Does Potassium Pills And Diuretics Interfere With Diovan?

I am taking Verapamil 240 for B/P and a couple years ago they gave me another one because they did not think that med was controlling it well enough, so I went on lisinopril. This med caused me to have a severe cough and so they took me off that and placed me on Diovan HCT and I have only been on it since since last fall, but I started to have severe joint and muscle pain and was fatigued, so less than a week ago I asked if I could be taken off of it and my physician agreed. I have an appt. with her in 2 weeks. I was on Benicar and it worked beautifully for me, but the expense of it was more than I wanted to pay, but I am thinking it may be my only option, as another b/p med I was unable to take because of hives. How long does Diovan stay in ones system and how long will the joint and muscle pain take to leave me. It hurts to walk because it is in my knees mostly, but have had pain in my elbows, shoulders, and hips. Also should I have maybe not been on the Diovan since I am taking a potassium pill and diuretic - I read somewhere where those two could have caused some problems with this med. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks! Lori