Susan's Place Transgender Resources

early into my hrt (~2months) my right eye area has started to twitch on and off. first it was right under my right eye that was twitching, now it's my right eyelid. sometimes it goes away for a while, but it comes back and i have no idea what nutrients im lacking since my doctor said all my lab values were within normal range. it doesnt hurt or anything, it's just annoying. im pretty sure spiro is causing it.

anyone else have this eye twitching/facial muscle twitching problem? how did you fix it? ty!

Involuntary twitching, yes I have had that for many years, both before Spiro and HRT and since, just occasional and Dr's told me its just muscle twitches...
But go and check it out just in case, I did and it was nothing

Katy xxx

Often muscle ticks are caused by lack of potassium, but if you are on Spiro, your body will store lots of that. I'd mention it to your doc on the next visit.

Could be from electrolyte imbalance as Spiro increases sodium loss and potassium retention. Be sure to eat enough SALT and drink enough plain water. Limit or avoid diuretics, high potassium drinks.

Quote from: KayXo on December 02, 2015, 01:29:34 PM
Limit or avoid diuretics, high potassium drinks.

Does that include chocolate?

I'm a serious abuser of chocolate.

I found that since HRT, chocolate is a strong stimulant (similar to coffee) and I can't tolerate it anymore. This could be because one of its constituents, theobromine, especially present in dark chocolate, is metabolized by enzymes that are also active when one takes certain medications like estrogen or progesterone ORALLY (cyp 1a2). Grapefruits and certain other supplements/medications, etc. can also interfere with metabolization of theobromine, making effect stronger.

Estrogen is also a stimulant, giving you energy so together with chocolate could get you in overdrive...trial and error. Try and see how you feel without it, perhaps.

Also, a strong craving for dark chocolate or chocolate in general could be a symptom of depression, anxiety caused by a disequilibrium in hormones or psychological/life factors and this is the reason you twitch...anxiety! ...not chocolate.

Go see a doctor, get their opinion. I'm just throwing out ideas, could be wrong...but who knows?! I do better without chocolate personally, I get too nervous on chocolate or coffee unless I'm depressed which was the case when I was very low on hormones.

I get eye twitches if I don't get enough sleep, or if there is too much light in the room I am sleeping in.  It seems to be independent of HRT.

Thanks for the replies  :) I will bring it up with my doc during my next checkup. The thing is i've been eating more salt and drinking a lot of fluids more than ever due to spiro diuretic effects and i haven't touched a banana since starting hrt. i rarely eat chocolate and never drink coffee, im well rested every day and im not under any major stress that would cause anxiety so idk what's really causing it ._.

update: now im feeling it inside my leg, like right under the quad muscles.

The question is...are you really eating enough salt and I hope it's not salt substitute. Sounds to me like electrolyte imbalance...but your doctor will know. :) Keep us posted.

beverages you should avoid are fruit juices, energy drinks that contain too much potassium or some mineral waters, perhaps.

Quote from: .Christy on December 02, 2015, 09:49:28 PM
Thanks for the replies  :) I will bring it up with my doc during my next checkup. The thing is i've been eating more salt and drinking a lot of fluids more than ever due to spiro diuretic effects and i haven't touched a banana since starting hrt. i rarely eat chocolate and never drink coffee, im well rested every day and im not under any major stress that would cause anxiety so idk what's really causing it ._.

update: now im feeling it inside my leg, like right under the quad muscles.

It's almost 3 weeks on, how are you getting along?  Hope you are well.

FYI fruit juices, energy drinks and potassium supplements are something to avoid but regular consumption of whole foods such as bananas or potatoes are fine, unless you plan acquire all of your calories from these items.

my next checkup is in feb 2016, ill bring it up with my doc before that over the phone since i have to call to renew my prescriptions.

ive been adding extra table salt (no substitutes) to everything im eating to replace the lost sodium. my doc said it was a bit low last checkup.