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[moonbeam121167]

Morning all, just back from GP regarding the headaches, been struggling for years off and on and still nothing helping, so today she is trying me on Propranolol, have been back  on Amitryptline back the side effects are horrible, they me me feel doppy in the mornings, increased appetite, the only good thing about them was they helped my sleep, can any of you lovely ladies have any views on these pills, also been having a sore boob off and on , so she wants me to reduce my HRT from 2x100mcg patch to just one 100mcg as she says it could be down to too much estrogen, so here goes nothing, I will give it a go, but was wondering how long shall I give it 

[Limpy]

I tried them to stop headaches.
Had to be careful, if I stood up too quickly I got dizzy, nearly keeled over. Also I think there may have been some fluid retention, my fingers got podgy, it was difficult to get my wedding ring off.  I stopped taking them, but I may have been a bit hasty. They didn't stop the headaches but did reduce them, so pain killers stopped the 3 day mega headaches.

BTW - You are not alone in not getting on with Amitriptyline. I couldn't cope with them either.

[Dancinggirl]

I find that too high a dose of oestrogen gives me headaches.  WE are all different and I think many women think that high doses will solve all the problems when I believe it can sometimes make things worse.  I was using 2 pumps of oestrogel and still got some nasty headaches and now I'm using one pump per day I feel much better.  Dg x

[dazned]

I agree DG ,some think the higher dose they are on the better they will feel and that's not always the case.

[moonbeam121167]

Ladies thanks for your replies, she said she is no expert on HRT but it is a very high dose and say just try the lower dose for a month and see how this go, my headaches this last few days been better on the amitriptyline but its the dopey feeling in the morning and increased appetite are a worry to me but as for the Propanolol the side effects seem worse, I dont suffer from anxitey or migraines and unsure wether to use them or not ,  just really don't know what to do, may just give amitriptyline a while longer.

[honeybun]

I find propanolol just fine and I'm very sensitive to meds. I take a very small dose though,10mg, because anymore at the one time made me feel awful. I would suggest you start on a low dose and build up if needs be.
I take mine for anxiety in the morning and now find after being on them for a while I can take two in a day just fine. The only side effect I have is they give me cold feet....strange but there you go...I'm a bit strange 

I also found that too much oestrogen made me feel awful. I'm a great believer in symptom control with the smallest amount you can manage on. I'm on half a patch and feel ok on this.

Let us know how you get on.


Honeybun
X

[CLKD]

I take 40mg at night to stop anxiety surges.

[Hurdity]

Hi moonbeam - sorry to hear about your continuing headaches. I agree that your dose of oestrogen is very high. The aim with HRT, so I read, is to try to average the amount of oestrogen you would get over a normal menstrual cycle - and certainly not the pre-ovulatory peak which is massive - I can't imagine what it would be like feeling like that all the time! Has your doc not measured your oestrogen levels also to check what they are? I gather this is sometimes done for women in your position to make sure you don't get too much. I'm not sure that suddenly reducing the dose by half is such a good idea - especially when you are on such a high dose. I wouldn't even just stop 50 mcg  and I noticed even dropping my dose from 50 mcg to 37.5 mcg! Can you not ask your doc if you can reduce very gradually so as not to shock your system - otherwise you may get return of hot flushes very quickly?

I don't know anything about the prop... is this a beta blocker? Personally I wouldn't want to take medication like that for headaches if you don't have the symptoms that it is used for. A friend of mine in her 70's takes BBs for heart problems but as said below in other posts it lowers blood pressure. Has the doc not sorted out what is causing your headaches? If s/he has prescribed it for you then presumably give it a go - but I would still want to get my hormones right!

The other thing is I know I keep mentioning this but have you asked for a referral and thought about testosterone? I've said this many times - well you'll know if your is low due to libido..... I'm sure I said that when I went to see Annie Evans she said that increasing oestrogen doesn't necessarily get rid of hese hormonal headaches but she has found that these can reduce when women take testosterone. Forgive me if you are already taking it and I've forgotten!

Hurdity x

[honeybun]

Propanolol which is a beta blocker is used for anxiety as well as high blood pressure and also headaches so it's very worth while trying what your GP has prescribed.

Like everything it has a few side effects but if you start on a low dose hopefully you will see a difference.
Oestrogen too can have side effects such as nausea and headaches.
Not sure about testosterone but I have read that it can cause aggressive behaviour in some.....oh and a hairy chest 


Honeybun
X

[moonbeam121167]

Ladies thanks for all your help, I will continue to reduce my estrogen, Hurdity, my GP only said to reduce by half and see how I go, how would you suggest I reduce please.  As for the propranolol, I don't suffer anxiety just these awful headaches, they radiate from my neck and my poor head feels like it is being squeezed and is going to fall off, she thinks they could be tension headaches, certain smells make them worse, I get quite short tempered as well, don't really fancy taking them to be honest, all I want is to know what is causing them, my husband does say I get quite stressed at times thats why I think it could be tension, should I just continue with the Amitrypline and see if they help, maybe the side effects will ease after a while.

As for Testosterone , I don't think my libido is low really, it isn't as high as it was before my Op , when I last saw the consultant in the hospital he did mention it but that was that, don't know if I can go to a meno clinic again.

[ellie66]

Regardless of libido I have found testosterone makes me feel a million times better so much more energy and I have less side effects from the Utrageston. I am sensitive to progesterone. Also I find too little oestrogen gives me a headache. I am a huge gel fan 

[CLKD]

……. and a deeper voice 

[Bettyboo]

Hi All

It's interesting that quite a few of us are on propranolal. I've been taking it for about three years now and at one time took 80g slow release. I have recently (this week) been given "permission" by Dr to try and reduce it. I take 40g in the morning. It was initially prescribed for panic attacks and anxiety but I don't feel it is doing anything any more. It stopped the palpitations I used to get but did nothing to stop the anxiety thoughts, so 'Brain' carried on with the health anxiety.

I am fed up with the frozen feet and hands. I work at the computer all day and have to wear fingerless mittens all the time, even in summer I get cold hands if it is even slightly chilly. Resting heart rate is 50, sometimes below. I am also concerned they are upsetting my digestive system. I take one with breakfast and then get churning stomach/ IBS all morning - don't get it at other times of the day, so have recently made possible connection with the meds. Its getting to the stage where I don't want to go out in the morning. Of course the HA doesn't help as it makes 'Brain' think the digestive problems are something very serious.

Just wondered if anyone else had experienced side effects or how long people have stayed on it?

thanks.

[CLKD]

Oh don't get me started on 'Brain'    !

I take my Propranolol at night which eases early morning surges and doesn't cause problems in the morning  . Maybe BettyBoo take your dose at night  ?   When I stopped taking it in May anxiety became worse and worse and I didn't associate them with needing the medication!

[babyjane]

I have to take the tiniest amount but I take it more often - a quarter of a tablet 3 or 4 times a day. Little and often suits me but it probably wouldn't be right for everyone. If I take more the effects last longer but it makes me feel unwell and my heart rate drops too low.

We each have to find what suits us best (smile)