Kristine,

Cut you dosage down? Was that their only order? Did they give you potassium supplements to take, too?

While you were in the ER - Did they give you an IV? If it had potassium in it the IV would have hurt. Or did they give you something really nasty to drink? Did you get a copy of your chart notes to give your doctor?

I don't know about general symptoms. Everybody is different, I bet. The reason your doctor sent you to the ER, if you were in acidosis, is because of the possibility of cardiac arrest.

When I'm in acidosis I'm always exhausted and can't do much of anything. My muscles are really weak and I feel like I've been hit by a truck. My stomach hurts and I get severe diarrhea. I end up with severe dehydration on top of it. I'm in acidosis all the time, usually mild. Sometimes severe.

It just stinks that you are going through what you are going trough. Go back to see your doctor asap, and ask their office to get a copy of the ER records.

I forgot - I can't catch my breath. Went to Dr. today and after walking less than 50 feet from the car I thought I was going to pass out. Literally. This is getting old. Not sure if it's from the acidosis or what.

Sea,

I hear you completely about the out of breath thing getting old quick, even walking at a slow to normal pace does it. However, right now I am still having trouble sitting up and walking to the bathroom without feeling like I'm gonna fall over.

I will say that while my potassium was a little lower than it had been, it was still in the "normal" range. It was the other chemicals that were out of whack that lead them to the acidosis diagnosis.

When I went back to the dr he wants me to stay at the lower dose of Diamox. My concern is at 2,000 mg my pressure was still borderline high and I was having visual problems. What does this mean at a lower dose?

Thanks again,
Kristena

Lordy, I wish I knew what it all means. I have a nephrologist (kidney doctor) managing the balance between my acetazolamide dose, my level of acidosis, and kidney stones. Yesterday in my appointment he recommended I reduce my acet. dosage by 1/3. I feel absoultely grim about that but I'm going to try it. Just reduce it down really slowly.

The body adapts to acidosis. I forget the word he used. But that process is hard on the body. Like breathing. Short of breath is because the lungs are blowing off CO2 in order to make the body more alkaline. Even though my CO2 is only 15, my potassium is barely okay and my ph is okay though on the low end. I guess my body has done it's job and adapted. But the adapting is making me feel horrible. My chloride is way up. I don't get that either. Here. I'll give you the whole list:

BP 92/65
heart rate 98

ARTERIAL BLOOD TESTS
ph 7.37 (normal range 7.35-7.45)
pco2 31.0 (32-48)
po2 106.0 (83-108)
hco3 18.0 (21-29)

ooops. pressed the wrong biutton.

base deficeit 7 (

Metabolic Acidiosis is a condition where your CO2 (carbon Dioxide) levels are too low and probably would not cause the headace pain you describe. Acidosis usually means 1 of 3 things -your kidneys are not flushing toxins out the way they should, a med is interfering with the function of your kidneys (thanks Daimox-you rule!) or you hyperventilate often.

As was said, getting potassium is needed and if your CO2 levels are really low Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) is RX'd to restore the body's PH Balance.

Usually a full electrolyte panel is done along with testing your CO2 levels and they take a blood sample from an artery-NOT a vein. I am assuming the hospital checked your entire electrolyte panel, but they may not have checked you arterial blood gas level.

Regardless, if you had a severe case of acidosis you would have never left that hospital. CO2 is something your Dr will always evaluate now and if your levels don't level off, or they decrease, you may be changed to another diuretic called Lasix.

Just so you know, due to another medical condition I have been on a state of mild acidosis for 2 years. Drink tons of water, maybe some Gatorade, remember Diamox drains fluids, but you still have to stay very hydrated.

Here is a link from a reliable Lab Test site that can give you more insight into acidosis.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000335.htm

SeaSprite,
It is the lack of potassium that can cause heart faliure, not acidosis. Your severe diahrreah, would cause your gatigue and dehydration and that would put you into a state of metabolic acidois. Your breathing problems are also typical of acidosis. All I can suggest is drink more fluids than you have been. Diamox does not play fair, and it is draining your body of fluids as it should, but it takes electrolytes with it (Diamox is a thief!) so constantly hydrate!

When you have your next blood draw ask if they will be checking your CO2 levels. Being slightly out of range (like me) is not harmful but a considerable drop requires sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and generally a change from Diamox to Lasix.

(hope for Lasix! It is so much less harsh on the body)

:) Best, LuL

Hi again :)

Here is a link to Lab Tests on line. It is a free service provided by the hospital I go to.
You can submit a question and a Lab Specialist will email you back. It may take a week or so, but you do get an answer and it should clear up lots of stuff about CO2 levels. If you send in a question, post the results!

http://labtestsonline.org/comments/

OK, 3 posts in a row is a little much, but I gave you the wrong link.
Here is the correct one

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/bun/tab/ask

Yes lack if potassium caused my bff heart attack. It actually causes SVT and can damage heart and electrical rhythms causing tachy and arrhythmia.
Hers came from potassium sparing hbp meds, and anti depressant, she got a uti then dehydrated and bam svt/heart attack.

Some of my current problems are acidosis from diamox, some aren't. My extreme fatigue, heart skipping around and breathing problems my doc thinks are something else. He's still reducing my dose.

thanks for the question link. it's great!

You're welcome SeaSprite! I ask the Lab questions all the time!
Like I said it may take a week to 10 days to get a response because the people who answer really are people working in labs, but I have never not gotten a reply.

I hope you get a reply to all of your questions as well :)