Question about medications!

[kjarels]

Doctors have tried several different medications and so far nothing has worked. I also have two blood clots in my right are that causes me to take warfarin. At the very beginning he simply tried me on hydrochlorothiazide and a potassium pill with no success. I have been on Benicar(40 mg) for about 3 weeks now and it still did not bring my BP down, I finally asked him if I could take the hydrochlorothiazide pill with the Benicar to see if that worked, he agreed but said I had to take the potassium pill too. For a few days I simply took the fluid pill without the potassium pill but made sure I ate a banana or two a day, should I still take the potassium pill too?? Thanks

[zuzu8]

Hi- I would continue to take the potassium supplement as long as you are taking the diuretic until you speak to your physician.

A banana (medium) is a good source of potassium but I'm not sure eating a couple a day will keep your potassium blood levels at optimum numbers while on the diuretic.

This is something to discuss with your doc. He/she may agree with you, and say it's okay not to take the supps "as long as you eat so-and-so...."

So why not make a phonecall?

And by the way, even BETTER sources for potassium per serving, assuming one medium banana is a serving, are:

Half cup apricots (dried or cooked..unsweetened.) Cooked is always better than raw when it comes to potassium sources.

Lima beans, cooked, half cup.

Plantain, green or ripe, boiled, one medium sized one.

Potato, baked or boiled, with skin, one medium. Less potass. without the skin, but still a good source

Carp, catfish, flounder baked or broiled 3 ozs.

Now I know that certain foods interact dangerously with warfarin, and I don't know if any of the above do. Has your doc informed you about food interactions and what to avoid while on Warfarin?

Talk to him......and make sure your potassium levels are monitored with periodic blood tests whichever way you go.

Best,
zuzu xxxx