What could be causing cramps

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Kilowatt - 08 Apr 2005 21:19 GMT

I just started taking Furosemide for fluid. I was also prescribed
Klor-con which is a potassium substitute. I am getting cramps so I
have doubled the Klor-con to 40mg and now I also take 200mg of
Potassium (I didn't ask the doctor) My labs say my potassium count 4.2
and the range is 3.5-5.5

I am told that cramps are caused by a potassium deficiency. How can
this be when my count is well in range?

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REP - 09 Apr 2005 03:06 GMT

> I just started taking Furosemide for fluid. I was also prescribed
> Klor-con which is a potassium substitute. I am getting cramps so I
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> I am told that cramps are caused by a potassium deficiency. How can
> this be when my count is well in range?

What kind of cramps? Leg? Abdominal?

Muscle cramping can be caused by other than potassium deficiency,
including sodium deficiency. Too much potassium is as bad as too little;
do tell your doctor that you've increased your potassium dosage and tell
him/her about your symptoms.

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Kilowatt - 10 Apr 2005 03:47 GMT

> What kind of cramps? Leg? Abdominal?
>
> Muscle cramping can be caused by other than potassium deficiency,
> including sodium deficiency. Too much potassium is as bad as too little;
> do tell your doctor that you've increased your potassium dosage and tell
> him/her about your symptoms.

I get cramps in my abdomen, neck, legs, arms, and hands. They come
mostly in my arms and hands.

I am on a low sodium diet but all my labs show sodium, calcium, and
potassium are in range.

I did ask my doctor for something for cramps and he said he was
concentrating on getting my Lupus under control and acted like he
didn't want to be bothered with something as simple as cramps.

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