Had A Bit Of A Shock Yesterday.....

[trt]

My Potassium level has been a bit low the past few months, so my doctor organised a blood test. to be taken every few weeks.

The district nurse came yesterday, took a sample, said result should be ready in a few days.
At 8pm, had a call from a doctor from 111, telling me that it was very low, and maybe I should go into hospital, but a doctor will be coming to see me first, in the next 2 hours.

I was really taken back at the news, and when the Doctor came at 10pm, he thought I should be ok for the night, as long as I take the medication he subscribed for today.

So well done too the great NHS we have, but not appreciated enough.

[Mamyalynne]

That was very prompt attention, hope things go OK.

[queenofmean]

Hope you'll be ok trt.

But well done on them acting quickly

[Sqad]

That's an odd story, to be admitted to hospital because of a low potassium.
Are you on diuretics? That is by far the commonest cause of a low potassium.
Yes....well done NHS.

[Lie-in King]

Yes, I too hope you get the problem sorted quickly & are well again soon.

[trt]

#Are you on diuretics? #

Yes sqad, for swollen ankles, 2 morning, 1 lunch time, but forgot to mention, my doctor from my surgery came at lunchtime, told me to only take one, and prescribed a different one, that dosent affect the Potassium level as much.

I was told that the purpose of being admitted to hospital, was to be kept an eye on, and a drip of some kind.

[Mamyalynne]

The alteration in diuretics should help.

[Sqad]

trt.......yes I understand.

[Barsel]

A similar thing happened to me trt.I got a phone call about 5.30pm one night from my GP telling me my potassium was low and I had to go straight to the chemist where a prescription would be waiting for me. I seem to think that was caused by some medication I was on, although I'm not on diuretics. It's good to know our GP's are sometimes on the ball.

[trt]

# It's good to know our GP's are sometimes on the ball.#

Definitely barsel, and I will be writing to 111 & my Practice manager, to give my thanks, which I wouldn't think they get enough of theses days.

[anneasquith]

Excellent service, hope you get good result from new medication .

[Kaishe48]

I had a similar thing with my late mum who was admitted to the hospital because of low potassium. This was due to the antibiotics she had been prescribed. After half a litre of potassium she was back to her normal self, but they topped up her levels and gave her the litre. She came home in good spirits and stopped the antibiotics, no more problems with it. Amazing what a difference potassium makes. If drs say your levels are low, please do something about it. Her NHS treatment throughout her last 5 years was brilliant, we should not lose this service.