Clonidine

[kazzymac]

I need some help please.
I went to the GP due to heavy periods/flooding and she prescribed me tranexamic acid which really helped. She was going to prescribe POP & suggested Mirena to try and regulate my periods which have gone haywire. As I have PCOS I had barely had any until about two years ago-(karma!) I'm 47.
She took my BP which was high and said to go back today if home readings continued & I couldn't take POP.
Went back today as bp averaged 140/90 and saw another GP who said it was high but not excessively and as I didn't need a contraception but wanted to reduce the hot sweats prescribed Clonidine.

Has anyone heard of this or experienced taking it? I'm a bit worried about taking it tbh. Googling it showed it's a treatment for hot sweats(non hormonal) plus it can lower BP but also causes dry mouth and drowsiness amongst other things Thank you

Yes I've been taking clonidine since September. I have normal BP. It took about 3-4 weeks to stop the hot flushes. And they went away completely. Does give you a dry mouth though but sucking a mint or similar will help. Give it a try, better a dry mouth than a hot flush, no other side effects here!

@3dogsnorth
Thank you for your reply.
I started taking it last week as I had some time off work.
It did make me very tired initially but I'm sleeping much better.
Hot flushes have definitely reduced as has my smelly hormonal hair (nice!)
My BP has also dropped so it's averaging around 125/85 - a vast improvement.
Like you I do have the dry mouth but it's making me drink more so that's a bonus.
Glad the tablets are helping you too.

Went back today as bp averaged 140/90 and saw another GP who said it was high but not excessively and as I didn't need a contraception but wanted to reduce the hot sweats prescribed Clonidine

I'm like a record that's got stuck....

the first line of treatment for night sweats is HRT not a BP med, as long as your BP is normal and/ or under control with lifestyle or BP meds.

Ok i understand what you're saying is that I should ask for Hrt but control my BP with medication as a separate issue.

It all happened quickly as I just went for the flooding not knowing I had highish BP.
I think the GP felt Clonidine would be a one stop shop for my symptoms and the other GP wouldn't prescribe anything!

You seem well informed from your posts so can I ask what your objection is to Clonidine please? It is a non hormonal treatment for menopausal symptoms according to the information leaflet.
This is all new to me and very confusing.

I will have a look on menopause matters website for info in the meantime as I need to visit the GP again soon.

You seem well informed from your posts so can I ask what your objection is to Clonidine please?

I'm simply repeating the NICE menopause guidelines. These state that for vasomotor symptoms ( sweats and flushes), HRT is the first line treatment. High BP is not classed as a contraindication.

If a woman has high BP that requires treatment on its own. This should include talking to you about lifestyle- ie increasing your exercise, losing weight if relevant, eating more fruit and veg, reducing salt and salty foods, and also limiting alcohol.

Alternatives to HRT such as BP meds and ADs are usually only given to women who cannot take HRT under any circs.

Sadly GP knowledge on this is often dire.

Your heavy periods would be better suited to a Mirena coil, plus a transdermal form of estrogen to control the sweats.
You should ask for a referral to a specialist you already have PCOS so your ought to see someone who can handle all of this.

@JinglingHellsBells
Thank you for replying - that's very helpful.
When I see my GP I'll push for a referral. It's going to be a fight based on my last two visits, I know that already but at least I'm armed with info now!