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Okay so the situation is that I am being taken off of spiro because I am being put on blood pressure medication. I have been on spiro for about 4 years and am worried that without tblockers and only estrogen that the  estrogen wont be effective anymore. anyone have any any advice?

Orchi?

Hi Rachael,

Did whoever that took you off Spiro know why you were taking it? And did they suggest a replacement for it?

Otherwise you'll have to go back to them and explain why you need the Spiro, and work out a new medication regime.

Be safe, well and happy
Lotsa huggs
Catherine

Rachael, after 4 years I would probably say that the t-factories have shut down, sold to Mitt Romney and laid everyone off for a profit (political comment).

I agree with Beth, get an orchidectomy.  Best thing I ever did.

Yeah thats the first thing I was thinking about. And it was my endo that took me off the spiro in aticipation of being put on Blood pressure to protect my kidneys because apparently I now have type 2 diabetes or close to it.

How is your weight? If you need to loose a few pounds, that could help with both the BP and diabetes.

Quote from: JennX on August 18, 2012, 06:11:22 PM
How is your weight? If you need to loose a few pounds, that could help with both the BP and diabetes.

Orchi?








LOL, j/k.

:D

Quote from: Ms. OBrien on August 18, 2012, 10:56:16 AM
Rachael, after 4 years I would probably say that the t-factories have shut down...

You might want to discuss with your endocrinologist. Everybody is different, but as long as your body has been responding well to your estrogen treatment, I am told that the majority of MTF women who are anatomically intact can go off of spiro at 6 months, and the lion's share at 1 year, because the testes do stop producing testosterone under the body's new chemistry. As long as your estrogen is adequate, testosterone production should stay suppressed, but as a precaution you could do a hormone panel now and again in 6 months to make sure your T is staying suppressed on E only.

And yes, an orchi or GRS/SRS will absolutely stop T production in the testes, guaranteed.

okay, Rachael, I'm not a doctor, or a medical professional, but I have been on some similar meds over the years.

I was on Aldactone (spironolactone), as a diuretic, for several years.  When the dosage of one of my other blood pressure meds, Zestril (lisinopril) was increased.  Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, and causes the kidneys to retain potassium.

Similarly, spiro is a potassium-sparing diuretic, with anti-androgenic properties.  Using both could cause a potassium problem in your body.

Generally, a diuretics helps the bp meds work better.

Quote from: Jamie D on August 19, 2012, 01:42:21 AM
okay, Rachael, I'm not a doctor, or a medical professional, but I have been on some similar meds over the years.

I was on Aldactone (spironolactone), as a diuretic, for several years.  When the dosage of one of my other blood pressure meds, Zestril (lisinopril) was increased.  Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, and causes the kidneys to retain potassium.

Similarly, spiro is a potassium-sparing diuretic, with anti-androgenic properties.  Using both could cause a potassium problem in your body.

Generally, a diuretics helps the bp meds work better.

Sounds to me like you should seek a second opinion, if you can.

If your BP is still high despite being on spiro then I'd be more concerned about your general health first.  Spiro, being a diuretic already has some BP lowering properties through its ability to reduce the volume in the circulatory system, so if you're having BP issues, I would suggest that getting that under control as a priority.

You said that you're borderline type 2 diabetic.  Some of the most common causes for a combination of these problems are poor diet, and carrying excess weight.  If either of these apply, then improving on them may allow you to go back on spiro. 

The alternative is to think about an orchi, but that only addresses your hormonal concerns and doesn't really help with your health issues.