can anyone recommend a potassium supplement?

[lola1956]

Bad cramp in feet and hands sometimes it’s too difficult to even drive , can anyone recommend potassium supplements? I already take magnesium supplements… thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

A banana every day might help

[lola1956 in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you banana is not helping as I believe you need to eat at least ten a day to be of any significance

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Coconut water is good for potassium. Cheaper to buy from Aldi or similar. Shop around for best price.

[lola1956 in reply to Jaydee1507]

I was thinking more of a supplement but thank you I will get this

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to lola1956]

Potassium is a tricky vitamin in that it's not recommended to supplement unless you have a proven deficiency and then it can be prescribed by a doctor. The best way to 'supplement' therefore is with potassium rich foods.

[SmallBlueThing in reply to Jaydee1507]

For the same weight, it has less potassium than banana or broccoli, and not much more than tomato and orange.

[humanbean]

You might find this blog post from Dr Malcolm Kendrick of use. Read the comments too :

drmalcolmkendrick.org/2013/...

[lola1956 in reply to humanbean]

thank you

[SmallBlueThing]

Have you been tested? Calcium level OK?

[lola1956 in reply to SmallBlueThing]

I haven’t been tested recently no

[CoeliacMum1]

My mum had to have potassium supplement in hospital in late summer and was very sick indeed with them, not only unpleasant to take it made her sick (defeating the object obviously), it was a tablet or powder dissolved and drunk she tried the kinder version too but was the same.

If something is depleting your potassium to the extreme that you need supplements, I’d nip to your GP and get checked out, and if on other known medication that depletes potassium (BP meds) and of course diuretics, you should be monitored.

Drinking copious amounts of water can flush potassium out by going to the toilet a lot, via urine. Other things like vomiting and digestive disorders can be a cause possibly dieting.

My mum (in her 80s) was very deficient due to kidney and heart problems and has now maintained her potassium level with just food so it can be done, many food items have potassium in, my mum did have banana a day but also orange potatoes and dried apricots, yoghurt, but there’s so many foods with potassium it soon adds up throughout the day. We cut back on her sodium a bit to help potassium levels.

[lola1956 in reply to CoeliacMum1]

I have IBS I wonder if that’s the problem it’s just that my cramps are very debilitating now that I felt a supplement may help

[CoeliacMum1 in reply to lola1956]

I couldn’t say re IBS, but it may require a quick blood test just to see if your levels are ok, if you’re hydrated and not on anything to cause cramping.

How do you get on with magnesium supplement with IBS, could you be taking a bit too much?

GPs have recently had to make more face to face appointments… My surgery definitely is abiding and making more appointments… I’d be inclined to tell receptionist you’re experiencing terrible cramps that is impacting day to day duties and need to see a GP or at least offered a call… take it from there, if not offered ask if you can have potassium levels checked, a simple U&E test maybe offered that shows you if your kidney and electrolytes are ok.

[Beads]

When I was in hospital a couple of months ago, they pumped me so full of fluids that my potassium levels dropped. I got given a few days of supplements. Like coeliacmum1’s mum above, it was a large pill, fizzed in water (like berocca). I had no side effects. So they are available. Not sure how you’d monitor, but get the doc involved coz it might be a kidney issue and may affect how your heart beats.

[lola1956 in reply to Beads]

I may have to contact the doctor but it’s very difficult right now to be seen or even get a phone appointment

[Beads in reply to lola1956]

Our doc has an online form we can ask questions via, generally if it’s something that needs discussion the receptionist will ring us to book an appointment.

Or can you get an appointment with the practice nurse? Get to the doc via that shortcut?

[lola1956 in reply to Beads]

I’ve tried but my surgery doesn’t have these things

[Beads]

Quick google…..

webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-1156...

bestproductsreviews.co.uk/p...

[Batty1]

Have you seen a doctor about the cramping because other health condition and some medication can cause muscle cramping.

[lola1956 in reply to Batty1]

it’s nigh on impossible to see my doctor right now but thank you

[Yostie]

Health Leads UK sell as powder and capsules. I use it in my Vit C C drink. Had no side effects and mild taste. healthleadsuk.com/potassium...

[lola1956 in reply to Yostie]

thank you for your recommendation I will try this one