Behavioral changes

I am not sure if I am in the right place, but my husband had his mytral valve repaired in July of 2007.  He was off work for a total of 8 weeks and when he did return to work he was put in charge of his own Dollar General that he had been working at for over a year, but also the other one across town.  He was working from store openning to store closing for 10 months.  Around 90 - 100 hours per week.  He was then fired.  During this time he was having a time with the proton tests that they were running on him almost every week.  Some days it was pushing 5 and then the next week it was a 1.  We were trying to keep it right for 4 weeks straight, because since the open heart surgery his heart was out of rhythm.  We finally got it back in rhythm in June.  Eleven months after surgery.  He is now on Amiodarone, Asprin, Warfarin, Ramipril and Metoprolol for his heart.  He has been on Paxil for several years.   He has had two other jobs since Dollar General and has lost them both due to his every buddy is picking on me attitude.  He is 55 years old and has worked his tail off without this problem all of his life.  Could someone shed some light on this.  Could the drugs that he is taking cause this behavioral changes.  

[Brooke_38]

After reading his history, it sounds like alot of stress. Working 90-100 hours a week would stress anybody out. Why was he put on Paxil? Are you referring to INR levels when you said proton test? I am a little concerned about him taking Aspirin while on Coumadin. Being on both of these will put him at greater risk of bleeding.

I checked out all the meds he's currently taking, there are none that interact with the other. I am almost certain that these are not the cause for his current status.

[duckman742]

He was put on paxil a few years back because of mood swings.  But he was always able to get along with people.  It has gotten worse since his open heart surgery.  I am not sure what the INR levels are, but he has the proton test to see if his blood is to thick or to thin.  

[Brooke_38]

Prothrombin time/INR levels are used to determine amount of time the blood takes to clot, which then determines how to proceed dosing Coumadin. If he had mood swings prior to his surgery, I am not at all certain that the suregery or addition of new meds is the cause.  Check with his Dr if it continues. Is he seeing any type of therapist?

[duckman742]

no he is seeing no one.  He doesn't have a problem!    Thanks for your help.

[duckman742]

You say that you think it is stress.  He is going to go back to his doctor and talk to him about the Paxil and I am going to call the heart doctors nurse and ask her what she thinks.  But if it is stress what can be done about that.  Is a therapist his only option?

[Brooke_38]

I am only suggesting that stress could be causing him to be irritable. I'm glad that he is going to call the Dr.

Of course the Dr will be the best one to figure out what is really going on. I hope that my question about the therapist did not offend you. This was not my intention. I asked about it becuase Dr's usually recommend some kind of counceling when prescribing antidepressants.

His options will be clearer once his current status is figured out. As far as stress...We all have it, it's how we respond to it that can cause problems. I hope that your husband finds resolution.

[duckman742]

Oh now your comment didn't offend me.  You don't know how I have prayed that he would go to someone for help.  But you see He doesn't have a problem the rest of us do.
Thank you for your help.

[duckman742]

Meant to say no your comment didn't offend me.

[Brooke_38]

Oh, I am very familiar with those types...I will say a prayer for you! Good luck and please let me know what the Dr says. I will be curious. :)