So my new Naturopath put me on Vitex last week. Since then, I've been really light-headed and headachy. I just went and checked my blood pressure and it was 139/98! That's extremely high for me, I ALWAYS run at 110/70. I'm a bit freaked out here since I'm feel so weird. I can't find much on the web about it so I'm wondering if anyone has any insight?
Thanks!
__________________ TTC #1 since 10/05.
February 2008: M/C - 8w1d (fetal bradycardia)
March 2009: chemical pg. Out of options, out of hope. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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I haven't noticed any headaches. My blood pressure is usually around what yours is or lower. I haven't checked it recently, but no headaches. I just did a search online and can't find anything that says Vitex causes a rise in blood pressure, so I don't know. Sorry.
__________________ Christy (30) married to Earl (42) since 1/17/97
DD Alyssa To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. born 11/2001
I just did a bit of research and couldn't find anything relating to blood pressure, but did find a quote which said that on rare occasions partipipants of studies have reported fast heartbeats. I also found this - Chaste tree berries have been reported to cause fast heartbeat, headaches, nausea, rashes, or unusual menstrual bleeding.
It does increase your progesterone levels, which can affect your blood pressure, so perhaps you are having a rare reaction to it. I'd ring your naturopath as soon as you can and ask them. Keep taking your blood pressure, too, because I know that home blood pressure monitors can be unreliable - if you get a few high readings I'd really be inclined to stop the vitex, keep monitoring your blood pressure and see if it's normal again when you aren't taking it. Good luck - I hope it goes down quickly and your headaches/dizziness goes away too.
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DD (7) - conceived via IVF (FET) after 2 years of infertility treatment
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Thanks guys. I just got off the phone with my Naturopath and she suggested going off of it for 2 days and seeing what happens. She wants me to keep checking my BP (I check it at the pharmacy) and then to see my doc if it doesn't go down pretty quickly. I think I'm on a fairly low dose (1/2 tsp in tincture form) so who knows?
__________________ TTC #1 since 10/05.
February 2008: M/C - 8w1d (fetal bradycardia)
March 2009: chemical pg. Out of options, out of hope. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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Sandra, I know what you mean. I started taking Vitex 25 days ago to shorten my looooong luteal phase and help with my PMS (note: I do ovulate and menstruate every month after years of amenorrhea) and I've been feeling weird since that. In the beginning I had splitting headaches and felt nauseous and irritable. I also felt like I had cotton in my head (or candy floss as I like to think of it) instead of brains, if you know what I mean! One or two times I took it too late in the evening and then I couldn't sleep the entire night. I felt like I was on the verge of a panic attack, my heart was beating so fast. I thought all those symptoms could actually indicate that it was working and I decided to stick it out for as long as I could. They did get better after 2 weeks or so. But now I've missed my ovulation and I never miss it. I obviously won't get my period either. I don't know why that happened and I have the horrible feeling that Vitex unbalanced my hormones even more. Could it be that it breaks me down before it builds me up again? I have no idea but I decided to discontinue it. It took me almost 10 years to actually manage to get an ovulation and period every month and I don't wanna take any risks.
What I learned from this site and a little research on the net is that Vitex is not for everyone and that it can have side effects. Hope it works for you but do keep a close eye on your symptoms.
Katerina
The cotton head thing is pretty close to what I'm feeling. It's almost as if my head has a balloon in it that keeps inflating. It's a super weird feeling! I'm feeling slighly less crazy now though thanks to you girls! You're the best!
__________________ TTC #1 since 10/05.
February 2008: M/C - 8w1d (fetal bradycardia)
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Can Vitex increase your blood pressure? 
