are the medications right?

[starr1936]

I am a 45 year old guy who underwent surgery in April 08 to have stints install to correct clogged arteries. The stints that were installed are "taxus express MONORAil 2.5 X 12mm. They said one arterie was 90% blockage and another 70%. I am 6' tall and have never weighed more than 180lbs. I am fairly active but do not use the gum. I had a bad habit of not eating right....lots of ribeye steaks and baked potatos with lots of butter. Since the stints were installed, my diet has changed drasticly to chicked and lean pork. Sometimes I cheat......but not too often. Before I started feeling the effects of the artery issue.....I felt great. Cooridination was perfect, eye sight was perfect, no dizzyness...quite sharp minded. The medications I am on are Lopressor 25mg twice daily, Plaviz 75mg once daily, Zetia 10mg once at night, one asprin 81mg, Welchol 625mg tablet...three am.....three pm. Dr suggested Prilosec for heart burn caused by meds.....I stopped using that months ago. I was not getting heartburn and hate taking meds., so one less pill a day boosted my moral. Also.....I smoke about a pack a day ( I am REALLY TRYING TO QUIT).

Anyway.....since taking the meds, I get instances of being off ballance. Sometimes my thoughts seem "fuzzy", not to the point of confusion....but just not a sharp mind. My coordination seems vastly compromised. My vision is no longer sharp and I seem to have to bring things closer to see the fine print. Light greatly affects my vision in the negative aspect. Oncoming headlights make it difficult to drive at night.

I have a DR appointment next week and I am wondering if I should be questioning the meds I am on. Am I getting the right stuff for what I need? Am I getting too much of something? What about the Lopressor....thats blood pressure med....isnt it? I have no history of high blood pressure....why twice a day? Isnt Zetia associated with liver failure? Why am I getting times of abdominal pain.....is that the lopressor (listed side effect)

I just have all these question that I would like others advice on before I see my Dr. That way I can have my thoughts in order and the questions ready.

Thanks in advance to all who answer,

Tom

[truern]

Sorry, Tom, we're not allowed to give medical advice on AN per the Terms of Service.

[RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN]

besides those questions need to be addressed with a doctor, your cardiologist, not a nurse. If you are concerned I would give the office a call--even the cardio NP in the office--if they have one--might have the time you need.