The utter frustration of this. Health & medication.

[MrsNandortheRelentless]

I’m perimeno. Suffering terribly, joint pains, insomnia, brain fog, hot flushes, forgetting words, anxiety, low mood the whole shebang.
So got myself off to ask for HRT as it’s getting worse.
HRT duly prescribed and started. Symptoms haven’t gone away but markedly reduced. Hallelujah!
But, I’ve been for my first check in and my blood pressure is super high.
A hang over from the pre eclampsia I developed with both of my pregnancies. It’s never come down.
No one interested, I carry on checking it intermittently, always high. (Had a highly stressful job so figured it went hand in hand)

They won’t let me carry on with HRT until blood pressure is down with medication .(also weight loss which I’m doing my damdest to get off)

So I’m about to go back to painful joints, hot flushes, fog brain, insomnia, awful anxiety and low mood… which will all drive my blood pressure up meaning probably an increase in BP medication.
So where does it end?
So many bloody pills.

I don’t have to take anything.
I’m tempted to get my weight down, live with the meno symptoms ( I’ll probably lose my job though) and see if my BP reduces with this change alone.
To be able to have the HRT again.

Such a mess.

I've just spent 6 months getting my BP down.

I switched to decaf coffee, stopped eating salty snacks which has probably halved my salt intake, and cut out cheese and butter. Plus drunk more water and exercised more.

It worked for me so might be worth a try.

Yes, doing all of those, plus intermittent fasting 16:8
Joined weight watchers.

Fingers crossed.

And thanks for the time line. I’m happy to commit to this for 6 months if it means I’m not on medication other than HRT which is temporary, and I’m healthier but most of all… I feel better. 😊

Might seem a stupid question but what’s your issue with anti hypertensive meds ?
Fair enough, lose weight, exercise, cut out salt etc but I’d rather have a normal BP than run the risk of a CVA or MI.
Fwiw I ran for years, regular gym goer, normal BMI, good diet but ultimately it made no difference. I still developed high bp. It’s hereditary. I’m just relieved I’ve done something about it as my DM developed vascular dementia as a result of untreated hypertension. A lot of posters on MN going by the number of posts seem to get really anxious about it but equally don’t want to take the meds to treat it

Not a stupid question at all, it’s a fair one.

I am resisting as far as I can with going down the route of starting medications which ultimately lead to more medications by the time I’m 60.
I view my high blood pressure currently as completely self inflicted.
I’m fat.
It’s lifestyle which is COMPLETELY potentially reversible.
So I intend on taking responsibility for it and doing something about it.
You are so right though about the hereditary element of it, until proven otherwise, by lifestyle changes and weight loss, I am viewing it as for me.. there is much I can do and IF my BP remains raised despite my efforts, then I will accept the treatment without a problem.
Its my way of looking at it from a purely personal angle.

Does this make sense?