Looking for answers

by Kathryn Stadler
(Saginaw, Michigan)

I have had dizziness, lightheadedness, balance problems and sometimes tachycardia since delivery (I am right after delivery too) of my daughter 23 years ago. Been through many tests to find the cause. Only found I have low blood pressure found on tilt-table test. I also underwent vestibular testing and found I have also a vestibular disorder. Also could possibly have migraines. Although I am on medication for migraines (Divalproex ER), and on fludrocortisone for low blood pressure these medications do not help much. My blood pressure still runs about 80/49, sometimes a little higher.

I found on line while reading about what happens on each day of the month to a woman's body found that about 5 days before menstrual cycle is when progesterone peaks really high. Well, about 5 days before my cycle I feel almost normal but this is the only day of the month I feel this close to being normal for all day. Otherwise, every day I have dizziness, lightheadedness, balance problems off and on throughout the day.

I read on line about progesterone and if you are low in progesterone it can cause migraines, low blood pressure, anxiety, etc. So now I am wondering if maybe natural progesterone may help me. I asked my OB-GYN doctor about using natural progesterone and he said it wouldn't hurt to try it but don't get my hopes up. I am desperately looking for something to cure or help my symptoms as they are very hard to live with.

I read that progesterone is a diuretic, is this true? And, if so, since I have low blood pressure already will it lower it even more? OB-GYN doctor said only side effect is tiredness and may get bloated feeling. He said to take it at night because of the tiredness. Any suggestions or thoughts on why I feel almost normal about 5 days before my cycle starts?