Imagine you tell your doctor you want to get off VICS and he says

[D30]

I don't think we should do that right now. I say to myself HMMMMMMMMMM.  

I then tell him both my parents die of over dose of prescription drugs. I don't want that.

I have not had a Vicodin for 2 weeks and not really wanting one.

[worried878]

there are herbs that help lower ur BP...the amono arginine has vasodilating properties to help lower pressure..gingkoboloba, ginger root, and tumeric helps with clot formation

Best Herbs for High Blood Pressure

Turmeric - a powerful East-Indian herb used in curry dishes, turmeric extract contains curcumin which is a strong anti-inflammatory. Curcumin helps lower cholesterol and prevents clot formation. Its antioxidant ability improves blood flow and strengthens blood vessels. Turmeric also aids in liver metabolism.

Ginkgo Biloba - from the large tree indigenous to the mountains of China, gingko biloba improves blood circulation and dilates arteries, reducing blood pressure. Gingko also aids in improving memory and mental alertness due to increased blood flow to the brain.

Hawthorn Berry - Also known as the mayflower, hawthorn opens the coronary arteries and improves blood flow. Hawthorn berry for hypertension reduces artery hardening and strengthens heart muscle making it more effective in delivering blood to the body.

Maitake - from the Chinese mushroom, maitake extract acts to decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Maitake also lowers blood cholesterol levels.

Ginger Root - commonly used in Asian cooking, ginger acts to improve blood circulation and relaxes muscles surrounding blood vessels. Ginger is also a powerful digestive herb that helps alleviate uneasiness and nausea.

Olive Leaf- from the olive tree native to the Mediterranean region, olive leaf extract helps in lowering blood pressure and combats arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.

In addition to herbs for high blood pressure, there are other nutrients that can help with high blood pressure and help your heart and circulatory system.

Other Important Nutrients For Your Heart

Coenzyme Q10 - a vitamin-like substance found naturally in the body, coenzyme Q10 is an essential nutrient for the well-being and proper functioning of the heart.

Calcium & Magnesium - both of these minerals have been shown to help reduce blood pressure.

Vitamin E - studies show Vitamin E may help reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

Vitamin C - used in conjunction with Vitamin E it may slow the progression of atheroscleroisis.

Vitamin B6, B12 & Folic Acid - when combined together there is evidence to suggest that these nutrients lower the risk of heart attack.

What's the Best Way to Lower High Blood Pressure?

The best way to lower high blood pressure is to maintain a proper diet and lifestyle. Taking care of your body and particularly your heart and circulatory system is a must for optimal health.

Dietary Recommendation

You should try to lower your intake of the bad cholesterol (LDL), yet maintain your intake of good cholesterol (HDL). High cholesterol is a leading cause of heart disease.

Eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry and nuts.

Reduce your intake of trans fats found in margarines and spreads and hydrogenated oils found in processed and refined foods.

UseDietary Recommendation

You should try to lower your intake of the bad cholesterol (LDL), yet maintain your intake of good cholesterol (HDL). High cholesterol is a leading cause of heart disease.

Eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry and nuts.

Reduce your intake of trans fats found in margarines and spreads and hydrogenated oils found in processed and refined foods.

Use extra virgin olive oil and garlic in your cooking...both have been shown to lower LDL cholesterol.

You should definitely add Omega 3 essential fatty acids to your diet. A good source of these are flax oil and cod liver oil. Even better perhaps is fish oil, which contains two essential fatty acids, DHA and EPA, which have been recently shown to increase heart health. These fatty acids are extremely helpful in promoting general health and well-being.

Exercise Recommendation

Moderate exercise, primarily aerobic such as running or swimming can reduce blood pressure. Exercise is important for helping blood flow and increasing metabolism.

Supplementation Recommendation

For many people, high blood pressure can be treated with the above herbs for high blood pressure and other natural nutrients. If however hypertension still exists, it might be necessary to take a prescription blood pressure medication. In either case you should consult with a qualified medical professional before taking anything to lower your blood pressure.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Worried is so right about putting everything in your corner....couple things in your post rang a bell. Planting the seed with your Doc is fine. But you need the seed planted within yourself to germinate. Difference between wanting to quit; and quiting. You made it two weeks. You indicate that he (Doc) will tackle it as soon as BP is under control. That doesnt mean that you should wait to tackle it. He will not be doing your work for you anyway. After two weeks you should be where you need to think about aftercare. I am big on nutrition and Amino Acid Protocol - especially the amino's........using the amino;s properly may save you from adding an antidepressant to your line up....and there are many other benefits from different amino's.....good luck to you - - getting clean is not as hard as staying clean...........and getting clean aint no walk in the park - - - -

[worried878]

74 is not really bad..but it also depends on ur good cholesterol as they counteract each other...

Doctors in this region hate prescribing narcs and would jump thru hoops if u said "no more"  when i told my doctors they have complied..completely!  i couldnt get a lortab out of em if i threatened their life!  LOL..they dont like prescribing them anyway...and ur doctor is arguing with u about it?..having a scrip waiting at the pharmacy is one of the two main ways to fail that u have control over..the other is having them in ur house while u quit...like avis said..u gotta call and cancel the scrip ..

.ur doctor needs to learn about addiction if he is that uneducated..when a patient says they are addicted and want to quit narcotics and find other methods of pain control..a doctor would nomally comply and help...he could be reported and investigated for doing this to you...recommending or suggesting that u should stay on them when u have told him u have a problem!  He could be in big trouble with the board for continuing to prescribe them after u admitted u have a problem...strange..but if u want to get clean u need to put everything in ur corner..and scrips at the pharmacy or pills in the house are not good ways to get clean

[D30]

When I went to the Doctor today I just said it is time. I have now planted the seed and he knows I am quitting or wanting to.

He asked why do I feel the need to quit? I said I am feeling addicted. He said addicted is taking them to get high. I told him I am not going to lie, they make me feel like an energizer bunny. I am fighting high blood pressure and he is trying to get the medicine right for that. I think he will tackle the Vicodin after getting my Blood Pressure under control.

My bad Cholesterol was 74, what does that mean????
he told me he wants that at 70.

[cathy5841]

good for you..like avis said it is YOUR choice.

[ochooked]

Wow!!!!   That took a lot of courage, and strength.  Good for you------ most of us only wish we had such strength.   Stay strong --- don't get it - -tell the pharmacist that you are quitting so you get some help there too.   I had to cut off all my sources and was successful.  All the best.

[avisg]

Did you know you can call and cancel  it ?

[D30]

No. my script isn't due for another week. I am quiting regardless, this time I have completed the mental part of not wanting them due to realizing I feel much better off of them. The real test will be next week when the pharmacy calls and says come and get it.

[avisg]

Well regardless of whether he thinks you should do it or not that is your chioce not to mention you already have two weeks clean. did he give you more pills?