I have been taking Crestor for a couple of years for Cholesterol.  I eat healthily, and the Crestor brought my cholesterol levels right down to normal.  In August, I had a checkup and, for the first time, my blood pressure was high.  I started taking Diovan, but my school district messed us up real bad on insurance for prescriptions.  So I am almost finished with the Diovan, which would have cost $90 instead of $10 (as it was) In a few days I will start taking the Benicar.  My doctors don't tell me much.  I am way over weight, but my lymphedema makes mobility difficult.  I do work full time as a teacher.  I was wondering if there is any connection  between hpertension and lympedema. I keep reading about taking diaretics.  I don't.  I don't know how I could do that and work in a classroom.   Would it help?  My blood pressure was doing fine on Diovan.  I'm worried about the change to Benicar.  I would appreciate any help/advise/information you could give me. Thank you!   Cindy