is it common to have muscle cramp when trying to do a really light exercise such as walking? also sometimes my back is hurt. is it common? most importantly, how long can we see the changes of losing muscle around arms and thigh? I am only on anti-androgen pill which is siterone for about a week.

Muscle cramps are often related to either low electrolytes, dehydration, or over-exertion.

Since you said you did light exercise, I suggest you drink more fluids, particularly a sports drink, such as Gatorade.

Quote from: Jamie D on July 19, 2013, 07:06:02 PM
Muscle cramps are often related to either low electrolytes, dehydration, or over-exertion.

Since you said you did light exercise, I suggest you drink more fluids, particularly a sports drink, such as Gatorade.

You're really right.  I feel much more better now and I don't suffer any muscle cramp anymore. Thanks for your info...

Quote from: JulieR on July 19, 2013, 07:18:56 PM
Sorry to raise a sore subject for many (yes, pun was intended) but have you considered arthritis?  I thought it only happened to old people, but then I got old.  It took me a while to appreciate what was happening but Arthritis was accountable for many aches and pains.  The good news is that NSAIDs can help for many years, they are cheap and easy to buy, and quite effective help until the age when the kidneys have troubles with them.

It is alright and I did some research about it. I don't think I got arthritis. Cos I never have this kind of muscle cramp until I started to use t-blocker. I just don't get used to the side effect. But I'm alright now. I just need to drink more water.

I had some back pains when I started anti-androgens, and when E was added, there were about two weeks with constant discomfort, which one day just disappeared. I was told that it is normal effect and is related to Your body (in particular tendons around lower back/pelvis) readjusting into female frame. Basically, it does force Your back arch a bit differently - I cant say exactly how, but when I lie down flat on the floor, my back sort of arranges with it differently.

Quote from: -Emily- on July 22, 2013, 08:01:19 AM
I had some back pains when I started anti-androgens, and when E was added, there were about two weeks with constant discomfort, which one day just disappeared. I was told that it is normal effect and is related to Your body (in particular tendons around lower back/pelvis) readjusting into female frame. Basically, it does force Your back arch a bit differently - I cant say exactly how, but when I lie down flat on the floor, my back sort of arranges with it differently.

I get what you meant by 'it does force Your back arch a bit differently' cos that is exactly what I have been experienced last week. I feel a lot better now. Just that i like to sleep nowadays.

It sort of pushes Your butt a bit up and forwards and shoulders go back.

Quote from: -Emily- on July 23, 2013, 08:46:50 AM
It sort of pushes Your butt a bit up and forwards and shoulders go back.

Not to sound unknowledgeable . . . but . . .

It does that?!

AWSOME! I had no idea!

I think it is somehow related to expected weight re-distribution and the lower centre of gravity as a consequence and necessity to carry and display our bewbs proudly  . I used to have some issues down there and I did a lot of stretching and yoga exercises, but after things got "re-adjusted" by the HRT, I am not getting any lower back pains, my flexibiity has increased and I enjoy walking with my back straight (as opposed to hunching like an ape).
One thing however - which can be good or bad, depending on circumstances . I did some effort with practicing the female gait and one of the preconditions was straightening Your back and pushing Your shoulders a bit back - at that point Your butt will move forwards automatically....
So after my back had readjusted, I sometimes realise that this gait has kicked on automatically - because it is very comfortable now to move from the hip instead of the knee - and I need to tone it down a bit .

Quote from: JulieR on July 24, 2013, 02:21:37 AM
I'm the same way, had a lot of back issues before I started transitioning.  One difference for me is that my back started getting much better before I started HRT.  What made the diff for me was to realize that I'm not really all that screwed up or messed up, I have been in the wrong body and things just didn't go well.  Once the full realization of that came into focus, I found myself walking straight with a confident smile on my face.

You know, I had similar thought recently too Great mind think alike . I was thinking that probably my body knew all this time what it should be getting and all those small issues and little pains (I am overally quite a healthy person, but there were things which never ever went away) were a result of wrongly-tuned body (I am intentionally not saying that I was in wrong body, because I will stay here and it only needs to be fixed ). At the same time, of course, I would prefer not getting bruised so easily and that my skin would heal faster.

I had muscle pain in the top of my legs and back felt as if walked a long way after a few days this went I put it down to adjusting to E