You know... My middle child has some pretty tough medical issues to deal with. Some of them modern medicine doesn't have an answer for. But I'll tell you what. As her father I got involved. I learned all there was to learn about her condition. I've had my hands in her blood (That sounds morbid, it wasn't. I've saved this kids life several times.) I've been there and done it all. This kid is alive because I got/get involved. I don't take anything a doctor says at face value, not because I don't trust them, I DO IMPLICITLY. If people don't trust doctors they need to find better ones and that's the end of that subject. When I hear you say, "It's all pretty confusing." I'm thinking to myself. Hell yes! It's confusing! I'm saying to you take the confusion out of it. Here's what I would do in your shoes and it's what I do every time I get new information/diagnosis on my daughter. 1. I'm 22 years old. I have a history of blood pressure problems. You are prescribing this medication. I'm cool with taking the meds. What else can I do to get control of this? 2. What foods would you recommend I eat more of? 3. What foods would you recommend I avoid? 4. Is it safe for me to exercise? How about strenous exercise? 5. I don't feel like I have a lot of stress. Is stress a factor? If so how do I find out if I'm being affected by it? 6. Is there a 1 month, 6 month, 1 year or more plan we can put together *now* to get me off this medication and get my body to regulate pressure correctly on it's own? 7. What other concerns are there? Should I be watching for other things? I guarantee that if you take this on head-to-head and get answers you're going to feel better. You might still be on medication but you'll know that exhausted the medical resources and asked all the right questions. You'll also understand your condition and know how to moderate it. No part of life is about auto-pilot and this isn't either. Get involved and get informed. You *WILL* sleep better at night knowing that you've done what you can. - Rex
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