low potassium, REALLY tired
 

hi folks,
I have been on meds for about 6weeks for high blood pressure (water pill) and started Atkins same time. Had blood work other day and my Potassium level is REALLY low! My GP wants me to eat a Banana and an orange for potassium. I told her no I didn't really want to...I am sticking to about 20-25 carbs a day.Any suggestions? I am REALLY tired.
help! :cry:

Suppliment

Go to walmart and pick up a bottle of pottassium. Take 2 pills after each meal.

Other good sources of pottasium include meat, spinich, avacado, and othe rLC ok veggies. Make sure to eat your veggies missy :)

Thanks Lady Belle, I will definately go to WALMART and get the supplement! I am eating TONS of meat and veggies but I don't like avocados or spinach...any other suggestions....I think Broccoli is good, which I do really like...I was thinking of trying maybe half an orange but I hate to break ketosis as I am doin so good and I have a lot to lose.....will low Pottassium make you tired?
I didn't want to ask my doc too many questions...she does NOT believe in Atkins and was pissed off at me :cry:

I would say to stay away from the Orange... I would love to eat oranges.. but i can't... i crave OJ like you wouldn't believe... I would say try the suppliments... and if that doesn't work.. then concider it...

Good luck... hope you get some energy soon...
*** Rachelle sends energy fairy to MaggieB***

Along with pottassium get calcium and magnesium.

Also tak ea good multivatamin that doesn't contain sugar or starches. I like Twin Labs one a day. You can get them with or without iron. Ifyou eat alot of red meat, you probably want the iron free. I don't get enough iron in diet, so I use the ones with iron. Be careful of the one a day weight smart, those so have sugar.

Read through the suppliment forum on this board for other suggestions so you can taylor a suppliment plan for what you need.

I regularly take suppliments. I had blood work odne a few months ago and all my blood levels were fine for potassium, calcium and so on.

If you have any preexisting heart, kidney, or other issues, be careful about suppliments though and get medical advice.

Thanks!
 

Thanks for all your advice...I will review my supplements! I had looked at what I was taking yesterday and was dismayed to realize my multi had iron ( I eat enough red meat!) I have ordered the Atkins Basic #3 which sounds good and I am taking extra cal and mag. I am going right now to get Potassium...
Thanks again all...this board is great and you people are wonderful!!!
:dazzle:

I would talk to my doctor again. I take a water pill for high blood pressure (Atenolol) too and just happened to mention taking potassium as a supplement to my doctor. He told me not to take it because with my particular medication I could get a build up of potassium and it could be very dangerous. My doctor is very pro-Atkins so I know its not just him being critical of the WOE. Just make sure your medication wont react adversly with the supplement. Good luck to you.

Cramp prevention
 

Potassium/calcium/magnesium not only can help to fight fatigue, but to prevent very nasty cramps in your legs, during, after exercise or even in the middle of the night...

kmmer, you are absolutely right, it is always prudent to discuss your supplements with your doctor/pharmacist to prevent adverse reaction to/from other medications.

My Doc
 

My Doctor just called me after reviewing my tests again and has switched my BP med to a potassium sparing one! I don't know why she didn't just do that the other day....she must have been in a bad mood! Anyway she said she respected my WOE and this med should alleviate my potassium loss! The only reason she said she didn't like Atkins was most people she knew on it went off the "DIET" after about four months...I said most people on ANY diet go off it after four months...this is NOT a diet for me it is my new WOL :yay:

I take potassium supplements, without them I am exhausted. It really makes a differance with them. I take 3 tablets daily as instructed. I always reserve a dose for the evening, right after dinner because it seems to kick start my morning.

Black57

Black 57 How much?
 

potassium do you take? it is nice ti hear someone else who is tired!
tHANKS

I take three 550mg tablets daily as reccommended on the instructions.It is potassium gluconate by Nature Made. I have always been tired and I think this is why.

I have a bottle of the Spring Valley Potassium 99mg. It states to only take one pill daily? Does anyone else take these and if so how many? I have also been really tired lately.

I take the Spring Valley. I do 2 pills after each meal 3 times a day.

Also add the broccoli, spinich, avacado and what not into your diet. I think some meats like lamb are naturally high in potassium too. You'll have to look up which ones are.

Thank you LadyBelle. I wasn't sure if it was okay to take more than recommended on the bottle.