Unique HRT side effects?

[Kitteh Engimeer]

This afternoon at work I had a moment of heavy dizziness and "vertigo." It's not like I haven't had similar feelings before, but this time it hit me pretty hard. I had to ask my boss (who fortunately is awesome and helpful) to go home early; rather she walked me over to the nearest cot and had me lay down a while before I left. Embarrassing situation, but that's not the point. I know I'm hypoglycemic and lately I've been loosing weight kind of rapidly-ish (my boy pants aren't fitting like they used to). I was also kind of stressed and I had a bit of caffeine. But this was pretty rough... I was worried I'd stumble or bump into something and look all crazeh.

Anyway, I notice on my spiro bottle that it "May Cause Dizziness." Has anyone ever had symptoms of dizziness, especially if it's been exacerbated? I'd like to blame the caffeine partially on this. Fortunately, I'm seeing my doctor on Thursday for unrelated blood work levels.

[Jamie D]

You could have been dehydrated too.  Make sure during the day you have some sort of caloric input, and an emergency snack when you feel that way.  A small bottle of Gatorade, for instance, would treat both conditions.

[Beth Andrea]

Spiro is a diuretic, and my endo said to drink plenty of water. Soda and beer are both diuretics (ie, it sucks water out of your system, rather than replenishing it).

Water water water. And a l'il bit of chocolate or crackers.

[Ave]

I get blackouts on spiro all the time.

more water!

[Rita]

argg I know the feeling, I have passed out twice in my life even if momentarily due to dehydration.  Haven't had any major ill effects from spirol though

[Kitteh Engimeer]

Spiro is a diuretic, and my endo said to drink plenty of water. Soda and beer are both diuretics (ie, it sucks water out of your system, rather than replenishing it).

Water water water. And a l'il bit of chocolate or crackers.

You could have been dehydrated too.  Make sure during the day you have some sort of caloric input, and an emergency snack when you feel that way.  A small bottle of Gatorade, for instance, would treat both conditions.

Well, hydration's usually not much of a concern for me - I drink lotsa water during the day. I'd actually guess I'd be more subject to a electrolyte imbalance since I have to pee so frequently. That may have contributed as well, but it wasn't more water than usual. I kinda wish I could feel good about just saying it was a simple anxiety attack, but it still felt a bit heavy to be that.

I get blackouts on spiro all the time.

more water!

Full-on blackouts? So maybe it is the Spiro.

[Penny Gurl]

I've had sort of similar sometimes.. recently if I've been stressing my body, either by work or other means I'll get hit with a wave of dizziness however I have never passed out from it.  But mostly if I stand up way too fast or if I haven't eaten recently.  So I kinda just slow things down or grab a light snack.. but I have noticed it's much more frequent that I'll get light headed.  I think it is a Spiro side effect.

[Isabelle]

The thread title got me really excited... I thought "finally, someone developed laser vision!" ..... Guess I'll just have to keep waiting...

On topic, when I first started spiro I got the occasional dizzy spell, they went away after a couple of months I think.

[JennX]

I've never gotten dizzy from it in 2 years... but everyone is different. Since you mentioned hypoglycemia, I'd also double check your blood sugar level... that would be my first guess.

[Kitteh Engimeer]

The thread title got me really excited... I thought "finally, someone developed laser vision!" ..... Guess I'll just have to keep waiting...

On topic, when I first started spiro I got the occasional dizzy spell, they went away after a couple of months I think.

Actually, speaking of, I had laser vision. But then I lost it as a complication to my cataract surgery. Oh woe.

[Stephe]

At first I would get a bit dizzy from spiro but that went away after a month or so. I do drink water but you can also drink too much water where you are constantly peeing and that isn't good either.

How long have you been on HRT and did they start you on a "full dose" or are they ramping it up slowly?

[V M]

Water is good and Fruit juice is a great source of water and nutrients to keep you hydrated   
I mostly just make some frozen juice to drink in the morning but am thinking to get my own juicer so I can make my own SoBe Elixir type fruit/vegetable juice drinks     

[Kitteh Engimeer]

At first I would get a bit dizzy from spiro but that went away after a month or so. I do drink water but you can also drink too much water where you are constantly peeing and that isn't good either.

How long have you been on HRT and did they start you on a "full dose" or are they ramping it up slowly?

Low dose, slow ramp up. Actually, since my potassium levels were good, I can take a higher dose of spiro. But relatively, it's still a slow ramp-up.

[luna nyan]

I think it's probably a combination of the diuretic effect lowering your BP, and your hypoglycaemia.  As others have recommended, it's worth having it checked, and do keep your fluids up.

I've been on spiro for close to 5 months now, and still have the odd feelings of faintness when I exert myself excessively.  My endo checked my blood pressure at my 3 month spiro review, and he did hint that my blood pressure was low (have you felt faint?).

[Kitteh Engimeer]

Yes, I've felt faint but without actually fainting. I had slightly low blood pressure when I last visited my endo also.