Chronic knee pain from diamox? Suggestions
Hi everyone! I'm new. Desperately seekin answers to side effects, I currently have unbearable knee pain that has been getting progressively worse over the last 3 months. I've been on 750mg's a day of diamox for 6 months.
I used to run marathons, my last was only 9 months ago, at the time I was doing
jump squats, Burpees, running etc. Now, I can't even get out of a chair unassisted. Initially I thought it was my doing, so I seen my physio and chiro
and both of them were slightly perplexed as my knee seems in good form. He was treating me for what he could only sum up a patillar tendonitis. After 2 months of that and zero improvement I strayed researching the side effects and came to realize that diamox might be to blame.
Has anyone had this problem? What did your doctor suggest ? I've considered take potassium and magnesium supp. But don't want to waste money.
I'm honestly in tears over this. I'm a stay at home mom, and in the evenings a full time university student and janitor. I need my legs... And my children need their active mommy back
Please offer suggestions if you have them. Even if you feel they're minuscule.
Thank you!
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DBS
Group Leader•7 years on site•1097 posts
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Are your doctors watching your potassium levels? Diamox and other meds used to treat IH can cause low potassium, and it isn't a good idea to take OTC supplements. Low potassium can cause more than just joint/muscle pain. It can affect your heart and other organs, so it is critical to have your doctor do a blood panel, and if it is low, you need prescription strength treatment.Also, low levels of vitamin D, and being low in B12 can cause some of what you are describing. These too are easily treatable with prescribed supplements.
It is interesting to note that there are many with IH who were also diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Now, whether there is a connection to IH or not, I don't know. And, it could be just the Diamox causing issues.
I know it is frustrating, but if it were me, I would set up an appointment to get your blood checked for the things mentioned above. I take 120 meq of potassium to stay in the normal range, and mine got VERY low before I took action.
In the meantime, you can eat foods high in potassium, such as a baked potato which has 950 mg. Orange juice is good as well, but if your levels are low, it will be difficult to eat enough to get the levels back up.
I hope this helps.
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DBS
Group Leader•7 years on site•1097 posts
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Oh, and Welcome to our group!!  |
Willowacres
New Member•2 years on site•3 posts
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Thank you so much Babby:  Healthcare in My town is exhausting right now, so Seeing any doctor at all will take a while.
It's hard to lose weight when eating high potassium foods, for me anyway. Oh what a tangled web we weave.
Thanks again Babby!
DBS
Group Leader•7 years on site•1097 posts
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If you continue to feel this, or any other body pain, or weird heart rate issues, go to the ER and see if they can do a blood draw. Low potassium is really nothing to mess with. My Mom was just hospitalized for 4 days due to this, and they had to do IV and oral supplements. Not trying to scare you, but it can be very serious.And you are welcome.
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Willowacres
New Member•2 years on site•3 posts
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I was able to have a good visit with my pharmacist and he thinks it might me Uric acid build up in my knees. He thinks this because I took myself off diamox for a few days and my knees were better, but obviously had to go back on because my pressure was building again... He said if it was a potassium problem my knees wouldn't have felt better so fast, which makes him think it's Uric acid. He gave me foods to avoid but I think I'm going to attempt the elimination diet for a few weeks, (weightloss would be a bonus)I'm really wanting to get pregnant in the spring of 2014. My edema on my optic nerve is almost gone, and I fortunately only suffered vision problems and ear pressure from IIH, not many other side effects.
No one has told me what my next step is once my papiliedema is gone... Do they typically take you of the medication at that time?
Thanks feels so good to finally be writing on this site instead of just reading it. I've been reading on this site for months now haha |
DBS
Group Leader•7 years on site•1097 posts
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I'm so glad you talked to someone.Going off of the meds just because your pap is gone is a decision for you and your doctor. I've never had much swelling at all, just at the beginning, but when they tried to take me off of Diamox, my head got much worse. My biggest complaint has always been daily headaches and neck pain, along with the pulsing and wooshing noise in my ears.
Each of us is different, so it depends on how you feel overall. Having your pap reduced could just mean the medicine is doing it's job, and going off could put you at risk of it returning, so if you do go off, it would be important to keep close tabs on your vision, and keeping up with exams.
Much of having IH is managing it, and that can be a full time job. |
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