I saw my endo today, just a check in before I go off for my SRS.

I was asking about hormones post surgery and he said just continue on what I have now. That included taking spiro. He said I should keep taking it as we won't know until I get back how much T my adrenal glands produce, and he also said Spiro is often used to treat hairsuit women so it probably helpful for me and we can review it in 6 months or so. Also said it is important that I keep my E up at a good level like now too.

Interesting. Any experiences with this to share?

my surgeon also recommended spiro post surgery, but I suspect it's more for in the case of the adrenals going into hyperdrive from FSH/LH feedback loop broken.

as far as estrogen, a year or 2 isn't even close to the end of "puberty" so levels should be at development until that's done.

Quote from: Flan on February 21, 2011, 04:35:58 AM
my surgeon also recommended spiro post surgery, but I suspect it's more for in the case of the adrenals going into hyperdrive from FSH/LH feedback loop broken.

as far as estrogen, a year or 2 isn't even close to the end of "puberty" so levels should be at development until that's done.

Yep estrogen levels need to be at the puberty level for 2 -5 years. I'm also battling with mine to add progesterone to my post op HRT. I didn't have any spiro or anti-androgens post op and have been fine and in fact the boob area has increased since surgery, lol.

Stardust

My doctor ceased spiro immediately after surgery but I continue to take estrogen and progesterone. 

My surgeon is making me stop spiro and P and dropping me to a low dose of E 2 weeks before surgery.

Afterwards I'll probably be on that dose as well until I see my doctor again when we can do blood tests and see what it'll take to get my E and P to the proper levels again

I find it odd that a lot of doctors reduce E dose after surgery.

I mean in theory - your T production should be more or less shut down from the hormones. So actually after a time on E and an antiandrogen your estrogen is relatively unopposed anyway.

That would suggest that after surgery if you keep on the same dose your blood E levels would stay relatively the same wouldn't it?  Spiro itself does not stop the production of T (I could be so wrong), it just competes with it at the receptors.

And what is "pubery levels?" Looks to me like 'puberty levels' actually fluctuate a lot, but the peak is actually adult levels

Quote from: Nicky on February 22, 2011, 07:21:29 PM
I find it odd that a lot of doctors reduce E dose after surgery.

I mean in theory - your T production should be more or less shut down from the hormones. So actually after a time on T and an antiandrogen your estrogen is relatively unopposed anyway.

That would suggest that after surgery if you keep on the same dose your blood E levels would stay relatively the same wouldn't it?  Spiro itself does not stop the production of T (I could be so wrong), it just competes with it at the receptors.

And what is "pubery levels?" Looks to me like 'puberty levels' actually fluctuate a lot, but the peak is actually adult levels

Not unusual for your estrogen to reduce after surgery as your body then produces minimal T so the same level of Estrogen is not required. 

Yes prior to surgery your T level has reduced significantly through the hormones but it still likes to try and produce a significant amount hence the higher levels of estrogen and perhaps the use of an antiandrogen for many.

My understanding of what I was told prior to surgery.

OMG, Nicky and Jerica...... You're so close.... Congratulations to two amazing, beautiful women!!!

I'm on deck for May with Suporn    I'm looking forward to reading about your experiences.

  I wondered about this, too... especially since the women in my family are androgen sensitive. My Mom and my Sister (both post-menopausal) are experiencing increased hirsutism and androgenic alopecia. Ewww! My doc and I will be following my levels very carefully after GRS. I'm hoping to at least be able to reduce my dosages, especially since I've been getting cramping from the spiro.

Good luck, ladies!!!!!!!!

Quote from: JessicaR on February 22, 2011, 10:09:44 PM
OMG, Nicky and Jerica...... You're so close.... Congratulations to two amazing, beautiful women!!!

Thanks!!!! =) I can't wait! hehe. Good luck to you on yours too!!!

So close it is not funny. I am so excited. Flying to Thailand on the 8th of March. I am not in the least bit scared.

Jerica looks so beautiful in her avatar don't you think?

Quote from: Nicky on February 24, 2011, 02:19:27 AM
Jerica looks so beautiful in her avatar don't you think?

Awww thank you =) *blush*