(Quick question) Just started Spiro and..

[Aidan_]

..jeez you people were NOT kidding about it making you go ALOT. I mean it's not critical but it's really annoying...does this part of the medicine calm down after a week or few?

[Janet_Girl]

Yes it does have that effect on people.  Make sure you are drink more water now.  Yes you will go even more, but you don't want potassium building up.

[Aidan_]

Yes it does have that effect on people.  Make sure you are drink more water now.  Yes you will go even more, but you don't want potassium building up.

Yes ma'am, the endo even told me I had to avoid my beloved orange juice...I loved drinking bunches of it a day and now it's a no-no due to the potassium >_>

Oh well. I think I'll swap orange juice for hormones any day.

[JennX]

The first month was the worst as far as extra bathroom trips went. After about 5 months everything has almost settled back to normal for me. Keep drinking lots of water though. The other thing is depending on your dosage, muscle spasms will increase as well, especially in the legs. Potassium rich foods like OJ, potatoes, raisins, bananas, etc need to be eaten in moderation, but not totally avoided as some potassium is needed in your diet. Your endo should monitor your potassium level as one of your regular reoccurring blood tests.

[Fancyrabbit]

..

[Janet_Girl]

I haven't heard about the restrictions of potassium before. Are there other foods / changes like that which are needed when going on HRT?

Yes there are.  Unfortunately.  Potassium Rich Foods

[Aidan_]

Yes there are.  Unfortunately.  Potassium Rich Foods

Oh wow, thanks for that. I wonder if the tomato sauce used in say...commercial pizza is still rich in potassium after all that processing. Potatoes too, like for french fries...looks like I shoulda thought about these questions before I went to the doc. Research, here we go!

[pebbles]

i've eaten most of the things on that list it's not an extreme restriction just you know don't be silly.

[nicksy23]

,oh. .wow. .delicious list i love the pears . .im not aware its on the list. .i avoided oranges and orange juices since i started spiro. .i guess i have to lessen eating my beloved pears too

[Epigania]

..jeez you people were NOT kidding about it making you go ALOT. I mean it's not critical but it's really annoying...does this part of the medicine calm down after a week or few?

It calmed down for me after about a week and a half ... maybe 2 weeks.  Now I'd say I go about as much as I did prior to starting spiro.  Maybe a tad bit more but not as dramatic as the first few weeks.

Congrats on this step! 

[JennX]

i've eaten most of the things on that list it's not an extreme restriction just you know don't be silly.

This. Everything in moderation. Also it depends on an individuals physiology. Everyone is different. This why we need to have our potassium levels checked regularly.

[Just Shelly]

I agree just use moderation and if one of the high potassium foods happens to be your favorite then you'll definitely want to cut down on it.

Myself, I enjoy milk ALOT well I use too until I found out skim milk has the highest potassium of all the milks and thats the milk I like.

I also watch my spinach intake, I try to limit my potassium before I have a spinach salad, or even cooked. I don't worry too much about tomato sauce I still enjoy my spaghetti and potatoes, I don't eat them too often.

Like pebbles said and I stated at first just don't overdo it.

My potassium levels have never been high, and I can honestly tell you the only thing I cut back on was my skim milk, and I know the spiro is doing its job my T level is at 2.5

Shelly

[JenAtLast]

Ooohh...didn't know that about the Spiro.  Wow.  It's always something when it comes to meds...

[Aidan_]

Another question, if someone doesn't mind answering...

How much more water would you think you need? Part of me is thinking I'm overcompensating with ~13 cups a day or so. I'm just thirsty a lot with it so I'm thinking thirst = go get some water...but how much is too much?

[regan]

Another question, if someone doesn't mind answering...

How much more water would you think you need? Part of me is thinking I'm overcompensating with ~13 cups a day or so. I'm just thirsty a lot with it so I'm thinking thirst = go get some water...but how much is too much?

Excessive thirst can be a sign of diabetes, but other then that I don't think there really is "too much" water.  At least not 13 cups a day.

[girl_ashley]

If you are healthy, there is no need to worry about your potassium levels.  Those warnings are only meant for older people who may be prescribed Sprio for other uses and usually have complicated medical issues involving liver problems.

I don't know why this perception that one needs to avoid potassium when you go on Spiro persists.

[Janet_Girl]

While you may be healthy, you are taking a medication that has the possibility of messing with your potassium levels.  So is it not better to be forewarned, instead of forearmed. 

That is why you have your levels check.  Avoiding possible potassium contributors is just on way to avoid possible complications.

[girl_ashley]

My potassium levels have remained absolutely flat throughout my entire time on Spiro now, no increase and no decrease.  I have not done any diet modifications.  I have continued to eat potatoes, bananas, and everything else I eat just as I normally do.  There is no need to perform a scare factor on every one going on Spiro that they NEED to avoid food containing potassium. 

What would be acceptable to me would be a change in the rhetoric.  "Hey, this might be something to look out for, watch your potassium levels, but don't freak out over it" would do just fine.

[Aidan_]

If you are healthy, there is no need to worry about your potassium levels.  Those warnings are only meant for older people who may be prescribed Sprio for other uses and usually have complicated medical issues involving liver problems.

I don't know why this perception that one needs to avoid potassium when you go on Spiro persists.

Erm, well...that's true that a normal, hydrated, renal sufficient person should have no problems on spiro. My endo mentioned that it's nothing to be scared of, but I should still not go crazy on the potassium. Something like 40% daily intake was perfectly fine, for instance...but 200% intake for an extended period of time posed a risk...

But hey, I'm sure with enough water you would be able to eat whatever you wanted. Kidneys are still going to do their job @_@

[Epigania]

My potassium levels have remained absolutely flat throughout my entire time on Spiro now, no increase and no decrease.  I have not done any diet modifications.  I have continued to eat potatoes, bananas, and everything else I eat just as I normally do.  There is no need to perform a scare factor on every one going on Spiro that they NEED to avoid food containing potassium. 

What would be acceptable to me would be a change in the rhetoric.  "Hey, this might be something to look out for, watch your potassium levels, but don't freak out over it" would do just fine.

Yeah ... I haven't had issues either.   In fact, when I started Spiro I was getting cramps because I had cut down on some of my potassium and my doctor told me I needed to not do that ...

Spiro is a potassium sparing diuretic.   I don't think that means it blocks your ability to process potassium.   So I'm going to say that as long as you don't go crazy with the Banana Splits, most people will be ok.