Diovan and health

I just started taking Diovan 160mg 7 days ago and feel like crap. After doing research on the drug found that your PCP should test your kidney function prior to putting you on the medication, which mine didn't. Disturbing isn't it. We go to the doctors to get better and we get worse. I guess that goes to show only you can control your health. Ask questions make sure doctor is following protocol prior to starting and medication.

I have been on Diovan (320 mgms) for two years. It has reduced my blood pressure moderately but not nearly enough. Then I heard about the benefits of garlic in controling blood pressure. For the past year I have been taking Kyolic garlic powder in capsule form (use the cardiovascular formulation), two capsules with each meal every day. No odor from this formulation and garlic is good for your overall health with no side effects I am aware of. Got my blood pressure down to 111/ 50. Doctors will not recommend garlic because it has not been cleared by the FDA. Also, how can the pharmaceutical companies continue to get rich if we all take garlic?? I bought my Kyolic at Vitamin Cottage but I suppose it is available in other vitamin stores too.