I've been on a medium to high level dose of Spiro for 2.5 years. I've been on patch Estrodiol fir 18 months. I gained a lot of weight since I started spiro and my energy level has been low. My Estrodiol blood levels are where my endo wants it. I want to stop the spiro and see how I feel and if I lose weight. Endo said I can but my T level could then cause me stop and reverse some femininization.

I seen posts over the years about stopping spiro (or similar Rx) after being on Estrodiol fir a lengthy period and the Estridiol will hold down the T levels naturally.

Any experiences with stopping Spiro?  I really feel the spiro is keeping my fat and lethargic as its started after I started the spiro and begone the Estrodiol.

Any advice?

Hugs

Kay

T blockers weren't available when I transitioned so my chemical mix was hormones only. Some people had the T factory shut down but I didn't it kept churning out T but in spite of that I still developed some female characteristics. Estrogen put some weight on me but the progesterone is what can really pile it on. With in days of starting it I became horny and hungry to the point that the endo halved my dose which solved the problem. Post surgery, my estrogen dose was quartered because blocking by the hormones were no longer needed.

If the T factory starts up again you my lose weight because Estrogen tends to accumulate fat and T muscle. Powering the muscle is one reason men tend to eat more that a woman of the same age and size.

A lot of it depends on your personal biology. It may be the Spiro or it may not be, you should talk with your endo about the best way to proceed - and yes, it is highly likely that stopping the Spiro will lead to an increase i your testosterone levels and cause some masculinisation but to what degree you wouldn't know until it had happened.

My understanding is that T-blockers became common to use because, without them, you need larger doses of E to meet the feedback loop requirements (to prevent T production).   The side effects from the larger E doses were more dangerous, so blockers allowed doctors to lower the E dose.  Right?

Quote from: mfox on September 14, 2015, 03:10:48 PM
My understanding is that T-blockers became common to use because, without them, you need larger doses of E to meet the feedback loop requirements (to prevent T production).   The side effects from the larger E doses were more dangerous, so blockers allowed doctors to lower the E dose.  Right?

I think that's basically true but high levels of E didn't always stop T production. At 6'2" I have a large but not overweigh body compared to somebody about 5'6" but we both received the same maximum dose. T didn't stop in me but it would in a smaller person. Even with T in my system, I did develop but I suspect I never received the calming effect of shutting down the T factory until SRS. I don't know if it was the surgery or the lack of T that changed my viewpoint after surgery but one of the two did. The T blockers may also be the reason why we see stalled transitions. People may become comfortable when free of T and lose the urge to continue the transition then when they stop HRT, the old urge returns. There is just to much we don't understand about this.

As I said above, my post surgical dose was a quarter the pre surgical dose and though I never heard about it happening, blood clots were something we were to watch out for. Our livers were also watched like a hawk and we had two blood draws a year with 4 visits a year. We were never given more than a 90 day supply of hormones to make sure we came back for our checkup. Post surgery the visit requirement was reduced along with the strength of our hormone tablet.

I know that estrogen taken by injection can shut down T. Also, there are other blockers, like bicalutamide (Casodex) and Lupron, for instance. Weight can be more manageable by reducing carbohydrates consumption. A little T is not bad, I think, good for muscle tone, weight and energy. Even for skin and libido.

Thanx for your input Dena & everyone, I am really going thru it w/spiro, leg cramps, stomach, kidney pain, I live in the desert so hydration has been a nightmare this summer. I am outdoors a lot 110+ mtn bike Etc. My dr is a gp so I am just grateful he prescribes for me, I showed up with 4 yrs RLE, gynomastia from my use of birth control pill so I could stay sane, and sober. I suffer severe depression and disphoria. He is gay him self so he is sympathetic. I am so lucky. However when I bring up changing from spiro to something else he say's theres nothing else cept orchi. Which I am open to, medi-cal/caid. pays for it too. My real question is this, I know low T is going to slow you down some, But this is just killing me. They say spiro causes fatigue is that due to it lowering your T  or is it a combo problem? + the other sides I am getting ? Advice please.
Love Clear         

Resolving leg cramps can be done by increasing salt intake and limiting potassium intake. If u crave pickles, go for it! Fatigue could also become an non-issue.

Also, you may find that spicy food helps. I craved it like you wouldn't believe.

Thank you everyone, The fatigue is prolly the worst of it. I pound the electrolytes, and gallons of h2o, Again I've been in the palm springs area, 16 yrs. So I have a clue,monthly trips to mx. for the dentist etc. I am going to look for a electrologist there, But there not Big on tran's there, I go in man mode only. if anyone has info on services in Mexico for "OUR" needs please post it. The problem there is one of reference. My family has been seeing the same dentist for years in Los Algadonis. So we trust her $ we get a line of credit too. So cramps and kidney pains are "IF" I can get up are my poor me's today, Thank you everyone. I think I am just gonna have day surgery, And get it over with, and be nicer to my body. BTW spicy food ? luv it, and all of you!

    Peace Clear R. 

Capsicum is supposed to crank up the metabolism. That should help with the tiredness. I find that I currently enjoy a burger with pepper jack cheese, fried jalapeño, fresh jalapeño, ghost pepper sauce and extra ghost pepper sauce. Think Red Robin. Shocked the waitress the first time I said there wasn't enough sauce. Now she just brings it.

As to electrolysis on the face and other areas, just tell them you're tired of shaving your face or your wife thinks back hair is gross. No need to out yourself. Guys do do that stuff.