicine.

As a bare minimum you need an ECG today and a recheck of bloods. And not to go home without a safe potassium and a cause for what is happening to you.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to be ambiguous in my OP and I’ve just realised I missed out a pretty big part of it. I think I might know why it’s low (well I think, anyway) I’ve had diarrhoea and vomiting on and off for a few weeks- I’m not unwell at all, I’ve just had exams etc and I always get d&v when I’m stressed about exams so i think it’s from exam anxiety! Or at least that’s not helping it. So the potassium was low originally because I was unwell with an unrelated infection (hence why I was in hospital in the first place) and then since then I’ve been having diarrhoea and vomiting on and off because of exam stress so I think that’s maybe why it’s not coming up enough. But I’ve been following the prescriptions exactly as they told me to do (originally it was 2 tablets 3 times a day for 3 days- I had a few of those prescriptions) then the last prescription last week was 2 tablets 3 times a day for 7 days but now it’s 2.8, I’ve also been eating loads of bananas and potatoes

I was just more worried about how low it is today rather than the cause because I’m pretty sure it’s just from exam stress but 2.8 isn’t life threatening or serious is it? It said on google it’s 2.5 to be serious so I’m totally clueless about all this but just a bit of a worrier! If it makes any difference I had the blood test yesterday morning and they called me this morning, so if it 2.8 was really low then they would have called same day wouldn’t they so I’m thinking it can’t be that bad? Sorry hope this makes sense! X

Yes agreed. That needs to be replaced urgently. I would also ask them to check and replace your magnesium.
The cause is you vomiting and diarrhea.

Sorry I’m incapable of typing a message without waffling!!

basically I’m just worried that it’s 2.8 now and what if it drops lower than that between now and the next blood test in 1 week (obviously I’ll continue taking the prescription and eating bananas and potatoes but I did that last week and still dropped from 3 something to 2.8)

And it’s not been vomiting and diarrhoea everyday, just a few episodes over the last few weeks (mainly on the day of the exam itself) but im guessing even a few episodes would be enough to bring it down? I’m otherwise fit and healthy x

Go to a&e
You are in danger of a cardiac event

This is going to sound bonkers but do you eat a lot of liquorice?

2.8 is way too low, we would give a potassium infusion for this at work. Go to ED.

Who rang you ? Was it the hospital or the gp surgery, not everyone is familiar with blood tests so our advice is to go to your hospital, have it rechecked and take medical advice, you may needs fluids with potassium replacement in it but that's the doctors decision. If you don't want to go to hosputal you can call 111 for advice but they will say the same.

Sorry should have said in my original post- it was the GP receptionist I spoke to, they just said they wanted to do another prescription for potassium because it was still low and they wanted to do another kidney function blood test so check the potassium in 1 week. When I asked how low it was she checked the computer and said it was 2.8 x

Has your magnesium been checked? Your potassium won’t come up if that is low too. Who rang you? I would definitely be sending my relatives to hospital for an ecg straight away if they were in your situation! Hope you feel better soon OP.

Go now.

And there is a strong chance all the fibre from the bananas is actually making it worse by prolonging your diarrhoea. They aren't that high in potassium and can only make a marginal difference at best.

I would get advice from a doctor, a gp receptionist is just relaying information.

I’d be tempted to ring 111, and get yourself admitted to the acute treatment team in hospital for a potassium infusion. Low potassium can affect your kidneys.

The d and v isn’t helping. Are you dehydrated as well?

Thanks so much everyone for the advice I’m going to take it all onboard and get some more help with this

i honestly hadn’t even realised until this that low potassium could be so serious or even end up in hospital! How low is it usually before you have to go to hospital or A&E for it?

I think this cannot be left. I would say ring 111 for advice and if you feel they are not helpful then attend a&e.

Below 3.0 with symptoms and you have symptoms.

Ok, thanks. I’ll give 111 a call and go to A&E if they’re not sure either. Thanks for all the advice, I honestly hadn’t realised how serious this could be! I thought it was fine because they were really relaxed about it at the DRs when i spoke to them on the phone, I was under the impression that 2.8 is only slightly low and not serious

does anyone know what will happen if I do go to hospital, will I just have to drink more sando K or something like that? I won’t be in for long will I, just a few hours until the sando k works? Im otherwise fit and healthy and im sure it’s only low because I’ve been so stressed recently

sorry for all the questions, I’m just a bit of a worrier! x

Sandok takes days to come up.

It's often given iv which works much quicker

Ask them to check your magnesium too, if that's low its pretty impossible to get potassium to increment (can buy it over the counter

It's best to just call and take their advice. We don't know how long you will be there, they will probably recheck your bloods, do an ecg and potassium can be given in intravenous fluids if they think that's the treatment you need. Take some snacks, water, something to read, phone, money, something warm to wear and basic toiletries like toothbrush and paste, clean knickers, tissues, handwipes. Let them help you.

Stress doesn't give you a low potassium.