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Muscle Cramps

Started by Mister, August 25, 2008, 12:04:46 AM

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Mister

For my first six or so months on testosterone, I had horrible muscle cramps.  It was mainly my legs, but would also affect my arms and chest on occasion.  They subsided for a while, but since having to raise my dose due to low testosterone levels, they're back.  For those of you who have been on T for extended periods of time, say 1 1/2 years or more, did you experience them? Do you still?  When did they finally stop?  I can't handle much more of this constant ache.
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Lachlann

I'm not on T, but maybe your potassium levels are low.
Don't be scared to fly alone, find a path that is your own
Love will open every door it's in your hands, the world is yours
Don't hold back and always know, all the answers will unfold
What are you waiting for, spread your wings and soar
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Dennis

I did, Mister. Had em every time my dose was increased. My doctor suggested calcium/magnesium supplements and they went away after a week of those. I finished the bottle and haven't needed them since. Now, I get them occasionally and eating a banana with a glass of milk helps them go away. Oh, the other thing with the supps was I had to experiment with time of day to take them, and what finally worked for me was taking two at night, rather than one in morning one at night.

But they were brutal - I'd get them in my foot, calf, bicep, neck, all sorts of places I'd never had a muscle cramp before.

Give the supplements a try, might help. Or at least banana with a glass of milk (although that's what I used before and they didn't help with the T cramps when I was getting them badly).

Dennis
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Mister

i thought it could be potassium/calcium a while ago, despite my cereal w/banana addiction (2x daily).  I've tried the supplements to no avail.  My doctor keeps giving me the "Aw, they'll go away!"  line. 
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Dennis

Did you try magnesium? My doc was very specific about wanting me on cal/mag.

Dennis
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Mister

I already take magnesium for insomnia purposes. 
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trannyboy

Mister, I think we talked about this issue before and at the time my recommendation was nutritional changes. Let me summarize what I believe may be happening.

We know that the testosterone injection is the precipitating factor but it may not be alone or the actual testosterone causing a problem. In medicine we must first respect that each person has a somewhat unique physiology. You say you had low T but was that free or total? How much are you converting to estradiol and DHT? In addition was it low because you were using a low dosage or your body is changing it away from testosterone? Your best way to judge if your levels are too low for you is how you are feeling in addition to having enough estrogen to prevent problems. If you have morning wood, things are probably good. I merely mention this because you may suffer less with a lower dose if you are happy with the changes. Not everyone's bodies are meant to have high testosterone.

Now we must look at the effects testosterone can have. You are likely to have fluid retention, lipid and electrolyte imbalances all of which can effect the muscles. You muscles, ligaments, bone and other tissues grow at different rates and increases your risks of injury and cause growing pains. If the pain is solely related to dosage changes and resolves after your body stabilizes to the new levels this is most likely the cause.

If it continues despite your body being otherwise stable at this dose (think acne, anxiety/depression or other health issues) then you have to find the imbalance and correct it. I don't know what that will be for you but short of lowering the dose or enduring the pain, I know of no other route.

You might be helped with activities like yoga, massage, meditation, heat or cold therapy, physiotherapy, swimming or walking. If all else fails there are medications you can use to treat them ranging from ibeprofen to prescription medications. All efforts should be focused on short term treatment (i.e. stop pain and tissue damage) and figuring out the cause.

At this point I would like to invite you to take your discussion over to the hypergonaldism group at yahoo groups. I doubt that your answer will be found here at susans because we are limited in our discussions. The yahoo group has thousands of people, some of whom are endocrinologists, who have a massive amount of knowledge in dealing with HRT treatments. The group is wonderful and has much to offer in terms of experience and the freedom to discuss anything from dosages to alternative HRT with some of the most knowledgeable folk. I am out on the list under this name and have met nothing but kindness and support. They may be able to help you.

Finally the doctor is wrong to ignore your complaints. I would begin a search for a doctor you trust, who is knowledgeable and will listen to you. Otherwise please return to your doctor and insist to be taken seriously. There are a number of ways to deal with this and the worst is ignoring it.

->-bleeped-<-boy
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Mister

My T dosage was low after cutting my dose following hysterectomy.  My doctor and I used our best guess to come up with a percentage to cut back by and it turned out to be too much.  Conversion rate is right where it should be, I simply had not been putting enough in my backside.  It's only been a couple of weeks, so I'm going to give it a few more and be more diligent about my exercise routine.  Maybe that'll help?
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Elwood

I wouldn't mind. D: Seriously. It'd let me know the stuff is working!
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