To go to A&E?

[Rememberwhoyouare6]

Looking for advice because I feel genuinely stuck on what to do

I had a blood test which showed something potentially very serious. I was called a few hours later by my doctor and advised to go straight to a hospital ward for treatment. It all ended up fine thankfully but it was an electrolyte problem (K of 2). I was treated and discharged.

but now I can feel the same symptoms starting again that I felt initially and am worried it’s low again. But my doctor won’t do a blood test on a feeling alone (and the symptoms are so generic it could be from anything, even stress or tiredness but I just have a feeling it’s the same as before because I feel the exact same as I did). And it’s a several week wait for an appointment anyway. I called the hospital ward but they won’t do anything because I’ve been discharged. I went to the pharmacy and asked if I could buy a prescription of potassium but they can’t issue it either. Im at a loss now, but worried that if I go to A&E it will all turn out to be tiredness and I’ll be wasting their time. But equally, I know how awful I felt when it was 2 before and I can feel it going the same way again.

what on earth do I do?! (Apart from eating piles and piles of bananas of course)

If it can wait til morning, go straight to a Superdrug / H&B or similar and buy potassium supplements. You don't need a prescription. Then make an appointment with the doctor.

If it can't wait, call 111.

Thank you. I’ve actually tried the OTC stuff I could find but nothing was strong enough, even the prescription only dispersible tablets weren’t enough and it dropped too low unfortunately!

Don't take potassium supplements without knowing your level. I'm sure you know this, and not to be alarmist but too high or low can impact cardiac function. I'd call your GP and stress again your symptoms/concerns. Did they investigate why it was 2? Had you had diarrhoea/vomiting? That is very low...

Ah, it was worth a try!

In that case I'd go by how you were last time. If you think it can wait til morning, make an appointment with a Dr (or try a private GP appointment if you can afford it).

If you are really worried and it can't wait, then do call 111.

If you think you're having a recurrence of life-threatening electrolyte imbalance, then it's reasonable to go to A&E.

It can be life threatening
Go to A&E

No I don't think a&E but do think you should stress to the doctor tomorrow again how you are feeling
I wonder if telling them you are considering self medicating (OTC) that may trigger them to see you and check, to put your mind at ease?

Yeah you’re right, I’m worried i end up taking too much and having too high potassium. Yeah I think we know the cause for it but unfortunately it’s not quite under control yet. I’ve had it low before but never that low and safe to say I felt pretty horrendous! Thankfully I don’t feel that bad yet so I doubt it’s that low now but I can sort of feel the initial symptoms starting where I know it’s getting lower than it should be

Crazy the dr won't do a blood test, I work in a hospital lab and electrolytes is such a common and inexpensive test to run.

Yeah I agree. Although maybe they would do it if I had an appointment with them and discussed it, but that’s going to be a several week wait, whereas I’m pretty confident this is low K again because these are the exact same symptoms as I had before but they won’t do a blood test on my request alone

Went to the pharmacy and asked if they could prescribe the dissolving potassium (on the basis of I’ve had it multiple times before, just to tide me over until I can get my blood checked) but they said they didn’t have any in stock and I can buy it from any pharmacy, so I went to a differnt pharmacy who said I can’t buy it because it’s prescription only. Feel like I’m losing the plot here a bit!

And the plot thickens! Been round several pharmacies and keep getting mixed answers about whether I can buy it or not (those who say I can, don’t have it in stock). I also called the GP but couldn’t get through so will have to try again tomorrow. And if not I’ll just have to go to A&E. Feel like it’s a catch 22 situation and I have no idea what to really do.

My Mum and I both have / had difficulties with severely low potassium. (Mums was due to Crohn’s disease; I have complex health issues too many to list)! Anyway, if you feel it’s getting low again it’s very important you get to A and E. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Only. A and E have the ability to test your levels without waiting days and to give you the correct treatment.

This. When DD’s potassium gets low she always needs IV potassium. Tablets aren’t enough a lot of the time.

I would ring 111 for advice.

They'll just tell her to go to A and E.

Then I would just go to A&E ..... if your ill, your ill.... it needs sorting.

Id go to A&E - it can be dangerous. I'm really unsure why your GP won't do a blood test with your history.
Good luck 🤞