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Is he just trying to scare me

post #1 of 15
2/27/03 at 8:21am
Thread Starter 
Hi Kim
You have read about my test results in my journal.
I was just wondering if my doc was just being an over dramatic poonse.
My potassium levels are high, I saw the pathology results for myself (5.9) but I AM a nurse and I KNOW that if anything, laxative abuse would LOWER the levels, not raise them. Am I right?

Another thing, if I increase my sodium, will that counteract the affects on my heart?
AND...would muscle contrations ie; stomache cause high potassuim?
I'm sure the laxatives haven't caused this...I just don't know what has caused it
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post #2 of 15
2/27/03 at 8:41am
I don't know Genie. I do know a potassium imbalance caused my grandma to have a series of heart attacks. You don't need those anyway. You need to be healthy and live a long life. And that's an order!
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post #3 of 15
2/27/03 at 1:00pm
Genie,

Overusing laxatives can put you in a world of hurt in the fluid & electrolyte department. Most of the time you would think it would lower everything, however, you could be releasing postassium from your cells, especially when cells are damaged, which could very well come from the laxatives. This will increase the amt. of "free" potassium, which would show increased potassium in your blood. However, it could also simply be b/c of the dehydration caused by frequent elimination. Hard to say. At any rate, if your potassium goes much higher, you could be in a HUGE world of hurt... possibly cardiac arrest.

Please, please, please get some help, sweetie! I don't want anything to happen to you. Please take this very seriously.
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post #4 of 15
2/27/03 at 1:05pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Kim
I think I'm just loking for any other cause

How much higher before it's dangerous do you think?
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post #5 of 15
2/27/03 at 1:51pm
I think you are already at a dangerous level girl.....hence the reason that the dr gave you the warning.

I know that you are looking for any other possible reason so youwont' have to give up something you have relied on for so long....but you don't have much of a choice if you want to be wtih your girls adn watch them grow up....

Please find some help Genie...I am worried about you!!! Take care and I will talk with you again on Sunday or Monday (my sunday or monday that is
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post #6 of 15
2/27/03 at 1:57pm
Don't know much about any of this but, but wanted to give you a and tell you I am thnking about you!
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post #7 of 15
2/27/03 at 2:05pm
Genie,

Our normals for potassium levels are 3.5 to 5.3 for non-cardiac patients. We like to keep our cardiacs/open hearts 3.9 or 4.

Anything much over 5.3 puts you in danger of dysrhythmias. Your level of 5.9, frankly, scares me. Anything in this range or higher makes me immediately wary of renal damage. In my experiences, the 5.9 that you currently are at is pretty serious & I would be taking measures to decrease it. I can't believe they didn't give you kaexalate or something to bind up the free potassium & help your body eliminate it.

I know it is hard to realize there truely is a problem... doesn't seem real. But it is. Please, please, please get some help. We all you & don't want anything to happen to you.
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post #8 of 15
2/27/03 at 6:12pm
Genie - please stop this behavior or you're going to die. I know it's hard. It's never easy to change a long time habit. I know I've never had an eating disorder so I don't understand. But I do have MS and I've had to give up a lot more than just laxatives for my health. The latest thing is hot showers. Apparently, from what I've been reading they can bring on MS exerbations and make them worse. I had my first nice cold shower today. You can do this, Genie. If you have to move into the psychologist office or go to a support group - or whatever you have to do - you can do it.
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post #9 of 15
2/27/03 at 10:21pm
Please stop and go get some help. I know it is hard. We have all had to give up a vice no matter what the vice or the reason. We are all here you and want you to be here for us. I feel for you and hope you can make the best decision for your whole family and those that love you, including us!!
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post #10 of 15
2/28/03 at 4:30am
Thread Starter 
You are all the most caring people in the world

Kim, I think I may go to another doc on Monday...I'm a little confused as to why he didn't even order another blood test to check if the levels were the same.


I haven't had any laxatives or put on any weight it's much easier to give them up when your scales don't change
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post #11 of 15
2/28/03 at 9:33am
Genie just because the scales change doesnt mean you are getting fat...your body changes everyday and that is its way of fighting off disease and processing food...please get some help...you can do this...for yourself and your babies....they love their mommy and they dont want to see you hurt.

Karen
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post #12 of 15
2/28/03 at 9:42am
Genie...1st 's for everything you are going through. Its tough to give up something that you think makes you feel good. 2nd please find some help I know everyone else has said this but from your posts you're scaring me!!!!!! You really need to get someone to talk to you, we love you and I don't want to come on here one day to find out something happened to you. PLEASE PLEASE take care. I'm here if you need someone to talk to I've been where you are right now and it doesn't seem real until its too late and I don't want you to get there. Please think on what you're dr and Kim has said!!!!!! They wouldn't be telling you this stuff if they weren't worried about you too!!!!!!!
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post #13 of 15
2/28/03 at 4:39pm
Please Genie, get some help. Blood tests don't lie. If a 2nd opinion will make you feel better about getting help, please do so. High AND Low Potassium levels can send you into LETHAL dysrhythmias & you could DIE. Please take care of yourself! Your DH, your babies, your family & your BabyU family want you to be healthy & happy & be with us for years. Please, please take this seriously. Do whatever it takes to stay healthy, if not for yourself, do it for your beautiful daughters.
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post #14 of 15
3/1/03 at 1:14am
Thread Starter 
I hear you all
I know the blood tests don't lie, but I'm not sure if the levels are still the same. I have another appointment on Monday, it's Saturday afternoon now, should I be getting it checked today?
Is it that seroius that I should go to the hospital? (the doctors surgeries are all shut on weekends).

I am worried about it too. I want to find out what is causing it, so I can fix it. I am trying to take care of myself, but the doctor I saw seems like a bit of a quack. He knew the potassium level was high, but just gave me a slip of paper and told me to get another test in 2 weeks and see if there was any change you'd think he'd do something about it right away. He should have atleast sent me for another blood test that day considering that I had the test almost a week before getting the results. It may have been much higher by then for all he knew.

Everytime I get palpitaions, I freak out now. I don't know if I should wait for pain or just go to the ER.
Kim, should I wait till Monday?
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post #15 of 15
3/1/03 at 4:24am
Girl #1 thing......THROW OUT YOUR DAMNED SCALE!!!!!! It does you absolutely No good to have it in your house!!! (especially if you are seeing signs of your dd being concerned about her weight as well!!!!!)

As for the Potassium level scare/concern thing I wish I could help you there......if you are at all concerned I would phone your ER and see what they say...tell them that you went to your dr...this is what he said...but that he DID NOT tell you what to be cautious of.....when you should be concerned....or what you can do to try and bring down your levels....tell them that you are having Palpitations....but are not sure as to whether ornot you should be concerned about them after what your dr has told you or not told you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please keep in touch adn let us know what happens.... you girl
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