Blood pressure fluctuations; input?

[JoKalsbeek]

Hello people,

It takes quite a bit for me to post my own thread here, because I can get a little overwhelmed by responses sometimes, but... Yeah. I've always had low blood pressure. Never realised it because of white coat syndrome, but when I started testing at home, my results came back consistently low, instead of the normal I got in -for me- high stress situations, like at the hospital or with the GP. So my usual is around 110/70. Or it used to be.

Since about a year I've had spikes, highest being 180/100 or thereabouts, which went with the most amazing splitting headache I'd ever had, pain in my neck and feeling like my eyeballs were melting out of my skull. Very uncomfortable indeed. Since it happened a few times since, my GP asked me to measure three times a day for 5 days, and of course, everything came back low to normal in those 5 days. That was the spring and summer of last year. If a headache like that strikes again I take the prescribed ibuprofen, which messes up my insides but at least gets the headache under control, and that is that, for a few weeks or even months at a time.

Except, now it isn't. This morning I was a nice 107/76, (low, but normal for me) and was relieved, because I was at about 140/90 all day yesterday, and the day before that. It lasted for about two hours, the not being high and then I was high again. Not astronomical, but high enough for pain. I held off on more ibuprofen until just now (16:30 in the afternoon), but only because I have to go to a birthday party this evening and I have to be able to "sit up, fetch and give paws" when required, and I don't want my eyes watering throughout.

I don't know why this is happening. I do know I am back to being obese and have trouble shedding the weight (93,5 kilo's, currently, and I'm 1.74m), am going through menopause, a kidney stone is a little too big to pass easily at 2,5mm, so I've been running a low grade fever for well over a month now with just a smidge of kidney function loss, with blood in my urine (often very visible, sometimes just detectable via test at GP/hospital) and the occasional colic pain. Also, I am rather worried about the state of the world. This morning, when I was low, I hadn't been on the news sites or social media yet. By the time I was high, I had been. There's a lot going on in the world and I don't see how we're going to avoid WWIII, to be honest. (I mean, talking about Canada and Greenland as if they're there for the taking? A certain Tzar-in-all-but-name is such a great friend? Not even mentioning the middle east in all this...). This isn't doing much for my stress levels. My blood sugars barely dip below 6 most days, my (constant companion) nightmares are more intense than usual, and the insomnia's back with a vengance too. Add to that that everyone in my family had high blood pressure, and threw blood clots or brain bleeds...

I just never had a history of high blood pressure, while my late mum's started when she was in her twenties. So I'm hoping that kind of bodes well for me, but... I don't know whether this is stress, hormonal, familial, or due to my obesity returning..? And with there still being dips into the low numbers, I know it'd not be exactly the smart thing to do, to get blood pressure lowering meds. I'd likely pass out of I go lower, and this is the first string of days I've had where I'm just mostly high, high little dip aaaaand high. I have told my friends on social media that I'm taking a break, and that it's not because I don't care, but care too much, rather, so hopefully being away from all the Tesla and we-sent-war-plans-to-a-journalist-because-we're-incompetent-idiots-with-a-finger-on-the-nuke-button meme's'll help some, but I honestly don't know.

A minor miracle happened, and I agreed to go see a nurse about my diabetes, but the appointment isn't until May. My HbA1c from december (42) will be a bit old by then, so thanks to a friend who had Libre's to spare and thought it'd be a good b-day present, (It's not good, it is excellent!) I'll be sporting one in the two weeks before the appointment, but I do think I'll have to discuss the concerns around my blood pressure with her, too... I don't know... I now tick all the metabolic syndrome boxes on certain days... And I don't know what caused it, because there are many potential causes, and maybe there's combinations and whatnot... Honestly, I don't know what i'm asking. Lemme think for a sec...

Okay, so.... Yes. Is anyone else so concerned with the state of things that they've noticed a rise in blood pressure, and maybe blood glucose? Am I barking up the wrong tree, is it likely menopause and genetics? (Not asking for a diagnosis, educates guesses are welcome). Because I'm not in a right panic all the time, there's just this sense of helpless foreboding that I can't shake. Ah well... Ideas and suggestions to bring blood pressure down naturally, shout them out if you have them. (I have green tea, red beet juice powder, very dark chocolate in my arsenal... Am I missing something?)

Anyway, ideas welcome. Or just tell me to chill.
Thanks for listening,
Jo

 

[Rachox]

Awww, Jo you are always so helpful to other members on the forum, I really want to come up with some helpful suggestions for you. We seem to run parallel lives in many ways, type 2, blood pressure fluctuating (with white coat syndrome), weight levels to consider, post menopausal, then add kidney stones into the mix, luckily mine was just big enough to be removed surgically as it would never have passed on it’s own. Then add in episodes of anxiety and depression and I think I have the complete set!
Through various courses of counselling I have learnt to not worry about things I have no control over and just get on with enjoying the good things in life.
As I said nothing really helpful for you but have a big hug from me, and I hope you find some solutions soon xx

 

[zand]

Yes, I think the state of the world has put my BP up too. I try to relax because there's nothing I can do about the situation but it's hard.
I doubt it's genetics in your case as your BP is normally fine, so I would tend to put it down to a combination of menopause, weight gain, pain and stress. Not a nice combo to be dealing with.
I found by accident that a magnesium supplement helped Iower mine. Also exercise (yuck) helps.

Sorry not got a magic bullet answer for you, but thanks for the rant about the world. It's exactly how I've been thinking today.

 

[Antje77]

Hi Jo, it's wonderful to see a thread by you for you for a change, with all the help you always offer to others!

Eerst, een hele dikke vette knuffel!
(Big fat hug to save anyone else from translating.)

Since about a year I've had spikes, highest being 180/100 or thereabouts, which went with the most amazing splitting headache I'd ever had

I've been running a low grade fever for well over a month

Are you sure the fever hasn't been going on for longer? Might be worth seeing if there's a connection to temperature and BP, if only to rule that one out. Both temperature and BP can fluctuate pretty quickly throughout the day, a connection could be possible. And with a low grade fever all the time your body is working under stress anyway, which could well explain higher BG.
I remember years ago when I had a nasty cold/mild flu (not sure) with a fever how I could make my BG drop with paracetamol because it dropped my fever. It still left me with enough of a fever to find this hilarious.

This morning, when I was low, I hadn't been on the news sites or social media yet. By the time I was high, I had been.

For me, social media (mainly Facebook in my case) is reserved for friends, fun and diabetes. It's easy to teach the algorithm you want diabetes, cat videos, funny little songs, some friendly lhgbtq+ or neurodivergency content, no fighting, and fun with languages.
I quickly scroll past the things I don't want to see on social media and as a result it shows me very little of it.
I too want to at least stay a little in the loop on what's happening in the world, so I listen to radio 1 (Dutch) in my car, prepared for impact. I abstain from visuals, no television to keep my sanity.
I'm very worried about the world both globally and locally, but no-one will benefit from me getting burnt out and suicidal by keeping up with everything so I don't.

so thanks to a friend who had Libre's to spare and thought it'd be a good b-day present, (It's not good, it is excellent!) I'll be sporting one in the two weeks before the appointment

If you use them long enough you'll build up a stash from replaced failed sensors. If that friend also self funded before funding happened and had a nice stash when they suddenly provided the sensors, there is some room for giving away.
Good thing this friend had your address, you likely wouldn't have accepted if it was asked instead of delivered as a surprise.

 

[MrsA2]

Hi Jo
My husband had a telephone call today with GP all about BP.
1. New advice is to measure it when lying down, and only after have rested/relaxed for 5 minutes (apparently doing it sitting means arm isn't necessarily in the right place )
2. Only measure it once a week, or less if the measuring makes you stress (!)
3. Stress and exercise can temporarily raise BP

I'm another who stops watching the news, especially if it's nothing I can influence or change. Or I limit it to 5 minutes each morning only.

Instead, give instead, whether it's a smile, a compliment or your full attention to someone else. That's much better for well being
As is daily meditation, getting outside, sharing feelings ( as you have done so well)

Hope this helps, even a little xx

 

[Antje77]

I'm another who stops watching the news, especially if it's nothing I can influence or change. Or I limit it to 5 minutes each morning only.

Instead, give instead, whether it's a smile, a compliment or your full attention to someone else. That's much better for well being

I can't speak for @JoKalsbeek , but I think this is an amazing bit of advice and I'll try!
Jo already does this, she just doesn't always realise...

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Awww, Jo you are always so helpful to other members on the forum, I really want to come up with some helpful suggestions for you. We seem to run parallel lives in many ways, type 2, blood pressure fluctuating (with white coat syndrome), weight levels to consider, post menopausal, then add kidney stones into the mix, luckily mine was just big enough to be removed surgically as it would never have passed on it’s own. Then add in episodes of anxiety and depression and I think I have the complete set!
Through various courses of counselling I have learnt to not worry about things I have no control over and just get on with enjoying the good things in life.
As I said nothing really helpful for you but have a big hug from me, and I hope you find some solutions soon xx

I do think we could've been sisters, yes. My counseling sessions with Lydia stopped last year, (Only got so many within the ADHD diagnosis/treatment package, alas, and she never transferred my case because wouldn't you know it, the therapist is burnt-out and didn't get around to it. I might have broken her! ). But I do think Lydia would have agreed with you: let go if you can't do anything about it. Enjoy life. I'm going to give it a decent try without her guidance, though I tend to worry too much by default. There's been a whole lot "extra" going on than what I'm used to, though. So, yeah... That needs attention. Thank you! <3

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Yes, I think the state of the world has put my BP up too. I try to relax because there's nothing I can do about the situation but it's hard.
I doubt it's genetics in your case as your BP is normally fine, so I would tend to put it down to a combination of menopause, weight gain, pain and stress. Not a nice combo to be dealing with.
I found by accident that a magnesium supplement helped Iower mine. Also exercise (yuck) helps.

Sorry not got a magic bullet answer for you, but thanks for the rant about the world. It's exactly how I've been thinking today.

Oh jeesh, magnesium...! I have it laying around, but I keep forgetting to take it! (Should also be good for preventing getting more of my type of kidney stones). And next week there'll be a lot of walking done, so hopefully I'll get back into that some... I didn't even realise it until now, but looking back, I've avoided going outside on my own again for a few weeks, and everything I do is on foot when I'm by myself. Hmm. Appointments, yes, but no errands. Slippery slope, that... I'll try to find the magnesium citrate, and maybe go for a walk today or tomorrow. That in itself is stressful because I'm basically still scared of the world (anxiety disorders, gotta love 'em!), but if I pick a route with a lot of outdoor cats... I should be okay.

I don't know if magnesium will turn out to be a magic bullet... Could well do. I'm going to give it a go, anyway, and try to move about more.
*thank you!*

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Hey Antje,
Dikke knuffel terug! (Big fat hug back!)

Let's see... I do think the fever has been an ongoing issue, (Finally got a thermometer that actually worked only 5 weeks ago though, so can't vouch for anything before that time, but I can hazard a guess and say it might;ve been months... If not going on a year), but according to the urologist, it's likely to do with that one kidney stone that didn't join its 4 brothers on the way out, two weeks ago. It's still in place and wreaking havoc, for which I'm managing to remember to take sodium bicarb semi-regularly, see if I can shrink it and take the sharp bits off. I measure often now, because if I go into severe fever territory I have to get my b*tt back to the hospital and get it zapped after all. (They don't want to zap if they don't have to, as it damages the kidney. And I don't want to go under for an operation.). I've passed a few stones like the current one of 2,5mm's before, so hopefully I'll manage again. But yes, the fever might be messing about with my blood pressure as well... It's sure been draining my energy levels; I'm knackered all the time!

Ah, Facebook... Normally I'm shown cute animals, zoo news, neurospicy content etc. (One of my personal favourites lately is the "Three Possums in a Coat" song). But with the DT administration speaking of putting neurodivergent people in "work farms" (Arbeit Macht Frei, anyone?), and being absolute $%^&'s to people who are of the lhgbtq+ community (I'm an ally), and many, many others... Those places I normally follow are full of justified fear and activism. The things they've been saying scare the bejeezus out of me... A friend of mine travels to the US a lot because his fiancé lives there. He's a white, straight cis male, but his autism makes him move in a very effeminate manner and his voice is quite high for a man, so people often take him for gay, or even adress him mistakenly as madam. He can't read a room to save his life. I am terrified he'll be detained this summer, when he goes back again. He has a heart condition, he physically and mentally can't go through what some of the other people traveling to or from the US have gone through in detention these past months. The region he goes to is a M*GA one, and they're "Such very nice people! It's just their politics that are cr*p, but it's not about me! They like me just fine!". Right. The naivité would be adorable if it wasn't so dangerous. And that's just one person I worry about, out of quite a few... The Facebook stuff that normally keeps me engaged and positive about the world and myself (learning about AuDHD has been a comfort), has been turned on its head, so for now... I don't have the stamina to tell the algorythm what works for me and what doesn't. Because even loving animals gets me posts from panicked US National Parks, that are about to be destroyed for greed. I just need to steer clear for a while. I love Canada, but it's all #ElbowsUp, and I can't do anything. My elbows are useless. So I need to step back. I am reading a tiny bit of local news on the AD website and app, to stay in touch with regional stuff and fluff pieces, but I skip the articles about the scary things now. (I just feel horrible now that FB sent a notification about an old classmate's birthday and now I don't know whether to send congrats or not. I can just do it and bail out again though. Just have to make sure not to read anything!). Oh my, this is a rant, isn't it?

Yeah, that friend of mine, she sure comes in handy... Often knows what I need, before I do (and yeah, I wouldn't exactly accept help if offered because I don't want to be anyone's burden) or helps me out when I've mentally painted myself into a corner. It's nice if there's people out there who get it, you know? That I'm not exactly what you'd call normal, and that I won't be attending a BBQ with Woodstock-vibes and turkeys sitting on the swing looking on, even if it does sound halfway like heaven... She gets that I'm there in spirit, which is good. And it leaves more meat for the other guests, haha.

HUGS!
Jo

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Hi Jo
My husband had a telephone call today with GP all about BP.
1. New advice is to measure it when lying down, and only after have rested/relaxed for 5 minutes (apparently doing it sitting means arm isn't necessarily in the right place )
2. Only measure it once a week, or less if the measuring makes you stress (!)
3. Stress and exercise can temporarily raise BP

I'm another who stops watching the news, especially if it's nothing I can influence or change. Or I limit it to 5 minutes each morning only.

Instead, give instead, whether it's a smile, a compliment or your full attention to someone else. That's much better for well being
As is daily meditation, getting outside, sharing feelings ( as you have done so well)

Hope this helps, even a little xx

Hey @MrsA2 ,

I didn't know about the measuring laying down... I'll put the meter in the bedroom, because I'm likely to forget! I'll have to measure more often because my migraines and high blood pressure headaches start out the same way, it isn't until they're getting pretty bad that I can differentiate between them, and by then I might've already taken the wrong medication. The meds for migraines raises blood pressure, so if that is the issue and I try to put out the fire with gasoline, it gets that much worse. But other than that, I think your hubby's GP is quite useful to me, too. Thanks for sharing, and I hope he feels better soon! <3

I've been trying to get back into sending people cards lately... Perk people up when they're down, or cheering them on when there's a win. And I tend to wish people a good day when I'm on a walk. Especially the elderly and immigrants/refugees (we have a few from Ukraine here) seem to light up. It's not much, but it's all I think I can manage, as social interaction is hard for me. It feels like I'm doing too little though, always a sense of "not enough". I get too distracted for meditation, but another friend I met on here suggested a series of "Cozy Mysteries" to me a while back, and that's close... A Cotswolds-like town with the occasional murder, with a Women's Institute that rocks both the kitchen and investigations... And there's dragons, as well. I like spending time reading about the scones I can't eat but still enjoy through lovely descriptions, so I hope I can make that count as meditation, too. Next week we're off to a lovely zoo in Belgium (Pairi Daiza) for two days, provided all goes well, so we'll hopefully be spending time photographing puma's, black panthers, lion cubs and the many, many other lovely animals there. It'll be a lot of time spent walking outside and in a nature-loving enviroment, with food I can actually eat, far away from everything that ails the world... I'm keeping my fingers crossed it can kick-start a little sense of well-being, for however long it may last.

Thanks so much for your input. It helps. <3
Jo

 

[AndBreathe]

My white coat syndrome is horrible, and for a time my white coat syndrome expanded to include dressing gown syndrome (i.e. doing my own BP at home).
The Endo always laughs at my clinic readings which can be astronomical - often leading with a 2. Ahem.

For me, stress has a real impact on my numbers overall. I try to do what I can to mitigate any stress, but that's not always possible. The last 4 months have been very hard for me, for reasons I'll spare you, but I just tell myself I can only do what I can do and know that tough times pass.
In terms of understanding your BP activity, I wonder if your GP would consider a longer term BP monitor for you. It is possible to wear one for several days, with it doing it's thing a specified times.

As part of a research study, I had one for 24 hours and hated it, but it was interesting to understand it's insights into what was going on.

Whatever you do, try to dump the stress about the stress. I know that's waaaaaay harder to do than say, but none of us here can influence what's going on in Ukraine, in the states or oftentimes closer to home. I though times, I just try to simplify my life.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

My white coat syndrome is horrible, and for a time my white coat syndrome expanded to include dressing gown syndrome (i.e. doing my own BP at home).
The Endo always laughs at my clinic readings which can be astronomical - often leading with a 2. Ahem.

For me, stress has a real impact on my numbers overall. I try to do what I can to mitigate any stress, but that's not always possible. The last 4 months have been very hard for me, for reasons I'll spare you, but I just tell myself I can only do what I can do and know that tough times pass.
In terms of understanding your BP activity, I wonder if your GP would consider a longer term BP monitor for you. It is possible to wear one for several days, with it doing it's thing a specified times.

As part of a research study, I had one for 24 hours and hated it, but it was interesting to understand it's insights into what was going on.

Whatever you do, try to dump the stress about the stress. I know that's waaaaaay harder to do than say, but none of us here can influence what's going on in Ukraine, in the states or oftentimes closer to home. I though times, I just try to simplify my life.

Hi @AndBreathe ,

That white coat/dressing gown syndrome is, ah... Impressive! (Not so much the numbers, more that you survive them!). But yes, you're right, tough times pass... Eventually. It's something I'll have to keep telling myself, it seems. Maybe put it up on a the fridge or something. I don't think the new GP will agree to a monitor as I still have lows, and if she can't throw a pill at it anyway for fear of making me pass out cold, she's not going to investigate beyond what's already been done. But I might try my luck with the diabetes nurse in May, see what she says. (Unless by some miracle things resolve before then!).

Simplifying life... That sounds like a plan... I'll have to see what that means for me. Thank you, and I hope things will get easier for you soon, too. <3
Jo

 

[Antje77]

I didn't know about the measuring laying down... I'll put the meter in the bedroom, because I'm likely to forget!

Put it in your bed, right where you want to lay down so you have to physically touch it before you can use your bed.

The Endo always laughs at my clinic readings which can be astronomical - often leading with a 2. Ahem.

I only see my endo once a year and I always take a couple of readings at home a week or so before because of white coat. Last time she didn't even ask for them or mention my high bp as taken in the hospital, she knows and isn't impressed at all.

I don't think the new GP will agree to a monitor as I still have lows, and if she can't throw a pill at it anyway for fear of making me pass out cold, she's not going to investigate beyond what's already been done.

Just ask and explain you'd like to see if you can find any patterns to what causes the high spells. You keep a diary during the 24 hour test, she'll give you the results and you can put them next to eachother, and maybe even do something about it.

I had a 24 hour thing once but I only lasted two hours with the horrible thing around my arm before I was reduced to a crying little heap in the corner of my couch. Sensory overload. I can't even wear jeans because of how it feels, this thing was impossible.
Thankfully there's always Inge to call and make decisions for me if I'm panicking! She calmly told me to take the thing off right now and order a BP meter on the internet for some home measurements, my endo would certainly accept those instead. She was correct of course.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Put it in your bed, right where you want to lay down so you have to physically touch it before you can use your bed.

I only see my endo once a year and I always take a couple of readings at home a week or so before because of white coat. Last time she didn't even ask for them or mention my high bp as taken in the hospital, she knows and isn't impressed at all.

Just ask and explain you'd like to see if you can find any patterns to what causes the high spells. You keep a diary during the 24 hour test, she'll give you the results and you can put them next to eachother, and maybe even do something about it.

I had a 24 hour thing once but I only lasted two hours with the horrible thing around my arm before I was reduced to a crying little heap in the corner of my couch. Sensory overload. I can't even wear jeans because of how it feels, this thing was impossible.
Thankfully there's always Inge to call and make decisions for me if I'm panicking! She calmly told me to take the thing off right now and order a BP meter on the internet for some home measurements, my endo would certainly accept those instead. She was correct of course.

Oh but, Antje, there is so much stuff in my bed already that tries to get up my b*tt when I sit down! (Mainly headphones and an e-reader, though pens are a possibility too... Not to mention two cats who like to hide under the covers and gift me toys there.). As you know, I'm a research-nut, so I tried thinking along different avenues. The struvite/ureumstones I get can influence blood pressure, but it should make it lower, not higher, from what I gather. (I do find it hilarious that I get the same kind of stones cats with FLUTD get, too! I had two cats with bladderstones in my 46 years on this earth. I feel so close to them and their memory. ) On the other hand, my kidneys have had a time of it, and their function isn't what it should be because of all this, which can raise blood pressure... So it might be my kidneys adding insult to injury here. Low half the time, high the rest of the time... I think it's a lot of factors ganging up on me. Stress, kidney damage, high ureum in my blood, weight, hormones... Much of the same stuff that's affecting my blood glucose these past months/year. I don't know how much I can do about all that, but I want to stick with the intermittent fasting better -sometimes complicated by needing to eat with medication- and drink a lot more. I seem to tolerate mint tea fairly well, so will be drinking a ton of that to keep flushing the smaller stones out, and hopefully the bigger one with it. And try and avoid stress more, Fb/newspaper avoidance being a first step... Though how someone who is continuously on high alert is to manage that, no idea. (And before you mention it, anything that ends in -pam gives me migraines.)

My blood pressure cuff claims to be "Gentle+", but my arm has petechia in stripes now where it crushed me, and it feels very tender when it inflates now. Rest of the time it's like I was in a bar brawl and I'm nursing my wounds. I try not too test too often, because ouch. So I completely understand the sensory "ick" from those damned things (and from jeans too... I can only wear a type with stretch in, most of them are just too... "There". ). I'm glad Inge was there to save you. Funny, how we keep having to be saved, but we also have our Designated Support Humans who willingly do it. Lovely how they tend to adopt us, haha.

So, still on a mission to get it right. Pairi Daiza'll be a challenge, by the way, because last time I just had steak twice a day... It was the only thing I could figure out on the menu that wasn't carb heavy, as my French is practically non-existant, and there's little to no information to be found on the website and app about food. (Granted, I could try ordering duck, but that isn't good for kidney stones either, and I steer clear of escargots. Not that either was an option on the menu, but that is basically the extent of things. And I don't think Coq au Vin, which was, is diabetes friendly or good for people whose bladder gets irritated by nightshades/tomatoes?). When I got home I passed a few stones I'd accumulated in just those few days, same as what happened after a week in London and indulging in the hotel's wonderful grill restaurant. It's supposed to take months to make stones, but i was working overtime any time I was on hols! Ah wel... I'll sort something out. Bring a bottle of sodium bicarb.

I'll just try whatever I can think of. Onwards, upwards...!
Hugs,
Jo

 

[AndBreathe]

Hi @AndBreathe ,

That white coat/dressing gown syndrome is, ah... Impressive! (Not so much the numbers, more that you survive them!). But yes, you're right, tough times pass... Eventually. It's something I'll have to keep telling myself, it seems. Maybe put it up on a the fridge or something. I don't think the new GP will agree to a monitor as I still have lows, and if she can't throw a pill at it anyway for fear of making me pass out cold, she's not going to investigate beyond what's already been done. But I might try my luck with the diabetes nurse in May, see what she says. (Unless by some miracle things resolve before then!).

Simplifying life... That sounds like a plan... I'll have to see what that means for me. Thank you, and I hope things will get easier for you soon, too. <3
Jo

Jo, your lows are lower that most, but really they are just lovely neat readings, within the UK accepted "normal" range. They aren't clinically low. In UK, low blood pressure is classified at under 90/60, so you have plenty wiggle room there.

 

[Outlier]

I can't be of much help, but I do flag up that menopause for some of us, and very much for me, is a dramatic and very trying experience, and takes a long time to even manage (mine is till wrecking me after around 30 years, so I have had plenty of time to study it). That's an extreme example but I hope yours will be in the more usual range. However, I do feel that it sends us into free-fall in many physical ways as well as the emotional stresses. So it's an annoying version of normal.

Along the way in the wider world and may or may not come for everyone, I no longer stress about stuff I can't change. It's taken a lifetime to get to this and I could have done with being told this wisdom much earlier in my life. Would I have listened? Would I have benefited? Who knows? But I offer it to you in case it helps.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Jo, your lows are lower that most, but really they are just lovely neat readings, within the UK accepted "normal" range. They aren't clinically low. In UK, low blood pressure is classified at under 90/60, so you have plenty wiggle room there.

Ah... The doc's assistant told me the doc refused to prescribe anything because they couldn't have me fainting all over the place... But then, yes, this could open up the discussion again...! Thank you.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

I can't be of much help, but I do flag up that menopause for some of us, and very much for me, is a dramatic and very trying experience, and takes a long time to even manage (mine is till wrecking me after around 30 years, so I have had plenty of time to study it). That's an extreme example but I hope yours will be in the more usual range. However, I do feel that it sends us into free-fall in many physical ways as well as the emotional stresses. So it's an annoying version of normal.

Along the way in the wider world and may or may not come for everyone, I no longer stress about stuff I can't change. It's taken a lifetime to get to this and I could have done with being told this wisdom much earlier in my life. Would I have listened? Would I have benefited? Who knows? But I offer it to you in case it helps.

It's something I'll have to try, though I doubt it'll be very successful at the start... I don't know if it's something I can do, but it's something that is worth trying, even if I only manage it in intervals. It would be a relief not to just ache so much for everyone and everything, all the time. As for menopause, I might be headed down the same road: with PCOS, it tends to be a bit of a never-ending story, from what I understand. (And HRT isn't an option for me, alas). My mother in law had three hot flashes, and was done. Ooh, to have those genes!

You guys have really given me a lot to think about.... And quite a bit to try. <3

 

[Antje77]

Ah... The doc's assistant told me the doc refused to prescribe anything because they couldn't have me fainting all over the place... But then, yes, this could open up the discussion again...! Thank you.

What about your reduced kidney function? As far as I know this alone is often enough reason to start people on bp medication even if they have perfectly normal bp.

 

[AndBreathe]

Ah... The doc's assistant told me the doc refused to prescribe anything because they couldn't have me fainting all over the place... But then, yes, this could open up the discussion again...! Thank you.

To be clear, I wasn't advocating medicating for your BP, based on the rationale that your usual readings are in the healthy ranges (in UK, at least). I was more suggesting you ditch any stress you might have, feeling your BP is routinely low.


I still strongly advocate a worn BP monitor for at least 24 hours. It's not a totally comfortable thing to do, and I was counting down the clock up to the 24hrs, but it was part of a research study and I really, really wanted to complete it.