DH took our daughter to her appointment today which was supposed to just be a follow up appointment about the Zoloft Rx she started last week.  So she texted me about an hour later and said "He prescribes hormones for me! "  So unexpected, but she is so excited to get started. We picked up the RX this evening and she will start in the morning, Spiro and Estradiol.  Any helpful tips or suggestions what she should be doing and what we need to be careful about? Thanks!

Quote from: LJH24 on March 20, 2018, 11:48:06 PM
DH took our daughter to her appointment today which was supposed to just be a follow up appointment about the Zoloft Rx she started last week.  So she texted me about an hour later and said "He prescribes hormones for me! "  So unexpected, but she is so excited to get started. We picked up the RX this evening and she will start in the morning, Spiro and Estradiol.  Any helpful tips or suggestions what she should be doing and what we need to be careful about? Thanks!

That's awesome and thanks for the follow-up. Be mindful of consuming significant amount of beverages before being far from a restroom! And like any meds, look for any unexpected changes. I also found Tylenol helpful to have on hand when my breasts started growing, but that'll likely be a few months for her.

For the first six weeks on Spiro I was completely exhausted. It did get better after my body got used to it. The other thing to expect is salt cravings since Spiro depletes salt. Hydration is almost the most important thing to keep in mind since Spiro removes a lot fo water from the body. Lastly, I try to take all the meds around a meal with a good amount of water.

Estrogen's effects became noticeably after only 4 days (mostly my mood got better). Never used Tylenol due to growing pains. For me it is mostly a discomfort when they get into growth mode.

Hope this helps, good luck on her Journey and thanks for being so supportive of her!

The most important thing is to watch out for dehydration.  So she needs to drink a lot, even more if she is active.  In the summertime here in Georgia when I'm active a lot outside I need to drink about a gallon and a half every day to keep from crashing.  Less is needed in cool weather.  She may need to increase her salt intake too.

If she starts getting headaches or leg cramps that's just the dehydration kicking in and is easily solved with some water.

Be aware of hyponatremia too.  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyponatremia

If the sodium level in the blood gets too low, especially when drinking a lot of fluids, then big problems can occur.  This is easily avoided by consuming enough salt.


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Quote from: Deborah on March 21, 2018, 11:17:26 AM
If the sodium level in the blood gets too low, especially when drinking a lot of fluids, then big problems can occur.  This is easily avoided by consuming enough salt.

Fantastic point. Isotonic beverages are generally good, but many have a lot of potassium, which can already build up when taking spiro. So what you're really looking for is sodium. Sodium compounds (which could be ordinary salt) should appear before potassium compounds in the ingredients list.

Thanks for all the helpful advice. It is much appreciated.  She has a follow-up in 4 weeks - I will try to post an update and I'm sure I'll have more questions.

snipped:

Quote from: Deborah on March 21, 2018, 11:17:26 AM
The most important thing is to watch out for dehydration.  So she needs to drink a lot, even more if she is active.  In the summertime here in Georgia when I'm active a lot outside I need to drink about a gallon and a half every day to keep from crashing.  Less is needed in cool weather.  She may need to increase her salt intake too.

If she starts getting headaches or leg cramps that's just the dehydration kicking in and is easily solved with some water.

Be aware of hyponatremia too.  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyponatremia

If the sodium level in the blood gets too low, especially when drinking a lot of fluids, then big problems can occur.  This is easily avoided by consuming enough salt.

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@ Deborah:  You make very good points about hydration and salt.   Spiro is one of those meds that makes one thirsty, pee a lot, can cause high levels of Potassium in your blood.... and makes a person CRAVE salt.   

Hmmm, pickles, green olives, salted nuts, Fritos and other chips, etc, etc.   The main thing here like you stated, keep hydrated, drink lots and lots of water...  even in the cold climate that I am in now, I am thirsty and craving salt all the time.... and peeing all the time!!!!
Danielle

Make sure she's prepared for the ravenous hunger for any food in sight. Body doesn't know what's happening sometimes and overreacts I think. Or at least that's my excuse for eating too much lately.

But yeah, pickles are a girl's best friend. I just bought 8 giant jars while on sale.

Quote from: Roll on March 28, 2018, 12:50:18 PM
Make sure she's prepared for the ravenous hunger for any food in sight. Body doesn't know what's happening sometimes and overreacts I think. Or at least that's my excuse for eating too much lately.

But yeah, pickles are a girl's best friend. I just bought 8 giant jars while on sale.

Ellie:  Every time, once a week or so,  I go to my local grocery store... (small town, they know my name)  .... I am buying at least one large jar of dill pickles and perhaps a jar of green olives....   as I was checking out the cash register gal there made a comment that she couldn't eat that much salt containing foods without swelling in her ankles and legs....  I was tempted to tell her why I am craving salt.
Danielle

QuoteBut yeah, pickles are a girl's best friend.

Especially with ice cream!   

Quote from: AnneK on March 28, 2018, 02:36:54 PM
Especially with ice cream!   

AnneK:  Or sliced on a peanut butter sandwich.....   or on a toasted cheese sandwich..... or on an egg salad or chicken salad sandwich.... or on just about any sandwich.

At the local coffee shop next door, without me asking for more pickles, the servers know my thing for pickles and they always heap lots more on my sandwich and burger plates.
Danielle