Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Last week my endo doubled my spiro dose to what I believe is generally considered the maximum.  Before that I was on HRT for nine months at half that dose.

The past few days I have been often lightheaded when rising from lying to standing.  I'm pretty sure it's not low blood pressure because mine is and has been slightly above normal my whole life.

I'm not terribly concerned about this but am trying to figure out what's going on.  Anybody had a similar thing happen?

Oh, I have occasionally gotten lightheaded when rising even before HRT.  Its just that for the past couple of days it seems to happen every time.


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Fluids electrolytes and blood pressure are things that have to be watched closely when on Spiro. Have you been drinking enough since they upped the dose? Hugs
Mariah

Not enough fluids the past couple of days might be the problem.  Even though I usually drink over a gallon per day this morning I noticed I was really thirsty as soon as got up.

I'll drink more today and see what happens.


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Don't forget salt too.

I use to get lightheaded and fainted three times. Once was at work and I hit my head very hard. I drink a lot of water and cut out coffee.

I ate a half teaspoon of salt yesterday in a glass of water LOL.  I'll try another today.  Usually, I don't use salt at all and eat very little processed foods so maybe the  increased dose finally crossed the line of sodium consumption and elimination.


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If your food doesn't have enough salt in it then you need to add salt in other ways. I get the dizziness sometimes too and that is why. I'm low (just a point or two below the normal range) on sodium, but not overly low. I have feeling you maybe lower than that. If your not fond of salt then drink something like Gatorade or poweraide provided you can handle the potassium and other electrolytes too. Hugs
Mariah

Actually, I like salt a lot.  It's just that in the past I quit using it (and grew accustomed to not using it) to be sure I wasn't getting too much every day.


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I can totally understand that. Anytime I eat food that has a good amount of salt on it the is overly noticeable as a result. Hugs
Mariah

You may want to consider something like tomatoes with salt and celery with salt as a daily snack. I also eat radishes with salt. I had taken salt straight and it is tough for me to eat. 

I love pickles. Sodium problem solved. :-P

Serena

I never have been on blockers but have naturally low blood pressure and what you describe sounds exactly what happens to me sometimes. Because I have been living with it from about age 7, I know the light headed feeling by heart and don't measure my blood pressure but it might be helpful for you to have an automatic unit at home to check yourself when you get the feeling. With me, illness, mental pressure, getting up to fast and standing for to long can bring on the light headed feeling. As a matter of fact, the first time I felt the feeing I was in a 1st grade christmas play and I was one of the wise men  ;D I ended up with a trip to the nurses office on that one. Now I sit or get on the floor until the feeling passes.

Spiro is used to treat high blood pressure, and will drop it. If it was normal before, chances are you now have low blood pressure. It's easy enough to get it checked.

Spironolactone for the treatment of high blood pressure
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0014744/

Spironolactone (Oral Route)
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/spironolactone-oral-route/description/drg-20071534

I did have a checkup at the endo last week and actually while on the first visit nine months ago my blood pressure was normal, now it's borderline high.

Hopefully, it's just dehydration which is easy enough to fix.  I'm drinking a lot today so hopefully the symptoms will be reduced by morning.


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Thank you all, I am going thru it, weakness, leg cramps, side aches, I been real good about the H2o & salts. I live in the desert southwest between LA and the river. Coachella valley, I am used to heat and hydration/electrolytes. I too was doubled up on spiro! . I just did labs and I go in the 21st Am gonna tell them, whats up. I will let you know then.
Thinking orchi ? hummm. luv clear :-\

On Spiro, it's VERY important to eat enough salt (when you crave it) and drink plain water. Limit diuretics and potassium intake. Best way to avoid leg cramps, dizziness, fatigue. Surprised you weren't warned ahead of time by your doctor or pharmacist.