I would definitely stay on Plavix until you find another Cardiologist, I have 6 DE Stents-plavix probably for life.
I had a heart attack in 2001 and had 3 stents implanted. My internist and cardiologist both said I would be on Plavix for the rest of my life. I tried taking aspirin with it and it caused me to have internal bleeding, so of course it was discontinued. Now I would only take aspirin if I felt that I was having another heart attack. The latest precaution about Plavix is to not take omeprazole with it (Prilosec, Prevacid or Nexium). Hope that helps, but you really need a cardiologist.