Hello - thanks for asking your question.
Although I am an internal medicine physician, please see your primary
care physician for specific questions regarding any individual cases –
please do not use Google Answers as a substitute for medical advice.
I will be happy to answer factual medical questions.
You have asked why you are feeling bad all the time and if you should
find another doctor. Without examining you, it would be impossible to
give those answers over the internet, but I can give my opinion about
your medication regimen.
I'll go over your medications one by one:
1) Carbidopa/levodopa
Otherwise known as Sinemet, this is a medication primarily for
Parkinson's disease. As a dopamine agonist, it also has an unlabeled
use of restless legs syndrome - which is why I suspect you are on
this. Here are some of the central nervous system side effects from
this medication:
"Central nervous system: Dizziness, anxiety, confusion, nightmares,
headache, hallucinations, on-off phenomenon, decreased mental acuity,
memory impairment, disorientation, delusions, euphoria, agitation,
somnolence, insomnia, gait abnormalities, nervousness, ataxia, EPS,
falling, psychosis, peripheral neuropathy, seizures (causal
relationship not established)" (1)
2) Zoloft
This is an antidepressant that works by inhibititing the re-uptake of
serotonin. There the CNS side effects are present in approximately
10% of cases:
"10%: Central nervous system: Insomnia, somnolence, dizziness,
headache, fatigue" (2)
3) Atenolol
This is a beta-blocker, used to control blood pressure. Here are the
CNS side effects, occuring in bewteen 1 to 10% of cases:
"Central nervous system: Dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, lethargy,
confusion, mental impairment, depression, headache, nightmares" (3)
4) Norvasc
This is a calcium-channel blocker, one of the most popular blood
pressure medications currently prescribed. Headache is the most
common CNS side effect, occuring in approximately 7% of cases.
5) Lipitor
This medication is a cholesterol lowering medication. Incidentally,
it is the most popular medication prescribed today. Like Norvasc,
headache is the most common CNS side effect, occuring in 3 to 17% of
cases.
6) Metformin
This is a diabetes medication that is effective in lowering blood
sugar. Here are the CNS side effects:
"Central nervous system: Headache (6%), chills, dizziness,
lightheadedness" (4).
7) Clonazepam
This is a benzodiazapine, which is medication primarily used for
anxiety. It works as a sedative. It has many CNS side effects:
">10%: Central nervous system: Drowsiness
1% to 10%: Central nervous system: Dizziness, abnormal coordination,
ataxia, dysarthria, depression, memory disturbance, fatigue" (5).
8) Lasix
This is known as a loop diruetic. It can be used for blood pressure
control, but also can be used to increase diuresis so it can reduce
edema (fluid buildup in the tissues). Here are the CNS side effects:
"Central nervous system: Paresthesias, vertigo, dizziness,
lightheadedness, headache, blurred vision, xanthopsia , fever,
restlessness" (6).
So, what is the bottom line? You seem to be on an appropriate regimen
for diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. You are also on
a variety of medications that can cause sedation and effect the CNS
(especially carbidopa/levodopa, zoloft and clonazepam). I would
consider a thorough medication review with your physician to possibly
discontinue any medication that may be affecting your mood.
If your physician is not willing to review your medications, you may
want to inquire about a second opinion to minimize any optional
sedative medications. Depending on how much clonazepam you are
taking, this may be difficult. One option would be to be referred to
a psychiatrist who specializes in managing many of the psychotropic
medications you are on.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical
advice - the information presented is for patient education only.
Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your
individual case.
Please use any answer clarification before rating this answer. I will
be happy to explain or expand on any issue you may have.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Search strategy:
No internet search engine was used in this answer. All sources are
from physician-written and peer-reviewed sources.
Bibliography:
1) Lacy. Levodopa and carbidopa: Drug information. Drug Information
Handbook, 2003.
2) Lacy. Sertraline: Drug information. Drug Information Handbook,
2003.
3) Lacy. Atenolol: Drug information. Drug Information Handbook,
2003.
4) Lacy. Metformin: Drug information. Drug Information Handbook,
2003.
5) Lacy. Clonazepam: Drug information. Drug Information Handbook,
2003.
6) Lacy. Furosemide: Drug information. Drug Information Handbook,
2003. |
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