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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Headache On Top Of Head. Taking Claptopril. Hypertensive And Had Migraines Prior To Menopause. Estradiol Creams Appropriate?

I am 65 years old and am suddenly having very high blood pressure. I have been on BP medication for the last 30+ years. Before the menopause began I was having severe migraine headaches, since age of 20, but after the onset of menopause, these migraines have not happened. Recently I had a different type of headache - on top of head only - and at that time BP was very high - twice normal both systolic & distolic. The doctor's have prescribed Claptopril for these occasional rise in BP. But now it is happening every few days. The doctors cannot figure out the cause. Therefore we are looking into appropriate Estradiol creams - do you have knowledge of this approach ??
Tue, 12 Nov 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi and thanks for the query,
I really do not think the Estradiol creams shall help you much in alleviating these headaches. The first thing in the management of headaches and getting an appropriate diagnosis or clinical orientation. In your case, with a past history of hypertension, I do think it is important for your blood pressure to be well monitored first. You shall have to book an appointment with the neurologist for a proper review of the headaches you are experiencing. These could be primary headaches like migraine (atypical), tension or cluster headaches. Other causes like hypertension, tumors or other brain lesions would be explored in due course. A proper diagnosis depends on a proper clinical review by your neurologist and a times a Ct scan of the brain if need be. I suggest you consult a neurologist. Kind regards
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General & Family Physician Dr. Nsah Bernard's  Response
Hello,

Thanks for posting on HCM,

I believe that you have developed hypertensive crisis which can develop when you develop resistance to your current BP medications or currently not on any medications. It might not have anything to do with your menopause and so I do not see the need for estradiol creams. Besides, manufacturers warn against use of estradiol creams to prevent heart diseases, strokes, heart attacks, or dementia. Estrogens have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease (including heart attack), stroke, dementia, serious blood clots (eg, in the lungs or legs), cancer of the uterus, and breast cancer in some women.
It is best you do not use this. If you are already 65years old, I doubt very much that menopause could be considered the culprit and your doctors should rather look at treating an essential hypertension with possible aggravating or provoking factors such as stress being involved.
If your current BP medications are not working, it will be most appropriate that your doctors consider changing therapy i.e by either increasing dose or changing medications totally. This can help most at times. Also using antidepressants and anxiolytics can generally help control BP.

Hope this helps
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Headache On Top Of Head. Taking Claptopril. Hypertensive And Had Migraines Prior To Menopause. Estradiol Creams Appropriate?

Hi and thanks for the query, I really do not think the Estradiol creams shall help you much in alleviating these headaches. The first thing in the management of headaches and getting an appropriate diagnosis or clinical orientation. In your case, with a past history of hypertension, I do think it is important for your blood pressure to be well monitored first. You shall have to book an appointment with the neurologist for a proper review of the headaches you are experiencing. These could be primary headaches like migraine (atypical), tension or cluster headaches. Other causes like hypertension, tumors or other brain lesions would be explored in due course. A proper diagnosis depends on a proper clinical review by your neurologist and a times a Ct scan of the brain if need be. I suggest you consult a neurologist. Kind regards