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[KaraShannon]

Hi everyone

Usually 2 days every month I get this horrible situation where if I stand from sitting I am very dizzy and it takes a good 5 - 10 mins to recover.  Then I can walk about normally.  It's always been like that and it always goes, been going on for years.

Lately, the last 2 weeks I'm getting it a lot, but it's got to the point where I might have walked into a shop and I have to get out again because the feeling is not going away, my legs are feeling week etc. 

I mentioned it to the doctor last week and she said it's low blood pressure and to check my bp when this is happening, but to be honest with you, I'm pretty anxious about it.  I told her I'm anxious because of health stuff that happened in the past in my family and don't feel up to doing it at the moment.  She said she's not worried and that's fine but I'll have to put up with it for now.  She also suggested changing my hrt.

I know I have to get this sorted but just wondering if anyone else has ever had this and it's been a hormonal issue?  It would go some way to allaying my fears of it being something awful. 

[Flossieteacake]

I can understand your concerns. I think it is a good idea you have asked for a blood test as it will show if you are lacking in anything. There could be so many small things that are easy to fix such as low iron. I find when I do not take iron supplements I am weak and dizzy. It may reassure you to buy a blood pressure monitor so you can check your blood pressure when you feel weak.

[Amazing grace]

Hi, is your blood pressure reading actually low, as this would certainly cause those feelings, I have had and still have bouts of dizziness, although I've had various tests and I do have the following high blood pressure, stage one hypertension not enough for meds, and b12 deficiency which I now have b12 injections for done at gp surgery, anxiety which I've took various antidepressants for over the last 12 years, hrt for menopause, but I still continue to get these scary bouts of dizziness which affects me going out, for me personally I think it's a combination of anxiety and hormones, when you said when you walk in a shop and the feeling is not going away and your legs feel weak, that's exactly how I used to feel and still do at times and I was able to pinpoint that situation to anxiety, I think it would be wise to get a blood test to rule out any deficiencies, and mointer your BP, but try not to worry that this is something awful, as that will feed anxiety and make it worse this happened to me and I feared the feeling so much I seemed to almost induce it to happen, for me personally after many tests and being treated for things they did find I still have the dizziness so it's almost for sure down to hormones and anxiety for me, changing hrt might be worth it too, I'm on estrogel have been 7 months but I'm suffering more dizziness on this than on patches so thinking that's causing a problem for me, it's difficult to figure out and I feel for you hope you find some relief x

[KaraShannon]

Thanks Flossieteacake and AmazingGrace

I have anxiety, though this is very physical and is just an extension of what I've always had, only in the last 2 weeks it's been disabling. 

The anxiety means I'd rather not take my bp, which sounds really stupid but if you knew the context you'd probably see why this is difficult.  That said, can't carry on like this so I will speak to the doctor again tomorrow and she may decide to push me to have it checked at the surgery.

I called the doctor recently to say I increased my evorel sequi estradiol patch up to 100.  I wondered if that was causing all this.  She said she'd just change me altogether onto 100 estradiol but continuous and utrogestan.  I've not made that change yet as a lot is happening in my personal life and I just want everything to calm down before I start changing hrt around. 

I am wondering if the estradiol is too high for me though.  Oestrogen opens up the blood vessels which is healthy, but might be too much if it's not needed and I'm still making some of my own. 

I had to lie down a while ago and didn't know how I was going to get showered or wash my hair (very late doing it because of how I've felt all day).  Then suddenly I felt fine and have done it.  That's completely different to how I was feeling, so the whole thing is weird. 

I have to pick up some things in the shop so I'd better get on and do it while I'm feeling ok    Driving my car brings on symptoms too, not while I'm driving but once I've stopped and I get out of the car, then I get the head pounding.

[KaraShannon]

I'm also wondering if it's a type of 'flush.' 

I don't know because I don't think I've ever had hot flushes yet, but I sometimes get a flushed face.

The only thing that makes me think that is my hands currently feel really warm, like they have good blood flow, something I'm not usually aware of 

Maybe my body will adapt to extra oestrogen if it's that.  Who knows.

[Flossieteacake]

I can understand not wanting to check your blood pressure if it will make you anxious. There would not really be any point anyway as anxiety increases blood pressure. If you feel up to it, it may be an idea to ask to be referred to a menopause clinic. They will be the best people to tweak your HRT. You can have a phone appointment to save the anxiety of going in person. When I get a hot flush I feel so hot like I am overheating. I know it can be different for others though.

[Lynda07]

Hi KaraShannon

I get anxious having my blood pressure taken, I can't even use my home monitor anymore. Would you feel better using a 24 hour monitor that you can get from your GP (although I appreciate you may not actually have a dizzy spell whilst wearing it, I just thought I'd mention it though in case you weren't aware of the 24 hour monitor).

[KaraShannon]

Thanks everyone, tonight I'm moving from oestrogen patch to the progesterone one. 

It's odd because after posting I had to lie down for a while and then suddenly started feeling better.  The 'low bp' feeling is fading.  It's still there but it's a lot better.  I vaguely remember this has happened before once I've got the oestrogen patches out of the way.  I usually feel better with the progesterone patches. 

Not sure what to make of that yet but it's making me think continuous hrt (which was suggested) is not right for me yet. 

Maybe I just need to stop using a supplemental oestrogen patch.  I was fine before I started doing that.  I think oestrogen 'stresses' me physiologically.  I know it's not supposed to but that's all I've got to go on at the moment.