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[Pinkmonkey]

Update!
Was given meds for high BP, but had severe abdominal pain after just 2 doses and GP said to stop taking them. I will try my best to self manage my high BP without meds.
The good thing is that I spoke to a different GP who has now agreed to HRT.
I am on Elleste one every day plus Utrogestan days 15-26
My last period was beginning Sept.
The GP said that it doesnt matter too much when i take Utrogestan, as long as I do take it for at least 10 days out of every 28.
My question is, having read about possible side effects, rather than take the Utrogestan in my first cycle of Elleste, can I skip altogether? I'm going on a family holiday abroad over Xmas and New Year and will be very active, and don't want to be feeling rough.
Will it be OK to commence taking Utrogestan as soon as I get home, a few days into the New Year? That would mean taking Elleste on its own for 49 days?



Thank God I've found this forum. Sometimes feel like I'm going insane.  I'm almost 53, been Peri for almost 2 years. The past 10 months have been awful, every symptom getting worse.
Hot flashes,  day & night, brain fog,  headaches, and the worst, insomnia!
Literally wake up on the hour EVERY hour.  Sometimes I go back to sleep other times not.  A colleague at work, one year older than me swears by HRT. I was determined to try and get through with herbal remedies, but having tried just about everything, decided to talk to GP about HRT.
Everything was going great, even had the prescription in my hand and then, she remembered to take my blood pressure,  it was so high! 170 over 110!!
She tore up the prescription and booked me in for bloods and told me to buy a BP monitor.
The last few days it's still high, 150 over 91
I'm due to see GP next week but if my BP doesn't improve, then what? I'm not normally stressed but, lack of sleep is having an effect. My heart constantly feels like it's racing too.
Catch 22? Surely HRT would  resolve the sleep problems,  in turn, my BP would return to normal?
I've even looked into CBD, anything to help me sleep! I have tried herbal and Sominex for sleep, but nothing works.
Any help/advice for me?

[CLKD]

Yep.  Lots!  Browse round, join in.

Many people have blood pressure problems in the surgery, i.e. White Coat syndrome.  Don't expect yours to go down immediately even with a home monitor.  DH took his BP every morning between 7.00-7.30 B4 eating.  After 3 months he submitted his readings to the GP - all normal. He has WCS 

There are several ways of delivering HRT.  Does high BP negate this?  MayB have a chat with a Pharmacist? 

[Dotty]

Hi high blood pressure should not stop you having Hrt. X

[Karen max]

Hi pinkmonkey
Are you on BP meds ?
I suffer high blood pressure and have done from I was 17 yrs , I'm on BP tablets and I get my hrt with out problem?

Kaz x

[Pinkmonkey]

Thanks guys, no, not on BP meds as never had high BP previously.  Hopefully, when I go back next week, I'll get the BP under control and then HRT here I come!
Anyone tried CBD oil to help?

[squeaker99]

Hi. Your story sounds very very similar to mine. I had horrendous sleep problems during early Peri. I got into a real cycle of
worrying about sleep and saw many GPs about it. The pattern of waking up every hour or just not feeling tired was my main worst
symptom of Peri . Looking back I think for me it was hormone ups and downs and increased cortisol. Be careful as one GP put me on oral HRT mid cycle to ' fix' my insomnia and it did nothing for it - in fact it made the anxiety worse.

Look on this site for insomnia tips - there will be loads as it is common in Peri. Above all don't worry.  If you are not tired get up and do something. I had 10 days of awful sleep at one point. It will not kill you as one GP pointed out.  I did end up taking a GP prescribed sleeping tablet to break the cycle and get a good 8 hours.  I took them for about 4 days to get my sleep cycle back on track.

Your BP may well be up if you are tired and anxious.

The sleep issues do get better. Mine came and went every 5 months or so but for me having the sleeping tablets even if I didn't need them gave me confidence not to worry about it. Some people use Mindfullness, Sleep stories or Sleep Music. There are lots of good free Apps around on Sleep. Also reduce caffeine, no alcohol or heavy meals late in the evening. I just had a banana or milk before bed.

It is really tough . You can't think straight if your sleep is off. But it will improve. Even if you have a bad night try and get out into the fresh air or do some exercise .  Try and remember it is normal and will pass.

[Hurdity]

Hi Pinkmonkey

 

Has your doc explored with you some of the factors that cause high BP eg being overweight, insufficient exercise, etc. Here is some info on reducing BO naturally - OK it probably won't be an overnight fix but some measures you may see a result quite quickly eg my huisband reduced salt and reduced his pretty quickly.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318716.php#fifteen-remedies

Then hopefully it's "HRT here we come" and goodbye flushes and sweats....transdermal HRT is sometimes recommended:

    "Blood pressure should be measured and, if high, should be controlled prior to starting HRT. Blood pressure measurement should be repeated 3 months after starting HRT and is then usually checked at annual review. There is a very small risk of conjugated equine estrogens causing a rise in blood pressure which resolves on cessation of treatment. In the presence of controlled hypertension, HRT is unlikely to worsen control; some recommend using transdermal (patch or gel) HRT.
    Sage should be used with caution if hypertensive and St.John's Wort should be used with caution if taking antihypertensive therapy.  "

https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/atoz.php#GlossH

Hope this helps and keep us posted

Hurdity x

[Pinkmonkey]

Hi. Your story sounds very very similar to mine. I had horrendous sleep problems during early Peri. I got into a real cycle of
worrying about sleep and saw many GPs about it. The pattern of waking up every hour or just not feeling tired was my main worst
symptom of Peri . Looking back I think for me it was hormone ups and downs and increased cortisol. Be careful as one GP put me on oral HRT mid cycle to ' fix' my insomnia and it did nothing for it - in fact it made the anxiety worse.

Look on this site for insomnia tips - there will be loads as it is common in Peri. Above all don't worry.  If you are not tired get up and do something. I had 10 days of awful sleep at one point. It will not kill you as one GP pointed out.  I did end up taking a GP prescribed sleeping tablet to break the cycle and get a good 8 hours.  I took them for about 4 days to get my sleep cycle back on track.

Your BP may well be up if you are tired and anxious.

The sleep issues do get better. Mine came and went every 5 months or so but for me having the sleeping tablets even if I didn't need them gave me confidence not to worry about it. Some people use Mindfullness, Sleep stories or Sleep Music. There are lots of good free Apps around on Sleep. Also reduce caffeine, no alcohol or heavy meals late in the evening. I just had a banana or milk before bed.

It is really tough . You can't think straight if your sleep is off. But it will improve. Even if you have a bad night try and get out into the fresh air or do some exercise .  Try and remember it is normal and will pass.

thanks so much, yes, I'm looking into Mindfulness now xx

[Pinkmonkey]

Hi Pinkmonkey

 

Has your doc explored with you some of the factors that cause high BP eg being overweight, insufficient exercise, etc. Here is some info on reducing BO naturally - OK it probably won't be an overnight fix but some measures you may see a result quite quickly eg my huisband reduced salt and reduced his pretty quickly.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318716.php#fifteen-remedies

Then hopefully it's "HRT here we come" and goodbye flushes and sweats....transdermal HRT is sometimes recommended:

    "Blood pressure should be measured and, if high, should be controlled prior to starting HRT. Blood pressure measurement should be repeated 3 months after starting HRT and is then usually checked at annual review. There is a very small risk of conjugated equine estrogens causing a rise in blood pressure which resolves on cessation of treatment. In the presence of controlled hypertension, HRT is unlikely to worsen control; some recommend using transdermal (patch or gel) HRT.
    Sage should be used with caution if hypertensive and St.John's Wort should be used with caution if taking antihypertensive therapy.  "

https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/atoz.php#GlossH

Hope this helps and keep us posted

Hurdity x

cheers for that, I've got a lot of reading to do over the weekend!
Yes, I've got another appt with GP next week to discuss BP and hopefully,  will have blood results back.
Xx

[Mary G]

Pinkmonkey, low oestrogen can cause high blood pressure and a lot of women develop it post menopause.

Have a Google!

[Pinkmonkey]

Update!
Was given meds for high BP, but had severe abdominal pain after just 2 doses and GP said to stop taking them. I will try my best to self manage my high BP without meds.
The good thing is that I spoke to a different GP who has now agreed to HRT.
I am on Elleste one every day plus Utrogestan days 15-26
My last period was beginning Sept.
The GP said that it doesnt matter too much when i take Utrogestan, as long as I do take it for at least 10 days out of every 28.
My question is, having read about possible side effects, rather than take the Utrogestan in my first cycle of Elleste, can I skip altogether? I'm going on a family holiday abroad over Xmas and New Year and will be very active, and don't want to be feeling rough.
Will it be OK to commence taking Utrogestan as soon as I get home, a few days into the New Year? That would mean taking Elleste on its own for 49 days?

[Sickntired]

Hi  im lost ... why didnt your GP put you on blood pressure medication ??  Sorry sounds like im having a go at you , its the gp im very puzzled by.  High blood pressure left untreated is dangerous esp as women our age are prone to strokes and heart attacks! But dont panic please. 
I have hrt.  History of heart problems in both mum and gran  not me though.   My blood pressure went from normal to through the roof.  I was gjven meds until it came down so they could increase the hrt.  Oestrogen is apparently  instrumental in heart function somewhere so of course will be out of sync if in meno.     Id be sticking to yr guns,  find a meno clinic or change gp if any of these possible.  Best of luck.

[Pinkmonkey]

Hi  im lost ... why didnt your GP put you on blood pressure medication ??  Sorry sounds like im having a go at you , its the gp im very puzzled by.  High blood pressure left untreated is dangerous esp as women our age are prone to strokes and heart attacks! But dont panic please. 
I have hrt.  History of heart problems in both mum and gran  not me though.   My blood pressure went from normal to through the roof.  I was gjven meds until it came down so they could increase the hrt.  Oestrogen is apparently  instrumental in heart function somewhere so of course will be out of sync if in meno.     Id be sticking to yr guns,  find a meno clinic or change gp if any of these possible.  Best of luck.

Thanks, I was given meds for BP but had to stop after 2 days due to severe abdominal pains,  felt like appendicitis but on the left hand side rather than right. Still uncomfortable now, but easing day by day. The GP did suggest other meds but after running through poss side effects and never having issues b4 with high BP, decided to self manage with diet and exercise. My reading today is the lowest in the past 2 weeks 124/89
Xx

[CLKD]

I think a lack of anxiety about the BP will lower the levels.  DH took his every morning B4 breakfast.  Well within normal limits unlike in the surgery 

A good exercise regime should help - maybe look at the NHS website on the web and see what is suggested?

When do you go away 

[Pinkmonkey]

I think a lack of anxiety about the BP will lower the levels.  DH took his every morning B4 breakfast.  Well within normal limits unlike in the surgery 

A good exercise regime should help - maybe look at the NHS website on the web and see what is suggested?

When do you go away 

thanks. Away 27th x