Estradiol has made me super sensitive to caffeine.  When I drink coffee my muscles ache especially my legs.  I have had to completely stop drinking coffee.  Anyone else experience this?

YES! and with dark chocolate (which I love!) as well that contains theobromine, a strong stimulant. From what I read, it appears that both caffeine and estradiol (progesterone too), especially if taken orally (and theobromine) are metabolized by the same enzymes, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 in the intestines and liver and so might affect each other's concentration such that they may be higher and the effect might last longer. I don't drink coffee anymore and rarely chocolate.

Also, if you take grapefruit (like me), this effect is amplified as it inhibits these enzymes.

Or it could be that if you take Spiro as well, coffee being a diuretic, both would increase significantly sodium/water loss such that muscle cramps could result in which case eating more salt might prove useful, or just cutting down on other diuretics.

A wide spectrum of experience once again as I start each day with my methylated bromines in a cup.  Hot cocoa and coffee, and then some grapefruit.  So far i have only occasional myalgia but if it gets worse I may have to join you at the juice bar

Yes, it really is a chemical stew we live in and ingest.  Thanks for sharing

I noticed that I'm not really affected by caffeine in that it really makes me more awake or hyper... but I am pretty heavily addicted to it... like I get insane cravings if I don't have my morning cup of joe.

Caffeine didn't do much for me before HRT, but I now find myself almost craving it, and it's a really great feeling.  But I haven't had any aching.

I stopped coffee and just added back in tea. White tea is really good

The key to tea is to not allow the tea bag to steep too long or too much caffeine will be released.

Will not give up morning BUZZ, I do now only drink coffee in the morning, BUT I like it STRONG  .  Chocolate...........same, will not give up, no how, no way.  No problems coming from either one, now, if I could just sit still.

New discovery last nite:  Brand name is Private Selection, flavor Ganache, smooth milk chocolate, eating now     Dani

Coffee, chocolate, the only problem is that it's never enough.

Leg cramps can occur from spiro.   I would disagree about eating salty food to compensate.   Spiro is triggered by salt, and only increases the diuretic effect.   I used to get them after a night of beer and pizza because of the salty food and additional diuretic effect of alcohol.   The best treatment is to stay well hydrated, which doesn't occur with caffeinated drinks (or alcohol for that matter).   

I have always been heavily addicted to caffeine, though I am trying to  slowly cut down on it to help with weight loss. But I haven't noticed any change in cravings or how caffeine affects me yet. Only 2 months on hrt though.

Coffee makes my heart race something awful so I don't drink it.  I prefer green tea anyway.

Chocolate? - the local supermarket has this Swiss chili chocolate that I sometimes buy for a treat.

Oral everything, i drink one coffee per day, just a self rule, morning's only... Drink galllons of green tea though (well slight exaggeration)... Probably 6 or so cups a day...

Too much salt gives me leg cramps, if I get them I cut back on salty products...

My love of chocolate (bars only) has increased since HRT...

All good!

L Katy 

Quote from: Megan Rose on May 02, 2015, 01:29:30 PM
Leg cramps can occur from spiro.   I would disagree about eating salty food to compensate.   Spiro is triggered by salt, and only increases the diuretic effect.

Spiro increases sodium (salt) depletion. Many people start to crave salty on Spiro. Hence, increasing salt intake makes total sense. I know several people who, once they increased their salt intake, their leg cramps disappeared for good.

QuoteI used to get them after a night of beer and pizza because of the salty food and additional diuretic effect of alcohol.

Because of the alcohol, not because of more salt.

I always consumed a lot of caffeine and never thought much about it. It was only later in life that I figured out I have ADD and caffeine helps me get focused - cutting it out is a no no for me because I literally could not function (I do computer programming) without the mental clarity I get from it along with my ADD meds. My therapist said one time that most of her trans patients exhibit ADD and that she is convinced that there is a link between the two conditions.

Cramps.... ahhhh yes. Its a vicious circle of not staying hydrated and getting horrible cramps in my feet, or staying hydrated and making constant trips to the rest room  Water is good for the complexion so I stay hydrated and as an added bonus get some exercise making those bathroom trips.