Spiro and avoiding food

[smile_jma]

I know you have to be careful about what you eat once on spiro, but what exactly constitutes "high levels" of salt and K?

Other than avoiding the main foods for K (banana, tomato, orange, potato, spinach) are there any other high K foods that don't come up in the normal searches/words coming out of the doctors mouth? Are those really the only ones I have to watch out for?

As for the salt, sometimes I don't know what is just plain acidic vs salty. If I have soup at a restaurant, should I just not drink the soup, but eat everything in it? Other foods at a restaurant? Just eat and drink tons of water? Is fast food/pizza completely out of the question now?

Right now I'm below the average prescribed dosage for spiro (beginner level..JUST began), so should I not worry yet? Or does the "spiro effect" start from first few dosages?

Also, since blood tests aren't done every day/week/ or even month, for that matter, how long will my body give me to notify me that I have too much K?

[smile_jma]

Well, I get hungry really quick (now) even if I have a large meal so I think I have the ability to eat too much meat. My metabolism is fast too (I don't gain weight when I overdose on dinner and/or lunch), but that's different than being able to get rid of the potassium? I like my meats, fish, vegetables, and dairy, all of which hen I eat?, eat more than a small 3-4oz serving. 

[Alainaluvsu]

Spiro flushes sodium out because it's a potassium sparing diuretic. I eat LOTS of sodium and it's always testing on the low end of normal.

[JenniL]

Nah you can eat pizza still. tons of food has k in it. just don't go overboard with the foods really high in k all the time. you don't pee k out as much while on spiro.

seriously roughly 4100 mg of k is what recommended so adjust accordingly. everyone's body is different so if you are really concern about k levels talk to your doctor.

but here is a good read:

http://www.m.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/potassium-sources-and-benefits?page=4

[Joelene9]

  Eat normally and don't overdo anything.  I still eat a lot of potatoes and my K level is still normal.  You may need more salt though, especially if you work out or in hot weather.  Spiro will flush out the salt.  I was going through 2 shirts a day this past summer.  A diuretic will work through sweat as well as through the kidneys.  It depends on your exertion levels. 

  Joelene

[smile_jma]

Thanks for the information. I was going crazy because of trying to avoid my normal foods.

[Rita]

Depends on your body, I am on the maximum daily dose of spirol allowable and can still eat an entire bucket of kiwis and a banana without feeling weak, lethargic or otherwise sick.

A friend of mine is on a lesser dose, and even half of a banana could make her lethargic and sick and slightly potassium poisoned.  In fact shes already experienced temporary paralysis as a result of it so she is very careful with what she eats.