Potassium is water soluble so your body should naturally get rid of the excess. Obviously, your body is not doing that. Did your dr. have any explanation for why your electrolytes are off? How are you feeling otherwise? Did you tell your dr. that you were doing a half ironman this weekend? It seems like it might be dangerous. I guess the best thing is to make sure you are drinking plenty of water.

What did your doctor say? What's causing this problem?

And why are you asking the members of this forum to give you advise regarding a serious medical issue like this?

Get expert medical advise at once - before you compete.

See, http://health.allrefer.com/health/hyperkalemia-info.html

Best of luck.

thehitman

I'm not asking for medical advice - rather any sports drinks or gels that don't contain potassium, or suitable substitutes.
This just occurred yesterday - He doesn't know the cause yet - The CAT scan was today, but he wanted to have me eliminate taking additional potassium.
At present the risk is from additional potassium, not racing itself.
Once I get some results back - I will figure out what to do to correct the condition.

Are you planning on doing Aurora High Cliff?
I just registered today for the sprint.

But something's missing here. I find it difficult to believe that a doctor who hasn't even diagnosed your condition yet, and has done a CAT scan, would give you the OK to do a 1/2 IM.

What could be wrong with you? According to the website I cited above, some possibilities include:
Acute kidney failure
Chronic kidney failure
Lupus nephritis
Obstructive uropathy
Glomerulonephritis

That sounds pretty scary to me. If your doctor is knowledgeable about this, and he's given you the OK to do the triathlon, then why didn't he tell you what fluids to ingest? Either go back for a talk, or get a second opinion, or both. This is serious stuff.

thehitman

Maybe I'm way off here, but is seems the reason your electrolytes are way off is obvious from your post.

Which eliminates the sports drinks (E3) and recovery drinks (Ultrgen), PowerBars and PowerGels that I use.

Is it possible that you use these regularly and they really are the cause having too much of a single nutrient? Maybe your body is trying to tell you something about what you are eating/drinking? Potassium surpluses don't just happen spontaneously. I think my kidneys would quite wanting to remove all of the surpluses too if I overconsumed them regularly.

I try to use as much natural stuff as I can as nature has a great way of balancing nutrients properly. My favorites are:

1) honey as an energy gel (I just bring a small squirt honey bottle about half full to make sure I have enough)
2) water

For a half marathon I wouldn't think you'd need a whole lot more. If you do, you can try:

1) Raisins
2) brown rice (I season with salt or soy sauce to replace my sodium)
3) oatmeal for the breakfast before the race (this should give you more than enough energy for a half mary.
4) bananas have potassium, but maybe you should start trying them instead of your other junk as an energy/potassium source. I doubt anyone has overdosed on potassium, but eating too many bananas.

Now, I'll get off my podium. I have lots of friends that use all the stuff you do with lots of success. Keep using them if you think it helps. However, I see just as much or more success without them and spend a ton less money while I'm at it. (which means I have more money for a new bike, HRM, GPS, etc. ) :)

kddubb

always take everything I say with a grain of salt...sorry if I came off harsh

Well I wasn't using anything more than the recommended amounts.

However, the levels are back to normal now. Yea!
Doc wants to ease back into using the sports drinks etc. Going with using 50% with and 50% w/o potassium. Then check the blood in a week or so to monitor the levels.
Less $ would sure be nice and more natural products certainly seems to have an advantage.
I did have a good 1/2 IM on other products and would be happy with more natural products. Just want to work that in slowly.

I use carbo pro for my sports drink and thermolyte for electrolytes, but that contains potassium.

More info go to:

http://www.sportquestdirect.com/

There are other electrolyte supplements out there.

You can also get some through food. Just avoid the potassium.

You can overcome this obstacle.

Good luck!

"If Triathlon was easy, they would call it football"