Menopause

[RuthBangor6]

Morning all, I am a newbie to the site, just registered this morning. I have enjoyed reading everybody's comments on the menopause. Isn't it really great that this site exists! First of all, i am 48 years old, I turn 49 in November. I live with my partner, his son and my two sons. I have been suffering high blood pressure for about three years now. I am a type of woman who really dislikes taking any type of medication, the reason for this is, my mother, god rest her soul, was on so many different tablets in her and 40's and 50's it just wouldn't be allowed these days (no disrespect to the medical profession). I have learn't over the years that your body does change and yes some of us do need help from medication to give us a better quality of life. I am currently taking Amlodipine 1mg to control the the blood pressure. I was also taking the contraceptive pill, Loestrin 20 for about three years but had to stop taking this about 4 months ago, so that my GP could take a blood test to see if I was menopausal. I noticed that my stomach was swollen quite a bit, feeling tired, crying for no reason in particular and just feeling lost. The results from the first blood test, came back clear but I asked for another blood test to be taken two weeks later. I was suppose to go back onto the contraceptive pill after the first blood test was taken but I decided not to, as I knew from the hot flushes, night sweets, headaches, sickness and passing so much urine at night that I was definately going through the menopause. Second blood test confirmed that I was in fact menopausal. I asked my doctor could I have been going through the menopause for a while but I just didnt know it because I was on the Loestrin 20, contrceptive pill? He said yes. So, I now only take my blood pressure tablets which have my blood pressure under control and I was prescribed Elleste Duet 1mg (white and green tablets). I started them a week ago and I can honestly say, there is no change. I am still getting my hot flushes during the day (15 to 20 hot flushes) and still getting my night sweats (10 a night) and still running to the toilet 6 times during the night passing urine. I was told I would see a change in things from as early as 3 to 4 days but doesnt seem to be the case for me. I have this morning put a telephone call in for my doctor to phone be back today sometime just to ask if I need to give it more time. My doctor will probably say yes, as some of your comments on this site suggest that I might not notice anything for about 3 or 4 weeks. HRT never agreed with my mum and it was so awful to see her change into a different type of person. In the end, my mum was only on HRT for 12 weeks, told the doctor she was coming of it and didnt want anything else. Whilst I admire the women who chose not to take HRT, my thoughts are, life is too short, live for today and be happy, enjoy your family and friends and if this means taking medication to achieve this, will so be it. Yes, there are side effects from HRT but hey, isnt there nearly side effects from everything today? Fingers crossed that Elleste Duet works for me. Sorry my comment is so long!

Sorry I also meant to say, that I do realise there are women out there that have tried HRT (like my mother) and it does not agree with them at all and I fully understand this but there are other women out there that just chose to suffer and let nature takes its course.

Hi and welcome to the forum.
I am not sure if you are just sharing or want info and advice?
First, and excuse this if you have covered it- have you taken any lifestyle measures for your high BP- eg regular exercise , weight loss if relevant,and a change of diet? Don't want to be preachy but you can often make huge changes to BP by doing these things and not have to take meds.

Second, the dose of your HRT is very low. It's 1mg of oestrogen. Many women take 2mgs and more. It's worth asking your GP if they have chosen a low dose for you as a first step ( trial) or if they are being cautious with the dose due to your high BP.

The other point is that high BP puts you at higher risk for stroke and heart disease as you'll know- but topical HRT ( patches and gels) are proven to carry less risk for these than pills. So you might want to ask your dr about swapping.

You need to give any HRT at least 12 weeks and if it's not working or making you feel worse, then try swapping. You might also need some local oestrogen such as Vagifem or Ovestin to use vaginally to help with the frequent peeing - it might help.

There are loads of different types of HRT and some women do give up too soon- in your mum's case it was maybe a mistake to say it didn't suit her if she only tried one type for only 12 weeks.
I hope you find something that helps.

Hi RuthBangor6, I'm in a similar position to you really. Joined MN earlier this year and enjoying hearing other people's stories/woes/joys etc!
I'm the same age as you and experiencing some but not all of the same symptoms as you, but am not in need of the GP just yet, although I'm not against getting the help I feel I need if things get worse. My main issue was heavy periods and they have now been sorted with an endometrial ablation. But the feeling of 'being lost' and not quite 'me' are weird and unsettling. Good to know we're not alone.

Thank you Missbopeep and indcisiveandclusless for your comments. I spoke to my doctor yesterday on the phone and he wants me to give Elleste another two weeks and see if any changes take place. Missbopeep I do take on board your comment about high blood pressure and the answer is, no I have not made any changes to try and sort out my high blood pressure. I use to be a size 12, then increased to a size 14 and now I find myself purchasing baggy tops in a size 16 to try and hide my stomach. I also have to buy jeans or leggings in a size 16 for comfort. I am quite tall, 5'9 and I am slimish on my top half and legs but it is my stomach that has all the weight. I was going to ask my doctor to have a test carried out on my womb and then my bowels to see if there is a problem there and then I thought, no I will go on a diet and do excercises and see if I can loose my stomach that way. I still have no started the diet, I have in my head but no in reality, thats sad isnt it? I know I have to try this as it will hopefully sort out my high blood pressure as well as my self being. It's had though to take the first step to diet, I have never been on a diet in my life, lucky for me I never had to be but now that I am 48 years old, suffer from high blood pressure and menopausal, it really a must now. I just have to get motivated and soon.

Ruth- maybe something like Weight Watchers online might help? Weight put on around the middle is the worst for health because there is usually fat around your internal organs too- heart, liver, etc- which is very dangerous for health.
Don't think of having to diet- just eat healthily- cut out the carbs, eat more fruit , veg and protein, and maybe find some exercise you enjoy? What do you like doing? Walking, swimming, dancing?

Hi Missbopeep, I totally agree with everything you have advised. I know a couple of colleagues in work who attend Weight Watchers, so I could either find out where my nearest centre is or do what you suggest and go on-line (which I never knew you could do!) I use to dance quite a bit but that stopped a few years ago. I do enjoy walking and my partner just said to me last week that he was going to start running or walking, so I will join him and mark out a little calendar for our walks starting from the next dry evening (today it's pouring down in Bangor, Co. Down, N. Ireland!) Thank you again Missbopeep, i am going to search now for the Weight Watchers on-line!

Hi RuthBangor,

I'm 53 now and no longer on HRT, but I took it for a couple of years and it really did make a difference - less aching, more energy, no headaches.

BUT it was the second one I tried (oestrogen only), as the first type (like a mini-pill, with progesterone so you don't have a bleed) made me feel worse - painful boobs, bloated, etc.

It really is true that you might need to try various types. My sister went through a couple before finding the one that was right for her, too.

Now, I take Vagifem for local oestrogen - and find it does the trick. Oh, and fwiw, the feeling lost and confused/grieving has got a lot, lot better too

ps I also take BP meds - Ramipril 10mg

Ruth- your exercise regime with your DP sounds a great idea- good luck!

Thank you all for commenting and giving advice, I really do appreciate it. Message to Elibean, I am on Amlodipine 10mg for my BP. Im not sure if that is a high dose or not. I use to take Amlodipine 5mg but my BP increaed again about 5 months and my GP increased the dosage to 10mg which has settled my BP. I have heard rumours that once you are on BP medication, you are mostly likely to stay on it. I wonder how much of this is true???