My experience with hyperkalemia was much worse. Due to a prescription, my potassium went to 7.6 and I suffered a cardiac arrest. Only thanks to CPR from my very level-headed wife am I still here.

With hyperkalemia I could not stand up out of my chair, when I finally got up I could barely walk. My fingers and face got numb, my fingernail beds turned purplish.

With hyperkalemia I experienced tingling down the middle of my spine, and my hands and fingers fell asleep every few minutes. I was also weak and achy and dizzy.

I had weakness and fatigue, cloudy thinking and tingling in my fingers because of hyperkalemia. My legs were very tired. I also felt sleepy, or over-medicated all the time.

My episode with hyperkalemia led to muscle weakness to the point that I couldn't walk. I also had a pulse rate in the 20s, blood sugar that was very high, mental confusion to the point that I wasn't coherent, an EKG all over the place, near kidney failure, and the ER doctor telling my wife she had better gather the family. I had foolishly ignored my morning blood sugar (505), the muscle weakness, and chest pressure – probably because of the confusion caused by the increasing levels. I have learned my lesson: management of my diabetes and seeking medical attention when necessary.

I had nausea, left shoulder pain, and stiffness.