I take K2 and D. The D thing seems insane when I live in total sunshine, but dem bones seem to prefer having lots of it.

Oh, I think I see why he doesn't answer the phone!

Ha! I am totally telling him you figured out his plan.

Laura, I am hugging you so hard in solidarity. He couldn't have a better parent, or influential adult, on his side than you.

I've told y'all about calling the EMS in the wee smalls when my tongue swelled up enough I was afraid my airway might be compromised a month or two ago, right? I discovered (while image searching for Aunt Marge to show H what I'd looked like) that it's the *first* listed side effect for lisinopril, the BP med I've been on for yonks. My CP was either chagrinned or surprised or both by the news, and put me on a new BP med. Which, once burned, I checked on the side effects before filling the script. 1st on the list, edema, particularly of the ankles and feet.

Well, now, medical person I've been seeing for ten years, did you never notice the permanently swollen left, and sometimes both, ankles and feet, hmmm? When I not-so-gently reminded her, she was firm about putting me on yet another BP med. At this point I'm saying, it's not that elevated, are you *sure* I need a BP med, like, at all?

She's all, pooh-pooh, of course you need a BP med: Type II, threat of CHF, stroke, etc. And this one is mild. But the first and inevitable side effect is diahrrea, so here's a rec for magnesium supplements. Combined with the iron supplements to combat my persistent anemia, makes me feel vaguely magnetic, or atomic, or something.

Didja ever want to stop all meds and just go sit on a rock in the woods somewhere and maybe lick elm bark? Just me, then?

Didja ever want to stop all meds and just go sit on a rock in the woods somewhere and maybe lick elm bark? Just me, then?

looks at medicine cabinet

All the time, my friend. All the time.

I don't take any prescriptions, mostly because every time I have it was worse than the thing it was supposed to help.

My doctor wanted me to take BP meds because it was an issue. I just took it now because I have the cuff next to my computer. 115/62. I watch it closely, and it does vary. I Am Not A Doctor. I just have an issue with meds. So when the BP was out of control I took measures. I listen to waves crashing over binaural beats as background noise instead of the news. I swim for an hour a day. I turn off my computer and get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. I don't drive on the highway.

My sugar and cholesterol have both been borderline for decades. My doctor would like to give me medications. Nope. I don't do sugar. Really the only thing I can do at this point to reduce the cholesterol any more is lose weight. Ugh. I don't have to tell all of you that is easier said than done. But, tomorrow I see the acupuncturist and see if their eastern herbs and tiny needles help.

Maybe I am as bad as my son and 30 years working with doctors has turned me against big pharma. But as I look at 65 around the corner I have to say I am doing okay physically and have decided to pass on Medicare and supplementals because I don't spend my money on doctors and medications. I just use an HSA and see the chiropractor when things ain't lined up right, and now the needle lady to get stuff in balance.

Complete respect for other paths, but I have to do what feels right for me.

Another reason to admire the heck out of you, Laura.

I have had the 'manage by lifestyle, none to few medications' talk with her sevral times. It may be time to search for a practitioner with less devotion to conventional medicine. I'm too poor--and too stubborn--to practice "throw pills at it" management, and she just wants to keep adding more.

I think the issue is a lot of people don't want to take drugs but also don't do any change to their lifestyle either, so...

And I've never heard of vitamin K2 though I do take vitamin d? Does kombucha count as a fermented food? If not I'm SOL

I probably couldn't get away with being so bossy with my doctor if I didn't run his medical records system! Most of them love their meds, including mine. 5 years ago when I had the seizure was when I swore off meds. The stuff they gave me zombified me! I could not function that way so it became a full time job to make sure I didn't need to take them again. One single seizure. So far so good with self management so far.

I did feel I was at risk after this last election again so I have been on FB break because it makes my head explode. Instead I did the recount volunteering, and even with them I said I had to leave by 9 PM because I need my sleep. 1. Sleep 2. Avoid stress wherever possible 3. Healthy diet 4. Physical exercise. I'm 11 years older than Brendon and I have been in the caretaker role before so I'd like to put that off as long as possible for him and the boys!

Excuse the soapbox!!

eta: younger is not older!

Hugs, fist-bumps and other gestures of solidarity with everybody dealing with more medications than they want to this season. I've been taking between seven and fourteen pills a day since my angioplasty in June, and ... yeah, side effects and interactions suck.

And, since this is Bitches and nothing is TMI, someday I'll tell the story of how mid-1970s blood pressure medication probably put at least one nail in the coffin of my parents' marriage. But it's not a good holiday tale.

tacklehugs Karl Good to see you my dear.

Yeah, all 3 of my siblings take both diabetes meds and BP meds. One is now dealing with serious kidney disease and has to stop taking them. One is on a fix it mission similar to mine and has cut down a lot. The third has MS and doesn't give a shit. Takes his diabetes, BP, and other meds and pops reeses pieces.