Spironolactone

[Barb1]

I was recently in hospital in Cyprus with pneumonia. Whilst there it was discovered that I had dangerously low potassium levels. That was dealt with and I lost 6 kgs of fluid in 5 days. On discharge I was told to stop taking Bumetanide, which I had been on for 11 years and go onto Spironolactone. It appears to be working wonderfully, as my weight is steady and I have no swollen ankles. But how? When I was taking Bumetanide, I was a prisoner in my home for 5-6 hrs a day. Now I hardly notice extra trips to the toilet (except at night) and they are not so urgent. We are planning a 12 hr drive to France in the New Year. Ordinarily I would not have taken the diuretic but I wonder if I can now. How do others find that Spironolactone works?

[10gingercats]

I was given this in hospital when i turned up with very swollen legs which I had had for c 2 years and GP was sidelining this aspect of my health. Spirolactone worked immediately to rid me of water around my heart and in my lungs. I now take a small dose on cardiologists instructions every morning with a very small dose of Furosimide.Together they keep the fluid buildup at bay.

[Barb1 in reply to 10gingercats]

Interesting. Why was the Furosemide added? Do they interfere with your lifestyle at all.

[10gingercats in reply to Barb1]

Not sure why the Furosimide was added. But it might be because I could really do with more Spirolactone but it is a powerful diuretic and Furosimide less so so the Furosimide add on gives a less potent dose that a large one of Spirolactone by itself? No, it does not interfer with my day to day life.

[Hylda2]

I take one Spiranalactone in the morning and two Bumetanide to keep the fluid away from my heart. If I’m still breathless come lunchtime I take another Bumetanide. Look like a prune or as my great grandson says - a crinkly old lady elephant

[Barb1]

That's a lot of Bumetanide. You can't be able to go out.

[Becksagogo]

I've just had my Bumetanide reduced to 4 a day and I take one Spironolactone, also reduced. I work from home so the loo is always close by but I am not forever running backwards and forwards. If I go out, I take them to suit . I too am like a wrinkled prune and I go through no end of body lotions! I also suffer with flaky skin which shows on the inside of my clothes when I get changed.The worst part though is trying to get blood out of me if I haven't had enough fluids! But I'm alive thanks not only to my medication but to the wonderful NHS.

[Crystalbowl]

I was on, I think, 120mg Fuorsemide a few years’ ago for water retention. This was gradually reduced as my situation improved and then 25mg daily of Spironolactone was added. I now take this with 40 mg Fuorsemide every other day (should be 20 mg daily but the tablets I have are 40 mg and splitting them is not easy). I have been on this regime for some time and my fluid retention levels seem OK. No problems with that, at the moment. I do find I hardly ever feel the need to pee although when I do go, I can pee for England! I have not got up during the night to go to the loo since I started on this regime although I had been getting up for the loo for years before that. I do have 3-monthly blood tests for kidney function.

[Barb1]

Thank you all

[rubyr61]

i have been on bumetanide since 2002 10mg a day , then back in 2018 a new cardiologist put me on 250mg of spirolactose in march this year my potastium levels was dangeruosly high magnesium very low and INR very very high taken into hospital for 5 days and taken off spirolactose which had damaged and injured my kidneys bumetanide causes uric acid which causes gout hence the reason for only 10mg SO BEWARE WHAT YOU ARE TAKEN

[Barb1]

Yes, I have been on tablets for high uric acid. Guess I will have to ask GP to keep an eye on kidney function. Thank you for the info.

[bassets]

Hi, when i was firdt diagnosed with AF I had been taking a diuretic for years on the advice of my gp but the cardio doctor told me the low potassium that had brought about was probably one of the triggers for AF. I take magnesium now as fairly sure that was leached by them too.Hope your trip is enjoyable

[Barb1]

Thank you.

[EngMac]

You may wish to consider this book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. It has a very thorough chapter on blood pressure control, diabetes management and medications. It will explain why beta blockers such as atenolol and metoprolol are no longer considered first line treatments for most patients with hypertension. Furosemide is also a heavy gun when it comes to treating mild to moderate high blood pressure. There are many other options including many non-drug approaches. Only you and your doctor can determine which approaches will be best for you.