Susan's Place Transgender Resources

 Hello, I am currently beginning my hrt its my second day. I have been taking spironolactone along with the estrogen. I am experiencing  heart palpitations and constipation. Im wondering if this is normal and if thia goes away after awhile. Thank yoi for taking time to read this.  :)

Please drink a hell of a lot more water.  No, seriously, right now.  If that doesn't help, get yourself checked out ASAP.


Anyway, this is my usual "welcome" spiel.  Read it later.

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Yep, drink more water. Now.

Yes water and if you start feeling dizzy get to an ER your blood pressure may be dropping

Also, if you crave salt, eat some. And stay away from diuretics, stuff with lots of potassium. ;)

 Ok so I started drinking alot more water and kind of still having the same symptoms.  I also seem to be having flank soreness. On both sides. Due to the holodays my doctor will not be able to see me till next month. So unfortunately, I am deciding to stop taking the spiro since I am concerned about the palpitations.  .... thanks for the replies.

This site might help.

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/spironolactone-side-effects.html

Spiro is a potassium sparing diuretic so you run the risk of dehydrating and becoming hyperkalemic (excess potassium). You need to increase your fluid intake whilst keeping your potassium intake fairly low. Feel free to salt your food and keep drinking. Expect some dizziness as spiro is used an an anti-hypertensive. If you experience dizziness when you get up from a supine to sitting or sitting to standing position wait a few seconds with your legs dangling before getting fully up as you could lose your balance. That's cause orthostatic or postural hypotension and can indicate dehydration. If you experience this increase you fluid intake and talk to your GP. If you experience muscle cramps talk to your GP, ASAP, as they can indicate excess potassium.

I seem to have achieve homeostasis with my now lower BP and don't get the dizziness but it takes a few weeks to really adapt.

Quote from: KayXo on December 18, 2014, 04:07:55 PM
Also, if you crave salt, eat some.

I've just recently, like in the last month had this happen.  Like if I see a bag of Fritos I'll start salivating thinking of salty food!   I thought it might have something to do with the spiro, glad it's not just me! 

Quote from: AmazinglyAutumn on December 20, 2014, 07:35:57 PM
I've just recently, like in the last month had this happen.  Like if I see a bag of Fritos I'll start salivating thinking of salty food!   I thought it might have something to do with the spiro, glad it's not just me!

I put salt on my salt then I salt my salt.

Quote from: Wynternight on December 20, 2014, 07:58:35 PM
I put salt on my salt then I salt my salt.

Haha, and I thought I went overboard putting extra salt on tortilla chips.   :o

(I haven't really done this, but I thought long and hard about it last time I had nachos!)

I don't think you can overboard on salt when on Spiro.

I'm trying!  ;D

 So the week before christmas i decided to visit my primary doctor. She advised me to stop taking the spironolactone. She suspects i am sensitive to it.  She didnt suggest an anti-androgen which i think personally should have been perscribed to begin with. So i am just doing the estradiol valerate.  Hopefully my hair will not fall out due to the dht....... I am due to go back in ( to my primary doctor) march to see how everything is going.





No Dosages Please

 I had the same thing happen and then found out you're supposed to drink between a half to a full gallon of water daily. It so far as ceased to being a problem. It's not something to forget.

Spironolactone took away my soft skin and made it dry. I wonder if more water could help with that, too. I have also had faster and more irregular heartbeats since starting it. I always used to have a bad heart; feminizing made it better until I added spiro. My body shape has worsened too. I feel like the spiro is taking away all the beneficial effects of transitioning. Since spiro is actually an androgen, is that really surprising? I wish I could go off of it, but if I do my hair starts thinning and falling out within 6 hours due to DHT poisoning. Given the lack of good anti-androgens typically offered to transgender people here in the USA (World's best healthcare, LOL) I am not sure what I can do but will talk about it when I see my endocrinologist tomorrow.

I drink a ton of water it doesn't help keep the skin any moisture than what it is like with drinking less water.
Mariah

Quote from: Steph34 on January 13, 2015, 10:17:50 AM
Spironolactone took away my soft skin and made it dry. I wonder if more water could help with that, too. I have also had faster and more irregular heartbeats since starting it. I always used to have a bad heart; feminizing made it better until I added spiro. My body shape has worsened too. I feel like the spiro is taking away all the beneficial effects of transitioning. Since spiro is actually an androgen, is that really surprising? I wish I could go off of it, but if I do my hair starts thinning and falling out within 6 hours due to DHT poisoning. Given the lack of good anti-androgens typically offered to transgender people here in the USA (World's best healthcare, LOL) I am not sure what I can do but will talk about it when I see my endocrinologist tomorrow.

Quote from: Wynternight on December 20, 2014, 07:58:35 PM
I put salt on my salt then I salt my salt.

I put soy sauce in my Ramen.

you can't get much more sodium than that