Another question about HRT after GRS

[JessicaR]

  I'd like to ask anyone who's been post op for awhile about the effects from  changes in their HRT regimen after GRS.

  GRS for me is coming up soon... I'm going to assume that my Dr will have my levels tested post op and adjust my dosage accordingly. Did your doc take you off Spiro completely after GRS? I know that the adrenal gland can produce testosterone; how did that play out for you in the long run?

   After GRS and a resulting lower dosage of E, did you feel any different emotionally? Physically? Spiro makes me cramp very easily and I have to pee ALL the time... I'm looking forward to being able to stop it but is it realistic to assume I'll feel better physically without it?

   I guess it just makes sense to me that, even though the E has little to no T to fight anymore, you're still dropping the E dose dramatically after surgery and I would assume you'd feel some effect.

[Kristyn]

My regimen stayed the same.  I wasn't on Spiro, I was on Androcur and I have stopped taking that.  As for changes, pre-surgery when I stopped taking estrogen, I noticed physical changes but no emotional changes.  Post surgery, when I started taking hormones at my original dose again, I noticed both emotional and physical changes.  Mentally, it was some moodiness and a little depression.  Physically, it was a noticeable change in my skin and significant breast development.  As for dropping your dosage after surgery, why not ask your doctor if can stay at the same level?  I did--all he asked was if I was sure that I could handle it and we left it at that.  It really isn't necessary to reduce your dosage unless you're doing mega doses.

[Janet_Girl]

When I had my Orchidectomy, I stopped the Spiro entirely.  My Estrogen was lower to post-op levels.  I have never really seen and great changes now that I am post-op ( At least hormonally).  But we have also added progesterone to the mix.

[Dinky_Di]

My doctor stopped the spiro prior to surgery and now 12 months after my T level has remained very low so no need for it.

Upon starting back on E he reduced my dosage and I always have a higher estrogen level now than I ever had presurgery.  As for post surgery changes, yes there has been, but I can't seem to put a handle on what, just seem to have feminised more in looks.  Very wierd, probably like how or looks change when we first start on hormones.  It's like the facial changes have been kicked into action again.

[JessicaR]

  Thanks for your responses so far.... I'd like to add that I've been on HRT for 5 1/2 years; For those who did notice changes post GRS, how long had you been on HRT before surgery?

[Kristyn]

About 15 years, I think.

[FairyGirl]

I was on HRT for 15 months prior to my surgery. After surgery I dropped the Spiro, but kept approx the same amount of Estradiol and added Progesterone to the mix. About 7 months post-op or since the end of Jan my new Endo has tripled my Estradiol dose as well doubled the amount of Progesterone I was taking. The combination of the increased hormones together with being post-op has had a quite noticeable effect on skin, breasts, hips, even my face according to my doctor.

I'm now at just over 2 years HRT, but I feel like it didn't really start to earnestly kick in until after surgery and the increased dosages. Also I had some negative side effects from the Spiro so I'm glad to be rid of that.

[Dinky_Di]

About 5 yrs on HRT before surgery.