spiro and met: similar side effects?

theatregirl · 09-11-2004, 02:50 PM

Hi, I am new, although I have been to this great site a few times. Not to bore anyone, but because I am new, here is some background info on me before I ask my question:

I am 35 and maried. My symptoms are: overweight, have moderate hair on my chin, very little on the chest, no head hair loss, very irregular periods, high blood pressure, not insulin resistant

I have known about my PCOS for years, and it was treated with bcp's for years, until I developed high blood pressure. I have been off bcp's for three years. When on bcp's, I had completely normal periods, but no lessening of other symptoms, like chin hair and weight gain. When off bcp's, I have about 4 periods a year.

A little over a year ago, a gynie put me on metformin...wanting me to work up to what seems like a huge dosage: 2400 mg a day. Because I am lactose intolerant and have always had diarrhea issues since having the gall bladder removed, metformin affected me violently. I was in the bathroom constantly (which is no fun when you are teaching school) and was generally miserable. I managed to stay on it for 6 months, but could only get up to 1600 mg. I got my period once. The runs never went away or lessened.

Although I usually follow Dr. advice, I wasn't getting any sympathy and no answers to the question of "is constant prolonged diarrhea damaging?" After almost having an accident while in the midst of doing a Bible reading at a family wedding, I made a decision. I took myself off of it gradually and didn't tell the doc. She 'didn't need to see me' for a year anyway. I haven't had a period in almost a year, and have gained 10 pounds.

Since then, my husband and I have moved and I have a gynie who specializes in menstrual irregularities. I have had to increase my blood pressure med, and he wants me to start on spiro as well. While I am excited about the benefits, I am scared of the diuretic effect. I can't live like I did when I was on metformin. I had to plan my entire life around the location of the nearest toilet.

Here's my question at long last: Has anyone been on met and then switched to spiro? Was the diarrhea just as bad? Thanks so much for reading my extra-long post, and I welcome your comments and advice!

Julius · 09-11-2004, 04:55 PM

hey there and welcome to the boards!

I haven't been on met, so I can't offer any insight into that.

but, I am on spiro. for me, the diuretic effect has just resulted in me having too pee more often, but it's not a sudden "oh no! I gotta go NOW!" It's more controlled and I have never feared an 'accident.'

I haven't experienced any diarrhea on sprio either. For the first couple of days I felt a bit light-headed and nauseas, but no vomiting or diarrhea.

I know this doesn't exactly answer your question, but I hope it helps anyway.

Also, my brother had his gallbladder removed and he has to plan his life around where the nearest toilet is too...so I can understand how frustrating that must be!