Menopause and High Blood Pressure - Menopause Message Board

49 and Holding · 06-28-2005, 12:14 PM

Hi, this is my first time posting so I hope I get this right. I wanted to find out what others had to say on menopause and high blood pressure. I was diagnosed with HBP at age 38 (am 49 now). At that time I was not overweight (even the dr commented on that), don't drink, no family history, etc, no reason for it that he could find. Also that time I had no problems with eating what I wanted to. In fact, I was never a heavy eater. The HBP has always been difficult to control. At present I am on HCT, Benicar, Toprol XL, and Verapril (highest dosage possible once a day). In the last 5 years, the weight has added up to 60 more pounds. I cannot get it off. I tried Weight Watchers for 4 months counting points, not a pound. I also tried Adkins for 4 months, not a pound. I tried drinking all that water which combined with theometimes HCT only sent me to the bathroom every 15 minutes. (My husband did Adkins for 3 months and lost 45-50 pounds a year ago and has kept it off--lucky stiff). I still don't eat like I used to. Gave up the baked potatoes, hamburgers, pasta, whole milk, bread, mexican food, etc). Also I was walking two miles a day. No history of HBP in my family at the time I was diagnosed. Since then my younger brother was diagnosed at his age of 42. His dr put him on BP meds and he gained 10 pounds in one month. My younger sister is not on BP meds at her age of 46 and no weight problem. Due to the HBP, I also don't eat salty foods if I can avoid it. Now to the menopause questions. I started through the change about 43. I haven't had a period for about 3 years (which I don't miss in the least). I never had hot flashes until after my periods completely stopped. Now in the last year the hot flashes have changed. It has turned to more just constant facial sweating, especially in the summer. I found somewhere once (which I can't find now) that one of by BP meds could do this. I can sweat in the shower. This is someone who could never sweat before the HBP meds and menopause. Also this last year, I have the gas and bloating so bad. I sometimes have the cramps so bad that I run to the bathroom and sometimes I have a bm that is so soft that I don't even know that I have gone. This happens two or three times a day. That has backed off somewhat now. Is it possible that Menopause is behind this? I have also heard that the BP meds could keep me from getting the weight off. Is it possible that that is a side effect of the BP meds? I have no estrogen and have tried the progesterone cream but I couldn't tell that it had any effect on anything. I am thinking of trying this again. I refused to take any hormones because of my deceased mother's history. She took Premarian but died not of breast cancer but of lung cancer even though she was not a smoker at the age of 63. Her diagnosis and decline also happened during my starting bp meds and menopause and I admit my mind was not on myself and my problems as I took care of her via distance and traveling back and forth for 3 1/2 years. I have my thyroid checked every year and the results are aways in the "norm" range so my dr will not put me on thyroid meds even though I have other thyroid symptoms. I would appreciate any comments and hearing from others if you had similar problems.

49 and Holding · 06-28-2005, 12:52 PM

Sorry to you all for the large font. I am not shouting (althought sometimes I feel like it). I just hit the wrong size font key. I tried to edit it down to size, but that doesn't seem to be working. I will try to do better next time.

babydog · 06-28-2005, 01:06 PM

Hello 49andholding,

I am 49 and holding too! Question for you. At the time of your diagnosis of high bp, were you on any medications at all?? I have a coworker who developed high blood pressure while taking birth control pills? Also you mentioned a gain of 60 pounds.

do you have any children? If so did you have any problems with high bp during pregnancy?

Do you have any other health problems other than the bp??

mgraylorn · 06-28-2005, 01:12 PM

Weight gain with blood pressure medication is a common complaint, espcially with beta blockers like Toprol. Have you discussed your weight concerns with your doctor? Maybe s/he can suggest a more successful weight loss strategy or a slight modification of your blood pressure meds.

49 and Holding · 06-28-2005, 02:13 PM

When I was diagnosed with HBP, no I wasn't on any other meds. or had any other symptoms. It came as quite a shock. Yes, when I was pregnant (my one son and only child is 21) at the 4th month my bp went up and the dr put me on meds. As soon as the 9lb 4 oz'er (who is 6 ft and 185 today) came along on his due date, the HBP left as did the meds. I only gained 22 pounds during pregnancy and without doing anything I lost that within a week and more later and maintained 130-135 until age 38. Never had another problem until age 38. Never had any other health problems at all until hbp. The dr doesn't seem as concerned with the weight as he does with the hbp. I plan on calling him and asking for a 30 minute chat session and explain that while the bp meds are doing their job as far as keeping the bp done, I am miserable otherwise. Also, I forgot to mention that my cholestrol has just now creeped over the 200 mark, but I have been eating lots of cheese lately. I believe that if I can get the weight off or at least stop the gain, then the hbp and cholestrol might take care of it self some. The weight gain is sporadic and I can maintain the weight for three or four months and then gain 10 pounds in a month. It is very frustrating.