I wanted to share my experience of taking two different Spironolactone (generic) types.
I started with Verospirone, which comes in capsules, and while it certainly had its effect on me - some typical described effects, including clearing up my skin, I did not experience any of the drawbacks. In particular, it does not work as a diuretic for me :P.
Now, I just wanted to increase my stocks so that I basically have like 6 months supply of hormones and antiandrogens, I asked for Verospirone in another pharmacy, but instead I was offered Spirix, which is Spironolactone in pills. It has that distinct mint smell and taste, which I read about here on the forum. Obviously, I cant comment about Verospirone taste, because I never tasted one - it just went straight down into my tummy :). However, I feel some minor diuretic effects after switching to Spirix, plus I sometimes get dizzy when I suddenly stand up. Today I had the therapy session and after we finished, I got that dizzy feeling again - blaming low-blood pressure, which is one of reported effects of Spiro, I asked if my blood pressure could be tested. But... it was 134/71, although my usual "normal" pressure is 125/80. So my upper pressure was actually higher than usual...
Has anyone else tried different forms of Spiro and can provide any feedback whatsoever? I still have quite a stock of Verospirone (like for 3-4 months), but I feel that Spirix is stronger and... but is stronger also better? I could also balance this out by switching them on daily basis.
Hi Sammy, I think you saw my post that I have been taken off Spironolactone for now. I didn't have any diuretic effect but may have been because my gender Doctor said I should be drinking more water. I had slight virtigo the first time I took a pill but it was only sporadic for about 20 t0 30 minutes and never had the experience again. I felt a drop in energy & on my next visit after mentioning this to the Dr., he said it is probably due to the drop in blood pressure and drink more water. I don't like water, so I bought a variety of about 4 juices and that made a difference and bring your bp back up. My May 30 appointment bp reading was back up in a normal range. More liquids of course you pee more often. Perhaps if you drink more liquids it will do the same for you with a more normal range bp & less likely to experience dizzy spells. Something to consider, not sure if it makes a difference for you. I haven't been on any other derivative of Spiro to compare so can't help you there.
Jamie
Hiya!
Actually I missed that post, Jamie, but I checked it out right now. Seems, Your effects were different and more worrying - my "vertigos" usually last about 3 secs maximum and thankfully they only tend to happen if I am suddenly standing up. So at least I am not getting dizzy while I am riding a bike... great :P.
Do You have any updates on Your eventual HRT status yet?
Hi Sammy,
IIRC you are also hovering around in Europe. So unless your weather conditions have been a lot more stable than most peoples these past few weeks, I would consider that this may also have something to do with it. While I've always had my blood pressure a bit on the low side (105/65 or so), the current weather has had me doing the "standing up and sitting right back down"-routine quite a bit more often than usual, and a few colleagues in the office as well. So while I would most certainly echo Jamie's advice on getting enough liquid into your body, there may be that external factor as well that can at the very least increase the effect.
Theo, you bring up a valid point about weather & atmospheric conditions. Thanks on the point of fluids. When you get the bp up it takes less work on your heart pumping the blood through your system.
@Sammy, Good that vertigo last only 3 seconds, perhaps take more time rising from a sitting position will alleviate the dizzy spell. I was told after an operation to gradually prop yourself up into a sitting position on your bed take a few seconds before lowering yourself to the floor rather than rolling out of bed, that can make you dizzy.
Very kind of you to ask about any feed back. I had an ultrasound on the abdomen last week and have an appointment with my gender Dr. on May 20 so I should have an idea of the situation with the Kidneys. I also have an Appointment with my Endo on Aug. 12. After that he may have an assessment as to working with some other derivatives & if I can carry on or not. I'm still hopefu.
Take care
Hugs
Jamie
Jamie, I am sure they wont find anything which should not be there and will figure out the best course of medications for You. Be safe!
Theo, true, this could be the case - weather is the usual windy/stormy type with hot bright sunlight here in Baltics. Usually, I am not very much affected by atmosphere pressure, per se, but I do get affected by moon phases, and maybe things are changing a bit because of HRT... I dunno. I will deffinitely be more careful with standing up, because blackening out for a couple of secs and grabbing the wall is not a good thing to do - might happen while I am no stairs too...
Sammy, some time ago I was prescribed Aldactone (a brand name of spironolactone in the United States), as a diuretic. I used it in conjunction with a couple of other heart medications. As I recall, my dosage of Aldactone was lower that the typical MtF HRT dosage.
I remember it as being a little orange pill with no particular taste.
When I am on new medications, or have had my dosages or dosing schedule changed, it is not uncommon for me to become light-headed, especially standing up. I believe it is sometimes called "postural hypotension."