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

Multiple people have advised you to go to the hospital to be seen
That's what I would be doing if I was you

Sorry but seriously what’s the need?

I’ve also been told several times to call nhs 24 and go to A&e if they’re not helpful and I’ve already said I’ll do that- I’ve been on hold to them for the last 13 minutes! I wasn’t asking ‘should I go to A&E?’ several times, I was asking different questions about low potassium because I’ve no idea about it and other people have actually been really helpful! Meanwhile I’m asking questions I’m also getting help, as I’ve been advised to do. So I am following advice

it’s also sometimes a bit confusing when a GP says it’s fine not to worry and then it turns out it’s not, so that explains my uncertainty at the start

Seriously just fuck right off

Thanks so much everyone who helped. I genuinely was following everyone’s advice, it’s just a bit confusing because obviously my GP was so chilled about it and then to be told actually it’s serious it’s a bit of a shock, and it’s something I know literally nothing about so I that’s why I was asking about it because I have 0 context or knowledge about it

I am following everyone’s advice and I’m on hold to NHS24 and im just going to start making my way to A&E in the meantime too (we’re really rural so im quite a long drive from the nearest A&E so just going to start heading over and keep on hold to NHS24 in the meantime

thanks again everyone who helped

Is someone driving you, that would be safer, nhs24 or 111 will tell you to get yourself checked out. It can be confusing, I don't accept results from non medical staff anymore. Hope you get seen quickly and feel better soon.

Yeah I’m going to get a lift over, to be honest I actually feel fine to drive but don’t want to risk it!

thank so much, yeah it’s so confusing ah, hoping it’s fine when I get there but I’d rather get a second opinion and I’m just worried in case it keeps getting lower from 2.8 in the meantime waiting for the next blood test next week x

Plus the parking charges will be high if you need to wait. Good luck.

When I had sepsis my potassium wasn't as low as yours and the hospital staff still shit themselves. You need to go get seen!

Just as an aside, Sando k gave me terrible diarrhoea - I was on a lot of drugs at the time so wasn't sure which caused it but later worked out it was that one, and nurses confirmed it's a common side effect. Just mentioning in case you continue to take it and don't realise there could be a connection

Receptionist interpreting test results to patients? Is this really the norm in the UK now ?

Also, when mine was down to 3 they did give me an IV rather than tablets. Mine never went below 3 and I did have sepsis so yours does seem particularly low

Oh good point I hadn’t even thought about parking charges! Honestly, I’m a bit scared of hospitals and try to avoid as much as possible tbh which probably made me even more reluctant to go in the first place! It’ll be the same hospital I was in when I was unwell last month and everyone was really nice that time so that’s reassuring I’m just a bit of a worrier x

Oh that’s good to know I didnt realise that might be contributing to the diarrhoea!

sounds stupid but can they tell from a blood test that I’ve definitely been taking it? Like, it has such a horrible taste and I’ve persevered with every single dose as awful as it’s been, but a few times I was asked if I’ve definitely taken them all and not missed a dose. Can they check something to confirm I’ve definitely been taking it? Apart from the potassium itself obviously. Just a bit worried they think I haven’t taken it when I honestly have. My poor parents have had to live with me complaining about every dose 3 times a day for the last month basically haha

At my hospital trust the normal values for potassium are 3.5 to 5.3. Higher or lower potassium does put you at risk of a cardiac event. It does need investigating and possibly IV potassium.

Not surprised you were complaining, I hated that stuff! Tastes horrible and the fizzy texture is awful when you're ill anyway. I'm sure they'll believe you and have some awareness of what it's like to take, mine did anyway. They're probably confused/surprised because it doesn't seem to be working after so long. I honestly don't know if that's common, or if it points to a bigger issue. Mine was caused by chemo so not really relevant to your situation. Hopefully you can talk to a Dr and maybe they'll give you an IV and check if there's anything else going on. Try not to worry. I was phoned at midnight once to be blue lighted to A&E because my phosphate levels were zero (in a blood test taken 12 hours earlier). They treated it like an emergency but I was fine and the Drs giving me the drip were rolling their eyes

Oh, one more thing, pins & needles could definitely be due to low electrolytes, definitely mention it to the nurses

Honestly I’ve probably not explained it very well but it did come from the DR, they had seen the results and left the advice and it was the receptionist who passed on their advice to pick up another prescription for sando k and book a blood test in 1 week, and then I asked the receptionist just out of interest what it was and that’s when she said it’s 2.8 x

Is this your previous thread:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5074411-low-potassium-help

They don't. The gp interprets and asks the receptionist to pass on the message

No we can't tell if uve takes it, but we assume the best in people that they tell us the truth

The receptionist will be relaying information the Dr wants them to tell the pt

Rather than go to A&E, where it will be a bit strange to say “my potassium is low so I’ve come to A&E”, wouldn’t it be beneficial to ring the GP and talk through their rationale for the plan they have given you and discuss whether more urgent care is needed? The GP is better placed to get you seen by the appropriate team in the hospital if on reflection they deem it necessary

Please don't add to your anxiety, they won't accuse you of not taking it. The gp, labs and pharmacists are paid and trained to monitor patients and should query and ask themselves is there a reason why 5 cycles of the same medication hasn't made a difference.

You can turn up in hospital and say you've been advised your K is 2.8. It's not strange and what would a gp do if you actually suffered as a result of them saying take another course and come back next week.

There's no point ringing 111.

You need to go to A and E.