If you are a friend of mine on Facebook then you will be privy to my status about my calf pain. I woke up Friday morning with my calf hurting, not cramping. My calf muscle felt strained and my first thought “oh crap not another symptom, ugh!”  Then I had a couple of people suggest that it might be that I am low in potassium. I thought, okay I will do some research and see what foods are good sources for me to use for potassium.

On WebMD, a site that many of my doctors recommend I looked up potassium and what foods I should eat. I found out that my steroids deplete my system of potassium in order to do their job for other areas of my body. I did not know this, so I was happy to read this bit of information. I wish the doctor would have said this to me when I started taking my Prednisone and Solumedrol.

From the list of foods high in potassium I eat quite a few of them. The list includes: (I am getting my information from WebMD)

White beans

Potatoes

Cantaloupe

Bananas

Fish

Lentils

Pistachios

Raisons

Tuna

There are many more, but these are just the basics. I have come to the conclusion since I eat a lot of beans and lentils, which I just may have to add a supplement of potassium to my pill collection. I am thankful it is not another symptom of my Vasculitis, but I am disappointed that I will have to add another pill to my list of medications I need to take for my body. Though, potassium has no side effects like my steroids do, but still another thing to have to remember. I get so frustrated, but I also know that if I don’t take care of my body I will pay for it later on.

I wonder if others who have an autoimmune or Vasculitis disease have this issue with potassium. I know we all have issues with Vitamin D and I am taking a supplement that helps my body maintain my levels.

All I know is that balance is important to me and it takes a lot of diligent work. And this is one more step towards that balance of health I am wanting. Here is to potassium. Are you getting enough?