KiraKira
04-04-2007, 03:36 PM
Just some quick background info:
I'm a very active 45 year old woman. Weight is good, lots of lean muscle mass, cholesterol good, cardio exercise almost every day, everything all good with that stuff. I had a total hysterectomy last July and have been in high blood pressure purgatory ever since. I ended up in the ER in January with chest pain, shortness of breath, hands tingling and high bp. 150/110. After the cardiac enzyme tests revealed no "cardiac event" and the chest x-ray showed no clot, I was sent to a cardiologist for stress test and thyroid tests and all were fine. I was given a prescription for Dyazide and eventually my blood pressure came down to an average of about 118/74.
Yesterday I could feel the adrenaline surge feeling and the tingles in my hands and sure enough, my blood pressure was 150/85. I've been having the shortness of breath and spikes now through today as well.
Throughout all of this, since my surgery last July, I have been on a transdermal estrogen patch and I truly believe the hormone fluctuations has everything to do with the bp problems. I just cannot seem to find the right hormone balance. But the question is (finally!) is there a medication that will bring my bp down right away when I'm having these spikes and is okay to only take then? It seems that all the medications I have read about require constant usage and then weaning when trying to come off the medication. I feel like if I can get my hormones somewhat aligned properly my blood pressure issues will improve considerably as well. But these periods of spiking are very uncomfortable and scary.
I want to arm myself with the information BEFORE I see my doctor because last time I went in for this he told me women were just more "anxious" in menopause. Puh-leeze!
I'm a very active 45 year old woman. Weight is good, lots of lean muscle mass, cholesterol good, cardio exercise almost every day, everything all good with that stuff. I had a total hysterectomy last July and have been in high blood pressure purgatory ever since. I ended up in the ER in January with chest pain, shortness of breath, hands tingling and high bp. 150/110. After the cardiac enzyme tests revealed no "cardiac event" and the chest x-ray showed no clot, I was sent to a cardiologist for stress test and thyroid tests and all were fine. I was given a prescription for Dyazide and eventually my blood pressure came down to an average of about 118/74.
Yesterday I could feel the adrenaline surge feeling and the tingles in my hands and sure enough, my blood pressure was 150/85. I've been having the shortness of breath and spikes now through today as well.
Throughout all of this, since my surgery last July, I have been on a transdermal estrogen patch and I truly believe the hormone fluctuations has everything to do with the bp problems. I just cannot seem to find the right hormone balance. But the question is (finally!) is there a medication that will bring my bp down right away when I'm having these spikes and is okay to only take then? It seems that all the medications I have read about require constant usage and then weaning when trying to come off the medication. I feel like if I can get my hormones somewhat aligned properly my blood pressure issues will improve considerably as well. But these periods of spiking are very uncomfortable and scary.
I want to arm myself with the information BEFORE I see my doctor because last time I went in for this he told me women were just more "anxious" in menopause. Puh-leeze!
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ms58
04-04-2007, 06:19 PM
I understand the patches can cause shortness of breath for some people, so maybe that is contributing to your discomfort.
After menopause I found my blood pressure starting to go up and started bp meds at that time. So I think some of us just develop less tolerance for stress with the absence of estrogen and maybe the patch is not good for you as well, so combined they result in what you are describing.
To answer your question, I do not know of any immediate bp lowering meds except what they use in hospitals and I don't think it is available to outside people, but I could be wrong. 150/110 is high, but if very brief and not very often, probably not horrible.
Best of luck with the hormones, I never used any so can't help there.
After menopause I found my blood pressure starting to go up and started bp meds at that time. So I think some of us just develop less tolerance for stress with the absence of estrogen and maybe the patch is not good for you as well, so combined they result in what you are describing.
To answer your question, I do not know of any immediate bp lowering meds except what they use in hospitals and I don't think it is available to outside people, but I could be wrong. 150/110 is high, but if very brief and not very often, probably not horrible.
Best of luck with the hormones, I never used any so can't help there.
Lenin
04-04-2007, 06:42 PM
is there a medication that will bring my bp down right away when I'm having these spikes and is okay to only take then?
I've cut to the chase on this one. The answer is YES; plain propranolol, maybe 40 mg.
The SECOND part of the question: all doctors will say "ANATHEMA...you must take the Rx's med every day...come see me in 6 months." They may even hold a CROSS in front of your face.
They HATE the idea of patients titrating drugs as needed because the feel it takes responsibility away form them and onto the patient...how BIZARRE :jester: :dizzy: :cool: ???
If you run these numbers once in a while but most of the time you are controlled then there isn't going to be a detrimental effect to your health: it's the 24/7/365 hypertension that does the damage.
IF you are a very salt sensitive hypertensive, then some more of your diuretic will do the trick. A LOOP diuretic liek LASIX will do the trick in 3 hours.
You SHOULDN'T be feeing the effects of anything like 150/110...maybe something else is causing the weird feelings...like the hormones.
I've cut to the chase on this one. The answer is YES; plain propranolol, maybe 40 mg.
The SECOND part of the question: all doctors will say "ANATHEMA...you must take the Rx's med every day...come see me in 6 months." They may even hold a CROSS in front of your face.
They HATE the idea of patients titrating drugs as needed because the feel it takes responsibility away form them and onto the patient...how BIZARRE :jester: :dizzy: :cool: ???
If you run these numbers once in a while but most of the time you are controlled then there isn't going to be a detrimental effect to your health: it's the 24/7/365 hypertension that does the damage.
IF you are a very salt sensitive hypertensive, then some more of your diuretic will do the trick. A LOOP diuretic liek LASIX will do the trick in 3 hours.
You SHOULDN'T be feeing the effects of anything like 150/110...maybe something else is causing the weird feelings...like the hormones.
KiraKira
04-04-2007, 08:01 PM
Thanks so much to both of you for your replies. I am so completely flummoxed by this recent rollercoaster blood pressure.
So Lenin, do I go to my doctor and tell him I want plain propranolol? Really, I have to go in absolutely KNOWING what I need for it to happen and not be patted on the head and told to run along with my "stressed" self. I realize stress is a huge bp trigger but I know when I am and am not stressed and these spikes have absolutely no correlation for me. I just have these random adrenaline surges that have no connection whatsoever with my current surroundings and that's what I would like to control.
Thanks again. I have been doing a lot of research today. This board has helped immensely.
So Lenin, do I go to my doctor and tell him I want plain propranolol? Really, I have to go in absolutely KNOWING what I need for it to happen and not be patted on the head and told to run along with my "stressed" self. I realize stress is a huge bp trigger but I know when I am and am not stressed and these spikes have absolutely no correlation for me. I just have these random adrenaline surges that have no connection whatsoever with my current surroundings and that's what I would like to control.
Thanks again. I have been doing a lot of research today. This board has helped immensely.
famnd
04-04-2007, 09:29 PM
I vote for lebatalol which I take regularly & for spikes. Your Dr. may not even know that it can be used for spikes. It is given in the Er. My Dr. suggested that I do this. You just have to be very careful not to take it more than a day or two or you may get withdrawal. It has to be taken with the same amount of food each time especially fat which delays stomach emptying. This helps in getting the same b/p lowering each time. It is an alpha/beta blocker as opposed to inderal which is a beta blocker. Actually my thyroid Dr. suggested this drug when my PC Doc was having so much trouble getting my b/p down. Inderal would work too because it is given for stage fright etc when there is a adrenalin surge. Your Dr. will have to be sure that you are responsible & will follow his guidelines. Fam
Heckofagal
04-05-2007, 12:43 PM
Kira - make sure they check your thyroid too. I'm 39 and have been pretty healthy and developed high BP spikes when I developed Hypothyroidism. (Of course it could just be the hormones from your hysterectomy but I think going through that could also throw off your thyroid.) High BP spikes, chest pain, shortness of breath, hands tingling, adrenaline surge feeling are ALL symptoms I had with my thyroid issue!!! You might also have them check your B12, Vitamin D and Calcium and all those good things too. My B12 was within range at 512 but my Naturopath suggested this was still too low and I have greatly benefited from subingual B12. (This is also supposed to help the neuropathy.)
My thyroid/BP issues started last November. I was put on Toprol XL and then they added Benicar HCT in February as I was still having spikes. Now my thyroid levels are better. I have already quit taking the Benicar and will be weaning off the Toprol XL as well. Good Luck!
My thyroid/BP issues started last November. I was put on Toprol XL and then they added Benicar HCT in February as I was still having spikes. Now my thyroid levels are better. I have already quit taking the Benicar and will be weaning off the Toprol XL as well. Good Luck!
KiraKira
04-05-2007, 03:22 PM
I did have my thryoid checked after the cardiologist checked me out in January and everything was fine. I really thought that would be the culprit, too, after all of my reading and was almost disappointed it wasn't. I am so wanting to find the reason for this. The B12 thing is interesting. Which doctor would be checking for that?
It sounds like you are doing great yourself...that must be wonderful to find out what is going on, straighten it out, and move on.
And regarding the apple cider vinegar thread - I just took four of my gazillion kids (okay, only six but it feels like way more because they're all home this week) to the store and picked up a bottle of the vinegar. The looks on their faces was priceless when I told them I was going to DRINK it. But I'm all for trying the au naturel route and see if anything works.
It sounds like you are doing great yourself...that must be wonderful to find out what is going on, straighten it out, and move on.
And regarding the apple cider vinegar thread - I just took four of my gazillion kids (okay, only six but it feels like way more because they're all home this week) to the store and picked up a bottle of the vinegar. The looks on their faces was priceless when I told them I was going to DRINK it. But I'm all for trying the au naturel route and see if anything works.
nickerson
04-05-2007, 04:18 PM
Do you notice any side effects with Labetalol? I take 200mg in the am and 200mg in the pm. Since taking this medication, I find I'm always tired and maybe a little depressed. I just seem to be in a rut and don't have the energy to do much. I also take 40 mg of Vasotec a day.
famnd
04-06-2007, 02:41 AM
I do get side effects from labetalol. My leg muscles feel weak for 2-3 hrs so that walking stair climbing is difficult. I feel great when I wake up so I know it is the medicine. Fatigue is the biggest symptom especially if I am short on sleep anyhow. I find if I get a good night's sleep & then walk an hour in the morning before taking my meds, I have more energy. Not eating too many servings of bread products helps too. These always have made me sleepy anyhow. My taste buds are blunted to say the least from the med. But it has a positive side cause food doesn't taste as good so I am not anxious to eat-still weight too much. But lebetalol has a lot of pluses for me cause there isn't any other drug that works as well for me without causing worse symptoms. When I first took lebetalol, I took it every 3 hrs in order to determine what dose to take. There is less fatigue doing it that way. Fam
Heckofagal
04-06-2007, 06:00 PM
Kira - yes, I am doing much better thanks! (Just battling with a darn UTI now!) It is wonderful to have an answer and to know what is wrong and to finally realize I am not dying.
I think any of the docs could test the B12. MY GP did the test but the naturopath would have if I had not already had it done.
I think any of the docs could test the B12. MY GP did the test but the naturopath would have if I had not already had it done.