Low Potassium

I contracted a very bad virus approximately 3 wks ago.  Though most of the symptoms have subsided, I had very bad vertigo.  The dizziness is still very prominent and I am having heart palpitations.  In seeking medical care for this it was determined that I had potassium levels of 2.7.  I have been to the ER twice and each time have been given 1 bag of potassium.  The palpitations stop and the dizziness diminishes however, the following day the symptoms are back.  All blood tests have come back normal, I have no history of kidney disease, no other diseases such as Cushings, Fanconi's, etc.  I was given potassium pills which I have been taking, but the potassium levels continue to fall.  The magnesium levels were checked and were fine.  I do not believe that all of the virus is out of my system as bowel movements remain green in color and I continue to sweat a lot while sleeping.  What could be causing the continued drop in my potassium levels?

[debnevada]

do you have hepatitis?

[debnevada]

Do you take any medications for high blood pressure?

[TravelMom]

low levels of potassium are from some sort of dehydration....excessive vomiting, diarrhea, laxative or diuretic use, etc...if you had a virus and had vomiting that could be the main reason...eat plenty of bananas and OJ until your levels return to normal...if this is from the virus, they should return to normal fairly quickly..good luck.  Jodi

[alagirl]

definitely you'll have dizziness and heart palpitations when your potassium is too low.  It happens to me sometimes if I don't take enough potassium since I'm on a diuretic for my blood pressure.  I have no idea why yours is falling though, you need to see an internal medicine doc or possibly an endocrinologist.

[vtx1300]

Yea I think I had the same problem once, with me it was from the morning sickness I was having when I was on some heavy duty antibiotics. I went to the ER three times in the course of  45 days and they would hydrate me and give me a bag of pills. The treatments are easy but left untreated can be very dangerous. Just keep you Doctor advised of your progress or the lack of thereof.

Good luck

[primitivejan]

I too have hep c virus and very low potassium with major muscle cramps and dizziness with heart palpations. I too am taking potassium supplements but see no difference. My Hep C is at a very late stage with cirrhosis of the liver.  I used to work in the ER and have also had several transfusions so I don't know how I got the virus. I have been though 4 treatments and am now know as a non responder so I can no longer receive any further treatments. I would love to hear what others can offer for advise. I can deal with the dizziness but the muscle cramps are debilitating and last for days.I can't eat bananas but I do eat a lot of oranges.
Jan

[Bill1954]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear of your troubles. You’ve added to an old post in here; if you like, you can repost in a new thread by going to the top of this page and clicking on the green ‘post a question’ button.

Good luck-

--Bill