Spironolactone and Dizziness

[parasol]

Hello.

I've been on a regimen of spiro and premarin since 2008.  Early April I began experiencing signs of dizziness.  Doctors were telling me I was dehydrated so I tried drinking more water and eating more.  It still didn't help and I started having panic attacks because I couldnt understand what was causing it.  I'm also peeing soooo much, every 20 minutes if I'm drinking something.

Blood tests were run and urine samples and an EKG.  They said I have orthostatic hypotension and I'm borderline anemic (I've always had iron problems though).  They are wanting to send me to an endo for a re-evaluation of my hormone regimen and perhaps try something different.   I'm going in for more blood tests Saturday.

It's odd I had been fine for years but now I'm suddenly all sick like.  Anyone else have any problems like this?

[girl_ashley]

Very interesting, I am going to watch for others to respond as my GP is saying the same thing.  Except my regimen is Spiro and Estradiol injections (and was on it for 13 months).  My pre-surgery screening labs came back and my GP was trying to tell me that I was anemic and that I'd have to go on a MVI with Iron for a month and then go back for retest.  Well, we did another test a week later and came up with the same thing, but she also ordered a specific panel for anemia and it turned out normal.  This was within weeks of the surgery.  Suffice to say, I never went on the MVI and she still approved for me to go through with surgery.  I haven't had my blood checked since and I am extremely curious what its going to show. (surgery was on April 4)

[Ms.Behavin]

spiro is primary a blood pressure med and a diuretic.  It has a secondary effect of blocking testosterone absorption.  It can cause Dizziness and will lower blood pressure (hypotension) too.  Plus that whole running to the restroom...  Talk to your doctor about it.  Since your using it for the secondary effect, you need to drink more and avoid too much potassium as sprio reduces potassium elimination.

Beni

[girl_ashley]

you need to drink more and avoid too much potassium as sprio reduces potassium elimination.

If you're healthy, no, you really don't need to avoid potassium.

[girl_ashley]

Doing a bit more research into this and found that yes, Spiro can have an anemic side effect.  Both of the following links list aplastic anemia and hemolytic anemia as possible side effects.

http://www.drugs.com/ppa/spironolactone-hydrochlorothiazide.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/67571-spironolactonehydrochlorothiazide-spironohctz-side-effects/

[JennX]

Have you had your blood glucose level checked lately?

[Joelene9]

  You may have lost some minerals, girl.  Spiro will do this after a time if you didn't drink enough water and eat too little.  It will take time with the changing diet. 
  I hope the Dr.s  are giving you a complete blood work.  Premarin is from horses, may have some other horse elements, although quite tiny.  Some people do have sensitivity to horse serum. 
  Joelene