HRT side effects and timing

[mnrjpf99]

I have been on HRT for 3 weeks now. I am on Spiro and Estradiol. I am just wondering if you get used to some side effects like being light headed, feeling tired and blah sometimes and such?
I know there will be some side effects that will be a long time thing but, I am wondering which side effects are short term and what others are long term?

[Deborah]

My experience is that the body adapts and the side effects go away after about six to eight weeks.  It also helps to drink plenty of fluids, eat good food, and get plenty of exercise.  I did feel a little off for a while but now I feel as energetic as ever, maybe more.


Sapere Aude

[Dena]

You should talk to your doctors about the side effects because you should be over them by now. Spiro requires you drink plenty of water and consume more salt than normal. Failure to to this can explain some of what you are feeling. You didn't say how you were taking the estradiol but when I first started, I needed to buffer the estrogen pills with food to reduce the dizzy feeling I had.

[FrancisAnn]

You are probably imaging the side effects. You do need lots of water for the spiro to work. Good luck, talk with your doc if they are real effects.

[mnrjpf99]

I have some days that are fine and others that are a lil funky. I will drink more water though. I do walk every day at least 2 miles.

Oh yeah. Does anyone else dream like really vivid and frequent dreams? I wake up tired from dreaming so much.

[Deborah]

I have been remembering my dreams a lot more.  I'm not sure if it's the HRT or that I am sleeping better and waking rested instead of tired.  It is frequent though, like every night now.


Sapere Aude

[KayXo]

You are probably imaging the side effects.

I don't think so. These effects may well come from Spiro if one loses too much salt and water AND potassium gets relatively too high.

I will drink more water though. I do walk every day at least 2 miles.

Be sure to also eat as much salt as you CRAVE, don't limit consumption on spironolactone. This should have been explained by your doctor. Also, don't drink or eat stuff that is high in potassium, like fruit juices, salt substitutes, etc. Spironolactone increases sodium loss and increases potassium retention. Cramps, tiredness, dehydration, dizziness can usually be resolved by eating enough salt and drinking water.

Does anyone else dream like really vivid and frequent dreams? I wake up tired from dreaming so much.

Experienced this quite a few times.

[mnrjpf99]

I have been staying away from high potassium foods as much as possible. When my potassium was checked last week (2 weeks after starting spiro) it had stayed the same as it was when I had all preliminary blood work done, so that is all good. I will just keep up with the water and salt. I hear pickles are a good source of salt and not too bad for you either. I admit that I almost bought a bag of tortilla chips and a thing of cheese sauce. Yummy!

When I started HRT, I also for the most part gave up soda. I used to drink 3 or 4 cans of Dr Pepper a day. Now I am down to 1 can a day and sometimes I don't even finish it. I don't have a weight problem or anything. I am at my goal weight of 135 but I just want to keep it that way. I also am cutting caffeine as well. I have Tourettes and I am hoping it will help.