High Blood Pressure and birth control

catgirl1927 · 27th March 2006, 10:30 AM

I think I'm just looking for some justification here. I have high blood pressure (last measure was 147/104) and my doc wants me to stop taking birth control. A big part of my issue is high stress. Getting off of birth control would mean a) no sex for a couple of months, a strain on my relationship, i.e. stress, and b) spotting, hormone spikes, all stress. I'm cutting down on salt, trying to cut out diet dr. pepper (no caffiene) and working out. I'm also back on WW to lose the extra 15-20 pounds I have packed on, which is also a major cause of stress to me. I'm still taking my BC pills. We are not ready for a baby yet, my BF is not making any money to speak of and we have a plan for having a baby in about 18 months that I want to stick to. A surprise wouldn't be the end of the world but it would really suck. Anyone with experience with this?

tinktronik · 27th March 2006, 10:38 AM

I was removed from my bc by my doc for hbp due to thyroid disease , I was pregnant within the month. Then pregnant again 1 yr ( incl 9 months)later and then again 9 1/2 months later.I got an IUD implanted . No hormones , no more babies. If your not sure your ready yet, use condoms.

blind_otter · 27th March 2006, 10:45 AM

Has he recommended lifestyle changes? No caffiene, daily exercise, 6-10 glasses of water a day, dietary changes (lower sodium, cholesterol, etc.)? And have you done these? If so, then your doctor is right - if you've taken the steps to have a healthier lifestyle and the BP is still high, you've got to address it.

If he hasn't recommended lifestyle changes, you need a new doctor.

If he has, you said you did the changes, and you actually didn't - you need to make the changes.

catgirl1927 · 27th March 2006, 11:16 AM

Well, she only diagnosed this last Wednesday. I haven't had any pickles since then, or any Bloody Marys (I make them without alcohol for breakfast because I LOVE them, but they are LOADED with salt). She recommended lifestyle changes, but the thing is, aside from WAY too much sodium I don't have a bad lifestyle. I don't work out as much as I think I should, only three days a week or so. I'm also doing better with the water, I slacked off but I'm there again. I haven't had a diet coke in DAYS, I'm DYING.

See, I'd like to do the meds and less salt and more water for a little bit and see if it doesn't get better. We know it's genetic, both my parents and my mother's parents had it BAD. My mother's kidney's failed because it went untreated. My doc is being ultra careful because she's a friend, and a really nice person.

blind_otter · 27th March 2006, 11:20 AM

For a person with bad genes, you have to be very very careful. The fact that you say you haven't had a diet coke in days just goes to show, most people take a lot of cr@p into their bodies and they don't even know it.

I have genetically astronomical cholesterol. I'm only 26, have never been overweight in my life, and I have the cholesterol of a 55 year old fat man. It's just genetic. So ytou don't get the same leeway that other people do in respect to diet and lifestyle if you're predisposed to problem already.

catgirl1927 · 27th March 2006, 11:35 AM

The only reason I agreed to take the meds is because it is genetic and there is nothing I can do about it. It's actually not as bad as it could be. The doc said I could have a perfect diet and a perfect workout plan and no stress at all, and it would still be high. Not this high, but still high.

I'm also working really hard to not worry so much. I worry all the time. About EVERYTHING. Constantly.

blind_otter · 27th March 2006, 11:37 AM

Yep. I occassionally curse my parents because I have the cholesterol of a 55 year old fat man. It's pretty much all you can do, aside from the preventative stuff!

catgirl1927 · 27th March 2006, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blind_otter

Yep. I occassionally curse my parents because I have the cholesterol of a 55 year old fat man. It's pretty much all you can do, aside from the preventative stuff!

Yep, me too. HBP, pale skin, short legs, wide hips... I hope those nonplanning jerks get a fire ant bite!!!

scarletletter · 27th March 2006, 11:48 PM

Because of high blood pressure I was put on Ortho Cept. This was a few years ago and they worked fine. It was supposed to be for people who had high blood pressure. You might ask your doctor about it.

catgirl1927 · 28th March 2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarletletter

Because of high blood pressure I was put on Ortho Cept. This was a few years ago and they worked fine. It was supposed to be for people who had high blood pressure. You might ask your doctor about it.

Thanks! I will.