Foods while on spiro?

[Curious]

Hello, I started taking spiro about 5 days ago, and I'm wondering what's safe to eat? I don't want a potassium issue, but as far as I know, it's in most food.  I only eat twice a day, but these last few days, I've been afraid to touch anything but ramen noodles and an egg. Is there any list of recommended meals? Can I eat pizza, hamburgers, pickles, etc?





Edited for Dosage - Do not post Dosages

[LordKAT]

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/foods-permitted-low-potassium-diet-1585.html

Apparently apples are good.

[sam79]

Hi Curious.

A moderator will come along soon... You shouldn't be posting dosages here at susans.

In terms of potassium, you really should be fine if you're not eating heaps of potassium rich foods, and if you're not an exercise junkie. When I tried spiro, there were no issues, with no change to my diet other than not eating bananas every day.

[Jamie D]

Eat a normal diet.  Spironolactone is a postassium-sparing diuretic with anti-androgenic properties.  Unless you are eating a super potassium-rich diet, your dosage should not cause problems.  But, by all means, have your electrolyte levels checked regularly the first year.  Your doctor should have already done that.

What could happen?  Heart failure.  Kidney failure.  Muscle cramps.  Convulsions.  Rashes.

[Tori]

*Disclaimer - I am not a doctor.

While potassium can collect easier on Spiro, and that can mess with your body and brain's natural hormone (non sexual) system as I understand it, really you have little to fear, at least in the short term.

Story time: I had much the same reaction as you when I started HRT. One week, I went to my doctor for my shot and the doc asked how I was doing. I explained my fears about potassium and how I had adjusted my diet.

He chuckled and said, "Tori, I am not even going to test your potassium levels until the twelve month mark, mostly just electrolytes and hormones. This problem takes a good amount of time to develop. Besides, how would I get an accurate blood readings if you dramatically mess with your diet? Eat normally. Don't go out of your way to eat extra potassium. You should be fine. If there is a problem we will have plenty of time to address it before it gets out of hand. A healthy person should be able to handle a normal amount of potassium even if they are on Spiro."

So, I suspect you can just eat normally, and ASK the next time you see your doctor. They may have different opinions than my doctor... but this is not a problem that develops overnight.

Let me know if you learn anything different. I do not want to be giving out faulty info, and on this subject I am still learning.

[Curious]

Thanks... So im guessing it doesnt matter unless I'm overeating in general lol.

[kathyk]

Yeah, you're fine.  Go ahead and eat balanced meals, but don't overdo the higher potasium foods.  I eat a lot for fresh fruit, including the high potasium plums, peaches, apricots, and bananas.  So my doctor said take it easy on those things.

[vlmitchell]

The only time I accidentally screwed up was when I was really new to the whole thing and took a potassium supplement. That was a bad idea. Aside from that, I eat all the things.

[Ms Grace]

Some people put the evil eye on bananas - but I eat one most days and my endo hasn't said boo about my potassium levels...

[allisonsteph]

As most others have stated here, a healthy balanced diet should be fine, even some limited amounts of potassium rich foods. For example: a banana a day should be fine, 12 bananas a day, not so much.

[KayCeeDee]

I made no adjustments to my diet and have been fine. My doctor laughed about it and said I'd have to eat so much I'd get sick from overeating first.  I even accidentally took a potassium pill and was fine