Growth again.

[WPW717]

Had a recalcitrant BP on stout long acting meds. Reserpine. That it barely affects pressure of 230 over 130 is what got me diagnosed as a mixed feature pheochromocytoma. Blew a hole in the medical axiom ‘ no such thing as a fat Pheo ‘ lost 50 lbs and pressures returned to 110/64 to 130’s/ 70’s. 
Other endocrine disasters gave me gynecomastia. But the BP stayed okay.
Recently back to gym & walking, worthy of note was the recovery post exercise returned to normal after the thyroid medication kicked in and the tachycardia during my workout went down to 106 from high 120’s with the same workload from 2 years ago.
Feeling good and the weight gain from the prednisone is starting to go with no dietary changes. Yea.
Hated the water retention and bloat from the weight and steroid.
Happy for all us oldsters regaining some modicum of health back.

[Justagirl💃]

Good for you Oldguy.

  I have been on Losartan and my numbers have reached 190 over118.  We have brought it down to the 130's  over 90's. We are  still tweaking the meds.  It's the water retention that bothers me I'm semi-retired, and that's the best I can do for now.  I have to have an involvement in things for a time yet.  I too was walking 3-4 miles a day until I had a toe issue we just resolved.  I'm back at it.  A couple years ago was 8-10 and felt great.

Most I ever did daily, in walking, was 5 miles. I did 3.73 miles a month ago and survived.  Only 2 miles the next day.  Moderation in everything, including walking.

I used to walk 9 to 12 hours per day at least 4 days a week land surveying. I thought I was in great shape until I had a series of mini strokes (most likely the result of heavy smoking). 
The strokes slowly stripped me of my balance and ability to walk. 

I quit smoking and walking and gained 250 lbs because I didn't change my diet. 

It's a balance that floats on a fine line for health. I have now lost 130 lbs of the 250 with dietary changes and intend to keep going. Drastic changes were necessary. 

[taxmapper]

Taxmapper,

  I wanted to just check in with you and see how the Spironolactone is working out for you and if your BP is stable and in the target area?
I have been battling high BP and have been on so many new scripts in the last 6 months.  Today we are trying one more new thing but we are very concerned with the issues I'm having with fluid retention in the abdomen and lower legs.  This new one added is a 30 day trial to closely watch for more retention. 

  Is that working for you and should that be a consideration for me?
If you don't want to go into it here PM me if you would rather.  Thanks

OK:  So an update on the Spiro: 
First, the BP is in teenager range.  Averages around 110-118 over 66-78 with a pulse rate around 73 +/-.   

There are several items of note:  The testosterone spikes are mellowing out, and the headaches long gone!  (Thank God!) 
Because its a water pill, it draws out salt. So your sodium levels drop a bit and when you get some salt in your mouth its almost like candy at times.  Secondly blood draws: Need to keep an eye on potassium. Spiro is a "potassium sparing" drug, ergo: it causes your body to retain the potassium more and this can lead to potassium toxicity.


NOT a fun situation! 

As for the side many get interested in:  The feminization.   

Varies by customer.  

According to alot of the data, it really does depend on the body itself. I have a much stronger estrogen sensitivity; not in a bad way, but that I react a bit more aggressively with estrogen that others might. My T was originally at 899, now its in the 475 range, BUT, SHBG levels though normal, have actual T usage of around 47%. So in reality the T levels are kicking in around the mid 200's. THATS low. 

This has translated to a slightly sped up breast development. Not by alot, but not just outward growth, but inward changes.  If I understood what I was reading, somewhere around the late T2 to T3 stage, and am not slowing down.  The mammogram clearly showed grade A actual female boob! 
Not fat deposits, glandular and growing!  So for me it aint over yet. 

But with the way I have reacted to the Spiro, I am not giving it up!  

[Parity]

Taxmapper,

  Thank you for the well written and informative response.  I'm glad your feeling good and your BP is within the target range. 

I do understand everyone reacts to medications differently.  For me its the blood pressure and fluid retention I'm needing to target.  It sound like the breast growth and inward changes aren't to much for you.  I'm sure all things could be different for me.  I appreciate your response.  This gave me more to consider. 

Hope you continue to do and feel well.

Parity

[WPW717]

I know the difficulty in adding more complexity ( medications ) to your life, but have your docs considered an estrogen blocker ? Either a SERM or an aromatase inhibitor?

[Moobzie]

One of the ways Spiro affects men is that while it does not inhibit T production, it blocks receptor cells from 'getting' T - so it doesn't do what it did before spiro.  Secondly, when the T doesn't get 'used' by the receptor cells (which are blocked from receiving the T) the body aromatizes the now 'excess' T into estrogen.  Double whammy for those of us for whom Spiro is prescribed because of some comorbidity / condition - basically guaranteeing gyno development and associated physical feminization effects.  But - other than these effects, and having to be careful with possible potassium buildup - Spiro is well tolerated by the body.
BTW, this is why mtf-ers like Spiro, and have sought and used it for 30+ years for those very effects, and without negative side effects other prescriptions may have.

[Justagirl💃]

One of the ways Spiro affects men is that while it does not inhibit T production, it blocks receptor cells from 'getting' T - so it doesn't do what it did before spiro.  Secondly, when the T doesn't get 'used' by the receptor cells (which are blocked from receiving the T) the body aromatizes the now 'excess' T into estrogen.  Double whammy for those of us for whom Spiro is prescribed because of some comorbidity / condition - basically guaranteeing gyno development and associated physical feminization effects.  But - other than these effects, and having to be careful with possible potassium buildup - Spiro is well tolerated by the body.
BTW, this is why mtf-ers like Spiro, and have sought and used it for 30+ years for those very effects, and without negative side effects other prescriptions may have.

I was prescribed Spyro for about 2 years due to edema in the legs. It did wonders to treat my edema without any noticeable side effects whatsoever. Upon moving to Texas they took me off of Spyro right away.

The feminization effects really didn't matter in my case because I was already there and have had boobs since my early teens. Perhaps when I moved to Oregon they'll get me started on my Spyro again that I can get off the Lasix.

[Parity]

I have been on Losartan and added Amlodipine.  I'm retaining a lot of fluid now.  I need to get back in and make some changes. 

  I'm not sure how I would react to that but need to make a change.  Regardless of minor side effects.  

[Herbert]

I was taking Lisinopril and Amlodipine and my blood pressure was still high. My doctor added the diuretic Chlorthalidone and thank the Lord my is stable well below the 120/80. Chlorthalidone helps strip sodium from your system. The addition of Amlodipine seamed to increase my breast size over time.