I feel all messed up

[Adabelle]

Hi everyone,

So last Monday (9 days ago) I was finally able to start Estrogen.

The thing is I feel really weird. Basically what has happened is that a couple months ago I went off my Spiro (which I've been on for about a year) to get the fertility clinic all squared away. After 5 weeks off Spiro, I went back on. Once I started the Spiro I started having a little more anxiety, muscle spasms, and the occasional night sweat.

Doctor checked all my electrolytes, potassium, calcium, B12 etc and it all looks good. There was no cause for concern.

Then 9 days ago I started E on a very low dose. And I've experienced fairly consistent generalized anxiety and some depression since starting. I still have the occasional night sweat, but I'm having trouble sleeping from time to time, and I'm much more susceptible to general anxiety, and even panic attacks.

My doctor did another blood test and sure enough, my blood work looks great. I'm supposed to be on this ultra low dose of E for 2 weeks, then next Monday I up it slightly for 2 more weeks. My doctor thinks this might be just my body adjusting to lower levels of T, and the E coming in, and that maybe these symptoms are sort of similar to menopause.

When I look at the symptoms of menopause it sure is similar. The "chills", night sweats, sleep disruption, anxiety, tingling, muscle spasms and twitching, etc. I really hope that this is just temporary and is just because I'm starting on E. I also have a lot of stress in my life right now, so that might be affecting me too. I just don't know what to think.

Did any of you guys when you started out on a low dose of E experience any of these things? Did it get better?

[Janet_Girl]

I remember some of those when I started too, but they passed.  Then after Orchie, I had the hot flashes for a bit.  They passed too.

[Adabelle]

Thanks Janet,

I really hope it's temporary because it's hard when it disrupts my sleep or when I feel down or anxious. I need my beauty sleep!!

[SweetShannon]

I had the symptoms you are mentioning when I had my orchie.  I would say they are derived from the lowering/lack of testosterone.  When your estrogen level get's up to speed they should mostly be gone. 

[Christy Edwards]

I too experience some of the same symptoms. Night sweats and twitching. Night sweats are better. No problem with depression or even mood swings....Hang n and hugs....

[Miss_Anthropic]

I had very much the same issues when I started E, the night sweats and trouble sleeping are still there right now, but not nearly as bad as they were to begin with. I feel for ya sister!

~Sara

[Adabelle]

Well I discovered after emailing my doctor that I'm taking the wrong amount of Spiro I was taking half what I was supposed to so I guess something got lost in translation there. Getting on the right dose starting today and we'll see if that helps stabilize things.

[MsSaneJane]

Wow I was gonna ask some questions on this same sort of stuff until i did a search. For me being on hormones for 9 days I have been experiencing menopausal symptoms. Like tingling sensations,  muscle cramps all over and  more recently trouble going back to sleep after waking sometimes at night.

[JessicaR]

 Estrogen will rock your world!

   You can expect to feel out of sorts for a few months... Remember that, with HRT, you're making an incredibly dramatic change to your body; you're going to feel physically and emotionally strange for awhile. It took two months after I started to begin to feel right; just give it time. Six months from now you'll be wondering how you lived without estradiol for so long :-)

[Adabelle]

Hey Jane,

I am sorry you too are having similar symptoms as me.

I have found that taking a hot shower or bath right before I go to bed has really helped quite a bit. Also, I have tried something called "progressive muscle relaxation" and have been surprised that it has helped me relax before I go to bed.

But I'm very optimistic that by dividing my spiro dose between morning and evening, and being on the correct dosage that my doctor wants me on, that it might help me stabilize a little.

I wish you the best, it seems our journey is very similar right now.

[Miss_Anthropic]

....But I'm very optimistic that by dividing my spiro dose between morning and evening, and being on the correct dosage that my doctor wants me on, that it might help me stabilize a little.

I did the same and it seemed to help me

[Adabelle]

Well I haven't had any more severe anxiety attacks since the change (up) in spiro, and this week I also moved up in my Estradiol dose as directed by my doctor. So far I seem much more stable than those first 10 days or so, that was kinda scary.

[MsSaneJane]

I'm now exactly two weeks on hormones and now I don't feel hardly any of those menopausal symptoms.

[Karynm8621]

One of the things pointed out to me with my counselor and my dr was that going on estrogen will make you more aware of the world aroud you. Teenage girls go through this, they go through a very insecure phase. I dealt with this and had anxiety over it as well. You just start getting this odd feeling that everyone is staring at you even when they aren't.

Men are a little more numbed to their personal space than women. They don't have the same safety fears etc. Men walk through their day in a little more of a numb way. Women are more aware of their space. Look around a grocery store, men will always give men in front of them more space but if a women is in front they are moor likely to stand closer and invade her space.

So I'd say your anxiety is partially from your body adjusting to your hormonal changes.

When I came off estrogen for my surgery it was awful. Hot flashes, depression, sleeping issues etc. It mimics menopause. The endocrine system is a very powerful thing and it takes time for your bady to adjust and change both physically and emotionally ...