<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Thank you one and all for the responses to my question regarding hypertension resulting from improperly digested calcium supplements, specifically Fosamax. Following is a summary of replies. CONTACTS: Name of Tucson contact for CSA-Pat Ewing Dr. in Las Cruces - Dr. John Glick Consult with nutritionist(s) (fortunately my sis-in-law is one) See a cardiologist for possible heart damage (appt. with heart clinic on 11/20) Accupuncturists do help hypertension Good health food store might have knowledge of helpful M.D.'s in area PERSONAL: Continue dieting--still too heavy (loss of 1 1/2" due to L2 compression fracture) has made me shorter Continue exercising for bone mass, especially weight bearing type such as walking Celiac obesity must be carefully watched for - body craves deficient nutrients Am I digesting hidden glutens which might affect blood pressure (b/p) Rx/NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Elevated (b/p) in older women is quite common - menopause effect? Coated garlic pills 3x a day reduced someone's b/p B vitamin supplements reduced b/p - when person went off them b/p started rising Magnesium needed for malabsorption/deficiency to digest calcium - liquid good but bitter Possible potassium deficiency could cause elevated b/p Two people responded that it took 5 tries on various combinations of b/p medications to get the med. most suitable and with least side effects. FOSAMAX: drop it if no benefits; lots of side effects and quirks with this; one person's mother in law had dramatic benefits after one yr.--should have seen some results after 2 yrs. Fosamax may or may not have added calcium to arterial walls--doesn't know Dr. Murray commented in message of 10/21 that "drugs like Fosamax have really not been tested in celiac patients at all." LOTREL: Good drug but side effects; a channel blocker that works on nerve conduction system and doesn't contribute to arterial dissolution of calcium CALCIUM:Does deposit in arteries as we age ESTROGEN: differing opinions--MD's all feel older women need it but most replied that they refused to take it because of side effects GENERAL COMMENTS: Several people wrote that they, too, had unexplained high b/p after history of low b/p--also disgusted. People seem to have a hard time finding a M.D. who will treat them as a whole patient and not send them from one specialist to another. Wish is for a network of MD's that would be available on list. URL: Hypertension Health Network Info: http://www.bloodpressure.com/newrsch/wrhane.htm OR http://www.bloodpressure.com/newdrugs/(add name of drug).htm Thank you one and all for the input. My b/p has come down gradually with no medication or Fosamax and by taking the Cal Apetit with Boron for calcium, Garlicin by Nature's Way with hawthorne for hypertension; liquid magnesium to digest calcium; silicon (horsetail) for nails, hair, teeth, and lowering cholesterol; a regular all-purpose vitamin (Centrum Silver; and a separate, good mixture of B vitamins. Also have cut out all alcohol for the time being. Hopefully, it will continue to come down and I am on the right path. If any more replies come in, I will summarize at a later date.