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What Causes Pain With Low Potassium Levels?
Question: Trying to pin point problems I've been having. I've been to the ER a couple of times and found out that I had low Potassium and was dehydrated. I would have shortness of breath and feel like i'm going to pass out. I had my kidney or liver check to see if it wasn't absorbing potassium and just passing it through. Everything came out good. Before all this happened I did have an EKG done on me at my doctors office and they said my heart rhythm was a little off, but not bad enough to be worried about. But all and all, doctors think I have anxiety. Since I just went through a custody battle for my daughter. But I've never felt this bad, ever. I use to run a mile everyday, but I would go out to eat everyday.
But since all these tests. I've had a sharp pain on my right side, just below my chest, that comes and goes. I've had my knee's just collapse at times. My hands have been shaking like I'm a diabetic off and on. My blood sugar has been at a 106. I still get shortness of breath randomly and had joint pain recently, but went away. Had a few episodes when I was crouched down and got up and was light headed for awhile and got shortness of breath.
But since all these tests. I've had a sharp pain on my right side, just below my chest, that comes and goes. I've had my knee's just collapse at times. My hands have been shaking like I'm a diabetic off and on. My blood sugar has been at a 106. I still get shortness of breath randomly and had joint pain recently, but went away. Had a few episodes when I was crouched down and got up and was light headed for awhile and got shortness of breath.
Brief Answer:
Anxiety strong contender...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I went through your post couple of times with diligence. It would have been good if you had specified what kind of help you are looking for from this forum. We could have discussed on those grounds. Presuming you are looking for a second opinion there are few issues that you may want to discuss with your doctors.
1. A low potassium level (hypokalemia) can cause heart rhythm abnormalities which can lead to breathing problems. Since the EKG was performed before you apparently noticed first symptoms, it might be a good option to repeat it. Or perhaps ask your doctor if a holter / event monitoring is worthwhile. An echocardiogram may also be performed to look into the structures of heart.
2. Hypokalemia can sometimes be recurring in nature. Beside renal studies, a thyroid function are also evaluated in such cases. Talk to your GP about it.
3. Episodes of lightheadedness as you get up is explained by posture related blood pressure and heart rate changes. If dizzy episodes are very frequent, a tilt table evaluation of BP and heart rate is warranted.
4. Anemia (low hemoblobin) can cause joint pains, shaking (tremors) and shortness of breathe. I hope your previous doctors have taken this into consideration.
Finally if all the aforementioned medical conditions are ruled out, anxiety can be named as the most likely cause. I will suggest you to try antianxiety treatment for few weeks under your local doctor's care. Discuss about those conditions and anxiety treatment with your doctors.
Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Anxiety strong contender...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I went through your post couple of times with diligence. It would have been good if you had specified what kind of help you are looking for from this forum. We could have discussed on those grounds. Presuming you are looking for a second opinion there are few issues that you may want to discuss with your doctors.
1. A low potassium level (hypokalemia) can cause heart rhythm abnormalities which can lead to breathing problems. Since the EKG was performed before you apparently noticed first symptoms, it might be a good option to repeat it. Or perhaps ask your doctor if a holter / event monitoring is worthwhile. An echocardiogram may also be performed to look into the structures of heart.
2. Hypokalemia can sometimes be recurring in nature. Beside renal studies, a thyroid function are also evaluated in such cases. Talk to your GP about it.
3. Episodes of lightheadedness as you get up is explained by posture related blood pressure and heart rate changes. If dizzy episodes are very frequent, a tilt table evaluation of BP and heart rate is warranted.
4. Anemia (low hemoblobin) can cause joint pains, shaking (tremors) and shortness of breathe. I hope your previous doctors have taken this into consideration.
Finally if all the aforementioned medical conditions are ruled out, anxiety can be named as the most likely cause. I will suggest you to try antianxiety treatment for few weeks under your local doctor's care. Discuss about those conditions and anxiety treatment with your doctors.
Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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