spironolactone dizziness

[chromaggia]

hello all, about a month ago i started hrt but as of right now i am only on spironolactone (ill be starting e here soon) and it has been making me super dizzy sometimes!
it was really bad the first few days but sort of dimmed down after awhile but the dizziness still comes ever now and again i know that dizziness is a side effect that is to be expected but i was wondering if anyone had any ideas or suggestions on ways to reduce or prevent the dizziness because sometimes its so bad that its hard for me to walk and makes me nauseous

and suggestions would be greatly appreciated thank you

[suzifrommd]

hello all, about a month ago i started hrt but as of right now i am only on spironolactone (ill be starting e here soon) and it has been making me super dizzy sometimes!

I've heard eating a lot of salt and salty food will help this. I don't know if that's a medical fact or just an oft repeated myth, but might be worth a try.

[Deborah]

Make sure you are drinking enough water and getting adequate sodium.  I try to drink 20 glasses of water a day.  I get just a little above The RDA for sodium and that's enough.  I never get dizzy during the day but sometimes do after supper in the evening when standing up quickly.

Also, my body seemed to adapt to it after about six to eight weeks and the bad side effects mostly faded away.


Sapere Aude

[chromaggia]

thanks for the suggestions, i understand that spiro takes alot of sodium out of your diet and i dont eat very much salt so eating more would probably prove to be helpful

ive been really bad about making sure i have been drinking water so thats probably something i should improve on aswell

[Ms Grace]

Yes, drink more water...not coffee, alcohol, cola, etc but actual water.
Also, Spiro is also used as a blood pressure medicine so it may be lowering your BP below optimal range. See your doc about this if it continues.

[KayXo]

Limit potassium intake too and diuretics. Do not take salt substitutes, just eat plain, real salt.

[Deborah]

I have found that a lot of extra salt is not needed and only drives up my blood pressure.  RDA is 2300mg and I am averaging around 3100mg daily just eating normal unprocessed foods.  I feel fine.  Before, when I was getting nearly double that sodium with processed foods I didn't feel any better at all.


Sapere Aude

[KayXo]

The important thing to do is to listen to your body. If on Spiro, you are craving salty foods or salt, go for it, it means your body needs it. Please don't confuse this craving for other "psychological" cravings. Not the same thing.

[Mariah]

It's definitely important to listen to your body. Do make sure your taking in enough salt with your food and drinking enough liquid since SPiro is a diuretic. If it continues then I agree you then need to see a doctor due to the fact spiro is a blood pressure medication. Hugs
Mariah

[.Christy]

sounds like you are experiencing some orthostatic hypotension. drink more water, eat more salt, and wait a while before changing positions slowly. dont stay in the sun for too long and carry some sort of shaded, sun protection

[greencoloredpencil]

sounds like you are experiencing some orthostatic hypotension. drink more water, eat more salt, and wait a while before changing positions slowly. dont stay in the sun for too long and carry some sort of shaded, sun protection

Yeah, that's my thought as to what you're probably experiencing as well. I had to stop since I have chronic orthostatic intolerance.

[HappyMoni]

The rest of the gals had good advice. The only thing I could add is what I did. I made the dosage into 2 halves and took them at different times of the day. It seemed to even it out a bit better for me. Still, they are right about the doctor.
Moni

[chromaggia]

sounds like you are experiencing some orthostatic hypotension. drink more water, eat more salt, and wait a while before changing positions slowly. dont stay in the sun for too long and carry some sort of shaded, sun protection

thank you very much its helpful to know what its called
ill be making sure i eat more salt and drinking lots of water!

[luna nyan]

Classic effects of spiro!
As everyone else has said, keep the fluids up and consider increasing sodium in the diet.

I tired of dealing with orthostatic hypotension so in the end I switched from pills to implant E.   That pushed my E levels high enough that T ended up completely suppressed so I've dropped spiro altogether.

Good luck with your HRT!