Is anyone else having this problem? I've been on skin patches for two months and starting late last week I've had problems with aching calves (both of them simultaneously, so I doubt that it is a blood clot of any kind).
Last Thursday they started as I was going out the door for work, and got worse later in the day. My wife massaged my legs and we found a couple of super tight trigger points inside the calf muscles. Friday the pain moved around, sometimes feeling like arthritis in the ankle joints.
Saturday my patch fell off while swimming and I did not replace it until Sunday evening. No leg pain to speak of Saturday evening or Sunday.
Now, today, I had a quarter mile uphill walk going to work plus a flight of stairs, and that was enough to put the pain in my calves. That later turned into an ache in my quads. Later on I had a chance to do a lot of pacing/walking while waiting for something and the pain mostly went away. As I write this I can still feel some very tight muscles deep inside my calves.
I can't say that I've experienced this personally but the kinds of muscle pain I've heard of can be related to clots or muscle atrophy which are both potential side effects of HRT. If you are concerned about it I'd highly recommend seeing your primary or HRT doctor (or both). Or at least contacting them to raise it to their attention.
While I was on pills (not patches), I had leg cramps so bad, that I was in a wheelchair for 3 months. It had nothing to do with what anyone thought would be a typical cause. I have always been active, and my body was telling me not to walk 10 miles a day. The strain was too much for my transitioning body to handle.
You may discover that there will be other activities you might need to cut back on. It is still a good idea to stay healthy, but please do it in ways that do not tear up your body.
Are you taking Spironolactone as a testosterone blocker?
I am taking Spironolactone as a T blocker, but at half the dose my doctor recommended. Any higher dose crashes my blood pressure. FWIW, I do tend to take some Spiro in the morning, then set off on the commute, and I drink little to nothing on the commute or before I leave in order to avoid the need for a pit stop along the way. So on today's walk up the hill, I probably was dehydrated. I know I kept getting thirsty after I got inside the building.
I found even with a relatively low spiro dose my electrolytes got messed up really easily. Had to add in magnesium, salt, and lots of water.
Be careful with electrolyte supplements. Many of them like salt sticks contain potassium. As spiro is a potassium sparing diuretic it keeps potassium and any extra in supplements can throw things out of whack.
I eventually settled on Mexican salted plums and better than bouillon for broth when I have endurance walking (over 3 miles-average of 5-7). Definitely helped me with stamina and cramping.
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Adding on to what others have said, make sure you're taking a multi vitamin with vitamin K. K is crucial in helping blood flow. When I was suffering from a lot of cramping in the beginning, I learned I was just not getting any K in my diet so I found a multi that had it. My cramping went away almost instantly. Also baby aspirin helps relieve those minor aches too.
Instead of Spiro, I was on Provera when I was cramping. Whatever correlation they might have, I haven't a clue.
I was wondering that too. I had taken time off from running and started back last week, about the the same time I started on HRT and have what feels like a cramp that comes and goes. It moves around on my right calf. Before HRT I Had to have a banana to keep from cramping. if it is muscle related, it should go away soon, if not, a trip to the doctor,
Deanna
I went to see the doctor, and got my blood and urine tested. No signs of blood clots, and it turns out that is something I need not have worried about. Even on the half dose of spiro I was taking, my testosterone level crashed a lot faster than my estrogen levels have been climbing.
Net result is I have gone a little bit anemic, and my hemoglobin and red blood cell counts are at the bottom range of normal -- which I am pretty sure is what is causing the muscle cramps and pains.
So, time to break out the vitamins and try to fix things.
That is great that you do not have a blood clot! Vitamins are an easy fix. Glad you went to the doctor and got answers.
Deanna
Hi Carly;
I strongly suggest taking a large dose of Magnesium when you go to bed at night. It will really solve the leg cramps!.
Judith
After the doctor visit, I went to Walgreens and got B-12 complex, iron and magnesium. Even after only one day of taking the vitamins, the cramps are starting to disappear and I feel a lot better.
Probably a lack of salt from the spironolactone. Eating more salt and drinking enough water might help.
Quote from: Lady_Oracle on August 08, 2016, 07:54:51 PM
Adding on to what others have said, make sure you're taking a multi vitamin with vitamin K. K is crucial in helping blood flow. When I was suffering from a lot of cramping in the beginning, I learned I was just not getting any K in my diet so I found a multi that had it. My cramping went away almost instantly. Also baby aspirin helps relieve those minor aches too.
Lady Oracle. I'm not so sure about that. I have been on blood thinners since 1993 when I had my aortic valve replaced with a mechanical valve. Vitamin K coagulates blood as a result I can't eat green leafy vegetables without monitoring my protime weekly. Because I operate in such a narrow range. It is really impractical to monitor that often. One cup of green tea will neutralize the blood thinning properties of warfarin. Green tea and kale contain the most vitamin K but any green leafy veggies will provide it. So eating a normal health diet should not need
supplements.
Cramps while exercising probably has more to do with a buildup of lactic acid. I know it kills my desire to exercise as I am continually having to stop in the middle to rest while the acid retreats. The most important thing is to remain hydrated. Carry water with you as you exercise and stay away from Gatorade and other similar drinks as the contain large amounts of sugar. If you have a blood pressure problem do not eat more salt. Salt will kill you so be conservative. This is my opinion based on being a long time heart patient.
sorry about the misinformation. Either way finding a multi with K did fix my issues so I'll leave it at that.