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Potassium Troubles and Crohn's

hersheywinter

hersheywinter

So after switching GI's and going with the original Crohn's diagnosis I've had for almost 20 years :rof: I am finally going to get humira prescribed to me...but am not in that waiting for insurance approval phase.

In the meantime, I have had two lengthy week=long hospital stays because my potassium has been at 2.5 or lower. This week, a week out of the hospital and taking 60 mg. of potassium daily my potassium has dropped from 3.7 in the hospital, to 3.5, to 3.3, 3.0 and now 3.1. I am now taking (as of today) 160 mg of potassium per day to get me through the weekend to see if that keeps me stable as nothing is getting it up to normal. This flare up has continued to drop my weight at about a 1 pound/2 every other day. Total weight loss this time 50 pounds...almost to high school weight haha.

I don't think my doctor wants to readmit me yet but man that's 8 of those horse pills. Thanks for listening. I am hoping medication will bring me some relief.

Good luck everyone...Jennifer
 
L

lisadc1

Hi there. Crohns affects my potassium as well. I currently take 10 MeQ , twice a day to keep mine at 3.5. it also drops down to 2.7. I have had to take large doses as well as by IV. For a while I had the weight loss, but all those meds mine has gone back up and then some, unfortunately. I am also on the waiting game for my Humira. I have mine in the fridge, just impatiently waiting on the nurse. Sorry to hear about you hospital stays.

Good luck to you as well!

Lisa
 
Johnnysmom

Johnnysmom

Prednisone can effect potassium levels, are you on Prednisone?

Good old fashion banana's help too.

Hope you are feeling better soon:)
 
LodgeLady

LodgeLady

In Jan my potassium was really low, found this out after getting hospitalized. How long after you stop prednisone does it not affect your potassium level? I was on it for 4 months, off one month before hospitalized. Can Humira affect your potassium level?
 
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lisadc1

Lodgelady,, are you taking potassium? I hope it doesn't affect it. I am not sure about that, will be a question I will be asking my GI when I go on Thursday.
 
LodgeLady

LodgeLady

lisadc1 said:
Lodgelady,, are you taking potassium? I hope it doesn't affect it. I am not sure about that, will be a question I will be asking my GI when I go on Thursday.
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No I have not taken potassium, despite many courses of prednisone. I'm currently on Entocort. Would that too affect my potassium level. I have stopped Humira since February now.
 
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lisadc1

Not sure, I have been on Entocort for almost 9 months and my levels still fluctuate even with the taking potassium 2x daily. I guess it depends on the body's ability to absorb. I have crohns in the Jejunum which is where absorption of nutrients takes place. Other absorption issues as well. I would definitely as your GP or GI. I am surprised they don't have you on a daily regimen to regulate it better.
 
LodgeLady

LodgeLady

lisadc1 said:
Not sure, I have been on Entocort for almost 9 months and my levels still fluctuate even with the taking potassium 2x daily. I guess it depends on the body's ability to absorb. I have crohns in the Jejunum which is where absorption of nutrients takes place. Other absorption issues as well. I would definitely as your GP or GI. I am surprised they don't have you on a daily regimen to regulate it better.
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I see a specialist in 9 days. I'll definitely be bringing it up . Thanks :)
 
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