So today I started my first dose of Cozaar (angiotensin II receptor antagonist). So far I feel a little sleepy and slowed down, but no dizzyness. My doctor told me to get a blood pressure monitor (digital automatic kind) in case my blood pressure drops too low. I've already been on Zestril (ACE inhibitor) for five years so my blood pressure is normal due to that. This new one isn't for my blood pressure, but rather, for the potential nephrologic benefit to my kidneys. I still haven't quite figured it out although I've been reading more about it today. The sodium bicarbionate they put me on last week is a fairly boring drug. No side effects and no noticeable improvements anywhere (other than in lab tests, of course). Its the kind of drug I hate to take and often forget about - there is no immediate adverse effects for taking it or not so I tend to rebel and not take it on purpose. Argh, I'm trying to be good but this taking drugs three times a day thing just cramps my style. In other news... my staph infection is back. :( This time its not nearly as bad, but it started to get painful at the end of last week. I marched myself right back to the doctor. Apparently the dose of antibiotics they gave me at the beginning of November wasn't a high enough dose to kill the bug completely. Normally (for someone who is healthy) they prescribe 500 mg twice daily for 10 - 14 days. For me I was only able to take 250 mgs twice daily for 14 days. Although the bumps went away completely for about 3.5 - 4 weeks they slowly started coming back again. So now I'm back on Cypro (antibiotic) but this time I'm taking 250 mgs twice daily for 3 weeks. The bumps are disappearing again so I know the medicine is working. With all these drugs in my system I worry about my liver. The doctor did bloodwork for my liver and nothing came out abnormal. This should put my mind at ease, I suppose, but I'm a skeptic.