Carotid arteries symptoms and conditions

I have been on lipitor since Oct 2008, 10 mg. Off and on, I am very dizzy. The backs of my calves start to weaken and I start drinking Smart Water, because I think I"m dehydrated. The Smart Water does help, but today, the dizziness is lasting all day. I probably have tinnitus. My right ear occasionally has a loud ringing and today a little pain and feels as though it has water in it. I am going to call Life Extensions and speak to their health advisors and try something naturpathic. I am soooo scared, because I have 50% blockage in my carotid arteries. Any advice out there?

I started taking lisinipril over a year ago. They started me out with the brand name Zestril. (For those who don't know, lisinipril and Zestril are exactly the same drug; Zestril is one of the brand names and lisinipril is the generic.) My insurance company switched me from the brand name Zestril to the generic because it is much cheaper. Anyway, I was started on 10 mg 1x/day but experienced some dizziness and strange feelings on the top of my head. The doctor ordered an ultrasound of my carotid arteries to make sure there wasn't a blockage. There wasn't, so she lowered my dosage of the med to 5 mg 1x/day and the side effect went away. Now, however, over the last several months, I have developed a rash that itches badly (in the crack of my butt, of all places). I quit taking the lisinipril on my own a couple of times, and the rash went away, then I started it again on my own, and the rash came back. I've decided to ask my doc to switch my med. It's a shame, because the lisinipril works so well for me for lowering the blood pressure. Extremely well, as a matter of fact. Also, to answer some of the other posts, yes, lisinipril is now an accepted medication for high blood pressure. It works on the kidneys and thus lowers the blood pressure. I really hate to give it up, but I can't stand the itchy rash anymore.