Water pills - anyone have experience???

[rajenki]

I've had a spinal cord injury for the last 6 years which affects major muscle groups in my legs. Because the muscles don't function properly, water pools in my legs throughout the day. I've dealt with this through the years by taking hydrocholorothiazide (a water pill that I'm sure that's spelled wrong) once a day in the mornings.

I know that the Atkins diet is a natural diuretic and had planned on discontinuing the medication. I stopped on monday...but the problem is that I'm swelling up like CRAZY now. My weight is actually going up terribly because of this. It's not helping that the weather was blissfully hot today, which increases my swelling even when I'm on water pills.

So the question is...if I restart my water pill regimine (at this point, I see no choice but to take it in the morning...I'm starting to get muscle aches due to the retention)...when should I stop exactly? Does anyone have experience here? I don't take a high enough dose to "taper" off...but I know that eventually I shouldn't need it anymore. I'm not sure what to do here.

If it helps any...I am taking perscription potassium supplements. I continued taking them over the last 4 days...so that part should be ok.

I would appreciate any guidance if there happens to be others on here that continued their water pills for a while or even if you are still on them now.

Thanks!
Becki

[Creek]

Hi Becki! I've taken the medication that you are using and simultaneously lost weight on the Atkins program. I needed it because when I'm on my feet for long periods of time. the capillaries in my ankles fill with water and my ankles would just burn.

I think the most important thing is that you talk with your doctor before you stop using any medication. You will need to take special precautions to prevent dehydration (there is a blood test to detect it).

Please talk to your doctor about your specific medical needs, and good luck on the program.

[rajenki]

I need to bring this back up again...I'm so frustrated right now!

I think I'm experiencing a potassium issue due to still being on the water pill. I'm extremely fatigued (I'm on day 2 of week 3), the muscles in my legs are extremely weak to the point I'm having a difficult time ambulating (more than my usual from my spinal cord injury), I have a sore quadricep for what seems like no reason and limbs are periodically falling asleep for no apparent reason.

I called the doc and am going in for a blood draw...so that's fine.

My frustration is that EVERYONE is saying I need to stop Atkins because of this...and when I try to explain to them that I know it has to do with my water pill COMBINED with Atkins...they don't want to hear it! To them...Atkins is evil and it's causing my problems! UGH!

I know I need to come off the water pill and this situation might resolve...but I'm scared to because when I did that two weeks ago, I gained 5 pounds of water in one day! I just want some doctors guidance on how to proceed...not advice to "go back to Weight Watchers" or to "see a nutritionist". Dude...I've been fat since birth...don't you think I've done all that? Criminy...I've done it in the last YEAR alone. This works...this works without causing these kinds of issues...I just need to get off this dang water pill or something! Freakin Weight Watchers isn't the answer!

End rant!

Edited to add that I can't see my cardiologist till the 16th of June...but at least I get to have the blood test today.

[TheDogAteMyName]

You are right...it's Atkins combined with the water pill. Atkins is a strong diuretic alone and combined with the water pill - it's huge. My mom has a potassium disorder (Barter's Syndrome) where she needs to take large doses of potassium in order to stay alive. If she were to do Atkins she would surely need to up her dosage. I know that this is a different situation, but would the doctor's be willing to talk about potassium supplements if water pills are necessary?

[rajenki]

I'm already on potassium supplements...I personally believe I either need to go off the pill (hoping that 3 weeks in my body is maybe ready???) or increase the potassium dosage. When they started me on them, I was on a schedule where I alternate takeing one or two a day, every other day.

I'm sooooo tired these days that I can't exercise. I'm barely able to walk. The grocery store yesterday was a huge challenge for me. I'm extremely irritable and have cried at work TWICE in the last week. Something isn't right. But...the blood has been drawn and I'll know something in the morning. I also had a pregnancy test done...but it was negative. Seemed like a good thing to rule out given the symptoms.

[TheDogAteMyName]

Awww I'm sorry you're feeling this way. My mom told me something awhile back about potassium and magnesium going hand in hand so it could be either of those two or maybe something else entirely. Before we knew anything about her levels she was feeling so out of sorts. There is a slew of reasons you might not be feeling like your normal self, I hope that they get to the bottom of this soon. {{{Hugs}}} Please update us with the test results. Thinking of you in the meantime.

[rajenki]

Doc just called...they are increasing my potassium supplements to 4 times the quantity I was taking before and then will retest next week.

I am looking forward to feeling stronger soon!

[Creek]

I am so happy to hear that your doctor is working with you on this!

Great news! I hope you feel better very soon.

[TheDogAteMyName]

YEAH!!! Glad to get the update...feel better quickly!

[SunnySmile501]

I had a life-long problem with low potassium and I took prescription potassium most of the time. Hydrochlorothiazide is potassium sparing, so it didn't cause me much trouble. I was on it every day when I first started Atkins, but was able to get off it for quite a while. I now have lymphedema due to surgery and have to take it again. The one thing that is different is that with Atkins and eating lots of veggies high in potassium, like spinach and red bell peppers, I am never low on potassium in my every 90 day blood work. I used to eat tons of bananas to keep up my potassium level, but now it's nice and high from eating tasty, Atkins-friendly veggies. I have not taken prescription potassium since I first started Atkins over two years ago. For the first time in my life, I did not need intravenous potassium before my last three surgeries.

If you need to take the fluid pill due to health reasons, please don't worry about taking it while doing Atkins. Just take it until your body adjusts to it's new way of eating and lets go of some excess fluid on it's own and then discuss tapering off with your doctor.

Sunny!