#UnEssentialHypertension

Having been placed on a SECOND blood pressure lowering drug a month ago, and reporting to the cardio some lightheadedness when I get up, and rather than discussing a dose or drug change being told to "stand up more slowly" has me working hard on 1/n

lowering BP and getting completely off the drugs.

First things first, I checked my median BP off drugs at two different weights, and sure enough, the more I weigh, the higher the home BP. At 186lbs, median BP is 144/88, max was 165/98. 2/n
Peaks (especially in the doctors office were labeled hypertensive crisis). At 162lbs, median BP is 124/79, max was 138/86. The question remains how high BP goes in the office (or at Red Cross) when I weigh less. 3/n
Weight goal is around 153, and I'm at 168± now, so primary objective is to reach goal weight and see if I can wean off the meds.

Second, sodium. I may be salt sensitive. I've added more sodium to my diet after reading a bunch on that and learning of some twitter peeps' 4/n
experiences. Ate light yesterday, took some extra salt, and gained nearly two pounds and my rings got tight. Next step is to reduce sodium load and see what happens.

Third, NO. I've been using a UVB light, and before the seasons turned getting decent sunlight. 5/n
Forth, caffeine. Stopped once before, but probably should again for completeness, along with the weight/salt changes.

Will look into some alternative meds (e.g., L-Citrulline) if the weight/salt/caffeine change doesn't cut it.

Last, stress. Not chronic, but the acute 6/n
response being in the doctor office (or evaluated for a blood donation). I'm retired, get great sleep, have a great diet, plenty of savings, a good life, great spouse, and three dogs.

Couldn't be happier now that the stress of working for an income is over. 7/n
The anxiety of the BP evaluation raising BP is ironic at this point, but I will also look into some relaxation strategies to deal with acute threat situations.

to be continued …

100mg Toprol at bedtime
50mg Losartin first thing in the morning

#UnEssentialHypertension 8/8
PS: The more I think about the cardio's response to my mention that I get lightheaded, the more angry I get. I was so surprised by this … I can't work with someone so set in dogma and so unconcerned with the potential to set me up for a fall. I'll be ready for this next visit.

More from Legal

THREAD: Okay. I'm about to get SUPER space beans tin foil hat on you, so stop reading if you're not into that. Based on what we're learning from public reporting, the pentagon curtailed the response to the trump coup. 1/

We also know from video and public reporting that there were two groups that stormed the capitol. 1) weird-ass bystanders and 2) possibly armed ex-military members with tactical gear and flex cuffs 2/


We also know there was a failed coup attempt in Venezuela orchestrated by Giuliani and former members of Blackwater, an Erik Prince joint. 3/

We also know that Giuliani met with Brian Benczkowski and Bill Barr to lobby for for help to go easy on his Venezuelan pal. Benczkowski is a former Alfa Bank rep. 4/

Further, we know that Erik Prince is the brother of Betsy DeVos (who JUST resigned) and the former head of Blackwater. We also know that the day before the insurrection, a memo was sent out to knee-cap the federal police in DC. 5/

You May Also Like

Fake chats claiming to be from the Irish African community are being disseminated by the far right in order to suggest that violence is imminent from #BLM supporters. This is straight out of the QAnon and Proud Boys playbook. Spread the word. Protest safely. #georgenkencho


There is co-ordination across the far right in Ireland now to stir both left and right in the hopes of creating a race war. Think critically! Fascists see the tragic killing of #georgenkencho, the grief of his community and pending investigation as a flashpoint for action.


Across Telegram, Twitter and Facebook disinformation is being peddled on the back of these tragic events. From false photographs to the tactics ofwhite supremacy, the far right is clumsily trying to drive hate against minority groups and figureheads.


Declan Ganley’s Burkean group and the incel wing of National Party (Gearóid Murphy, Mick O’Keeffe & Co.) as well as all the usuals are concerted in their efforts to demonstrate their white supremacist cred. The quiet parts are today being said out loud.


The best thing you can do is challenge disinformation and report posts where engagement isn’t appropriate. Many of these are blatantly racist posts designed to drive recruitment to NP and other Nationalist groups. By all means protest but stay safe.