First step to optimal health; get off the Rx ASAP

The Reductionist theory of concentrating an active ingredient in a drug has been the practice of western medicine for a few centuries now, but more prescriptions are ongoing now, not temporary.  This is a recent change.  Doctors do not consider a step-down of medications unless you insist.  Multiple medications can be dangerous; who considers all the effects of these meds?  The doctors have barely enough time to glance at your charts, glance at you, then go to the next patient so they can keep their heads above the sea of insurance paperwork to get paid.

Also, when we take a medication, it usually has only one ingredient that is supposed to alleviate one symptom (I didn't say cure, did you note?).  How arrogant we are as humans; we identify a substance that does a particular action or reaction in the human body, then ignore all the other parts of the original source and the total body as well.

I was told by my surgeon that I would be on a beta blocker the rest of my life.  I followed his advice but found that I was incapable of getting enough oxygen when climbing hills on my bike.  I also found that my LDL and weight were increasing, a symptom of long-term use of the beta blocker as I discovered on the Internet. This would not do; I had to step-down the drug!

So on my next visit to the cardiologist, I asked if I could switch to a drug that only lowers BP.  He said he would rather lower my prescription of beta blocker.  Imagine!  He suggested a step-down; I thought that was progress!

The amount of medication was now cut in half; literally, I cut the pills in half, but still did not feel right.  On my return to the doc, I asked for a cessation of the drug completely.  To reinforce my request, I logged my BP, weight, resting pulse rate, on an app on my iPhone.  He squinted at the small chart, then pronounced that I no longer needed the beta blocker or the BP lowering drug!  I was shocked.

It took about six weeks for the stuff to fully leave my system, as evidenced by my heart rate, how I felt in general, and how well I improved while cycling.

But it is not just that simple; I researched the natural remedy to replace my drug, which was to cut out the salt, restrict alcohol use, and take L-Arginine, an amino acid.  I also supplement with other vitamins and minerals to stay in good form while riding.

So you can go to your doc and get a pill, or you can research the cause of your problem and take charge of your life; your choice.