SURPRISE SURPRISE GENTLEMEN

[Kelling]

Add Lanzaprole - a medication taken to combat excessive acid damage to the lining of the stomach, then add Spironolactone, used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure in the form of a water tablet and finally Furosemide, yet another "water tablet" bringing up the rear of this modest collection of medication, all of which I am taking. be able to spring upon our already bruised and bashed about bodies?

Male boobs or should I give it its correct name Gynaecomastia. Yes over time that is what could befall us all. After having attended the breast clinic on Tuesday for a sharp pain and possible lump (albeit small) behind my left nipple, I was diagnosed with Gynaecomastia with no worries about the pain. Apart from abject embarrassment, I was actually relieved to hear this news for not only was it nothing sinister - yes 1% of men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, when I next go swimming, one exercise I love, and get the curious stares I will have the knowledge it is nothing I can help! So be warned gentlemen, this is a side effect of this cocktail of medication that just cannot be helped, although it can be treated, but will always return given these three drugs.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Apparently breast enlargement is a common side effect of taking Spironolactone. I suggest you discuss with your GP to find out if there are any alternatives.

[Kelling in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you for the reply however the issue of changing medication lies with the specialist that prescribed it. Self help always remains the best alternative, that of exercise and diet, although the results always remain the same - it is the medication that is responsible.

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to Kelling]

First you didn't tell us who had prescribed, and second my suggestion of discussing with the GP is still valid, for even if he/she was not the originator of your meds, the GP can still seek guidance from the health professional who is the originator, and that is something I have myself have initiated in the past. Finally side effects come with many forms of medication, and sometimes you just have to put up with them, but sometimes there are alternatives so it is always worth investing time and effort to see if any are suitable to your situation, for if you don't take the trouble no-one else will.

[Kelling in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

Thank you for confirming my thoughts

[Etzel]

I had exactly that and luckily was still under the community heart nurses, they immediately swapped me to Eplerenone and it went away. They told me that they normally start with Spironolactone as it's cheaper, go to your GP/Consultant/heart nurses and see if they will swap.

[Kelling in reply to Etzel]

How informative and thank you for the knowledgeable information. I will do that as soon as I possibly can. As an aside, how bad was it before you spoke to someone? I thought mine was a legacy of my being overweight before the drastic weight loss, the breasts a remnant of that. I would be very grateful of an answer. I only found out by chance, having spoken to the Dr about the problem in the past, with my suggestion of having them removed surgically. No move on that one but when the sharp pain behind my left nipple came along and only then the breast clinic Professor reassured me that there was nothing sinister going on, with the assurance he would write my GP to seek other treatment to relieve me of the water retention. Now I can, thanks to you, pass this alternative treatment into the ring as an informed choice. Thanks again, "J"

[Etzel in reply to Kelling]

Mine wasn't so much a pain as sensitivity or soreness but I think I caught it quite quickly as touch wood I have very little side effects from my many pills so associated the change with the pill swap and hit google!

One other thing that might come in handy is my Furosemide started at 120, then 80, then 40 and finally a few months ago because my legs/ankles hadn't swollen for a long time they let me self dose. It's very handy knowing that you can skip the weekend if you are going out etc.