Adjusting to H.R.T Tired and Achy

[Morgana]

Today is day 4 for me on H.R.T. I'm exhausted and the tendons and ligaments in my legs are rather sore. Today when I shaved and then applied moisturizer, my face almost tingled, which is unusual. On day 2, I did a 3.5 hour strength training/barbell workout, which may be exacerbating the fatigue. So, will I eventually adapt and not be so tired? Should I just invest in some good coffee? Are the achy i.t bands and ligaments normal for hrt or did I just over work my self doing squats? Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

[Jessica]

I'm inclined to think your 3.5 hour workout wiped you out.  That is of course if it wasn't your normal workout.  In the beginning for me there were various changes in perception of touch and smell that were profound.

[Morgana]

It wasn't my normal workout. I had been a bit depressed and hadn't exercised for a while until day 2. What felt and smelled different and how?

[Jessica]

It wasn't my normal workout. I had been a bit depressed and hadn't exercised for a while until day 2. What felt and smelled different and how?

My sense of touch changed in how things felt to me.  Softer is the word that comes to mind.  It may just be an effect of my skin starting to soften within the first week.  My psychological demeanor changed to a more relaxed self and may have played a part on how I touched, picked up or grabbed.
My sense of smell changed dramatically in that some things smelled differently, I could smell more?, somethings I didn't smell as much.  I had an experience in my fourth month that I can't explain.  A much younger friend came over and as soon as we hugged, I knew she was pregnant.  Pheromones?

Good luck, Jessica

[Harley Quinn]

Your tendons are going to be a little achy for a bit, as that is going to be one of the changes you'll experience on the hormone journey.  That'll go away in a few months.

The tiredness is somewhat subjective.  You won't have quite as much raw energy as you had on Testosterone.  That part is pretty standard.  With that being said, you are not supposed to be completely run down.  I would give it a few weeks to adjust, but if you're still completely run down then you may be too low on estrogen.

I wouldn't suggest hitting the coffee too heavily.  It is somewhat counter productive to hormone therapy.  Sure you'll get some quick energy, but it'll hinder your transition to some degree.  So keep it in moderation.  If you're on Spiro, adding another dieuretic, like coffee, is going to get you dehydrated a lot quicker.  Keep it within reason and you should be fine.

I can't imagine a 3 1/2 hour workout session being beneficial.  That just sounds like an easy way to break down your body.  I'd try to stick to an hour a day.  I've never seen a workout program that was beneficial after the first 60 minutes.  I could leave the gym exhausted after an hour.  There'd be a lot of sitting idle to stretch a 2 hour workout, let alone 3+ unless there was a ton of stretching and resting involved.

[Morgana]

Each set was 5 reps, followed by a 5 minute rest period. 3 sets of 5 reps for the work sets for each exercise. 10 minutes of rest between when switching from one lift to another.  I've noticed that I've been calmer since starting hrt. Also, my sweat doesn't smell as bad as it used to. I used to have this terrible putrid garlic pizza smell when I would sweat. Today I took a hot bath and was sweating and I lacked the usual stench.

[Jessica]

Each set was 5 reps, followed by a 5 minute rest period. 3 sets of 5 reps for the work sets for each exercise. 10 minutes of rest between when switching from one lift to another.  I've noticed that I've been calmer since starting hrt. Also, my sweat doesn't smell as bad as it used to. I used to have this terrible putrid garlic pizza smell when I would sweat. Today I took a hot bath and was sweating and I lacked the usual stench.

Oh, and the smell of your urine changes also.

I myself never had much b.o. ever and still don't

[Morgana]

The thing about the smell of my urine changing, that was actually something that I meant to ask my doctor about at my last appointment but forgot to. Thanks!

[KathyLauren]

The only aches and pains I noticed from HRT were from my boobs growing.  I did notice a loss of upper body strength.  Last summer, I dug out my chainsaw to clear a tree that had blown down across a path.  The darned thing had put on at least 20 pounds, I swear!

[AnamethatstartswithE]

You say you are on day 4, spiro made me really groggy for the first 5 or 6 days until I got used to it.

[Devlyn]

Nobody has mentioned water. If you're on spiro you need at least eight glasses of water a day, and plenty of salt. With a 3 1/2 hour workout I would assume at least a gallon of water would have been required that day.

Hugs, Devlyn

[Morgana]

You say you are on day 4, spiro made me really groggy for the first 5 or 6 days until I got used to it.

Thanks, good to know. I'm absolutely exhausted right now.

[karmynloveless]

I wouldn't suggest hitting the coffee too heavily.  It is somewhat counter productive to hormone therapy.  Sure you'll get some quick energy, but it'll hinder your transition to some degree.  So keep it in moderation.  If you're on Spiro, adding another dieuretic, like coffee, is going to get you dehydrated a lot quicker.  Keep it within reason and you should be fine.

I've never heard this before. As someone who drinks two 32oz iced coffees from Starbucks per work day (one at the start of the day and one on lunch break) it's a little concerning. I would hate to  e hindering progress with my habit

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[josie76]

So yeh, your urine will smell different. That area will start to smell different. The skin glands seem to make a bit more oil or whatever it is. The area ( what do you call it like the armpit of the leg) may become darker. Mine has. My upper body muscles shrank away as did my lower legs. In time my body began putting fat on my upper thighs more and my behind as well.

Spiro by itself can wipe you out. Aside from needing to intake more water, you can get dizzy and even pass out from getting your potassium too high when taking it. When I was working outdoors last summer I kept salt packets with me. When I would feel faint I would open 2 or 3 and poor the salt on my tongue washing it down with water. Sodium controls potassium blood levels. When sodium drops, free potassium rises. High potassium interferes with the nervous system. What I can say, is it will wipe you out. Dep nods on how much you sweat or urinate your sodium out.

[Morgana]

Spiro by itself can wipe you out. Aside from needing to intake more water, you can get dizzy and even pass out from getting your potassium too high when taking it. When I was working outdoors last summer I kept salt packets with me. When I would feel faint I would open 2 or 3 and poor the salt on my tongue washing it down with water. Sodium controls potassium blood levels. When sodium drops, free potassium rises. High potassium interferes with the nervous system. What I can say, is it will wipe you out. Dep nods on how much you sweat or urinate your sodium out.

Thanks much. I just downed a couple salt capsules. I hope that will fix me up.

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

I've never heard this before. As someone who drinks two 32oz iced coffees from Starbucks per work day (one at the start of the day and one on lunch break) it's a little concerning. I would hate to  e hindering progress with my habit

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I drink 2 coffees a day, everyday and it has not hindered anything. I look very girly after 2 years of HRT. I should add, however, I'm on Androcur not Spiro.

Once you get to 6-12 months on HRT you should start to feel much better. I think your body needs to accumulate enough oestrogen in its fatty tissues etc first.