Spironolactone Dehydration help

Hello.
I am in Israel and I am self medicating because of the lack of help to transgenders by medical personal in here.

I started just recently, after looking carefuly on the instructions, dosages and medicines information.
I been taking 4mg Estrofem per day (started from 2mg and raised after a week) and 200mg Spironolactone (started from 100mg).

But the last few days I seem to have a problem with Spironolactone, it caused me a severe dehydration and seems like almost no matter how much I drink I kept putting out too much liquids (I started to drink more than usual, not sure how much more).

I stopped taking Spiro for one day because of feeling terrible and needs to sort my body water.
I was wondering it is any common?

I had a look around on Google and it appears that Dr. Yona Greenman at the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv has experience in the endocrine (hormone) treatment of transsexuals. He/She has written this letter to the editor of a medical journal concering transsexuals:
http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/conten ... type=HWCIT

Note the final comment: In conclusion, much improvement is needed in the quality of treatment that transsexual people receive, together with an empathic and supportive approach that these patients require.

If you can, take Cyproterone. It is considered to be much better than Spironolactone. It is not approved by the FDA in the US but is available around the world.

Failing that, try reducing your Spiro to 100mg / day and see if that helps. Once the dehydration stops, up your dosage back to 200mg.

Good Luck.
M.

Thanks for the reply

your welcome.

Oh, I forgot to ask.
Should I cut the pill into two and take 50mg in the morning 50mg in the evening or just take a full 100mg pill?

I don't think it matters although that could help reduce the side-effects.

So yesterday I been feeling a bit better finally and I took only 50mg of spiro.
After serveral hours I started feeling my mouth is dry again.
This morning I feel as if my brain is dry and my mouth is definitly dry.

I have drank enough and barely had to go to urine this time..
But this time I havn't lost insane amounts of water like last time.

I am wondering what should I do.

If you can get it, take Cyproterone. I can't emphasise enough that you should try and find a helpful doctor. There can be serious side-effects from hormonal reassignment that you need to monitor.

Spironolactone makes me drink alot of water,
and pee constantly. While with a relative I was
told: "I am not going to ask an invasive question"
and remembering Calpernia's warning, I assented
their proceed. I felt calm, as he casually asked
if I had a bladder infection. Aghast, I assured
this elder of the family that was assuredly not
the case. Pushing the issue, he further informed
me that I should "not be so sure," and to inform
a doctor of my urinary habits.

I apologize for the digression. If you cannot sate
your thirst with Spirono, then stop taking it. Lower
your dosage and consult medical help.

ok, I am a doctor by chance and i am happy to answer your question,

spirinolactone is one of the diuretics , we call it potassium sparing diuretic , because it cause you loss water and retain k( potassium), it works on the kidneys tubules by blocking important hormone in your body called aldosterone wich is impotant to mantaine the sodium and and mantain your blood pressure .

in addition to the blocking of aldosterone site , spironolactone hase hormonal effect and as an anti-androgenic effect and thats why in a male patient some develop gyneacomastia( enlargment of the beast) which is actually desirable effect for male to female transsexual.

so if you are on this drug:

1- you will feel dehydratred and passing alot of water

2- you have to be carfule you can have cardaic arrest if your potssium is high as result of potassium retention from blocking the aldosteron----- so you need to check your potssium on a regular basis
3- you could also suffer from breast pain( tenderness on touch)

iam very happy to help and tg/ts

dr alxender