Diuretics Advice

[The Messiah]

I know that when using a diuretic such as lasix, you also need to supplement with potassium at the same time, my question is how do you know when to take your diuretic (how many days before show do you start) and how much potassium do you take?

Keep Rawdawging it
Messiah

 

[SAF]

You need to be careful using Lasix. If you use too much, it can leave your muscles looking soft and flat because your potassium and sodium levels will become so low.

Also, low amounts of potassium can lead to irregular heart beat. I've read that you should start administering Lasix at least 5 days before a contest and begin with small doses to see how your body reacts to it.

SAF

 

[The Messiah]

any idea bout how much postassium to supplement with or do you just go by how you look

Messiah

 

[DocTodd]

Unless you want to check your blood work at the lab there is no way to know how much potassium to take. But if your kidneys are good, they will excrete any excess potassium, so it is hard to go overboard.....unless you are taking large amounts of potassium pills. Lasix is a strong diuretic and i dont recommend you taking any. Plus if you have never taken Lasix it is easy to take too much. Bananas have a bunch of potassium and if you absolutely want to take Lasix, eat at least 2 or 3 bananas a day or more. Like i said, your kidneys will protect you from getting too much potassium, but there is no way your body can add potassium to itself. There are safer diuretics and some actually have the opposite effect on potassium. Spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic and thiazides are potassium depleting (like Lasix). Take a tiny bit of both and your potassium should stay level...but eat bananas anyway.

T