[GoneGirl]

I'm so glad that horse chestnut has worked for you and your sister. Spiro is a diuretic, and since according to your profile you do not seem to be taking any other diuretic it certainly should improve the effectiveness of the HC. I myself am already taking HCTZ, another diuretic, and before that I was taking Lasix, yet another type of diuretic, for a number of years,together with spiro for the last 18 months. All of these act on the kidneys in slightly different ways, but all help reduce edema due to CVI. All of these also tend to keep down blood pressure but I suspect that the effect may be minimal for those without a BP problem. I haven't sufficient evidence to tell whether any of the OTC diuretics or caffeine work effectively with HC but they may well do. Spiro of course has its disadvantages for any one not wanting its antiandrogenic effect or its possible side effects other than gynecomastia.

Hugs

Yes, Annie, I'm so happy that you told me about Horse Chestnut. Of course, I have to watch my BP because it's normally low, but so far I don't see that 100 mg of Spironolactone (Aldactone) is affecting my BP one way or the other. The Spiro is also my main T-blocker, so I'm killing two birdies with one stone. One consequence, though, is that with my feet no longer swelling up, I find it harder to keep my pumps from falling off...LOL.

Clara