Potassium levels and muscle weakness.

[POISrival]

Hello everyone 

I was reading in a Neurology book when I came across a syndrome called " Familial Periodic Paralysis Syndrome ". It's a muscular disease but it has some similarities to POIS. personally I have a lot of muscular problems when I go through a POIS episode (My muscular problems are identical to some guy problems who posted on the naked scientist forum about POIS). Anyways, lets get to the point.

Familial Periodic Paralysis Syndrome attacks the human in the form of muscle weakness due to change in serum potassium( K+)  levels. It's either Hypokalaemic (less than 3mEq/L) or HyperKalaemic (more than 4.5mEq/L).

The hypokalaemic type is interesting. It usually showys up in the 2nd decade (Puberty age). High Carbohydrate meals are a main percipitating factor. Also, It's precipitated by rest after excercise (we reach maximum excitement through orgasm then we rest!). the typical duration is hours to days.

from wikipedia:

attacks often begin in adolescence and are triggered by strenuous exercise followed by rest, high carbohydrate meals, meals with high sodium content, sudden changes in temperature, and even excitement, noise, flashing lights and induced by cold temperatures. Weakness may be mild and limited to certain muscle groups, or more severe full body paralysis. Attacks may last for a few hours or persist for several days. Recovery is usually sudden when it occurs, due to release of potassium from swollen muscles as they recover

[b_jim]

What are your muscular problems : ?
- muscles tremors (fasciculation)
or
-muscles pains/ weakness (myalgias)

We talked about potassium/sodium ratio some years ago. Someone came and said he has a miracle solution for Pois. He used to drink salty water afetr orgasm Of course nobody else had improvement with this

My potassium level out of Pois is about 4.3 [normal : 4 ; 5.2].
Can orgasm influence this ?
93% of 4.3 = 3.99

According to wikipedia, 1 ejaculation = 7% of the daily recommended dose of K (in sperm)

The links with muscles and carbohydrates are interesting. I'm looking for other possible links.

--
Livestrong site says interesting things about potassium, even if it's not a scientific site :
http://www.livestrong.com/article/250246-the-psychological-effects-of-low-potassium/

When deficiencies of potassium occur, you may experience symptoms such as excessive thirst, muscle weakness, constipation, heart palpitations, arrhythmias and dizziness. Surprisingly, low levels of potassium can also affect you psychologically: Mental lethargy, depression, mood swings, psychosis, disorientation and confusion are all examples of mental disorders that can manifest.

Potassium is essential for learning and memorization. If your body is deficient in potassium, you may experience difficulty in focusing, retaining information or completing specific tasks. Mental lethargy or fatigue is generally accompanied by stress and frustration from being unable to perform at a desired level, which in turn can affect your work performance at your job or school. Pay attention to your diet to ensure you are receiving sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals, advises the Better Health USA website in an article titled "Mental Fatigue." A diet consisting of processed and junk foods can lead to low levels of potassium, so make sure you eat a nutritious and balanced diet that contains foods rich in potassium. Bananas, prunes, turkey, beets, spinach and salmon are all high in potassium. The article also suggests partaking in regular exercise to boost oxygen levels to your bloodstream to combat mental fatigue.

From my experience, bananas and salmon are anti-pois food. For bananas, the effect seems light but for salmon it's more important. The dose of K in salmon is unclear and I wonder if Docosahexaenoic acid, which is rich in sperm, is the main factor.


Link with Raynaud and vasoconstriction ?

I will look more next days. But I have two last ideas :
1/ The "meds" for this disease are probably easy to have and safe (only pure potassium dose). Maybe it could be nice to talk about this with a doc.
2/ It seems there are associtions and groups on the internet for this disease. Maybe we could send a mail to ask them if ejaculation affect their state.


edit : if my calculation is good I have found a level of K in sperm of:

mini : 1.87 mg of potassium / 1 ejaculation
maxi : 7.48mg of potassium / 1 ejaculation

compared to 4700mg a day for recommanded dose
and more 400mg in a banana (one of the richest fruit in K)

[phenethylamine]

I've had had all my electrolyte levels tested on numerous occasions while experiencing POIS symtoms.  They always came back normal for me.
.

[POISrival]

What are your muscular problems : ?
- muscles tremors (fasciculation)
or
-muscles pains/ weakness (myalgias)

We talked about potassium/sodium ratio some years ago. Someone came and said he has a miracle solution for Pois. He used to drink salty water afetr orgasm Of course nobody else had improvement with this

My potassium level out of Pois is about 4.3 [normal : 4 ; 5.2].
Can orgasm influence this ?
93% of 4.3 = 3.99

According to wikipedia, 1 ejaculation = 7% of the daily recommended dose of K (in sperm)

The links with muscles and carbohydrates are interesting. I'm looking for other possible links.

--
Livestrong site says interesting things about potassium, even if it's not a scientific site :
http://www.livestrong.com/article/250246-the-psychological-effects-of-low-potassium/

When deficiencies of potassium occur, you may experience symptoms such as excessive thirst, muscle weakness, constipation, heart palpitations, arrhythmias and dizziness. Surprisingly, low levels of potassium can also affect you psychologically: Mental lethargy, depression, mood swings, psychosis, disorientation and confusion are all examples of mental disorders that can manifest.

Potassium is essential for learning and memorization. If your body is deficient in potassium, you may experience difficulty in focusing, retaining information or completing specific tasks. Mental lethargy or fatigue is generally accompanied by stress and frustration from being unable to perform at a desired level, which in turn can affect your work performance at your job or school. Pay attention to your diet to ensure you are receiving sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals, advises the Better Health USA website in an article titled "Mental Fatigue." A diet consisting of processed and junk foods can lead to low levels of potassium, so make sure you eat a nutritious and balanced diet that contains foods rich in potassium. Bananas, prunes, turkey, beets, spinach and salmon are all high in potassium. The article also suggests partaking in regular exercise to boost oxygen levels to your bloodstream to combat mental fatigue.

From my experience, bananas and salmon are anti-pois food. For bananas, the effect seems light but for salmon it's more important. The dose of K in salmon is unclear and I wonder if Docosahexaenoic acid, which is rich in sperm, is the main factor.


Link with Raynaud and vasoconstriction ?

I will look more next days. But I have two last ideas :
1/ The "meds" for this disease are probably easy to have and safe (only pure potassium dose). Maybe it could be nice to talk about this with a doc.
2/ It seems there are associtions and groups on the internet for this disease. Maybe we could send a mail to ask them if ejaculation affect their state.

My muscular problems are extreme stiffness in the right side of my neck (the back side) and weakness in the rest of the muscles. Sometimes I get fasiculations tho   I could even feel the weakness in my respiratory muscles. whenever i go swimming during POIS, my performance is lower than outside POIS and its extremely challenging to take enough breaths to put my face in water for long time.

Pure potassium shouldn't be taken without supervision because it's really dangerous. It can lead to Cardiac arrest. one of the treatments to the aforementioned syndrome is potassium sparing diuretics. It should be safer than taking Potassium directly, I guess.

May be POISers drain more potassium than usual? may be not through semen but through Urine? I ALWAYS feel the need to urinate after orgasm and after I'm sexually aroused.

All the points you raised are interesting. Thanks for sharing

I've had had all my electrolyte levels tested on numerous occasions while experiencing POIS symtoms.  They always came back normal for me.
.

Thanks for sharing this Phenethylamine! I have been searching the whole forum for someone did it. I have one question tho if you still have your electrolyte levels test reults. Are your electrolyte levels ideal normal or just within normal range? specially K+, Is it ideal normal or Low normal?

[phenethylamine]

What are your muscular problems : ?
- muscles tremors (fasciculation)
or
-muscles pains/ weakness (myalgias)

We talked about potassium/sodium ratio some years ago. Someone came and said he has a miracle solution for Pois. He used to drink salty water afetr orgasm Of course nobody else had improvement with this

My potassium level out of Pois is about 4.3 [normal : 4 ; 5.2].
Can orgasm influence this ?
93% of 4.3 = 3.99

According to wikipedia, 1 ejaculation = 7% of the daily recommended dose of K (in sperm)

The links with muscles and carbohydrates are interesting. I'm looking for other possible links.

--
Livestrong site says interesting things about potassium, even if it's not a scientific site :
http://www.livestrong.com/article/250246-the-psychological-effects-of-low-potassium/

When deficiencies of potassium occur, you may experience symptoms such as excessive thirst, muscle weakness, constipation, heart palpitations, arrhythmias and dizziness. Surprisingly, low levels of potassium can also affect you psychologically: Mental lethargy, depression, mood swings, psychosis, disorientation and confusion are all examples of mental disorders that can manifest.

Potassium is essential for learning and memorization. If your body is deficient in potassium, you may experience difficulty in focusing, retaining information or completing specific tasks. Mental lethargy or fatigue is generally accompanied by stress and frustration from being unable to perform at a desired level, which in turn can affect your work performance at your job or school. Pay attention to your diet to ensure you are receiving sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals, advises the Better Health USA website in an article titled "Mental Fatigue." A diet consisting of processed and junk foods can lead to low levels of potassium, so make sure you eat a nutritious and balanced diet that contains foods rich in potassium. Bananas, prunes, turkey, beets, spinach and salmon are all high in potassium. The article also suggests partaking in regular exercise to boost oxygen levels to your bloodstream to combat mental fatigue.

From my experience, bananas and salmon are anti-pois food. For bananas, the effect seems light but for salmon it's more important. The dose of K in salmon is unclear and I wonder if Docosahexaenoic acid, which is rich in sperm, is the main factor.


Link with Raynaud and vasoconstriction ?

I will look more next days. But I have two last ideas :
1/ The "meds" for this disease are probably easy to have and safe (only pure potassium dose). Maybe it could be nice to talk about this with a doc.
2/ It seems there are associtions and groups on the internet for this disease. Maybe we could send a mail to ask them if ejaculation affect their state.

My muscular problems are extreme stiffness in the right side of my neck (the back side) and weakness in the rest of the muscles. Sometimes I get fasiculations tho   I could even feel the weakness in my respiratory muscles. whenever i go swimming during POIS, my performance is lower than outside POIS and its extremely challenging to take enough breaths to put my face in water for long time.

Pure potassium shouldn't be taken without supervision because it's really dangerous. It can lead to Cardiac arrest. one of the treatments to the aforementioned syndrome is potassium sparing diuretics. It should be safer than taking Potassium directly, I guess.

May be POISers drain more potassium than usual? may be not through semen but through Urine? I ALWAYS feel the need to urinate after orgasm and after I'm sexually aroused.

All the points you raised are interesting. Thanks for sharing

I've had had all my electrolyte levels tested on numerous occasions while experiencing POIS symtoms.  They always came back normal for me.
.

Thanks for sharing this Phenethylamine! I have been searching the whole forum for someone did it. I have one question tho if you still have your electrolyte levels test reults. Are your electrolyte levels ideal normal or just within normal range? specially K+, Is it ideal normal or Low normal?

I'll have to look for them.  But if I do find them, I'll let you know!

[b_jim]

This is not my idea but I make this assumption :

  All med, food or plant which can reduce blood pressure can improve Pois symptoms too.

Niacin, Na/K, omega3, garlic, olive leaf, sport, shower,maybe hormones therapy...
We can find some links between PMS syndrome, BP and hormones. I sometimes consider Pois like a PMS for men, or andropause.

I think it could be interesting to test blood pressure pre/post ejaculation (just after, 1 hour after, afters meals with/without carbs, during symptoms.)

I remember my bloodpressure (BP) go to 12 from 14 just after orgasm.
And go to 16 after meal in Pois. Need more testing.
My glycemia seems a little high but in range.
Is there a correlation between high BP and "hot feeling" ("flu-like) after meal and low BP "feel cold" just after orgasm ?

I think this way is good to follow, even if I can't explain the effect of BP and our symptoms.

[b_jim]

I'm watching dr Lakshmin on youtube. I don't understand all details but I understand  some points and I have a general view of their work. Both her and doctor K are experts of orgasm and neurology and now I understand better why they chose vagus nerve as center of the study.
They probably give us a better comprehension of Pois with IMR's tests.

Anyway, I think we shouldn't forget a simple statistic evidence that more 99% of poiser are men. And some have improvements with hormones.
A possible link between all those elements is blood pressure.

If we can have a simple graphic of blood pressure of BP flucutation before and during Pois phasis  and supposed testosterone fluctuation it could help us a lot. There is NECESSARLY fluctuation of hormones : acne post orgasm is a clear sign of that.
I wil try to do that.

I 99% sure BP drops after orgasm. And niacin flush or other is avoiding vasoconstriction. What about T just after orgasm ?
But BP might be high during hot flashes. This is an important point to check.

[Daveman]

I'm watching dr Lakshmin on youtube. I don't understand all details but I understand  some points and I have a general view of their work. Both her and doctor K are experts of orgasm and neurology and now I understand better why they chose vagus nerve as center of the study.
They probably give us a better comprehension of Pois with IMR's tests.

Anyway, I think we shouldn't forget a simple statistic evidence that more 99% of poiser are men. And some have improvements with hormones.
A possible link between all those elements is blood pressure.

If we can have a simple graphic of blood pressure of BP flucutation before and during Pois phasis  and supposed testosterone fluctuation it could help us a lot. There is NECESSARLY fluctuation of hormones : acne post orgasm is a clear sign of that.
I wil try to do that.

I 99% sure BP drops after orgasm. And niacin flush or other is avoiding vasoconstriction. What about T just after orgasm ?
But BP might be high during hot flashes. This is an important point to check.

Thanks b_jim,

There are several factors which have not been mentioned too much before in relation to POIS (such as BP). Another one is blood-sugar. Mine goes haywire. but only during POIS. It could be another thing that would be interesting to watch. Especially in otherwise normal non-diabetic individuals.

[sameer7777]

daveman very good knowledge .............

my blood sugar also boost after orgasm .....

and daveman our BP goes low .... can we take salt before orgasm , can it help us ?

[sameer7777]

I've had had all my electrolyte levels tested on numerous occasions while experiencing POIS symtoms.  They always came back normal for me.
.

same here !!!

[Limejuice]

This is an interesting condition...  It explains physical symptoms from extreme temperatures, workouts, and carbs - all things that I get that aren't explained by any other single disease.  But how would orgasm trigger this?  And what about cognitive symptoms?

[b_jim]

No, it seems BP is not linked to my symptoms. After orgasm, BP goes down (normal 140 to 120) but I didn't find high levels of blood pressure during hot flashes, 130-140  normal values. 
I ate sugar and carbs at morning, lunch and afternoon and I had the "Pois fever" all the day ! Perfect correlation.
No the symptoms decrease, my muscles are weak my concentration is not good but it's ok.

Maybe test another time last week. But now i will concentrate on another point : taurine. I read good testimonies about this amino acid.