Coming up on week three of Spiro

[valyn_faer]

Tomorrow will mark the end of my second week on Spiro. Changes I've noticed so far:
My nipples have been pointy a lot lately.

I actually seem to be losing more hair on my head. This is kind of bothering me. I'm not sure what's going on. I don't know if it's because the hair closer to the root is changing as my hair grows out and this causes the ends to break off because it's different than the part near the root, or if it's just age and I'm racing the clock here with hair loss.

My appetite has decreased and I can tell I've lost weight.

My leg muscles have been kind of sore and the muscles have been twitching a bit. I'm not sure if this is just due to atrophy, or what. I run pretty much every day, as recommended by my doctor.

I've been a little "bitchy" and impatient lately. Stuff that normally doesn't bother me, has been getting on my nerves. I seem a little more irritable. It comes and goes, though. I'm not sure if it's just because I'm not scheduled to start Estrogen until December and so I'm antsy to get on with the changes and tired of waiting, or if it's a hormonal thing.

It kind of feels like I get a closer shave on my face and fewer nicks. It could be my imagination, though, or some other factor. For example, the humidity has been higher lately. I'm planning on looking into laser hair removal or electrolysis soon.

I've also been a little colder lately. I think that's about it.

[Smith]

Hi Valyn_faer,

Is this some advices from your doctor that take spiro without E? My doctor said the opposite advice.
I had ever almost arround 3 weeks (I don't remember precisely) on spiro without E since some brand of E can't find in some farmacy, so the doctor gave advice to change the brand of E, at that moment my skin was dry and had bad mood...hihi

[Dana Lane]

For the hair talk to your doctor about Avodart.

[valyn_faer]

Yeah, I'm supposed to take Spiro for 10 weeks, then I begin Estrogen. I think this is partly so that if I have a reaction to one of them, the doctor will know which one.

Is Avodart an alternative to Spiro? Or is that something I would take in addition to Spiro that would just help with the hair loss?

[lilacwoman]

legs aches are Spiro cramps...if they get severe you may need to reduce the dosage or the running until things settle down or try adjustig the amount of liquid you take in and what it is.

[Diane Elizabeth]

   I wasn't told anything like that.  I started the spiro the same time as I started the patch.  The only change, after 5 weeks has been my hair becoming finer, less course.  I have not seen or felt any other changes as yet.

[lilacwoman]

surf for Spiro cramps to see lots of info that you and your doctor could refer to.
Basically its just your body trying to get used to this imbalance you have created so once it gets used to it the cramps should reduce or disappear.

[valyn_faer]

Thanks. I'll look into it. Maybe I'm running too much. I also might not be drinking enough water. I'm going to take a water bottle with me today.

As for why my doctor is prescribing this way, I'm not really sure. It could be because I had closed heart surgery when I was 3 years old, and so I'm at a higher risk for blood clots and DVT than others. I'm supposed to be on a low fat diet, taking a baby aspirin every day, and exercising every day, which is what I've been doing.

Also, should I discontinue washing my hair every day? It seems like it's kind of dried and frizzier than it was before. I had been using Garnier Fructis shampoo and didn't even really need a conditioner because the stuff worked so well. But now, it feels like I need a conditioner.

[lilacwoman]

every day is way too much unless like my boss's it is super oily.   
I wash mine twice a week but can leave it to just once.
only use a small drop of shampoo just enough to get a light lather and don't leave it on for more than a minute or so and definietly use a conditioner again just the minimum until you find a routine that gives you nice hair...as the Bible says 'her hair is a woman's delight'.

[Sada]

bye

[Janet_Girl]

Also have him check your potassium levels.  Spiro cause the body to retain potassium.  But he should know that.

If the Spiro is a problem and he can't get you on something like Avodart, consider get an Orchidectomy.  Then you have no real need for an anti-androgen.

[Sada]

bye

[valyn_faer]

Well, I know I can't mention dosages here, but I did start out on a lower dose than I'm taking now. Now that I'm at the full dose the bitchiness has gone away. It also just could have been due to stress and lack of sleep. I started HRT the same day the term started.

As for the muscle twitches, I occasionally eat seasoned fries with my dinner. Haha. I just noticed the other day that they are high in potassium. I didn't notice before, but that should have been obvious. I'll be checking the ingredients labels much more closely now. I had blood work done before I started HRT and I'm scheduled for more in early December before I start Estrogen. I try to drink as much waster as I can but I don't want to have to pee during class. I hate having to duck out of class and risk missing something important in lecture. I should probably quit drinking wine, too. I'm sure it dehydrates me.

I tried not washing my hair one day. That was a bad idea. It was super greasy and oily and nasty looking the whole day. I bought some conditioner and have been using a leave-in conditioner, too. That seems to have helped with the frizziness. Although, it still feels like I'm losing more hair than I was before. I'm wondering if it's also due to stress. My friend in AZ used to always cut my hair and she said she could always tell when I was stressed out from my hair.

I'd really like to avoid switching medications and paying more money if I can. I'll wait another week or two, make sure I drink plenty of water, watch my potassium intake more closely, and see how things are.