High BP and Perimenopause? After partial nephrectomy due to RCC

Mandakf · January 2018

I’m 42 year old female status post partial nephrectomy Oct 2017. (Boy was that tougher than I thought it would be. Painful recovery! ) I live very close to Mayo Jacksonville so they manage my care. Ive always had good BP, but following surgery now have difficulty controlling It. Everything I’ve read makes This seem to be unusual? ive read if you start with high BP and then have the nephrectomy it goes down, not the other way around. My doctors seem a bit puzzled. They started with Losartan 25 mg and now on max dose 100 mg still running a little high 160/80 on a good day. Was hitting 180/120 on a some bad readings. I’m not stressed or anything. Any ideas or thoughts for my BP mystery? I’m a health care professional and work with nurses that can check me with manual cuff so they are accurate readings.

Second mystery.. normal period before surgery and got one period a couple weeks after Surgery. Now they’ve stopped completely the last couple months and am wondering if the surgery threw me into peri menopause ? Any thoughts on that one?

thanks much!

amanda

AnnissaP · January 2018

Hi. I heard the opposite..

Hi. I heard the opposite...That high blood pressure can end up happening. Concerning the period thing my cycle has become shorter which is crazy bc it has always been perfect. Stress can make a period stop so maybe just give it time??

Cinnamongirl · January 2018

In my case my tumor was

In my case my tumor was putting pressure on my adrenal gland and in women it controls so much. Previous to having my surgery I thought I was going through menopause...nights sweat, anxiety, restless legs, moodiness you name it. My Dr said it was probably all due to that tumor. Since my surgery my "menopause symptoms " have ended. As for blood pressure mine has always been normal however I was told that I need to be careful because high blood pressure and hypertension could now occur due to the loss of my kidney.

I hope this helps..good luck

Cin

stevez · January 2018

Mine was opposite as well

I had a follow-up with my heart doctor (my kidney cancer was found after a heart ablation) and that is doing very well and my heart has stayed in rythm. I noticed that my blood pressure has been higher than normal; not scary high but high for me. My doctor said that's not unusual when you lose a kidney as they help control blood pressure and your body is getting used to having only one kidney. He upped my dosage only slightly and all it's back to normal. Good luck!

Retcenturion · January 2018

Change in meds

I have been on BP meds since mid 30s...so have my siblings. My pressure went down post Neph and Cardiologist changed medicine as my meds pre Neph were not compatible post OP. Pressure has gone up recently. Cardiologist wants me to lose weight and further decrease salt intake. Dr increased dosage and I am back to my usual numbers. I lost 20 lbs after surgery and have put it back on. I am again trying to lose weight and get back to the more healthy choices. It didn't go on overnight and won't come off overnight but high BP is the reminder for better choices.

Wehavenotimeatall · January 2018

Agree with Annissa

Part neph will increase your Bp as 1 and partial kidney is working harder to regulate your heart etc

But if you had no issue before your readings are still very highfor a partial( according to my consultant as I asked him a few times would it change)

what size was your tumour

has It been like this since the surgery

The menopause is very very unlikely.. I have heard of ladies having problems after full nephrectomy...but settles in time

however yours seem unusual

I hope you get answers soon.. it is very frustrating when you just want a answer

Annie

Mandakf · January 2018

Wehavenotimeatall said:
Agree with Annissa
Part neph will increase your Bp as 1 and partial kidney is working harder to regulate your heart etc

But if you had no issue before your readings are still very highfor a partial( according to my consultant as I asked him a few times would it change)

what size was your tumour

has It been like this since the surgery

The menopause is very very unlikely.. I have heard of ladies having problems after full nephrectomy...but settles in time

however yours seem unusual

I hope you get answers soon.. it is very frustrating when you just want a answer

Annie

good point

my tumor was 3.4 cm, but they took 7 x 6 x 4.5 cm. I think your‘re right, my pressures high because it’s working harder and healing.

i had a period shortly after surgery then nothing for 2.5 months. Another weird change.. I have always been hot natured and sweat easily when I’m working. ( I do home care with older people and they love to run the heat.) I swear since my surgery I’m cooler and don’t sweat anymore, which is actually great!

thanks for input!

Mandakf · January 2018

Retcenturion said:
Change in meds
I have been on BP meds since mid 30s...so have my siblings. My pressure went down post Neph and Cardiologist changed medicine as my meds pre Neph were not compatible post OP. Pressure has gone up recently. Cardiologist wants me to lose weight and further decrease salt intake. Dr increased dosage and I am back to my usual numbers. I lost 20 lbs after surgery and have put it back on. I am again trying to lose weight and get back to the more healthy choices. It didn't go on overnight and won't come off overnight but high BP is the reminder for better choices.

True on weight and salt intake

true on weight and salt intake, i lost about 10 lbs after surgery ( but still am overweight) pressure normal before surgerY. Add the high BP with getting The cancer diagnosis ..does make you want to make some positive life style changes

thanks for input!

Mandakf · January 2018

AnnissaP said:
Hi. I heard the opposite..
Hi. I heard the opposite...That high blood pressure can end up happening. Concerning the period thing my cycle has become shorter which is crazy bc it has always been perfect. Stress can make a period stop so maybe just give it time??

Glad to hear

glad to hear that some have been told the surgery can make pressure go up, my PCP seemed a bit puzzled. Even with high dose of meds still not quite under control.

thanks much for the Feedback!

Mandakf · January 2018

Cinnamongirl said:
In my case my tumor was
In my case my tumor was putting pressure on my adrenal gland and in women it controls so much. Previous to having my surgery I thought I was going through menopause...nights sweat, anxiety, restless legs, moodiness you name it. My Dr said it was probably all due to that tumor. Since my surgery my "menopause symptoms " have ended. As for blood pressure mine has always been normal however I was told that I need to be careful because high blood pressure and hypertension could now occur due to the loss of my kidney.

I hope this helps..good luck

Cin

Thank you!

Thanks for feedbacK. I used to be hot natured ( I’m talking since I was 20) now after surgery I don’t sweat anymore which is great! If I could keep my new cool nature, I’d love to keep that weird change. It saves a lot of time not having to wash and blow out my hair everyday!

Mandakf · January 2018

stevez said:
Mine was opposite as well
I had a follow-up with my heart doctor (my kidney cancer was found after a heart ablation) and that is doing very well and my heart has stayed in rythm. I noticed that my blood pressure has been higher than normal; not scary high but high for me. My doctor said that's not unusual when you lose a kidney as they help control blood pressure and your body is getting used to having only one kidney. He upped my dosage only slightly and all it's back to normal. Good luck!

Thanks !

good to hear pressure going up is probably normal

thanks much!

High BP and Perimenopause? After partial nephrectomy due to RCC

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