by Gweithgar » Thu Mar 10, 2011 7:28 am
Thanks everyone! No matter how much I read and followed the program, I didn't fully believe that it would work until I saw the proof in my own numbers.
A word about weaning off the BP meds (I was taking Atenolol): Nobody should quit these meds abruptly! I tracked my blood pressure at home and followed Dr. McDougalls recommendations for the pressure range at which he begins to reduce meds. Once I was in that range, I started by cutting the tablets in half for two weeks, then in quarters for another two weeks, then in eighths for a final two weeks. At each reduction in meds, there was a brief upswing in the numbers which leveled off as my body adjusted and my pressure continued to normalize.
Things I noticed that prompted me to reduce and eliminate the Atenolol were:
Brief blackouts and dizziness when getting up from a sitting or lying position,
Increased breathlessness when stair or hill climbing (even while my general fitness level increased),
Bluish fingers brought on by exertion.
All of these are also signs of cardiac insufficiency, but I had had my heart checked "six ways to Sunday" and knew that my ticker was not the problem. Blood pressure meds work by making the heart pump less strongly--a sort of drug-induced cardiac insufficiency. Now that I am successfully off the meds, all of those problems went away and I have increased energy for exercise.
Would I ever, ever go back to eating SAD? Not on my life!
Cet animal est tres mechant; quand on l'attaque, il se defend
(This animal is very wicked; if attacked it defends itself)
applause and celebration to your success and many continued years of health to you, Gweithgar.
