Started Spiro today, estrogen in 6 weeks!

[Stephanie_b]

I'm really happy so I had to post!   

I was wondering if I can expect any kind of changes between now and when "e" is added?

One thing I definately noticed is that I had the giggles over no apparent reason, 2 times today. 

[Tammy M]

I started Spiro before starting E also and the first day I had a feeling of a high.  The next few days I felt normal, maybe more calm but no difference really.  Then I had to pee a lot and my throat got dried out and I thought I was not going to like it, so I started drinking more and my system got used to the diruetic and then in a few days that was fine.  During the next few weeks I started feeling more focused and less anxious and and then some whole days would go by without an erection, which was nice.

[spacial]

I've been on Spiro now since August, but sadly, not for transgender reasons. The dose is smaller than yours will be as well.

I found I was a lot less bothered by annoying feelings, I'm a ton more relaxed. (Though you wouldn't believe that during the week I couldn't get onto Susans'!!).

As I said, small dose, so no changes in body shape.

Always had dry skin. No worse than is was before.

[Hope]

Over the years I have seen to therapists and both have suggested that I do a low dose of estrogen. I have started with a low dose of spro for one month now. I must say I feel much more relaxed and have been sleeping very soundly. Tammy M is right; you do have to drink a lot of water. I'm still thinking about adding a low dose of estrogen. I'm thinking of following the advice of my therapist at least until there are obvious changes to my appearance. I don't think there'll be many as I am 62 and I feel at this age my body will be slow feminize. Let me know how you doing after he start the estrogen.

[Ashley_C]

Is it common to start Spiro before E or is that at the doctor's discretion?

[Stephanie_b]

Is it common to start Spiro before E or is that at the doctor's discretion?

The first time I started hrt, I was prescribed estrogen (estrace) and spiro at the same time.  I was seeing a highly specialized psychiatrist for three months prior though.

This time I have circumvented a therapist because my doctor is a mtf transwoman.  The requirements are to have 5 appointments before starting hrt.

I have had 2 appointments so far, but she is allowing me to start hrt after only 4 visits, not the usual 5.
She said that noemally she insists on 5 visits first.

About spiro without estrogen, my thoughts is that it will help lower my t levels before starting estrogen, making the estrogen more effective from the "get go."

[Stephanie_b]

Over the years I have seen to therapists and both have suggested that I do a low dose of estrogen. I have started with a low dose of spro for one month now. I must say I feel much more relaxed and have been sleeping very soundly. Tammy M is right; you do have to drink a lot of water. I'm still thinking about adding a low dose of estrogen. I'm thinking of following the advice of my therapist at least until there are obvious changes to my appearance. I don't think there'll be many as I am 62 and I feel at this age my body will be slow feminize. Let me know how you doing after he start the estrogen.

I will let you know how it goes.  I am just afraid that it might not work as quickly or as well as it did when I was younger...

[Stephanie_b]

I've been on Spiro now since August, but sadly, not for transgender reasons. The dose is smaller than yours will be as well.

I found I was a lot less bothered by annoying feelings, I'm a ton more relaxed. (Though you wouldn't believe that during the week I couldn't get onto Susans'!!).

As I said, small dose, so no changes in body shape.

Always had dry skin. No worse than is was before.

I have always had dry skin also.  And now I am also feeling more relaxed. 

[Stephe]

Yes, not all but many seem to do this spiro first. I was a little dizzy and light headed the first few days on spiro but that didn't last long. Also it seems my body has adjusted to this med over time and I don't pee as much as I did at first, but I still drink plenty of water. You do need to be careful and not over do the water drinking too, you can drink so much you pee like crazy and flush good things from your body..

Also watch your potassium intake. Stay away from like bananas, vitamins with a loads of potassium, eating a bunch of potato chips or fries etc. Looking at the package info will show if something is loaded with potassium. As long as you just don't over do any of those you shouldn't have any issues. I'm not obsessive about no potato products, I don't eat bananas though and my blood work has always come back fine.

[Beth Andrea]

Good luck on your journey!! 

I was started on spiro and E on the same day and I had an ear-to-ear grin...my exhuberance-O-meter was off the chart! 

Speaking of spiro and dry skin...my skin's been itchy for the past several days now. Been on spiro for just over a month...itchiness gets worse if I scratch it; does anyone know if it is spiro related?

[Stephanie_b]

Yes, not all but many seem to do this spiro first. I was a little dizzy and light headed the first few days on spiro but that didn't last long. Also it seems my body has adjusted to this med over time and I don't pee as much as I did at first, but I still drink plenty of water. You do need to be careful and not over do the water drinking too, you can drink so much you pee like crazy and flush good things from your body..

Also watch your potassium intake. Stay away from like bananas, vitamins with a loads of potassium, eating a bunch of potato chips or fries etc. Looking at the package info will show if something is loaded with potassium. As long as you just don't over do any of those you shouldn't have any issues. I'm not obsessive about no potato products, I don't eat bananas though and my blood work has always come back fine.

Oh, no.  I wasn't thinking about all the potassium that's in potatoes...  Yesterday I ate a giant poutine with cheese, gravy and three meats (not the healthiest selection).

Also for the longest time I have been drinking half a jug of v8 juice each day...loaded with potassium though

[Stephanie_b]

Good luck on your journey!! 

I was started on spiro and E on the same day and I had an ear-to-ear grin...my exhuberance-O-meter was off the chart! 

Speaking of spiro and dry skin...my skin's been itchy for the past several days now. Been on spiro for just over a month...itchiness gets worse if I scratch it; does anyone know if it is spiro related?

Thank you so much!   
Also I remember how I felt when I was on both the E and sliro for the first time.  It took about an hour or so, and I could feel the difference the E made.  I too had an ear to ear grin and I think that was probably the happiest moment in my life...so far. I'm hoping for a repeat of that!