I was doing some research this morning and discovered something of extreme interest to those with spinal cord injuries.

I've been having trouble losing my balance, not being able to think clearly, with increased muscle spasms, confusion, memory problems, fatigue, and muscle weakness (things being heavier than they used to).

I found an excerpt from a book on spinal cord injury online that discusses immediately after spinal cord injury our metabolisms change and we become depleted of potassium. This condition continues with time. The doctors do not yet understand specifically how or why this happens.

So be aware of this and make sure you get enough potassium in your diet and take potassium supplements.

Carolyn

Must get those bananas in pretty quick.

Interesting, I had blood tests recently which showed exactly that. I'd to take tablets for a week to the correct the balance. Wonder why??

But not too much. This is what the FSA warns:

You should be able to get all the potassium you need by eating a varied and balanced diet. But if you decide to take potassium supplements it's a good idea not to take too much because this could be harmful.

Taking 3700 mg or less of potassium supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm.

However, older people may be more at risk of harm from potassium. This is because, as we get older, our kidneys may become less able to remove potassium from our blood. Therefore, older people shouldn't have potassium supplements unless on medical advice.

Also in younger folks with any kidney damage or removal of a partial kidney.

Nipper

reverse osmosis filtered water can also cause elecrolyte depletion

but, potassium can be dangerous at the other end of the spectrum, and there is not a whole lot of wiggle room between adequate and excessive levels.
women who take certain oral contraceptives (like Yaz) and people with heart conditions have to be especially careful to not take in too much potassium.

delicate balance -- be in touch with your doctor

Didn't have problems with potassium levels, however sodium dropped first few months after injury. Initially was given salt tabs, which wasn't the correct way to treat it. Eventually was taking Lasix for awhile in acute rehab. Come to find out it was the anti-depressant, Celexa, that they prophylactically started me on in the Trauma Center. Some antidepressants can mess with your sodium levels. Not the only med that can screw with your electrolytes.

Be careful eating too many bananas because they are constipating. 1/2 banana a day should do it. (400 mg of potassium) A baked potatoe with the skin has 600 mg of potassium. Dried apricots are very high in potassium - over 1,000 mg.