Cant have NO potassium on spiro?

[wannalivethetruth]

When i started hrt, my doctor said i cant have potassium, suchs as: cokes, oranges, bannas. he said this because of the spirolactone im on. But..there is a lot of potassium in things! Such as tomatos nd green beens, which im hesitant to eat, but really want some. Is it just cokes nd orages, bannas?? Because its really hard to not have any thing with potassium?? How to know if its to high? whats to high? Ughhh!

[MarinaM]

Ask your pharmacist the next time you pick them up. Mine said that as long as I don't increase my potassium intake I would be fine, just be consistent.

I avoid almonds and bananas, I never did drink regular coke (diet coke though...). Just look it up before you eat it if you have your concerns.

[Tamaki]

I haven't changed my potassium intake at all, not that I eat a lot of bananas or stuff like that and my last blood test show normal levels. Your blood work will tell you if your potassium intake is an issue.

[pebbles]

Pffftt hahahahahaha! I eat loads of potassium rich foods. Potatoes especally everyone wants to steal your money so you have to save it where you can, eating cheap is one of those things I do.

[Re: Joyce]

I heard this, too, and slacked off on potassium.  I watched my blood tests and was low on potassium, so I ramped up my intake.  It turned out I could have eaten bowls of the stuff and been fine.

     This really and truly depends on your individual system and how your blood tests turn out.  Watch your intake at first and see how your own levels turn out.  It doesn't matter what any of us have done, it only matters how your own body works.

      I have a girl friend whose level rises when she walks through the produce section of the grocery store...   

[JennX]

Pffftt hahahahahaha! I eat loads of potassium rich foods. Potatoes especally everyone wants to steal your money so you have to save it where you can, eating cheap is one of those things I do.

This +1.

I haven't changed my potassium intake at all, not that I eat a lot of bananas or stuff like that and my last blood test show normal levels. Your blood work will tell you if your potassium intake is an issue.

This +2.

My diet is more-or-less the same. I love apricots & raisins, which are vey high in potassium. Still eat em, just not as many. I also still drink OJ, just not maybe everyday or as much. Your doc should check your potassium level most every time he draws blood, as it's a very inexpensive test. For the most part, my diet has remained the same.

[Joelene9]

Rose,
  Did your doctor do a blood work?  Some people do have a tendency to have an elevated K reading and need to hold back. 

  This from WEB MD: Too much potassium is UNSAFE and can cause feelings of burning or tingling, generalized weakness, paralysis, listlessness, dizziness, mental confusion, low blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, and death.

Low Potassium:
•Weakness, tiredness, or cramping in arm or leg muscles, sometimes severe enough to cause inability to move arms or legs due to weakness (much like a paralysis)
•Tingling or numbness
•Nausea or vomiting
•Abdominal cramping, bloating
•Constipation
•Palpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly)
•Passing large amounts of urine or feeling very thirsty most of the time
•Fainting due to low blood pressure
•Abnormal psychological behavior: depression, psychosis, delirium, confusion, or hallucinations. 
  Joelene

[JungianZoe]

Also, don't pump your fist while the blood is being taken because that can artificially elevate potassium levels in the sample.

[cynthialee]

I only know one woman who had a potasium issue from spiro. Her levels were almost at mortal levels.
This is one of the reasons we need to be monitored when we take HRT and why DIY is dangerous.

Most of us will have no issues from taking spiro. Any excess pottasium will be excreted. Some of us do have to worry about potasium.

Try and eat a well balanced diet and be aware of the high potasium foods and try and not have too many of them.

Get your blood draws done regularly and follow doctors orders.

[Janet_Girl]

You need to have your potassium levels monitored.  If you are really concerned, you may want to see a list of high potassium foods.  I did not change my diet and had no problems, but then again I was monitored while taking Spiro.

[A]

I looked it up for a bit and... Whoa. They're crazy.

Limit your fruits and vegetable intake to 4 portions a day.

This is definitely unhealthy. People need AT LEAST 5 portions a day (the recommended amount being 7 minimum) to remain healthy*. If potassium is so bad on spiro, perhaps they should try another anti-androgen...

Spironolactone often increases serum potassium levels and can cause hyperkalemia, a very serious condition. Therefore, it is recommended that people using this drug avoid potassium supplements and salt substitutes containing potassium.

Wikipedia** is not a doctor, but it sure does not seem so drastic.

*Canada Food Guide
**Wikipedia entry

[girl_ashley]

Wow.  Yeah, the "you can't have any potassium" myth.

You only need to avoid potassium if you have liver or kidney problems.  That warning label is not meant for healthy people who are taking Spiro.  Watch your potassium numbers, if they are within normal ranges, there is absolutely no need to adjust your diet or what you are eating.

[JungianZoe]

If potassium is so bad on spiro, perhaps they should try another anti-androgen...

Yeah, the potassium dance is one of the reasons I'm glad my body didn't react to spiro and my endo switched my anti-androgen...   The new one actually works and I keep my beloved bananas, one of the only foods in the world that doesn't react badly with my stomach condition.

[girl_ashley]

Look, Spiro isn't as bad on potassium as you think!  It's only a concern to those with liver/kidney problems.  If you're healthy, you really have nothing to worry about.

Spiro is a really safe drug.  It's been around a long time.  If Spiro was really that bad, they wouldn't have us all going on it for its anti-androngenic properties.

[girl_ashley]

Well,I'm not on spiro so I can eat all of the bananas that I want!!

*throws rotten bananas at you*

I'm not on it either.  I've only had to be on it for 13 months from starting HRT to SRS.  But this myth must be busted.

[Lisbeth]

The easiest way to monitor your potassium is to go to the drug store every week and use the blood pressure machine. It shows your blood pressure and your heart rate. If your heart rate starts dropping below 60/min, cut back on the potassium.

[girl_ashley]

The easiest way to monitor your potassium is to go to the drug store every week and use the blood pressure machine. It shows your blood pressure and your heart rate. If your heart rate starts dropping below 60/min, cut back on the potassium.

You cannot monitor your potassium levels by checking your blood pressure.  Only by running a blood test can one properly check potassium level.

[Joelene9]

You cannot monitor your potassium levels by checking your blood pressure.  Only by running a blood test can one properly check potassium level.

Ditto.  My blood pressure and heart rate and potassium remains the same as before Spiro.  BP 115/75, pulse 55 and STEADY, K: 4.3 MMOL / L (3.5 - 5.3 is normal range).  Low blood pressure runs in my family.  I eat potatoes!
Joelene

[Vicky]

Remember, the principal "on lable" use of Spiro is as a diuretic for folks (like me) with high blood pressure to remove excess H2O from your blood volume.  I was put on it NOT for its AA qualities but because another diuretic had been decimating my potassium levels.  (My endocrinologist had to clue in my GP about the off label use, and both got a good laugh)  DRINK PLENTY of water when you are taking it!!  Coca Cola in high octane or un-leaded has a caffein jolt to it that also ia a diuretic!  Not enough WATER will elevate your potassium!  DRINK WATER and enjoy a long life on it, unless you are just unluckily the !% of the 1% ers.  DRINK PLENTY OF WATER!! 

[MarinaM]

I used to pop acai extract as well, and it worked for me!  ) Now I don't. 100 g/ acai = ~850 mg of K

Put the brakes on that right there. I haven't gained any weight yet either, which is weird.