My Mother has recently relapsed into deep depression. She has been suffering from depression for many years but had it under control with meds. After Christmas, I noticed her sliding backwards and before I could get her in for a doctor's appointment, she was very low. I took her to the emergency room last night for dehydration and the doctor told us she has a UTI and very low potassium. The Doctor said the low potassium could cause the symptoms of depression. He suggested I put off for a few days starting her on the respiridol the Psyc. prescribed to see if the anitbiotics and potassium bring her back up.. I can't get in touch with her Psyc. because it is through the local Mental Health Center and there is no communication until Monday.
Apparently low potassium levels CAN mimic the symptoms of depression. My Mother walked in my door this morning with her laundry. She had not gotten up off her sofa in a week. She had not changed her clothes or taken a shower. But this morning she felt like getting up and doing her laundry. She ate 2 eggs for breakfast (she hadn't eaten much in a week) and wants to go grocery shopping. She has been hospitalized in the past for depression, even had ECT. She was presenting the same symptoms as when she was at her worst. So…yes. Low potassium levels can present itself as major depression.

what does a person with diabetes do that works out & exercises each day do for dehydration? If I drink alot of water my sodium level drops. I keep a low magnesium , chloride , potassium & sodium level & none of the doctors here will tell me what is causing it & how to prevent it.

If somebody had low levels of potassium from frequent vomiting, and then the vomiting stopped and they ate regularly, how long would it take for thier potassium levels to go back to a normal level? anything to do to help speed the process up? besides bananas and oj and spanich? thanks!

I need to go to the store and get more bottled water because I don’t drink tap water it taste awful. And my kids eat all the fruit I but in 2 days or less. And if they don’t eat it they mash it up and rub it in the floor I don’t know how many times I stepped i mashed bananas. I guess the counter is to low to place things need to put on top of the refrigerator.

So how bad is it to be dehydrated or have low potassium?
oh yeah i forgot to meant i am 34 weeks pregnant.

I did drink 8 ounces of tea today and 12 ounces of coke.
I get dehydrated because I still nurse my son and forget to eat and drink, but my kids drink lots of milk, juice, soda, and bottled water.

My tap water has a lot of chemicals in it that is why it tastes bad!