... experimented with my Dr. using several diuretics to drop water and lower my BP. Bumex helps best. Many of the drugs I was allergic to, giving me hives. The K issue got progressively worse, and now I am taking nearly 100 meq daily. Often I will wake up in the night with leg and back cramps, take more K, then I can get back to sleep. I'm taking so much of it just to stay above 3.5 on the K serum test that I get really uncomforable gas from it. I take it in capsules, can't swallow the tablets, too bitter. Tried taking the tablets of K-bicarb fizzies, but my body won't absorb it and I become extremely depleted quite rapidly. The problem is the capsules: Ethex pharmaceuticals was shut down by the FDA for some violation, and now all I can get is the 10 meq capsules (blue) made by Andrx. Don't know why but they are not available everywhere, and are much larger in size than the Ethex ones were. Questions:
1.) Is anyone else out there taking 100 meq daily or am I an exception?
2.) Is there some explanation for being unable to absorb K in the bicarb form?
3.) Is any other pharma-co. making the capsules now beside Andrx? My pharmacist cannot find any.
4.) Bumex was supposed to be K-sparing. Why is this problem getting worse?
Hypokalemia - I'm been hypokalemic for 3 yrs. now. I've had trouble with water retention and have?
- Posted:
- 8 weeks ago by Stinsoneer
- Topics:
- bumex, hypokalemia, prevention of hypokalemia, edema
Responses (1)
Some people can not asorb Vit. K. I remember my mom was one of those. She has to sip the liquid vit K really chilled, tasted nasty but it worked. Sometimes she would have to have it given to her in an IV.
As for the night cramps try quninine tabs by Baxter Pharmaceuticals.Also tonic water works when you have the cramps too.
I found this on Life Clinic web page.
How Much Vitamin K Is Enough?
Women should consume 65 micrograms a day of vitamin K, and men should consume 80 micrograms a day of vitamin K.
Sources of Vitamin K
About half of the vitamin K necessary for good health is supplied by bacteria living in the intestine, but dietary consumption of vitamin K is also important. Good sources of vitamin K include:
Dark, leafy green vegetables such as spinach or kale
Beef liver
Green tea
Cheese
Hope this helps you
Um... thanks but not quite on the mark.... the K in Hypokalemia is the chemical identifier for the mineral Potassium, not Vitamin K. Different stuff.
Yes, I drink lots of tonic water, and have tried the Baxter quinine tablets. Tonic is cheaper and tastes better (with vodka). I do drink green tea and eat veggies, but liver and cheese are out because of cholesterol. I'm also allergic to the cholesterol meds that are all statins, so I control it with a strict fat free diet.
The quantities of potassium Chloride (KCl) that I take are 100 meq daily, that is, mole equivalents. That is equal to 7.5 million miligram of potassium chloride. That means I pop ten large capsules daily, and still suffer.