Hello to all of mes amies in transition.  I REALLY need some advice from you ladies...please!  I have been having extremely SHARP cramping in my ankles and calves due to Spironolactone.  I haven't talked to my doctor yet, but man oh man this is painful...and I take pain quite well, but this is it.  I'll go to sleep (or try to) afraid of the upcoming night of pain and sleeplessness.  THIS FEELS AS IF SOMEONE IS STABBING A KNIFE DIRECTLY INTO MY ANKLES AND CALVES!!!  I will not take this med anymore.  Do any of you have suggestions as to what I can take as an alternative?     Thanks...

Opaque

I have never heard of this happening.
How long have you been on it?

You need to drink a lot more water.

Also, you need a bit of salt. Not a lot, but you do need some. Forget the health nuts. They will die just like the rest of us.

Drink water, like Spacial is saying. I swear I drink 5-7 litres a day sometimes. Spacial is also right about the salt, your body will crave salt sometimes, so indulge. As for alternatives to spironolactone, there is one, but it is very toxic to your liver and I'm not going to give out the name for your safety. Ashley4214 is right in the post below, and the fact that I didn't give you the name will not make a difference in the end if you search. Yes, the alternative is cyproterone acetate (a.k.a. androcur). Talk to a doctor/therapist asap and get a real approval for monitored HRT since this is in your best interests.

Alternatives to spiro;

Goserelin

Decapeptyl

Quote from: Jenni P on November 08, 2010, 08:13:34 AM
Alternatives to spiro;

Goserelin

Decapeptyl

Both of those are GnRH agonists, not androgen antagonists. And so aren't 'really' alternatives to spiro. Cyprotone actate is the obvious spironolactone alternative, however as a previous poster stated (however I don't agree with that poster regarding information suppression), cyprotone is dangerous and can really mess up your liver, it requires regular blood work to be reasonably safe.

Consult your doctor.

There is also Bicalutamide. However, it may require a LHRH agonist concurrently. Again, ask your physician.

If you are in this much pain and is disrupting your life as much as you say, then you need to call your doctor right away.  If you suspect the Spiro, you do have the option to cease taking it until you have spoken to your doctor and see if these symptoms go away or alleviate somewhat.

I had the problem back when i was on Spiro,having massive cramps day and night(mainly at night)and when i was racing(i race winged sprints)due to wearing a 3 layer fire suit. I drank lots fluids and found that during the night that if i drank a small amount of malt vinegar(you have to figure out what works for you)within a few minutes the cramps were gone,it's worth a try!!!

It never happened to me and I took full spiro for 5 months

I kind of relaxed it a bit this past week (no spiro)

Cyproterone
Bicalutamide
Nilutamide

Are the obvious ones.

Quote from: Ashley4214 on November 08, 2010, 08:17:51 AM
Both of those are GnRH agonists, not androgen antagonists.

What's the difference between these two? I'm on decapeptyl shots for 6 months. By the end of january I will switch from decapeptyl to androcur. I have no idea what to expect and how different it will be to be on androcur instead of decapeptyl, or what the differences in effects and side-effects are. Any thoughts? All I was told is that decapeptyl is a bit milder and a lot more expensive than androcur.

Quote from: Riannah on November 08, 2010, 01:37:26 PM
What's the difference between these two? I'm on decapeptyl shots for 6 months. By the end of january I will switch from decapeptyl to androcur. I have no idea what to expect and how different it will be to be on androcur instead of decapeptyl, or what the differences in effects and side-effects are. Any thoughts? All I was told is that decapeptyl is a bit milder and a lot more expensive than androcur.

GnRH agonists are only temporary. Eventually the body will overcome them. They help to delay puberty and help interrupt testosterone flow, but again they're only temporary. That's why eventually you'll go on Androcur because by about that time, your body will have started fighting back against the GnRH agonist.

Thanks for all of your great and honest replies.  I have been drinking a LOT of extra water along with the Spiro every day (runs to the bathroom several times per hour), and I still get the severe cramping.  I have also tried increaseing my salt intake...not potassium though.  I have also tried drinking pickle juice which has vinegar in it along with sodium and garlic, but I am not sure how much it helped.  I'll tell you ladies...the pain I had, is just not worth taking the Spiro any more.

Also, if I am not considering SRS and strictly want to get the benefits of the HRT, do I necessarily need to take a Testerone blocker if I am already taking Delestrogen and Progesterone injections?

And...yes I plan to see my doctor in 3 weeks, and will run down everything with him at that time.  Thanks again!

Opaque

Yes , I spelled Testosterone incorrectly on my last post.

Stretching. A lot of stretching. Yoga works well too.

Quote from: Opaque on November 08, 2010, 04:49:32 AM
I have been having extremely SHARP cramping in my ankles and calves due to Spironolactone.

Very likely you have a magnesium and/or calcium deficiency, which spiro made worse. Not only do you lose water when you are on a diuretic, you also lose electrolytes. Cramping is a result of low electrolytes.

That sounds like gout.

I think I am allergic to spiro, so this looks like some great alternatives. Thanks ladies.

Only other alternative besides medication is an Orchie.

The alternative to Spiro is cyproterone
And  you don't need much. Lets say about 1/4
Of an average Spiro dose once a day.
Spiro at the levels you need for T suppression will
Eventually shut down your kidneys
Also cypro has been know  to hace some stronger
Feminizing effects over Spiro.