New, menopause struggles

[SML46]

I’ve had menopause symptoms for many years. Not a lot of help or suggestions from doctors. Now they will let me have HRT my blood pressure needs medication. Wondering if anyone takes both

[Hidden]

Hi there , I don’t take both yet . I had a heart attack five weeks ago now and I was told by the nurse who gave me the vaccine jab on Sunday to get to a doctor and get on hrt as it’s supposed to help , that one of the reasons women our age have heart attacks is due to the hormone dip and that hrt helps with that . No clue if she was taking sense or out of her arse tbh

[SML46 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. As I said been struggling with menopause for years not had prescription medication. It’s mainly aches and pains. I cant walk properly when I first stand my ankles knees and hip gives way. I have constant pain in my arm and shoulder. Have hot flushes and panic. Also very down last year so dr put me on Citalapram rather than HRT. Now they have said we’ll discuss HRT my blood pressure too high and need medication, they prescribed ramipril but after reading that seems to give you a cough (obviously it’s the cheapest one) haven’t started taking yet tho

What to do??

[Hidden in reply to SML46]

I’m on that drug and I don’t have a cough tbh , I think a lot of doctors put woman on antidepressants instead of hrt and that’s quite the normal practice. I’d be a bit more forward and ask for the hrt outright and not take anything else .

[nederlandse in reply to SML46]

Hi SML46, just in case it helps, I've been on Ramipril for more than a month now and no sign of the dreaded cough. It's just a possible side effect and if you do get it, they can change your prescription to something else. I found that the pharmacy was really proactive - they offered to call me after 2 weeks of using it to see how I was getting on with it (and the same with the beta blockers).

[SML46 in reply to nederlandse]

Thanks I think I’m just in shock that I need BPmedication when all I want to do is sort out my other problems. I haven’t even seen the GP that prescribed it so not discussed other issues. Just prescribed as I had 24hr monitoring.I just don’t want them to give me ramipril and think I’ll go away, they just never follow up on other things

[Melliesissy in reply to SML46]

HI my menopause aches and pains have been helped greatly by 2 things. Actual joint pain was helped by cutting out gluten. I had so much inflammation in my body from eating gluten that it made my joints ache. All joint pain stopped with switching over to gluten free products (along with the indigestion, bloating and extreme tiredness) About 6 months later into the menopause my muscles were really stiff and painful and eventually after research tried a multi collagen with peptides in powder form. Pricey but when I could get out of bed normally after 10 days and wasn't ultra aware of every muscle I committed to it! For hot flushes and panic I am using magnesium (also recommended by the York heart consultant for AF, look him up). Mostly works if I keep it up! Been managing for about 2 years now, but if I get anymore tiredness and irritability (probably brought on by an extended work stress period) I'm considering HRT next. Good Luck.

[SML46 in reply to Melliesissy]

Many thanks. It’s the feeling like an old woman I can’t stand, I hurt all the time x

[Melliesissy in reply to SML46]

I had same feeling too. Feel so much better for the multi collegens with peptides and still not on HRT. I am a great beliver in working out what our bodies are missing so can supplement it so then you are treating the cause not the symptoms. Sadly our soils are so depleted from intensive farming that more and more health problems from deficiencies. And we live too long and too much stress! But we will find a way.

[Peony4575 in reply to Melliesissy]

Interesting . Do you mind telling me which brand and where you get it from please . I would like to give that a go and would rather go on recommendation many thanks

[Melliesissy in reply to Peony4575]

I am on So Body co. Peptigen +. Sorry no link as my sister put me on to it, we are both feeling so much better. She is more the heart patient then me. You can get vegan and grass fed options. Im afraid its one of those you get what you pay for in terms of quality and efficacy.

[Peony4575 in reply to Melliesissy]

Thank you I agree am after quality and efficacy . Will give it a go !

[Peony4575 in reply to Hidden]

Sense. Oestrogen helps keep arteries elastic and cholesterol down amongst other things . Transdermal delivery means no increase in clotting . Why women’s cardiac risk increases to meet men’s after menopause they lose their oestrogen advantage

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

The very latest upto date information and advice about women taking HRT was published in the Lancet Women and Cardiovascular Disease Commission report this week.

I posted the report and I suggest you consider their advice which includes that women should not be prescribed HRT to protect them from heart disease .

They give this advice too.

' In women experiencing myocardial infarction, menopausal hormone replacement therapy should discontinued.'

Here's the link to the full report.

thelancet.com/journals/lanc...

[daisypainters in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you for this - it is so timely. I am seeing my cardiologist on Monday to discuss this again as we have hit this point on my meds roadmap.

[Hidden]

Hi SML46. Hard isn't it? I couldn't take HRT. This was told to me by my Doctor and Cardiologist at the time. I do sympathise with you though. I have 'Rheumatic Heart Valve Disease'. Maybe it is different with you though, I really don't know. My Motto: Trust the Professionals! 😊

[Ascb]

When I wanted HRT (I'm on amlodipine for high BP) I was prescribed HRT in a patch I changed twice weekly. Worked very well. Good luck!

[CJ70 in reply to Ascb]

Same, I’m on Amlodipine and HRT transdermal patches and gel, works fine for me too. See Menopause Doctor website, loads of info. Good luck!

[VelvetSky]

Hi, I’ve taken HRT for 29 years, several years ago I had a HA following a burglary, I balanced the various medical opinions and decided to continue on it. I have Osteoporosis and hopefully it will slow it down.As to the above comment about trusting the professionals I’ve recently had Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and the so called professionals didn’t treat me appropriately and I nearly died, needless to say I have a serious complaint made to PALS at the hospital.

Trust nobody, question everything, make up your own mind, be as well informed as possible.

[Peony4575 in reply to VelvetSky]

Agree. Sorry you have had such a rough time . I have been on HRT for over 20 years . It’s another case where doctors change their minds like the weather . The risks of alcohol and obesity outweigh those of HRT but you don’t tend to hear doctors taking a strong stance with their patients on those issues

[Billyjean123]

Interesting post from Milkfairy. I also have been advised against use of HRT by several consultants. My question is about use of homeopathic remedies for controlling symptoms. Have been concerned about trying any because of large number of heart meds I take. Has anyone else been advised about these for helping with symptoms of the menopause?

[RufusScamp in reply to Billyjean123]

Homeopathic remedies should not interfere with medication because they have no other effect either.

[Hidden in reply to RufusScamp]

Would like to urge caution on this front. I think it could be misleading to assume homeopathy has NO effect. Their efficacy is usually not well proven scientifically, but crucially, their interaction with western meds is also typically very poorly known. Docs & pharmacists warn to be cautious taking both at same time, as there could well be unknown interactions.

Every substance we put in (or on, re HRT) our bodies has some effect, even if small, that’s the way biology, chemistry and biochemistry work - the body can’t really prevent molecules interacting, it can only seek to mitigate impacts & regain stability. Even good old water has an effect, it changes the pH of our skin a bit.

Just one example of otherwise harmless substances having an interaction - we mustn’t eat grapefruit if taking warfarin / some other heart meds.

In particular, some of the homeopathic options for menopause are quite “strong” substances, and I’d assume could be quite bio- active, regardless of whether they actually work as hoped.

For this reason, I take gel-skin-application HRT rather than homeopathic. I did so throughout my heart defect surgery and since. No cardiologists were concerned, but then a heart defect is different to a heart attack. And as another said, some things less a risk with topical skin version.

My Gp does want me to keep my blood pressure down (she said less than 130/x, when I was about 50-51), so not sure what she’d say if it went up - probably she’d want me to come off HRT. But she’s already been clear I need to do lots of walking to keep BP down, so perhaps she’d encourage that route first. Personally, I’d typically prioritise heart safety over menopause symptoms - but if osteoporosis is involved, that’s a different worry.

Best of luck

[SML46 in reply to Hidden]

Have you kept your BP down with exercise or medication. I walk everyday at least 10000 steps often more. I’m overweight slightly but not obeseI just want to feel normal again

[Hidden in reply to SML46]

Not on any BP meds yet. I walk a lot, I don’t know my steps but regularly do 5-10 km country walks. That said, I walk less now than previously ! I’m also slightly overweight. I eat virtually no added salt & not much processed food (although I do eat packaged bread, which probably has salt)

The three things that I believe had most impact on my menopause symptoms were

- skin-HRT

- changing my job, so that my stress levels came right down (see below).

- counselling, to help deal with heart defect, sick parents, negative beliefs about getting old myself.

I was surprised to learn that decreasing oestrogen creates physical stress in the body, because other glands try to make us oestrogen when ovary production declines. Those other glands (adrenal possibly?) then have too much to do, and the body gets stressed. Then any further mental/ job/ excessive exercise stress takes the body over the edge and it can’t get us back to stability. I think changing job removed one huge stressor and I felt slightly less abnormal.

[Wooodsie]

Hi, I'm not usually one to disagree with Milkfairy, but having watched 10 things we learned from Davina McCall: Sex, Myths and the Menopause on Channel 4 the other day, I would highly recommend it to you. Davina discusses heart disease, amongst other things, with one of the top gynecologists in the country. The programme dispels a lot of myths about HRT.

[SML46 in reply to Wooodsie]

Yes I watched it too and that’s why i went back to drs to have another go. My main concern was the impact to my bones if I didn’t have HRT I didn’t know about blood pressure then. My mum didn’t have HRT but then had brittle bones she snapped her lower leg and had to have it pinned obviously major nerve damage then a few years later she was diagnosed with MND 16 months later she was gone. Age 70 never smoked never drank wasn’t obese

[Billyjean123 in reply to Wooodsie]

I believe that the programme was talking about women who don't already have cardiovascular problems. I believe that there are different rules or advice for women who do. Personally I am extremely cautious and would prefer to try other things.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Wooodsie]

Women need to able to make an informed evidence based decision.

The Lancet Women Cardiovascular Disease Commission is written by leading Cardiologists who are experts in women's heart health. The 17 authors are all women, many Professors and leading experts. Not an insignificant source of information.

How many gynaecologists are experts in cardiology?

Many Gynaecologists and Cardiologist don't agree with each other on this issue. This just makes it even more difficult for women to make the decision which is right for them.

There is also the issue of quality of life which when weighed up with the risks of any treatment often trumps.

However I would hope every woman can make a shared decision following a unbiased discussion with a Cardiologist and Gynecologist.

Unfortunately I don't feel this is happening.

[Wooodsie in reply to Milkfairy]

Me thinks there is a cultuaral meritocracy prevalent in the NHS, this often blocks inclusive, across the board, diagnosis and treatment. Just my opinion of course.

How many cardiologists are experts in gynecology? Is the heart more important?

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Wooodsie]

We can't live without a functioning heart.

Prof Angela Maas a Cardiologist is one of the co authors of the Lancet Commission report wrote 'Woman's Heart' a book which many of us on the forum have read.

Cardiology is a male dominated profession with very few women heart surgeons or interventional cardiologists.

There is an unconscious bias in healthcare professionals when treating certain groups of patients.

[Wooodsie in reply to Milkfairy]

There are many things we can't live without it functioning. Hearts are just one of them.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Wooodsie]

The problem perhaps is that medicine has become so specialised that the holistic view is lost.

Our mental well being is often not even considered.

However if your heart stops beating none of the rest of the important organs of the body will receive the blood supply they need.

[Wooodsie in reply to Milkfairy]

I agree with you about the holistic approach. However, I do beg to differ about your reliance on the heart organ, one of many in the human body, if it stops...... the liver is vital, can be repaired and replaced, heart, can be repaired and replaced, lungs can be repaired and replaced (non of them guaranteed 100% success rate), the only one I can think of that can't be replaced is the brain - the brain has it. That makes the neurosurgeon top dog!!! 🤭🤭😂😂

[Shopgal67 in reply to Wooodsie]

I agree dr Louise newsom specialised in menopause and women’s health , she insists that women ALL women should take HRT to help protect heart , bones and brain . Modern HRT is safe for most women to use and that they can / should stay on it for life . We need more studies and training for GPS as at the moment learning about menopause is optional !!!!!!

[Mikamoo2]

Very interesting reading this post I was prescribed hrt by my gp however not long after I was in hospital on the cardiology ward & the consultant told me not to take them. Its so confusing so here I am just putting up with the symptoms. What to do?

[SML46 in reply to Mikamoo2]

Maybe HRT isn’t the answer for me but the professionals just aren’t interested in why I hurt all over. I’ve seen sports physio’s at £40 a time which I don’t mind if I feel better but I don’t. The pains started back in 2012 I was 40. No doctor has seriously looked into it. Again as I said I’m not obese Maybe slightly overweight BMI 26 to 28. I stopped smoking 18 months ago and I don’t drink

[Peony4575 in reply to SML46]

Fibromyalgia ?

[SML46 in reply to Peony4575]

Maybe hit how do I get a gp to look into it?

[Peony4575 in reply to SML46]

You need to see a Rheumatologist . It’s under their speciality . Try and get your GP to refer. Otherwise if you can afford it have an appointment with one privately

[Peony4575 in reply to Mikamoo2]

It’s funny isn’t it my cardiologist is happy for me to continue to take it

[bhfels]

I’m on HRT and both my cardiologist and gynae consultants are aware of both sets of prescribed meds and are happy I have heart failure and arrhythmia and if I’m brutally honest - fat !

My blood pressure has always been low rather than high.

I do transdermal to reduce the blood clotting risk and yes my cholesterol dropped so I don’t need statins

[Smudgebuttonjessie]

Hi, i had double bypass surgery in Sept last year and was started on a shed load of meds, i had some complications which has now been sorted after further surgery, ive been having menopause symptoms since but wasn’t sure if they’re menopause symptoms or side effects of the meds. I am 51yrs old and had a hysterectomy 8 years ago so the obvious sign won’t be there. My GP said a blood test will determine this (awaiting results)

MyGP told me that if it is the menopause I can’t have HRT as it is not recommended for people with heart problems and if it’s the meds she can look at tweaking those.

[Qualipop]

The leg pains don't sound like anything to do with the menopause. I have almost he same which is caused by spinal problems. If you google dermatome maps, you should be able to identify which spinal nerve is responsible and follows the route of your pain. You then need to ask to see either orthopaedics or a rheumatologist, maybe an MRI scan. It doesn't sound like fibromyalgia but that's always possible. Whatever is causing it, it needs investigating.

[SML46 in reply to Qualipop]

Thanks

[Darkshades]

Can I ask how old you are?

[SML46 in reply to Darkshades]

I’m 49

[SML46 in reply to SML46]

I don’t smoke anymore, I don’t drink I’m slightly overweight but not obese

[Darkshades in reply to SML46]

Have you had a bone density scan? Our bones get thinner as we age xx

[SML46 in reply to Darkshades]

No I haven’t but they did loads of blood tests last week and everything came back normal! And I know they mentioned bones in there

[Darkshades in reply to SML46]

I know magnesium tablets help with bone pain but don’t know if you can take them with heart meds

[Bishop1 in reply to Darkshades]

I'm on 6 magnesium tabs a day as my levels are low. I'm also on Ovestin 1mg twice a week. Our on neUrologist because of recurrent urine infections. Explained to him about heart failure and was told it was safe for me. I feel good on it. Came off it when I had my double bypass but advised to go back on it after 1week. Take care x

[0163SLH]

I had just been told before the HA I had that my menopause markers were in full swing and treatment was about to start and then BANG heart attack now my GP refuses to help me with the change and I've been told to cope the best I can 😥

@

[Hollysmum]

Good morning, SML46! I take both, Femoston and Amlodipine, and so far, so good! Obviously, you would be advised by your GP as to what blood pressure medication and form of HRT would be best for you, but please don't be too worried. I wish you very well.