Day 9 - More Crap and another twist

Well, my doctor called me back on Thursday, and I am now on High Blood Pressure medication. He's thinking that perhaps this was NOT caused by the Venlafaxine, because it went right back up after being off it. So, I am now taking 10mg of Lisinopril. At least I'm supposed to be. I got the prescription filled Thursday night, but have not been able to bring myself to take it. Shit, I'm a 42-yr-old woman. I shouldn't have to be dealing with this yet! I suppose it was inevitable - my dad had severe hypertension for years before dying of a massive heart attack almost 3 years ago. My mom is on HBP meds. I just didn't think it would happen this early for me.
Back on one of my first posts, someone asked me if I ever smoke marijuana to relax myself. I replied that I had, but with a teenaged son in the the house and my addictive nature it wasn't the best thing to be doing. Well, I broke down Thursday thinking about having to take this medicine, and went to a friend and bought a bag of weed. I have to say that it really helps - I even did a "before" and "after" blood pressure reading and it went from 130/100 to 110/90. Still high for me, but at least I feel like I can buy some time to think more about this medicine. I called my doc and voiced my fears and his nurse said it was the safest ACE Inhibitor out there...but what does that really mean? Look at some of these personal stories
So, I like being relaxed, but I don't want to be high, per se. Is there something that can give you the beneficial, healing properties of cannabis without being stoned? Well, according to a friend of mine, hemp oil is the answer. He has used it first-hand, and knows it has healing powers. Watching the video about the man with Parkinson's was very powerful to me. My friend has agreed to make the oil for me if I will go off all meds for 90 days. So, this blog is taking a turn. Some people will decide not to follow, some will be more intrigued by the idea and will follow closely over my 90-day cure. I just know that if this works as well as these men claim, I will be a very vocal proponent for the legalization of marijuana and the production of the oil as a cure-all. The pharmaceutical companies have everyone so duped that their poison is good for us...only because they know they can't patent marijuana and its products.
So, if this twist has turned you away, I wish you luck and I will continue to follow your blogs. Just do me a favor, okay? Check back in about 90 days and see how I'm doing.
If you decide to follow my progress, I promise to report as often as possible (I will shoot for every day, but I can't promise!) and be as honest and detailed as I can. I'll let you know when I start.
Oh, and if you're concerned about me going off the meds, I will still be getting regular check-ups from my Doctor, and I'm currently looking for a Naturopath familiar with hemp oil in my area.
PS....I am also starting a diet and exercise program. I am telling you my starting information so I can keep a log. There's nothing like telling the world your weight and BMI to get you off your butt and doing something! I have turned from a mushroom on the couch to a fungus...my things have spread from the spot I'm planted, across the coffee table, the bookcase, the floor...everything within reach!
So..here goes...my current weight is..........170.4 (I've lost a couple!)
and my current BMI is......................... 35%!!!!!
Anyone willing to join me?

Update...

Well, I went to my Dr. appt at 3:30 on Thursday. My BP and heart rate were still high, so he decided to do a quick EKG. I don't think it's a good sign when you're sitting IN your Dr's office, surrounded by millions of dollars worth of medical equipment, dozens of people with medical degrees, etc., and he tells you to "sit tight, because I'm calling the paramedics". AAAUUGHH!! WHAT?!
So, long story short, I spent 24 hours in the cardiac unit being poked, prodded, injected with who-knows-what that would probably set off national alarms if I weren't in the Nuclear Medicine unit...to find out that THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY HEART.
After telling my story to dozens of nurses and doctors, I can tell you at least two of them told me that they DO NOT LIKE EFFEXOR. Wow.
So, now what? I've been off the Venlafaxine since Tuesday. Last night, for the first time in weeks, I slept. Twelve hours. (I heart Ativan!) My arms look like I've been shooting up for a while. It took 5 tries to get an IV started, and the bruises and swelling are about the size of silver dollars at each injection site.
I'm supposedly fine, but having to lay down for 15 minutes after taking a shower and getting dressed is not fine to me. At 80, maybe, but not 42.
So, my little journey has taken a turn.
Hang on, folks, it's going to be an interesting ride.