Deirdre (Earth Clinic) on 10/15/2020
At least an hour went by without any pain relief (which was a 9 on a scale of 1-10) almost bringing me to tears. I then thought to take a potassium capsule in case it was a severe muscle cramp since I hadn't injured my foot.
30 minutes after taking potassium, the pain started to subside, and an hour later, it was gone, never to return. Strange thing. Never have I had such a searing muscle cramp on my foot before! Glad I had potassium tablets on hand and that it worked.
Between this and my sudden tooth nerve sensitivity issue this summer that was also cured with just one potassium supplement in one hour, I knew I had to write an article for Earth Clinic and send it out in a newsletter. Please check out today's featured article at the top of our new hypokalemia (low potassium) page if you haven't seen it yet.
I think it's imperative for people to learn what symptoms can be brought on by a potassium deficiency AND what can cause a rapid loss of potassium (the list is long). Additionally, that eating a banana is not always going to be as effective as taking a potassium tablet even though a banana contains 422 mg. of potassium and a supplement only 99 mg. I ate 2 bananas for 2 days when I had my tooth nerve issue, and they didn't alleviate the nerve pain whatsoever. But a simple and inexpensive potassium tablet cured my symptoms and quickly!
Cost per tablet: About 20 cents.
While researching for today's article, I was perplexed to discover that no medical website recommends potassium supplements, even for short term use. They all warn against it. So I think this is one reason why people hesitate to take potassium supplements unless prescribed by a doctor.
Replied By Michael (New Zealand) on 10/16/2020
My sympathies to you on your latest afflictions! Bit in the wars lately aren't we?
I too, get severe muscle cramps occasionally, almost always when arising in the morning and if I get out of bed in a slightly awkward fashion.
It is usually my right thigh but sometimes my right calf muscles that go into spasm and send me through the ceiling and into the stratosphere. Painful? You could say that!
What I do (if I am able to hobble over to my furniture) is to immediately take a shot of Magnesium Chloride LIQUID in a full glass of water . This will often give relief from further spasms in a hurry. If I don't have access to that remedy, then I can take a dose of plain table salt in a glass of warm water (to dissolve the salt thoroughly).
I have had personal success with both methods.
I know that the latter is risky if one has high blood pressure but "any port in a storm"! Just be careful if you have high BP eh!
Cheers from Down Under, where we have our elections to-morrow. I am betting that a woman will get in!! (Pretty safe bet!! ).
Michael
Replied By Tina (Princeton, NJ) on 10/16/2020
I'm so glad you got relief from intense foot pain and tooth pain. I love potassium! I've been taking it for about six months now. I started with one eighth spoon of potassium citrate in a glass of water to which I added a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and, after three months I've increased the potassium to half a teaspoon. I have it in the morning before coffee and it tastes delicious. The result is no more leg cramps at night and the bonus has been the cold sensitivity in my teeth that had crept up over the years has gone. I can drink cold water or eat ice cream with no problem. You read a lot of scary info on the web about overdoing potassium. If you're cautious and gradually build up your dosage there are only good outcomes.
Replied By GertJr (Madison) on 10/16/2020
Be very careful with potassium. Potassium, magnesium and calcium are critical for muscles to work properly. If you get them out of the proper ratio, you can heart rhythm problems. It concerns me that you say you can gradually increase your potassium without issue. I'm not saying stop taking it, just be careful.
Replied By Cjuan (Asia) on 10/16/2020
You mention potassium tablet but the shops here sell only potassium compounds - in citrate, bicarbonate and chloride forms. Are they all equally good and effective or does one look for just pure potassium and not the compounded form. Thanks.
Replied By Deirdre (Earth Clinic) on 10/17/2020
Hi Cjuan,The two different forms of potassium that I have tried recently, which seem to work equally well, are Potassium Gluconate and Potassium Chloride. Perhaps you can start with a popular brand from your health food store and see how it makes you feel.
Best, Deirdre