I finally know what’s undermining my health. I have been suffering under an iatrogenic illness since last fall of 2017. For some odd reason I had to change my blood pressure medication. I don’t know why…a drug shortage or my coverage wouldn’t allow my continued use. Well, the Nurse Practitioner asked me if I was allergic to Lotensin and I said that my cardiologist said that I shouldn’t take it because it causes coughing. So Nurse prescribed me Benazepril.

My partner and I had to take an emergency trip to New York for family. So I was not focused on my own health but that of a family member. The coughing began gradually and increased to the point that most folk began treating me as if I had pneumonia or TB. Some folk were pretty mean about it. I’m black so the stereotype is that I’m dirty or diseased to begin with. I was a trooper, I kept my focus on helping my family.

So from October 2017 until yesterday well, day before yesterday 03/19/18 I was subject to the poison that is Lotensin. I thought I was exposed to coal dust and diesel fumes from the Amtrak train; or NYC pollution; or smoke from the Tubbs Fire. The Nurse thought I had sinusitis. I was given a 10 day course of antibiotics. When I finished it I had a case of hives. A month later, I showed up at the doctor’s office with a swollen tongue and nose. I was beginning to look like W.C. Fields. Or I thought so. I was late for the drop in appointment so no one would see me. I did tell them about the swelling but no one cared. I went home and mega-dosed on vitamin C and D3. I called an advise nurse who told me to go back to the doctor’s office so I did. The Nurse ordered test. I took the test… In any case, I’ve been getting the run around.

I started campaigning to get another medication because I finally figured out that Benazepril was Lotensin. I really feel the office was making me into a killing joke. Angioderma can be fatal if not treated. I’ve read that the swelling can become infected. I felt difficulty breathing so I mega-dosed on vitamins for relief. My observations on my contact, as a black woman, with the health care system is this: 1) I’m seen as a superwoman who can take all suffering and pain then get back to work 2) I’m seen as a hysterical liar 3)Nothing I say is worth listening to because I’m childish and inferior.
Well, I got my med changed. I called the pharmacist and asked what would be best then called the Nurse to request the change. It took over a week to get the new prescription…with too many calls from me for them to follow through. Arrgh.

I have learned that some ACE inhibitors are made with snake venom. ACE inhibitors cause coughing and secretions in the lungs and sinus. I found these secretions overwhelming. The secretions were coming out of all my orifices in many ways…coughs, vomit, diarrhea. Woe.
I guess the moral to all of this is that we must share our experiences to learn; stand up to iatrogenic dealing doctors/nurses; and Google as much as possible to aid in our self care. Good night and God bless.