I started taking lisinopril 20mg Nov. 12, 2008. I've never smoked...

Hear Hear !! I hear you loud and clear and feel somewhat the same as you. Cost me 220 dr. visit plus 650 dollar blood work to get 4 dollars worth of these pills. My Dr. started me out with 10 mg even thou he said he gives most 5mg first. I am not sure why you started with 20mg's ? How high was your BP ? I have been on mine since Jan 15th. I have cut mine back to 5mg myself which leaves my BP just a bit higher but does cut down the side effects alot. I think all these ACE inhibitor pills will do the same so what to switch too Im am not sure yet. From what I have read they simply relax your blood vessels so the pressure lowers by letting your blood flow easier.....Yes it does take my BP down but like you say at what cost. For me the worst side effect is relaxing my bowl movement lower intestines which is scewing badly with my hemroids & I get straing cramps that are terrible. plus all sorts of stange things that pop up from screwing with this relaxing method. Plus some upper stomach back pressure creating a bulge in my chest. An ulser from these pills I think I never had before. Have gotten past the couch if first gave by eating it with food or drinking milk first to get in completely into my stomach.

I have stopped my pills for a few days to see what would happen...yes BP comes back up as this stuff does stay in your system for awhile but no worse then I had before I was taking nothing. And you do go back to feeling alot better, but for me back comes the bad eye pressure that brought me to getting something in the first place.

So what to do next I have been trying to fig. out myself but with NO insurance you cant go play trial and error with your doctor for what they charge. So I come here each day reading people's post to find some good idea's, along with looking at other health boards places. A screwed up mess no wonder the doctors just guess it seems.

So good luck do post something again if you find a good solution !!