Side effects of Spiro ?

[CharleneT]

Hi all,

I started Spironlactone 30 days ago and I was wondering about the side effects.  My doc did not really tell me much.  So far, pissing more often and sleeping better   Sorta grab bag.  One other bit, I seem to be having random but every few days leg cramps.  A couple were pretty bad.  Could that be from the Spiro ?

Charlene

[Nicky]

Could well be, it is on the list of side effects. You should probably talk to the doc about it.

[vanna]

When i took spiro i remember in the early days getting leg cramps, you would want to report to your doctor but at the same time i believe is a common side effect along with the 200 bathroom visits a day

[deviousxen]

When i took spiro i remember in the early days getting leg cramps, you would want to report to your doctor but at the same time i believe is a common side effect along with the 200 bathroom visits a day

That might be too much potassium there...

[CharleneT]

Too much potassium is my worry.  I've scheduled an appt with doc for Friday.  I have not had one in a 3 days (knock on wooden effigy!).   

[Hannah]

Did you completely start hrt 30 days ago or were you previously using a different antiandrogen? I wouldn't worry too much about potassium, unless your'e trying really hard to overdose I'd imagine it would take longer than that to build to critical levels. I remember feeling a little...off...for the first few weeks too, and that wonky feeling comes back every time we mess with the dose, but it goes away. Your blood pressure has probably dropped significantly by now, and your body is getting used to that and considerably less water and glycogen stored in your systems.

I am so very envious of your legs. 

hugs
~becca

[vanna]

That might be too much potassium there...

Not for me i stopped all potassium even in suppliments well in advance of taking hrt and im a strict Vegan

[CharleneT]

Did you completely start hrt 30 days ago or were you previously using a different antiandrogen? I wouldn't worry too much about potassium, unless your'e trying really hard to overdose I'd imagine it would take longer than that to build to critical levels. I remember feeling a little...off...for the first few weeks too, and that wonky feeling comes back every time we mess with the dose, but it goes away. Your blood pressure has probably dropped significantly by now, and your body is getting used to that and considerably less water and glycogen stored in your systems.

I am so very envious of your legs. 

hugs
~becca

I did start 30 days ago, the Spiro is a low dose, I also started Avodart, but only about 15 days ago.  The cramps were before and after S. so it is probably the cause.  Me?  Just a nervous Nellie.  I figure it would take longer to really build up too much potassium - but wanted to check with others experiences.

Thanks for the compliment ... my legs are decent, but if you could see the scar on the front of my left leg.... ickk... ( 8 stitches 2 months ago ). 

[Autumn]

Not for me i stopped all potassium even in suppliments well in advance of taking hrt and im a strict Vegan

How in god's name can a vegan survive on a potassium free diet? The vast majority of fruits and vegetables have non-insignificant amounts of potassium in them.

Further more, are you self-medicating? Because the body does actually need potassium. While not on spiro, most people are assumed to be healthy getting 4000mg per day. Half that on a potassium restricted diet, though obviously everyone's bodies are different.

I stopped eating most potassium rich foods over 6 months ago when I started spiro, but that's only because I don't have the ability to get my levels looked at. I still have some occasional potato products, and I can't avoid lettuce and tomatoes but your body still does need potassium.

The only time I've ever had problems was when I drank something around 12 cups of cappuccino at Denny's, and then my legs cramped up hardcore and I felt really funny... it was then that I googled cappuccino mix and saw that it had around a banana and a half of potassium in it per serving.

I drank a LOT of water and felt better the next day.

From reading PCOS forums (the primary condition that women are prescribed spiro for), most of them said their doctors never mentioned the potassium thing, or that they ignored it happily and continued their normal diet. It seems for the most part the potassium issue is a non-issue.

[CharleneT]

Short update.  I went in and talked to my doc.  The labs were back and everything was fine.  T down to very little, FSH/LH fine, potassium right in the middle ( normally I am on the low end of the range).  The doc said that if I was going to have potassium retention in a bad way, it would likely have already started.  Hence a revisit in 3 months just to be sure, although he added that 6 months till next visit didn't bother him at all.  I am amazed at how well the meds did their job.  I'm lucky, few bad side effects and my hormone balance is completely switched in 30 days.  It is worth noting that I am on a very low dose of Spiro combined with Avodart.  Pretty effective way to knock out the Testosterone. A good safe path if you can afford it.

[Hannah]

few bad side effects and my hormone balance is completely switched in 30 days

Isn't it just the darndest thing? The miracles of science. How do you feel inside?

[Steffi]

Glad all is going well for you. 

I would remark though that Dutasteride (Avodart) takes about 12 weeks to reach peak efficacy (- unless you began with large "loading" doses which can speed things up)

[Autumn]

As a caution on avodart, you will lose a lot of hair in the beginning. It causes your growth cycle to go haywire and you will have a large amount of shedding that starts near the end of the first month and will last for a couple of months. You will regrow it and then some in time, but having literally an entire handful of hair fall out per day (if you have long hair) is scary.

This also happens when you up your dosage, if you decide to later on or if your doctor (what are those?) does. I did... and didn't think about the consequence.

[FairyGirl]

side effects of Spiro... hmmm, le'ssee... my rogue bull elephant male sex drive is under control for the first time in my life, certain parts of my anatomy have shrunk so much I don't even need to tuck any more as they pretty much tuck themselves these days, and my body and mind are healing from the ravages of years of testosterone poisoning. If my doctor hadn't prescribed it, I'd probably... TAKE IT ANYWAY!! lol

[Hannah]

Yeah, I guess we are using it for the side effects aren't we. Avodart is a freaking miracle drug, don't be scared of it. I wish someone had warned me about the hair loss thing, it was quite alarming to be sure! Sure it takes a while to get to full power but if I remember right its a difference of like 92% blocked initially up to 98% so it's not like it's wasteful even in the worst case. I'm rather interested in the idea of using more avodart and less spiro, I finally found a decent doctor so maybe I'll ask about it at our appointment next month.

Fairygirl, darlin you are lookin good

[CharleneT]

Glad all is going well for you. 

I would remark though that Dutasteride (Avodart) takes about 12 weeks to reach peak efficacy (- unless you began with large "loading" doses which can speed things up)

No loading dose, I take the standard recommended dose ( can't say the # here).  Interesting that there is a ramp up on the effects.  Since my T value is already dropped to very low levels !  But the whole idea was that the combo of the two, with a low dose of spiro, would work well.   

My doc did not mention the possibility of hair loss at first !  So far that is not happening ... glad to know that it might though, it would be a big shock!!!!

[FairyGirl]

aww Becca you sweet talker

My doc did not mention the possibility of hair loss at first !  So far that is not happening ... glad to know that it might though, it would be a big shock!!!!

I think I'll stick with Spiro- my T level is on the low end of what's normal for females, and if my hair started falling out at this point I think I'd have a seizure! A quick Google search for "potassium rich foods" will show you what maybe to avoid in excess (almost everything), but I love tomato juice and haven't seen any effects of hyperkalemia