Do Your Research

So! Back in 2007 when I was first diagnosed, I knew I had to take a diuretic to deal with the Ascites buildup. I was actually squishy. That is not good. It makes it difficult for all of one's organs to function in such a crowded area.
Usually I check medications thoroughly before I decide to take them.
I was desperate. Something had to be done. I could either have the fluid drained or I could treat it chemically. I decided to take the chemical route and was prescribed a Potassium-sparing diuretic...Spirolactone.
It moved several pounds of fluid out of my body in less than a month. I started off in the 170 lb range and wound up at 132 lbs over the Christmas Holiday. If only there had been a weight-loss contest for that period, I would have won the plastic surgery prize hands down with my feat of drainage. I looked like a prune with festoons of flesh hanging from my inner thighs and showing up on my stomach as well. My shoes even felt loose. I could have used some plastic surgery.
So, I've been taking Spirolactone for two years and eleven months now.
Today, I finally decided to check out the side effects. I'd been watching Dr. Oz going on about how deadly grapefruit and Statins could be when taken by the same person.
So I decided to check out Spirolactone and foods to avoid and I got an eyeful!
I learned that I should avoid foods containing Potassium.......
Now I know why all these cramps in my legs have been happening. I thought it was my fault for drinking so much ginger ale to help me burp when my digestion started blowing bubbles. I'd quit ginger ale because my digestion seems to be under control. No more bloating. So, knowing how sugar and the other things in pop were not doing me any favors, I quit.
Then I was away and had a smale Sprite with my baked potato and chicken.
My hands became spastic on the steering wheel. I hate that and sometimes my legs would cramp when I was driving. I took a Magnesium tablet to relax the muscles. Magnesium is not nearly as effective as it used to be.
Cramping is a side effect of Spirolactone use. One I've been supposed to warn the doctor about. Oh, yeah?!
Not only does Spirolactone cause cramping, it causes bruising. And it's not doing that great a job so I also have to take Ventilin and Pulmicort to control the Asthma that Ascites seems to bring along as a companion. I hate bruises all over my hands and arms. Before I go out I have to apply make-up to the bruied areas below my long sleeves.
Oh, yes! Spirolactone makea people drowsy. Nice!
Thank you, Doc. Maybe we need to talk about this.
It took me long enough to smarten up and check that diretic out.