Hi everyone,

I began treatment six months ago. I took a break after 3 months because I thought I was feeling tired and a bit off colour, but resumed and everything seemed fine. Breast development exceeded all expectation and more importantly I finally felt like the real me was starting to transform the body that I've had to live inside. Those breasts just made me feel so great. I had massive nodules behind the nipples.

Then two weeks ago I had a really nasty turn. I woke about 5 in the morning and when I say 'dizzy' we're not just talking dizzy. The world was a washing machine. Nothing I could do over the next few hours could get 'me' back into this world. My heart rate I think was low and I was zoned out and on the verge of calling an ambulance. It took me a lot of self-determination, and about 5 days, to start feeling anything like right again. I will just add that the day previous I had dehydrated quite badly in the sunshine.

Why didn't I call for help? For the same reason that I'm self-med. I know I know don't scream and kill me my lovelies. It is so hard where I live with my family in the same village. I cannot easily at this stage get the kind of back up I need.

Anyway I guess what I want to share is that I have been on 3 drugs. Obv I can't share the dosages but they weren't extreme at all. Estradiol, Finasteride and Spironolactone. Now I'm pretty sure the one that may have set me off is the Spiro. I say that because I was on the other two before Spiro and I didn't seem to feel a problem.

I just wondered if anyone has any thoughts. I'm now just starting a half dose of estradiol again and I will resume low dose Finasteride. I won't go near Spiro.

Don't shoot me down. Please understand I have to do something to be me. I will seek professional help but I may just have to travel to get it. Meantime has anyone else had any similar side effects?

When I was taking Spiro, it definitely made me dizzy whenever I stood up or moved too quickly.

My doctor told me this was due to the Spiro dehydrating me, which led to lower blood pressure. She said to drink more fluids, and also reduced the dosage, which helped some.

I was still glad to finally be off of it...

I won't shoot you down, but will remind you that self medicating can really do some damage that just isn't worth it.

If you were dehydrated in the sun yesterday, then you may have gotten heat stroke. Did you check your temperature? Heat stroke can make you dizzy, disoriented and make you feel as if you are in a dream. At any rate, I would suggest that you see a Dr. and be open about what you are taking along with your dehydration from the sun. I do understand your wish to not pursue perscription hormones, but you are playing not only with your halth in the immediate manor, but in the future as well. Don't do something now that you may wind up regretting or the rest of your lie.

sam2345

I'm grateful that I have experts that know what they are doing helping me. It sounds like you might be having a complication and that's exactly why they recommend you don't self medicate. I totally get it. When I decided to transition getting my meds couldn't happen soon enough. But its dangerous and I'm going to be doing it the rest of my life (hopefully minus the spiro). I'm grateful I have 2 doctors that are looking out for me (GP and Endo).

Keeping properly hydrated with Spiro is essential.  Spiro has worked well for me for years, but like all medications that have a powerful effect on the body it has to be used correctly along with an awareness of what needs to be done with regard to hydration and nutrition in order to stay healthy.

Thanks so much everyone above. Thinking back then it really does seem like it could've been the combo of the spire with dehydration. I was basically sitting out in the sun all day and got very low on fluids. That with the spiro must have spun me out.

I'm going to see a Dr anyway. I'll probably go to some privately out of my village to start with ... and then move soon as I can

Thank you xx

Spiro is also used to lower blood pressure and can be, like all drugs, extremely dangerous if not appropriate for your current biology and health.

Ditto to all the above, plus: anytime you're feeling systemically wonky (dizzy, lethargic, ringing in the ears, etc), first check that you've eaten enough food today and had enough water. Low blood sugar and low blood pressure make for a whole host of scary symptoms, and Spiro definitely contributes to both dehydration and blood-pressure lowering.

Thanks so much. I guess I was being really silly the day before. To give an indication I couldn't pee all afternoon/evening/night and that's when I woke up at 5am with a washing machine body. I could tell my bp was really low as I was so spaced out.

A lesson learned. I came off everything for 2 weeks. Now back on estradiol. Will re-introduce finasteride in about a week. As for Spiro? Not until I've seen that physician. I promise

Rxx

Still make sure they know what happened and what you have done so as to make sure your completely safe and healthy. I hope you stopped and are restarting under their guidance though. Hugs
Mariah

Hi Richenda,

So glad you are OK!

The common causes of serious injury from HRT (MTF) are stroke/DVT/pulmonary embolism ( all caused by blood clots)  they tend to happen quickly. If you are self medicating on E be aware of sore or swelling limbs, particularly legs, loss of sensation in the limbs, not fitting in your shoes for example. Headache, change in eyesight, hearing, change in speech. If any of that occurs get to an ER, you are in serious danger.

With Spiro,  the major side effect is lowering in blood pressure, hence your dizzy spells. Most people who die from Spiro do so at night, they go into a coma from a loss of blood pressure which is naturally lower at night. They feel dizzy and drowsy and panicky.

They can't call an ambulance as they cannot coordinate.

I really do know that people need to self medicate in some situations. They are the ones who will have a high chance of harm.

Please see a Doctor if you can.