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[Sarokel]

So about 6 weeks ago I switched from estrogel to patches then about 3 weeks ago I had my patches upped to 150 mcg. I regularly take my blood pressure and about ten days ago noticed it had gone up. I then ordered a 24 hour BP monitor called Atkiia. It's new to the market but a certified and EU approved medical device. I also have checked with a normal cuff.

My BP is in the 130/70 s all night and in the 130/80s sometimes 140/80s in the day.

In case it was the hrt increase I reduced the patches down to 75 immediately and yesterday evening just took it off altogether. Last night without the patch was the highest night reading of all at 139/85.

I don't drink, I don't smoke, I'm not overweight, I exercise 5 x a week for between 90 mins to 2 hours on training days.  I eat a home cooked zero processed food diet.

Since my BP went up I've stopped caffeine altogether, eaten nothing but a plant based diet and reduced then stopped (yesterday) hrt. My BP just keeps going up. I'm really really scared that I'm going to due.

My GP has only spoken to me on the phone and left me feel really stupid and patronised. That of course it was the HRT but he'd do some blood tests at some point, that of course is tricky due to the blood test tube shortage.

If it is the charge to patches how long without a patch would it take to come down? Why would it go up overnight?

If it keeps going up do I go back on hrt and rule that out as a cause? I honestly feel like something serious is going on.

I had a total hysterectomy and oophorectomy in October 2019 so don't want to be off hrt for too long.

[Skylark]

Hi Sarokel,

I understand better than anyone that you're worried about this,  but from my understanding and experience your readings aren't particularly high. (Of course they may be for you?) I also know that stress will raise your BP further. The top number is less worrisome than the bottom figure too.

I totally empathise with the feeling of fear and overwhelm. Sending a hug.

X

[CLKD]

One should take BP in the morning B4 eating.  The best of 3 with a few moments between each test.  BP levels alter all day. Anxiety will rise BP levels.  Stopping HRT won't have made any difference yet.  You can get your BP tested in a Pharmacy, ring and make an appt.. 

There is no current shortage of blood tubes. 

Why were you taking HRT?  Was it helping?

[Sarokel]

It's super high for me, it was in the 120s or below up until the past couple of weeks

Hi Sarokel,

I understand better than anyone that you're worried about this,  but from my understanding and experience your readings aren't particularly high. (Of course they may be for you?) I also know that stress will raise your BP further. The top number is less worrisome than the bottom figure too.

I totally empathise with the feeling of fear and overwhelm. Sending a hug.

X

[Sarokel]

I was taking HRT because I'm in surgical menopause and want a general quality of life. I have a 24 hour BP device that is EU certified as a medical device by a company called Akitta which allows me to also see night time readings which also are high. My GP said there was a shortage but honestly they will use any excuse to not actually see a patient

One should take BP in the morning B4 eating.  The best of 3 with a few moments between each test.  BP levels alter all day. Anxiety will rise BP levels.  Stopping HRT won't have made any difference yet.  You can get your BP tested in a Pharmacy, ring and make an appt.. 

There is no current shortage of blood tubes. 

Why were you taking HRT?  Was it helping?

[Taz2]

Hi Sarokel. Sorry you are feeling so scared but I don't see that your readings are not exceptionally high especially as you are not overweight and exercise frequently but I can see it's a change for you! Mine were at that level for a while and my GP was happy to leave it and check again in three months. We have a facility at our surgery where we can email our readings in once a month. Are your readings the same on both of your devices? Can you remove the 24 hour bracelet and go back to your original monitor for a few days to see if the readings go back to normal? Check out the blood pressure UK site for hopefully some reassurance. As has been mentioned stress does mess with bp readings.

I'm not sure how old you are but HRT does protect heart and bones if you have had your ovaries removed at a younger than menopause age and takes three months to settle down.

Taz x

[Sarokel]

Thank you for the reassurance, it just feels like such a big jump in my normal levels. I had everything out at 46 and definitely want to continue with HRT I just thought if that was a factor coming off it for a few days might bring levels down if that makes sense? Yes the readings are the same on both devices, the cuff is the one I used for the past couple of years and it was with that I started to see higher readings in the first instance. I'm so frustrating as I do everything we are supposed to do to reduce our risk of BP issues

Hi Sarokel. Sorry you are feeling so scared but I don't see that your readings are not exceptionally high especially as you are not overweight and exercise frequently but I can see it's a change for you! Mine were at that level for a while and my GP was happy to leave it and check again in three months. We have a facility at our surgery where we can email our readings in once a month. Are your readings the same on both of your devices? Can you remove the 24 hour bracelet and go back to your original monitor for a few days to see if the readings go back to normal? Check out the blood pressure UK site for hopefully some reassurance. As has been mentioned stress does mess with bp readings.

I'm not sure how old you are but HRT does protect heart and bones if you have had your ovaries removed at a younger than menopause age and takes three months to settle down.

Taz x

[CLKD]

HRT doesn't drop off that quickly.  It can take a few days B4 the body will notice any difference.

[Sarokel]

I'll give it a few days, it's just weird that it went up by another 5 points when I stopped

HRT doesn't drop off that quickly.  It can take a few days B4 the body will notice any difference.

[Taz2]

Have you had your cuff recalibrated?  Mine is due to be done and it is giving me much lower readings then when I use my partners new cuff.

Taz x

[Sarokel]

Both my fancy wrist thingy and the cuff agree with each other so annoyingly I don't think it's that simple 

Have you had your cuff recalibrated?  Mine is due to be done and it is giving me much lower readings then when I use my partners new cuff.

Taz x

[Whatsupwiththis]

That is really not all that high of a BP.  My understanding is that the older ladies have a higher BP anyways and 140/80 is considered within  the range of mild hypertension..  I also have high, uncontrolled BP and don't smoke, not overweight and eat somewhat healthy.  Mine is strictly genetics but for me, QUALITY VS QUANTITY.

[Taz2]

Did you have raised blood pressure when you were on HRT before Sarokel and are you still on testosterone?

Taz x