Our Lady of the White Coat told me that the drug had only a few minor side-effects, but they weren't completely horrible—for example, since less blood was reaching one's fingers and toes those digits tend to become very cold in the winter—on the other hand that probably provides some protection against mosquitoes. Whitecoat also mentioned that once on the drug it wouldn't be a good idea to discontinue it abruptly since going cold turkey could result in a meeting with a man in a dark suit who would likely pat one on the face with a shovel.
The pills worked and my b/p dropped into the Normal range, and the probability is that I will live forever.
...Except for one tiny side-effect that the Good Doctor just skimmed over in our discussion...
Bystolic can produce vivid, violent dreams—nay, nightmares! The dreams are very realistic, and can result in sleep-walking actions.
Since becoming hooked on Bystolic I frequently wake up fighting ogres, throwing punches and shouting. Last night was an example of this.
In a dream, The Forces of Darkness (or perhaps the IRS) were threatening me, and I kicked and swirled to meet the attack! Then I had the sensation of flying through the air, and the thought that I might have fallen out of bed crossed my mind. This was confirmed a moment later when my head arrived at the hardwood floor with a sound like hitting a coconut with a hammer.
The uproar awakened Barb, who noticed that I was laying on the floor asking for ice. Barb's background includes both nursing and Animal Rehabilitation, so the treatment bases were pretty well covered. Barb told me to sit on the couch while she decided how seriously I was hurt. She shined a light in my eyes to see if both pupils were the same size, and brought me a package of frozen peas to apply to the swelling of my forehead. My nose was less broken than I initially thought, blood to the contrary. My forehead was swollen to about the size of an avocado, and Barb assured me that I looked pretty good for a Neanderthal.
The young raccoons who come to our deck looked through the window, and noting my two black eyes, called me daddy.
Tomorrow I'm going to call the doctor and ask if she has any drugs that would address my blood pressure without causing quite so much craziness.
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