Partner terrified of stroke...

[qUiRkY qUeEn]

She takes spiro and estradiol, she  has been on it for a month and see's the doctor on Tuesday and thinks even the slightest headache and the bug eye from staring at the computer screen are symptoms. Should I be concerned or is she just trippin'?

[azSam]

Not sure what a bug eye is, but headaches happen for many reasons, one of those can certainly be from adverse reactions to the hormones. How long has she been on them? Have the symptoms always been around for the entire duration that she has been taking the hormones? I don't think we're allowed to discuss dosages specifically, but I think I'm safe to say that I take both of those and at a much higher dosage on each, and I haven't had any problems like that.

[azSam]

Oh hey, that was my 600th post. Neat!

[Annah]

I think she is worrying too much.

While you can get a stroke on HRT, if you follow the instructions, the chances are about the same as a girl taking birth control.

If your gf smokes like a chimney, has an addiction to bananas, then yea, I would be concerned. But she's going to the doctor so I am sure the doc will tell her the same thing

[heatherrose]

Everyone's physiology is different but as has been mentioned,
as long as y'all are following directions the risk is most likely minimal.
Just have her be sure to go over her concerns with her doctor.

As an aside, bananas aren't the only food to avoid while taking spironolactone.
Strawberries and spinach are at the top of the list also.
I just bought a loaf of sprouted wheat bread and was pissed off
when a friend pointed out that one slice had 140 mg. of potassium.
She now has a loaf of sprouted wheat bread.

[Joelene9]

  There has been blood clots caused by the oral estrogens, causing strokes and liver damage.  But this does happen very, very little.  Putting estrodiol under the tongue and letting it dissolve there will cause it to be introduced into the bloodstream there without going through the liver first.  The liver function against estrodiol in the very few people has been implicated causing these clots.  Also there are external applications of the estrogens such as creams and patches to bypass the liver as well.  These have their side effects and problems of application. 
  The stroke and cardio symptoms should be taken seriously with ANY medicine with liver function warnings.
  Joelene

[Lady_J]

Hi.  I take oral estrogen as well as using patches.  I am battling the cigarette smoking which I know is bad for me and only worse for me since I'm doing oral hrt.  I'd suggest your gf mention her concerns, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem, to her doctor.  The doc will know if oral hrt is safe for her and, if not, the patches are always an alternative.  My mother, who suffered a stroke that disabled her for the last 6 years of her life, once told me there are worse things than dying.  As a former caregiver I understand what she meant.  It's always best to be overly cautious.  Remember, there are no bad questions.  Ask, learn and stay healthy. 

[Eva Marie]

The first symptom of stroke is often no symptom at all -  when i had mine a couple of years ago i was bopping through my morning routine happy as a clam and then *wham* - i was suddenly not well at all. You may have some intermittent TIAs beforehand, but not everyone does. I was lucky and eventually regained 90% of the function that i had before the stroke.

The best thing she can do is to be aware of her blood pressure and any risk factors she might have, such as smoking or a tendency for blood clots or DVT.

Like someone said, oral estrogens MAY increase the chance of stroke in some people.

[jillian]

so eating bananas and taking potassium supplements is bad?
how does one get potassium while on hrt?

[JadeS]

there's potassium in plenty of food, just in smaller quantities. Also it's not a few bananas that will kill you or do much, just don't eat 10 of them in a row.

[heatherrose]

so eating bananas and taking potassium supplements is bad? how does one get potassium while on hrt?

According to the Medicine Information Sheet, from my pharmacy:

"[Spironolactone] is a potassium-sparing diuretic. It works by blocking the hormone aldosterone,
causing the kidneys to eliminate excess water, save potassium and lower blood pressure.

Do NOT use this if:

you are unable to urinate, have severe kidney problems, or have high blood potassium levels.

you are taking a potassium supplement, another potassium-sparing diuretic
(eg, amiloride, triamterene), or another aldosterone- blocker (eg, eplerenone)

....high blood potasium levels may occur (eg, listlessness, confusion, abnormal skin sensations of the arms and legs,
heaviness of the limbs,slowed heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, potentially life-theatening slow or irregular heartbeat.)"

This was pointed out to me by my perscribing physician, a year ago.
She gave me a list of foods, containing potassium for me to avoid,
Bananas, strawberries and spinach being at the top of the list.