I have just gotten out of hospital for this and my heart stopped. it was the scariest thing in the world. i could feel my heart stop and all i could think about was my daughter and my husband. being so sick at 20 is so terrible and i wish this upon no one in the world.

yes, too much potassium is dangerous. That is why I don't take a lot.

too low is dangerous too.

I am 19, and have had this since I was 9. I'm now 20. I have kidney problems and leg cramps, they hurt, to the point where I cry. I am sorry for anyone who has this, and if you think you have it, you need to find out, because it is potentially deadly.

I have had two heart attacks and my potassium stays low due to the medications I am on. The doctors prescribed 3 meq potassium tablets daily.

I have found that when I only two, which is normally the case, that I have chest pains. These pains are not bad just annoying. I can take a potassium pill and the pain is gone within minutes. So I am now taking the three a day as prescribed and I feel much better, no pains.

I was just hospitalized for potassium deficiency. Yes the iv hurts like nothing you have ever felt before. Iimagine boiling concrete being shoved through your veins, and that about sums it up.

Ask your doctor for pain medication to be administered prior to the potassium. My doctor tried morphine first and when that did not help, switched me to dilaudid.

For every dose of dilaudid, I was able to handle two bags of potassium. I had six bags that day.

I know this may sound crazy but it works. If you're having leg cramps keep a salt shaker handy. Sprinkle a little salt into the palm of your hand and lick (yes lick) it out of your hand and your cramps will stop almost immediately. It's always worked for me.

I heard that Celiac disease can cause potassium deficiency. Talk to your doctor and research celiac disease.

I am an otherwise healthy 32 year old female who went through too much stress in a four year period (e.g., law school, had two beautiful daughters with one in NICU, and worked full time). Needless to say, I did not spend enough time drinking water, eating well, exercising, or de-stressing. I am technically underweight at 5'8" and 130ish pounds. About 13 months ago I started having really bad chest pains and have had every test known to man show that nothing was clinically wrong with me. I have tried a lot of things but recently identified something that really, finally worked. I have suffered for 13 months and wanted to share what I have learned so that hopefully I can brighten someone else's path to health. First, I thought my PH was off and it may have been because Barlean's green drink really started me down the right bath. I also felt a little better when I started taking heartburn medicine (prilosec over the counter). The one little goodie that has made me feel 1000 percent myself again is so simple: Ecological Formulas Tri-Salts which is just calcium, magnesium and potassium. Research the right amount for yourself but I add 1/4 teaspoon to 8 oz of water. Tastes great and mixes super easy. I felt 90 percent better seven days later and even lifted weights today with no labored breathing. I hope this helps someone.

to sandman752: I just experienced an episode similar to yours. My arms went numb, then my legs and face! My pulse was 170, and I couldn't breathe. The paramedic discovered that my blood sugar was low (never has been)and gave IV push of glucose. In the ER, the doctor suggested a possible tumor. The next day, more blood work discovered very low potassium. I take a prescription diuretic, which depletes potassium, and was supposed to be eating a banana a day. In the hosp., I was receiving small amount of potassium in IV drip, but the doctor decided to give an IV bolus in addition. After that came down the tube, my hand was in excruciating pain. Wow! Also, the numbness returned to both arms *and* my face. My leg muscles locked down. My left arm (*not* the IV arm) turned rigid and unmovable. The nurse commented she could not open my fingers. My whole body jerked and shook for 20 minutes. Chalk it up to poor administration of potassium, though they did not admit to it. Scary.

About three months ago I was diagnosed with low potassium and sent to a kidney specialist who diagnosed me with Gitelman's Syndrome. I have struggled since then with low potassium and have been unsuccessful in keeping it above a 2.1. Any suggestions on what to do next? My doctors are stumped and don't know what else to do. I even had a port put in my chest so they could give me four-hour potassium treatments every day on top of taking liquid potassium. The port got infected and sent me into seizures. My temp went to 104.7 and actually burned my face and mouth and my nose. I am at my wit's end and don't know what else to do. It is a daily battle to to function each day.

I too would like to know if drinking too much alcohol (on a daily basis) can lower the potassium levels?

Leg cramps woke me out of a sound sleep. My heart was racing. I have no energy and unusual skin eruptions that blister and hurt. A lady at work told me it sounds like potassium deficiency. I went home drank a lot of water, ate dried fruit and slept pain free. I sweat profusely while i work and walk which explains the depletion of minerals necessary for proper cell function.

Just having spent the night in ICU getting potassium due to my level being at 1.9. I will say that it burns. Hot moist towels helped to ease the pain, but they can mix the potassium to where it is not as harsh. It just takes longer for the IV to run through and I am not sure why they don't run all the potassium at the lower levels, but they kept trying to increase the dose and I just could not adjust. I do feel better and it is interesting how much better the higher K level makes one feel. They let me come home after my level got to 4.1 - the liquid K mixed in with OJ actually tasted good to me which shocked them all but I think I was so low that it was God's way of allowing me to get the much needed potassium. The hospital staff was very understanding over the pain that the IV was causing and tried to make me as comfortable as they could.

I am so curious and hopeful. My husband has suffered what looks like a combination of a stroke and a seizure for years. He becomes vacant in his affect, his speech slurs, his arms tremor upon movement and he cannot walk. He often has diarrhea, does not remember things, has kidney stones, high blood pressure, does not sleep well and was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. He has restless legs. I read some of the symptoms of low potassium. Has anyone out there experienced what he is experiencing? I so want an answer to his health problems.

i'd stay away from the dried fruits for the potassium-lots of compacted sugar, and they spike your insulin right on up! just about everything we eat has sugar in it, even catsup! We're always spiking our insulin, and after time, we develop insulin resistance. we're a nation of pre-diabetics. watch the epidemic come forth.

Yes, i will add to my last post; calcium definitely leaches out potassium! i'm a pop-a-holic from way back! Ceasing pops is another reason i'm not cramping, or having restless legs any more. If you're drinking pops or fruit drinks, water just doesn't taste good anymore. You have to give it all up, to be able to like to drink enough water to hydrate yourself. We're a nation of dehydrated people. When you're dehydrated, your body loses its sense of thirst. Your only symptom is a dry mouth in the morning. Also, if i allow pops back into my life, then, again, water doesn't taste good anymore, and i get back pain/strain. i wake up with an aching lower back. i unload the disks in my back by simply lying down on my stomach, propping myself up with my elbows, hands out, palms down, for just a few minutes, and then my back's ok, and i get back to hydrating myself again. if you have lower back pain, it's an amazing healing process. i found i was walking the wrong way all my life, which caused my back pain. But if i'm on my feet a lot, especially bending over cooking a lot, sometimes i'll have to unload my discs several times a day. it's quite an amazing process!

lots of good info here. i found through jillian michaels book (the biggest loser coach) that we need 4.7g potassium. i was floored finding you'd need to eat like 4 cups of raisins, or 11 bananas, or 6 cups of spinach! Then, i discovered food manufacturers aren't required to list potassium on their labels, although it is becoming a selling point. This article showed me it is in beef, chicken, salmon, and a lot of fruits and veges. Since i started eating healthier, i haven't had a cramp, or restless legs. i was worried, but now i am not.

There have been new studies that show that large amounts of caffeine can also lead to potassium deficiency. So far there isn't too much data on long term use of caffeine at lower amounts, but I think there is a connection as well. I recently quit drinking cola because I was having muscle fatigue, weakness, and heart palpitations. Just an idea for those who are deficient and don't know why.

Why are you not answering these questions and posting them in the the question box? eg.anon1193 so is too much potassium not good??? thanks sincerely dave...

After reading this, I'm a little confused. I recently was sent to the hospital after having convulsions, and the doctors never did find any cause. Here's the thing: From my bloodwork, I was told the only thing abnormal with me was that my white blood cell count was a little high, and my potassium levels were low. Now, I drink milk nearly every day, which supposedly is rich in potassium. I also take a daily multivitamin, which contains magnesium. What the heck could be causing a deficiency if I eat potassium rich foods every single day?

Can drinking too much alcohol (on a daily basis) lower the potassium levels?

my neck and arms hurt alot. i am on potassium but i still feel tired and arms ache, i am on blood pressure meds and water pill.

I'm an 18 year old boy, and have potassium deficiency, i always seem to feel tired and weak, like i've got a virus, could this be due to the lack of poatssium in my system? thanks

I am a 16 year old girl and was diagnosed with potassium deficiency, I get severe random leg cramps. They last 15 to 30 minutes and occasionally I lose complete feeling in them. Doctor said to eat potassium rich foods, which generally works... it is both scary and painful otherwise. People tend to laugh it off but don't doubt the seriousness of this condition - I was horseback riding and my left calf seized, causing me to nearly get killed.

It seems really hard to find supplements/vitamins/foods with enough Potassium in them. Bananas and yogurt, but even Potassium vitamins don't have much.

I'm a 29 year old male and last Sunday woke to no feelings in my leg. Was rushed to the hospital to an IV of Potassium - this was a a very very painful 2 hours.

Since then, after many blood tests, later my doctors are clueless on why it went dangerously low?!?

I am going back again to the hospital next week for further tests and will update you all then.

Very scared at the moment but I have feelings back in my legs again ( even though they feel really weak!).

Dara

Okay folks - let's get the big question answered - can a lack of potassium kill you and the answer is *yes*.

How, you wonder?

Potassium and magnesium are crucial for cellular conductivity. Become deficient in potassium and most likely your magnesium is off too. Doctors still can't quite grasp the connection between the two minerals but one without the other leads to cellular death. The cells cannot properly function and start losing their cohesiveness. Before your body let's cell death occur it will pillage stores for the missing elements. Have you noticed your muscles getting weaker? That's your body cannibalizing itself and the cells losing their ability to transfer oxygen in and out of themselves.

I am having the symptoms, can it get worse from here?

Yes, yes it can. Your heart is a muscle, the lack of key elements in your blood inhibits normal function. If your heart is becoming stiff and is unable to pump blood the way it should you can die from congestive heart failure or cariogenic shock.

By the way for those who are curious the big three that are most often prescribed together is Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium.

You have a gastric shortening of the bowels, intestines, and/or stomach and you seem to be low on your potassium - what you can do:

This is for all you folks with an olio or gastric bypass. Your biggest danger is diarrhea. As your system flushes out you lose magnesium and as stated before cells need magnesium and potassium. The more dumping you do from your system the faster your become depleted. Take special care during these time to up your magnesium and potassium intakes.

If you have a shortened GI track you will become deficient far sooner then "normal" people. Avoid high fiber at these times, go to a Brat diet - tons of fluids (hydration), soft easily digested foods like bananas, arrow root cookies, saltines, and clear broth. There are diarrhea cures in your pharmacy that can help you to slow down. If you are getting chest pains, muscle cramping, numbness, dizzy spells and dry mouth please head to the doctor's or emergency department - your body is telling you that your are in trouble.

The longer you wait to get help the longer and harder it is to rebuild your body. There are long term consequences for depletion: muscle loss, decreased hearing and visual function, decreased mental recall.

For pregnant women - do not muck about. There are several forms of calcium on the market today: liquids, capsules, tablets that dissolve in water, and chewable. Remember that you aren't the only person being deprived of nutrients your unborn child can suffer long term effects of deficiencies. Go to your local pharmacy or health food shop and look for alternative supplements. Lastly look to change your diet and eat increased amount of foods that contain what you are lacking.

I hope that some of the above was helpful. I am a full time caregiver to my mother who is chronically short on potassium, magnesium and calcium. She has an ilio bypass.

My mother has not been feeling well. She takes 22mg of Potassium which she gets as a prescription. I have potassium which is 99mg. She was told one week by her doctor's office that her potassium was low and she asked if she should increase her dose and was told to eat a banana and drink oj which she already does.

Then a week later was told that the potassium was normal. Her symptoms are exactly as described, she also takes a diuretic and blood pressure medicine. Can you advise?

thank you, hockeymom51

An error above: Club Soda does not contain Quinine. *Tonic* water contains quinine. Club Soda however does often contain potassium sulfate or potassium bicarbonate so it would be good to drink to replete K.

yes too much potassium is bad for you which is called "hyperkalemia" and a deficiency is called "hypokalemia" and both in extreme circumstances are fatal. i see many are suffering a form of deficiency and the best way to combat this is by supplementing the diet with food *not tablets*! the best way to make sure that you acquire the right amounts would be to have and avocado for breakfast around 100g in weight and 250ml of fresh orange juice, also a banana for a 10:00 snack, following this you should more than adequately supplement your daily potassium requirements. those of you that are suffering form hypokalemia consult this with your doctor before to establish whether you are hypo or hyperkaliemic as both symptoms can be very similar. Also have on going blood test to see that this small diet change is doing the trick, just in case there is something else that may be the problem. however in the deficiency cases 90% of the time this does work, and also having a positive outlook into your health will help too.

-i hope this is of help to you-phil

Seeing several of the questions, I thought perhaps I might be able to give some answers. I'm not in the medical field, but rather a patient who's seen many drs and has learned a great deal through my own experiences. (I've dealt only with the low potassium side).

1. q: why does potassium help leg cramps?

a: The body regulates on a balance of potassium of calcium & potassium. If the calcium is too high, lactic acid will build up in the legs causing cramps & pain. try eating more potassium rich foods, and check with your dr.

For twitchy legs, try a splash of club soda. The quinine in the club soda helps calm the muscles and works pretty fast. I'd recommend mixing it with some juice though, unless you like straight club soda. Try a small amount at first, you can always try more later. The key is the quinine.

2. q: is 2.9 a dangerous level for potassium?

a: when I was recently in the hospital, my potassium was 2.1 and I was told that I was at serious risk for future complications. They said they would release me when my potassium was raised to 3.4. (I think they said normal levels are 3.4 to 4.7, but definitely check with your doctor as those levels may only be specific to my body type).

3. q. can high/low potassium numbers be fatal?

a. yes, if the imbalance is great enough it can wreak havoc on your body and you risk the great possibility of multiple organ failure, especially the heart, thereby leading to death. Your Dr can draw blood to check on your potassium levels.

When I was admitted to the hospital, I was having a terrible time breathing normally & by the time I got to the hospital, i was starting to have a paralytic episode. I was given a potassium IV as well as started on antibiotics (due to fever). Yes, the potassium IV hurt!!! They are most likened to putting battery acid in your veins. I had my IV in my hand and the pain radiated up to my elbow. It's the worst pain I've ever felt, but 2 ice packs wrapped around my arm helped make it bearable - so did the fact of knowing it would be over in 2 hours. After the IV was finished, the pain went away within a short while.

Now I have a question - I have a small mass near my parathyroid, and sometimes my potassium levels come back just fine, others not. The Dr's do not know why though - could this mass be contributing to the imbalance?

I'm under recovery from the CO poisoning. After the incident my lower body is very weak especially my right leg. Someone told me to take some Potassium and dehydration salt. Will it help? I need a fast recovery but not immediate because i need to take a flight soon?

I am 2 1/2 months pregnant with my 3rd child. I was in the ER about 2 weeks ago with chest pain, vomiting and weakness. I was told my potassium was very very low and I was at risk of Heart and kidney failure. They tried to give me potassium through IV but my veins hurt so much that I couldn't handle it, I was given oral potassium to take 3 times a day for 3 days. I can't stomach them so I have not taken them. In the past couple days I have increased pain in my heart, kidneys, liver and belly. I am also very tired and horribly weak.... I have an appointment in 2 days to see what can be done, but does anyone know if Potassium Deficiency can ultimately kill you???

my mother has been to the ER twice in the last month for chest pains and been told both times that it was a potassium deficiency. She is 66 yrs. old. Is this normal for this age? She has asthma real bad and takes several meds. on a daily basis for this. She has been under a dr.'s care for as long as I can remember for different health problems. She is raising a great grandchild who is 4 and has 2 grandchildren who live in the home along with a 1 yr. old that one of the grandkids brought back with them. I am concerned that she is headed for a heart attack. I have investigated enough to know that if a woman is experiencing a heart attack that the symptoms can be very different than a man.

One month following surgery for colon cancer, during which 13 inches of my colon and 9 inches of my small intestine were removed, I suffered a case of hypokalemia, or potassium deficiency. It was caused by excessive diarrhea, which I was told I would have, but the doctors never warned me that hypokalemia could be a result. Actually, I thought I was either experiencing symptoms of either an impending stroke or a heart attack. It developed over a matter of days. First, my arms began "going to sleep" when in an elevated position. Later, my legs began going numb when I'd cross them. I didn't think much of it at first, but when my face and scalp went numb, I reported to the nearest emergency room. The ER doc mentioned that the numbness might be caused by a tumor in my brain, which made sense since I had just been cured of one tumor. For two hours after the CT scan of my head, I sat in the ER waiting for the doc to come in and give me the bad news. You can imagine my relief when he told me that the blood work had come back showing that the problem was a low potassium level. For the past two days, I've taken potassium supplements, a medication to slow the diarrhea, and a helluva lot of bananas. I don't mean to make light of the condition. Hypokalemia can have very serious consequences. If you're having any of these symptoms, please see a doctor immediately. Hope yours is better than mine (the jerk).

My mom's lower "eyelid" twitches randomly. Could this be an affect of potassium deficiency?

i am a 28 year old male and i have potassium deficiency. when my potassium drops too low i get muscle paralysis. what i want to know is, is it fatal to take to much potassium?

i am a COPD patient and have been on steroids for 8 years . whatever symptoms i get now are attributed to steroid use . Are the following caused by long term steroids use ? and can i do or take anything to help the situation

1 half cramps on the hand near the fingers

2 restlessness on the lower feet when i lie down

3 i am 58 yrs old but my skin has started to look aged alarmingly, and bruises at the slightest contact.

Hi I am an herbalist and Certified Natural Health Professional, and have a client that has several night cramps in her legs after she has an alcoholic drink, we have tried Magnesium, only a little helpful, she can't take Calcium, and Potassium seems to be the one that helps the most. I don't understand why the Potassium would be the most helpful. And how much should she take.

Renee

To Anonymous: Yes, Leg cramps can be caused by potassium deficiency. But it can happen because of other minerals deficiency too. So it's quite hard to tell.

can having a potassium deficiency be fatal?

Is a potassium level of 2.9 dangerous?

I have blood vessels break in my fingers approx every 6 - 8 weeks. Could this be a result of not enough potassium? I had my blood checked recently and my potassium & protein levels were low.

I did a bit of research, and sources on the web cite anything between 4700 milligrams and 2500 milligrams per day. As the article says, there's no specified amount though.

What should be the daily intake of potassium?

I get a tremendous amount of leg cramps, particularly while sleeping. Can this be caused by a deficiency in potassium?

is too much potassium harmful?