![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lepus on March 30, 2005, at 23:06:06
I know this isn't entirely related but I have seen it discussed on this board before and was hoping someone here could help. I was told last week that my testosterone levels were high and that it could be the reason for my mood swings and anxiety. I was put on spironolactone at 25mg 2x a day. I started taking the drug Saturday. I have been having what feel like blood sugar problems, shaky and sweaty at times with dizziness. Today I woke up and my heart was beating noticeably (not fast it is only at 70-80bpm), I was sweaty and a bit nauseous and my stool was more loose than normal (TMI - sorry). Are these normal side effects that others have experienced and will hopefully go away with treatment or am I having an uncommon reaction? I tried to call my doctor but he is on vacation until Wednesday and left no one else to talk to!
I have an anxiety disorder and was very afraid to take this drug because of the potential potassium build up and the damage that could cause. I am not sure if I am really having a problem or if I have just worked myself up into a tizzy about this.
I really had a lot of hope for this drug and so desperately want to be able to continue using it. I am so sick of the adult acne and the excess hair along with being afraid I am going to lose my hair. I am not overweight and have regular periods so I don't even fit the typical PCOSer profile. I am so scared and confused.
Please help. This isn't helping my depression AT ALL!
Posted by Phillipa on March 30, 2005, at 23:06:06
In reply to PCOSers NEED HELP! Spiro! Doc out of office!, posted by lepus on March 28, 2005, at 12:43:11
I imagine so! Why are doctors always out of town when we need them the most! What other meds are you taking. The one you mention is a diuretic. What is that supposed to do to help with high testerone? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by lunesta on March 30, 2005, at 23:06:32
In reply to PCOSers NEED HELP! Spiro! Doc out of office!, posted by lepus on March 28, 2005, at 12:43:11
IF you mean by poly sytic ovaries, the standard treatment which is neaarly 100% effective is the drug metformin. spiro is a very powerful steroid. i would never rec. that NEVER.
Posted by lepus on March 30, 2005, at 23:06:32
In reply to Re: PCOSers NEED HELP! Spiro! Doc out of office! » lepus, posted by lunesta on March 30, 2005, at 7:43:53
Thanks for your replies. I finally got a call into the doctor today. Have yet to hear back from him. It is very frustrating. He told me no side effects. I didn't know spiro was a steroid. Yes, I meant Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome. I have elevated levels of testosterone.
The only other med I am on is Klonopin. This med is making me so nervous.
I feel awful and don't know what to do and don't know how much faith I have in my doctor. I am terrified of an ER visit if that is what my doctor comes back to suggest. I am concerned that I could be having the electrolyte imbalance reaction.
I guess we will see.
Posted by CareBear04 on March 31, 2005, at 13:28:48
In reply to Re: PCOSers NEED HELP! Spiro! Doc out of office!, posted by lepus on March 30, 2005, at 12:43:48
hi lepus,
sorry to hear of your troubles, especially when your doctor isn't around. doesn't he have other doctors covering for him? in most places in the US, anyway, doctors take turns on call, and when they are on holiday, they have their partners cover their patients. that would save you the trouble of visiting the ER, which is always really scary.on another note, did you get a second opinion on the PCOS diagnosis? an OB/GYN i saw last year ran hormone tests and said that the FSH:LH or whatever the ratio is suggests PCOS. i have always had irregular and unpredictable periods, but aside from that, i have no other similarities to the PCOS profile. i'm underweight (which could very well explain the irregularities), no hirsutism, acne, diabetes, or any other indicator. when i mentioned the diagnosis to my primary care doctor months later, he sort of said that PCOS is often a cop-out diagnosis. when he ran the hormone tests again, i don't think he found the same ratios that justified the diagnosis before. if you don't fit the profile-- and there are always exceptions-- maybe you should get a second opinion or at least have the tests run again after a time. a lot of things can affect our hormones, and PCOS isn't the only one. before you get yourself on a treatment as horrid as yours sounds, maybe you should be sure you have the problem.
feel better!
Posted by Minnie-Haha on April 2, 2005, at 18:05:55
In reply to PCOSers NEED HELP! Spiro! Doc out of office!, posted by lepus on March 28, 2005, at 12:43:11
What kind of doctor suggested PCOS? Have you seen an endocrinologist? THAT is where I'd go if I were you. Cushing's disease can cause elevated testosterone levels in women. I had pseudo-Cushing's and it caused increased cortisol. These are things that endocrinologists can sort out.
Posted by CareBear04 on April 2, 2005, at 21:54:15
In reply to Re: PCOSers NEED HELP! Spiro! Doc out of office!, posted by Minnie-Haha on April 2, 2005, at 18:05:55
it was an ob/gyn nurse practitioner who suggested PCOS and a general internal medicine doctor who said i was ok. actually, he didn't say anything after the tests, so i assume they were ok. i don't know if i really need an endocrinologist. i've had my adrenals tested and a cortisol stim test (is that the right name?). are those related to the condition you mentioned? anyway, most doctors that i've talked to don't think it's a big deal that i have irregular periods since i started when i was 14 and have always been irregular. mostly, they think i just need to gain some weight, and they could be right. thanks for the advice.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Health | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.