First off, I do not have high BP, no swelling at all, but am now taking this med to get rid of some elevated potassium in my bloodwork. My problem with this is taking this causes my kidneys to hurt! I also feel a little wiped out from all the peeing. Is that a usual thing, and nothing to be concerned with? Any opinions on what if anything I should do about it? Or will it subside or go away once I have been on it for a few days? This is only my 2nd day taking it.
TIA
Donna
Last edited by DGO1223; 02-09-2005 at 11:31 AM.
Reason: spelling
You haven't been taking it very long. One of the worst aspects of thiazides is the retention of uric acid, which is brutal on the kidneys.
But 2 days is not likely to cause any kidney stones.
What it MIGHT be is a backache caused by shrinkage of the discs due to less water in them. This might allow something to press on a nerve from a slightly smaller nerve channel.
Perhaps the high concentration of urinary salt is irritating a channel in the kidney?
Peeing is the GOAL of thiazide treatment.
Try drinking some more water to keep the urine dilute.
What's causing your high potassium? The adrenals are often involved and they sit right atop the kidneys!
Donna,
I think a good nephrologist should look you over. the reason I say that is:
Quote:
The kidneys normally excrete excess potassium from the body. Therefore, most cases of hyperkalemia are caused by disorders that reduce the kidneys' ability to excrete potassium. Insufficient kidney function may result from disorders including (but not limited to):
Acute kidney failure
Chronic kidney failure
Lupus nephritis
Transplant rejection of a kidney transplant
Obstructive uropathy
Glomerulonephritis
Those are ALL kidney problems yielding high potassium. THe thiazide is probably just treating a symptom, not usually the best kind of treatment.
The way I see it, it would seem that you would want to increase your intake of sodium and water as long as your BP remains OK. This should also help get rid of potassium. And, it should make the diuretic more tolerable. BTW, the diuretic will increase BUN. I assume your doctor isn't concerned about this.
And, yes, the adrenals could be involved. In fact, this could be a case of hypoaldosteronism. And, this would easily explain your hyperkalemia. But, it doesn't explain the BUN and creatine.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DGO1223
He asked me if I ate lots of bananas or lots of orange juice. I don't eat bananas and only drink about 4 oz. of OJ a day.
What about potatoes? Those are one of the highest sources of potassium. Most people think bananas and oranges. But, potatoes have them beat.
DON'T restrict your potassium foods while taking thiazides...potassium is the MAJOR cation of every cell of the body. It is only present in tiny amounts in the blood stream.
If you restrict it and draw down the intracellular potassium of the body to an appreciable extent, you could wind up in dire straits.
Eat your normal and reasonable amounts of both sodium and potassium while on diuretics (and enjoy the orange juice.)
Maybe you'll find this interesting:
Quote:
HYPERKALEMIA
Hyperkalemia may be caused by ketoacidosis (diabetic coma), myocardial infarction (heart attack), severe burns, kidney failure, fasting, bulimia nervosa, gastrointestinal bleeding, adrenal insufficiency, or Addison's disease. Diuretic drugs, cyclosporin, lithium, heparin, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and trimethoprim can increase serum potassium levels, as can heavy exercise. The condition may also be secondary to hypernatremia (low serum concentrations of sodium). Symptoms may include:
Hyperkalemia may be caused by ketoacidosis (diabetic coma), myocardial infarction (heart attack), severe burns, kidney failure, fasting, bulimia nervosa, gastrointestinal bleeding, adrenal insufficiency, or Addison's disease. Diuretic drugs, cyclosporin, lithium, heparin, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and trimethoprim can increase serum potassium levels, as can heavy exercise. The condition may also be secondary to hypernatremia (low serum concentrations of sodium). Symptoms may include:
Lenin,
What about ARBs? Can they increase Potassium levels too?
Cass
Yes they can, Cassie, but the effect isn't huge. In fact in those taking both ARB's and thiazides the tendency is STILL for hypokalemia rather than hyper.
An aside, I think you mean hyPOnatremia (low serum sodium.)
Thanks for all your answers! Today is the 3rd. day, and it is much less discomfort today. Maybe I just have to get use to it.
Lenin: I saw a Nephrologist on Mon. He is doing more blood work, I did a 24 hr. urine test as well. Today I had a renal ultrasound. Hopefully I will hear something from his office in a day or two. He did of course already tell me that these elevated tests were not a normal thing, and something we needed to get to the bottom of. He did tell me when he gave me this med., to eat and drink normally as usual.
I DOES bother me that at the bottom of my lab sheet, under DX, he wrote: CRF, which means chronic renal failure. I am just hoping he means that is what is is trying to rule out. But, I am also a realist.
I also found out today when I saw a different Dr. for ongoing bladder pain, that I also have interstitial cystitis to throw in with the mix, which he says is an auto immune disorder, so that fits my scenario already with some other health issues.
For me to not have any blood pressure problems, and visit this forum, I really appreciate all your replies here!
Hydroclorothizide and kidney pain?? 
