Polling people about negative mental experiences with "Spiro" (spironolactone)

[Claire Grey]

All --

I recently paused HRT completely (I've not done bottom surgery). It feels like a relief because
I was tired and had brain fog a lot on HRT -- I've seen recent articles saying spironolactone
or "spiro" increases cortisol levels (stress hormones) and increases depression and brain fog.
I've not verified the sources that explain this in terms of medicine and I'm not a doctor but
that matches my experience. I'm not sure I like being back on high levels of T but
I want to hear if other people have or had brain fog and depression on spiro. I also gained
20 lbs and with T levels back up I have tons of energy to work out so that's a plus.

[MissKatie]

Following as I'm just about to start on Spiro

[Northern Star Girl]

All --

I recently paused HRT completely (I've not done bottom surgery). It feels like a relief because
I was tired and had brain fog a lot on HRT -- I've seen recent articles saying spironolactone
or "spiro" increases cortisol levels (stress hormones) and increases depression and brain fog.
I've not verified the sources that explain this in terms of medicine and I'm not a doctor but
that matches my experience. I'm not sure I like being back on high levels of T but
I want to hear if other people have or had brain fog and depression on spiro. I also gained
20 lbs and with T levels back up I have tons of energy to work out so that's a plus.

@Claire Grey
Dear Claire:
As is mentioned over and over on the various forums threads and posted comments, every body and everyone's experience and results with HRT is uniquely different.  What you read about others experiences with HRT will most likely not be your own...  usually nothing happens very quickly when starting HRT, but things will indeed happen....

PATIENCE IS DEFINITELY REQUIRED....   The well used saying that is frequently stated here on the forums is YMMV, meaning that Your Mileage May Vary.

Fortunately for me and my own body my experience with HRT, which included Spironolactone did not produce the same reactions that you reported for yourself.   
In fact, I found that I had no brain fog nor did I experience any depression from my HRT regimen.
It was quite the opposite.  I also was able to continue to lose a few pounds and had eventually stabilized at a satisfactory body weight with appropriate curves.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.   I would definitely suggest that you have a pointed discussion about all of your concerns with your prescribing Physician.   Professional and personal medical advice tailored specifically to you and your body is much more useful and safer than relying on hearsay, internet sources, etc.

Well wishes to you as always,
Danielle

[krobinson103]

Apart from the uncomfortable peeing a lot I found spiro to be ok. Mentally it made me feel better.

[GordonG]

I started spiro 2 months before I started E. I too felt those effects.  You don't say if you're on E also. After I went on E along with the spiro  it all went away. Feeling pretty good now. Btw E started 2 months ago.

[KathyLauren]

I haven't had depression.  I feel like I have a hangover every morning, without having had any fun the night before.  I attribute that to dehydration.  I have started drinking a bit of water when I go to the bathroom at night.  I used to have to go twice a night, but with the extra water, it is now three times.  On the other hand, the hangover is not as bad in the morning.

[AJ]

On spiro my legs hurt and cramp so I stretch and walk a lot. I also drink a hydrating product with a shot of Apple cider vinegar every day and that helps. I tried reducing the amount of spiro but had to go back to previous levels as dysphoria came roaring back. I never took spiro without estrodial. My dream is to have the orchiectomy early next year and get away from the spiro.
AJ

[Jessica_Rose]

I started spiro about four months after starting estradiol, and I have not noticed any negative reactions other than more trips to the bathroom. Like just about any medication, YMMV.

[jules968]

Been on spiro for 4 months nothing but positive experiences.  Other then the usual frequent bathroom breaks. 


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[KimOct]

As Danielle pointed out 'your mileage may vary'  but since you are 'taking a poll' I will chime in.  I have a lot of health issues, when I was on spiro it did not cause me any problems.  Had an orchiectomy so I am off spiro but I did take it for a year with no problems.

[Denise]

For me Spiro was my lifesaver.  I was a total basket case (anger, distracted, ...)  Three days on Spiro (no E) and I was a new person.

In 7 days I'm having GCS and I'm scared to stop.  I discussed this with GP and he's going to cut the dose in half for a few months then in half again.  He said let's see what happens after 6 or 8 months.  Which I'm very okay with.

As everyone mentioned YMMV.

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[KimOct]

For me Spiro was my lifesaver.  I was a total basket case (anger, distracted, ...)  Three days on Spiro (no E) and I was a new person.

In 7 days I'm having GCS and I'm scared to stop.  I discussed this with GP and he's going to cut the dose in half for a few months then in half again.  He said let's see what happens after 6 or 8 months.  Which I'm very okay with.

As everyone mentioned YMMV.

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

Your doctor certainly knows far more than I do so follow the doctor's orders.  I am surprised though that the doc wants to continue spiro after GCS.  There will be no more testoterone to block and that's the point.  Spiro has other uses that are not gender related but that's another topic.

I am wondering if the doc is going to continue it as a placebo since you are concerned about it.  I obviously don't know that I am just guessing.  Of course do what the doc says - I am just some goof on the internet but it does have me scratching my head wondering why.

[Northern Star Girl]

@Denise:
Dear Denise:
I certainly understand your trepidation regarding the thought of stopping your Spiro.   Cutting the dosage in stages is a good move in my own experience.... it gives your body an opportunity to adjust... better than quitting cold-turkey for sure.

I will eagerly be looking for your updates right before and then after your GCS...
What thread will you be posting your GCS updates on?   Will you be using your "Denise's FFS experience thread" or will you use a different or new thread?

Hugs and well wishes with your next big event in your transition journey.
Danielle

For me Spiro was my lifesaver.  I was a total basket case (anger, distracted, ...)  Three days on Spiro (no E) and I was a new person.

In 7 days I'm having GCS and I'm scared to stop.  I discussed this with GP and he's going to cut the dose in half for a few months then in half again.  He said let's see what happens after 6 or 8 months.  Which I'm very okay with.

As everyone mentioned YMMV.

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

[krobinson103]

For me Spiro was my lifesaver.  I was a total basket case (anger, distracted, ...)  Three days on Spiro (no E) and I was a new person.

In 7 days I'm having GCS and I'm scared to stop.  I discussed this with GP and he's going to cut the dose in half for a few months then in half again.  He said let's see what happens after 6 or 8 months.  Which I'm very okay with.

As everyone mentioned YMMV.

Sent from my LG-H910 using Tapatalk

When I got my zoladex implant I came off spiro over a month. Its not a drug you stop cold turkey.

[Northern Star Girl]

When I got my zoladex implant I came off spiro over a month. Its not a drug you stop cold turkey.

@krobinson103
I absolutely agree with you, in my own experience cutting down dosages in stages is usually the best way and easier on our bodies...  our doctors know this.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience.

Hugs,
Danielle

[Linde]

On spiro my legs hurt and cramp so I stretch and walk a lot. I also drink a hydrating product with a shot of Apple cider vinegar every day and that helps. I tried reducing the amount of spiro but had to go back to previous levels as dysphoria came roaring back. I never took spiro without estrodial. My dream is to have the orchiectomy early next year and get away from the spiro.
AJ

Be careful with your apple cider vinegar, daily ingestiong may be abd for you!
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/apple-cider-vinegar-for-weight-loss/faq-20058394

[Devlyn]

Your doctor certainly knows far more than I do so follow the doctor's orders.  I am surprised though that the doc wants to continue spiro after GCS.  There will be no more testoterone to block and that's the point.  Spiro has other uses that are not gender related but that's another topic.

I am wondering if the doc is going to continue it as a placebo since you are concerned about it.  I obviously don't know that I am just guessing.  Of course do what the doc says - I am just some goof on the internet but it does have me scratching my head wondering why.

That's not exactly true, your T levels will drop to normal female T levels, not the extremely low levels usually seen on Spiro. In my case, it's the upper limit of female range. I could see the doctor wishing to lower T levels in a case like that, although I'm perfectly fine with my levels.

Completely off topic, but I absolutely love your signature line:

"The first transphobe you have to conquer is yourself"

Hugs, Devlyn

[Quinn]

I am one of cases that have severe side effects from Spiro,  I was on it for a little while when I started HRT . I did not take long for me to start having anxiety at first I thought it was just because I had started hormones. But then the panic attacks started, then severe depression, then I started suicide ideology. I was feeling terrible I could barely function but kept going on it because I wanted the hrt so bad. It came to the point I where I was on the phone with a client and woke up on the floor after blacking out . This happened again the next day . That was enough for me so I went to see my doctor.

I was taken off spiro immediately but not off estradiol and it took about two weeks for all the symptoms to go away . I been on estradiol for 18 months now without any of those issues.

For most people is seems that spiro is just fine and does it thing without any problems, but everyone is different and for some of us we cannot take it.

You can transition without spiro it just takes a bit longer to get the testerone under control , spiro is not a requirement to transition it just lowers T faster

I feel  great on estradiol only and i personlly like taking less medications


Take care of yourself

[Miharu Barbie]

I'm 20 years and one month on HRT at this point. I took Spiro every day for over 12 years and never noticed any harmful side effects. I finally quit the Spiro 8 years ago after surgery. As far as I could tell, the Spiro did it's job well, and left no harmful legacy after I stopped taking it. Trust your body to guide you to what's best for you.

Love, Miharu

[tgirlamg]

All --

I recently paused HRT completely (I've not done bottom surgery). It feels like a relief because
I was tired and had brain fog a lot on HRT -- I've seen recent articles saying spironolactone
or "spiro" increases cortisol levels (stress hormones) and increases depression and brain fog.
I've not verified the sources that explain this in terms of medicine and I'm not a doctor but
that matches my experience. I'm not sure I like being back on high levels of T but
I want to hear if other people have or had brain fog and depression on spiro. I also gained
20 lbs and with T levels back up I have tons of energy to work out so that's a plus.

Hi Claire!

I was on Spiro for about three weeks when starting HRT in early 2014... I had a massive allergic reaction as the dose was being stepped up weekly... I ended up on Finasteride as my blocker before GRS in 2015 and my T levels were well suppressed... level around 12 if I recall correctly!... If the Spiro is causing problems, I would talk with your doctor... Perhaps an alternative would serve you better!!!

Take Care!

Ashley 🙋‍♀️💕🌻