Calcium channel blocker symptoms and conditions

I've been taking .25 of Toprol XL for about 5 years now. The firs few years were fine but the fatigue slowly starting getting worse. Now for the last 6 months I've been battling hypoglycemia. Does anyone know if the two could be related? It's a pretty awful feeling.

Hi....I am a 48 year old male just starting on Lisinopril 10mg daily. Have taken it for 7 days now. Blood pressure before was 184/120 in the doctors office. Have seen it spike to 200/129 at the dentist plus 220/149 at the Oral surgents office removing a tooth. First day of taking Lisinopril it knocked down my BP too 123/75 thought that was great. Since has mellowed out now at 140/90. Im sure on my second visit the DR. will up my dosage which I will question. So far reactions have been that scratchy throat right of the bat that everyone discribes. Plus my stomach just groals the first hour as it trys to disolve. Takes about 4 hour before I can see it lowers my pressure any. Have been trying different times of the day best I can to find the best time to take it which I now have settled on right after noon lunch about 1 hour works best. I also have had alot of tiredness from it, which is different from the weakness I also get from a condition they say I have called N.A.S.H. (non alcholic steatohepatitis ) which basically is too much fat in your liver that drains me of energy worse each year. But why I bring that up is the feeling is different a tiredness compared to a weakness feeling I dont seem to like. The weakness I can jack away with some caffine but this tiredness nothing seems to help so far. Have had some dizzyness getting up which is something I can live with til it makes me faint or fall at some point then I surly will cry wolf get me off this. Getting blood work done soon to see how it affects my liver counts will update you on that later.

I am a 48-year-old male that is still pretty active playing competitive soccer several times per week. I am in good health except that my BP was considered a little high back four years ago and was originally put on a diuretic which made me cramp up easily on the soccer field. I asked my doctor for something different and was changed over to Atenolol. I have been living with the Atenolol side effects for that time and finally had enough. I had recently moved and changed doctors. Now was a good time to complain about the restless nights that I attribute to Atenolol (insomnia is one side effect). My new doctor knowing that I am an athlete suggested Lisinopril.
Again, my research is after the fact and was really spurred by a trip back home and a chat with my brother who is 49 and was just recently put on Liprinopril too. He described some bazaar conditions that he believed were Lisinopril side effects. When researched, he was right. He experienced the blackness or tunnel vision and the feeling of passing out while at work. He felt that he couldn’t drive as the effects where hampering his ability to do so. He stopped taking the drug and started a regiment of fish oil with his other daily supplements. This was two months ago and he is doing great. He too is still an athlete and runs in Masters Track & Field.
For me, it was a little different. I started Lisinopril on a Friday as my Atenolol had just run out on Thursday. I asked the Pharmacist if there was an issue with starting Lisinopril after stopping Atenolol only one day apart. She said there were no issues. 5 days later, Wednesday, while at work I developed an incredible lower back pain on the left side. I began to have nausea and heavily salivate as if I was going to throw up. I ran to the bathroom where I sat on the toilet for a half hour rubbing my back & hip believing it was some intestinal issue or gas. To no avail… When I felt stabile enough, I left work only to sit in my car wondering if was going to be able to drive and if I could should I drive home or to the hospital. Well, I drove home and went to bed for a couple of hours before I felt well enough to function normally. It’s been two weeks and the dull lower back pain that feels similar to a back strain persists. I’ll be heading back to the doctor with this information and will start the fish oil with my daily supplementation program.
Thanks to this website because I was able to find at least five examples out of about the first twenty postings that matched my suspected side effects.

i had a cortisone epidural in my L3/L4 lumbar about 2.5 months ago.
30 seconds after procedure, i had severe dizziness and then fainted. Got up about 15 seconds later, i had no idea what had happened. My heart was racing and I felt out of it. I had the procedure in major hospital in Winston-Salem, NC, and they kept me for observation. I immediately felt different, i felt very anxious, nervous. Blood pressure was high. They admitted me to ER and they observed me for several hours. I had several bad 'panic attacks' where my heart unexplainedly increased to 130-150 bpm standing still. I felt extremely dizzy and light headed. They released me from the hospital and said i had a vasal vago reaction. I thought it was strange as i have had shots before with no problems. (doctor did hit a nerve with needle during procedure, very painful so i thought maybe that contributed to the fainting). For two weeks after the procedure i had trouble sleeping, irritability, nasaeu, stomach pains, bloating, chest pains, heart pounding, headaches, depression, dizziness and light headedness- thought i was dying at times. doctor's put me on a beta blocker to keep my heart rhythms under control. The meds made it even worse. Stayed on for about a month and a half then weened off. Nearly three months later, i still have extreme nervousness ,bloating. All the while doctor's all along said that it couldn't be the cortisone. I have not had any of these issues ever in my life, i knew it was the cortisone shot. This has been one of the most frustrating experiences of my life. Glad to see other people with similar experiences from this drug. I have seen neurologists, and cardiac surgeons, general md's about this and they all couldn't connect the shot to my symptoms. Cardiologist wanted to put me on a calcium channel blocker when i was off beta blockers, if it were there choice they would throw more drugs at it. I don't wish this effect of cortisone on anyone!!!!!!!!!!

I developed hbp during pregnancy with my first child, after delivery the bp continued to stay up for about four months and then it went back down to a safe level. Six yrs later I became pregnant with my second child and my bp spiked again. Once again, after delivery, my bp went even higher. I tried a calcium channel blocker which gave me SEVERE headaches and then was put on a beta blocker. The beta blocker had no side effects but my bp was still out of control. My GP tried me on Lisinopril 10 mg in November 07. Since then I have had abdominal pain, loss of concentration, fatigue, leg and arm pain and numbness that is slowly worsening, dry, hacking cough, loss of sleep, strange thoughts of losing family members, etc....When I spoke to my GP about these new symptoms, I was told I have reflux, even though I never get heartburn and get this...POST PARTUM DEPRESSION! Oh, I am so sick of the "D" word. I never have thoughts of hurting myself or my kids, not to mention, I'm the happiest person I know. I'm really convinced now that these symptoms are all due to the Lisinopril b/c it all started around that time. The cough can be so embarrassing. I work in health care and will start hacking in the middle of an exam with a patient. It comes off as really unprofessional and it bothers me a lot. I see him next week and will discuss this with him. I am kind of discouraged b/c my bp is totally out of control w/o meds and this is the second one that has caused major side effects that has actually helped my b/p.

I started taking Toprol XL seven years ago to control palpitations. Side effects I have experienced include loss of hair, coldness in my hands and feet, probably due to the lower blood pressure, and, believe it or not, palpitations. I am somewhat, but not entirely, certain that the palpitations that I originally suffered from were from poor exercise, stress and a bad diet. The new palpitations I get are from squatting, reclining in certain positions, raising my legs up in a certain way which I attribute to side effects from this drug. I am trying to cut down on this drug, but it is hard. My heart has grown accustomed to it and it acts up whenever the dosage is reduced, no matter how slowly I do it. I want to get it down to 12.5 mg. I take about 18-19 mg now (I cut the 25mg in half and take one of the halves and cut it in half again). Some things about this drug: take it consistently, e.g., same time with same amount of food. It will give you some harmless, but scary, palps if you do not keep a regular pattern. Indeed, I can usually tell when a palp is Toprol-induced. Another thing is to be wary of doctors who have you double or quadruple a dosage at one time. Years ago my doctor told me to go from 12.5 to 50 mg after I complained of some palps that I now know were Toprol related. I thought he was nuts because my pulse was already way down due to this drug. I envisioned myself fainting. being a bad patient, I upped it to 25 instead. Later, after looking at a Holter monitor readout, the doctor calls me and says lower my dose to 25 because my overnight pulse was getting to a point that if I took anymore Toprol the pulse would be dangerously low. I never told him I did not listen to him. But I have to say I have not suffered all of the side effects listed on this site such as depression. The drug was and has been effective in controlling the palps that were driving me crazy. My palps were very bothersome and this drug gave me peace of mind. But, looking back, I think I could have brought about the same results with a healthier lifestyle. I am very cautious about taking myself completely off of it entirely and will do that with the guidance of a doctor, not the one mentioned above of course. But they are hard to find. Most of them will tell you beta blockers are the greatest and if you take dosages as low as mine there are no problems whatsoever.

60 yr old/young female: I started generic toprol (metoprolol 50mg xr) yesterday (11/22/07). Took about 3:00 PM. The next morning around 6:00 AM, I had a hot flash that equated to one you would have if you had taken niacin. Body was burning and I was sweating. Looked in the mirror to see if I was flushed, because of the severity of the hot flash I thought my body would be totally red. It wasn't. I called my pharmacist to report this event. He researched and found no evidence of such. He did say that it did not rule out the possibility that it was caused by the Toprol. Asked me to keep him posted as his customers were the ones that helped him be able to report side effects to other. Well I found this site and low and behold I have read of the hot flashes and all of the other problems. I will not be taking this medication. I am not a pro medication person anyway and related that to my dr, but at some point you feel you have to have trust in someone. I don't trust medications. I know at some point in my life I will probably have to take something, but not Toprol. Sounds as though it will cause more problems than it will cure. Thanks so much for your input. It will prevent me from having to wean myself off this mess. Oh yeah, I was also feeling the depressed, anxiety mentioned. Not at a high level , but just knew I wasn't myself. That was after just one dose. I can't imagine how it would have progress. I feel very blessed.

I am a 56 year old female who was very active ranching, balng hay taking care of irrigation etc. 3 years ago I had pain in my left arm and my heart was racing went to the E.R. where they did a 12 lead ekg. Could not find anything wrong other than my blood pressure was up to 160/90 they gave me ToprolXl 100 mg and told me to see my primary care physcian. Which I did. He continued the medication.

Since that time I have complained to all of the symtoms I have seen on this site. With one exception. Two months ago I was watching TV and had double vision. It only lasted for a few seconds but noticed the next day my peripheral vision was gone. I made an appt with an opthomologist and he spent 3 hours with me and recommended an MRI which was conducted some 2 weeks later. I was referred to a neurologist who ran a lot of blood work. My first batch of blood work showed a raging inflamation. They started testing for MS, lymes, lupus etc. Last week i met with my neurologist for the follow up blood work report. Everything is normal he says but by the way you have myathenia gravis. You get double vision again you call me I will give you medicine. Like I am a two year old.

I have researched myasthenia and the one thing you dont want to do is be on a beta blocker or a calcium channel blocker, as both of these will aggravate the condition. I called him to ask that he change my blood pressure medication. He says I wont do that. My primary care physcian is no longer in practice with the original medical group and has left the area. I saw him only 2 weeks ago and nothing was mentioned. The point is folks Don't trust anyone. Oh and by the way the side effects you are seeing mimic myasthenia gravis. Now no one knows what causes it for sure. Stress is a factor. But if you have not been tested get yourself tested. I may not even have this disease but I am getting off this medication and I am going to find out for sure what in the heck is going on. By the way I have seen a cardiologist last month without a referral because I wanted answers and he says there is absolutely nothing wrong with my heart...so why was I put on this medication? Heaven help us all.

I've been taking atenolol 6 months now and my basic complaint is the coughing. I have to practically sit up in bed at night. At first I thought it was just the usual summertimer postnasal drip causing the cough so I put up with it. Have to take ricoloas or some kind of drops all day to keep the cough down. I've heard other pills like this all come with the cough. If there is another that DOESN'T maybe someone can get back to me a nd let me know.

I have a doctor who isn't very communicative but if I complain about something he does what he can to try something else. This time, however, I'm doing my own research and so far have come up with zip as to any replacement. In fact, my blood pressure isn't much better. Was in the office for another reason the other day and it read 138/100.

Thanks!

I was on toprol , however because of my side effects- fatigue, ringing in hears, foggy-thinking, general overall felt bad, - my doctor has taken me off and put me on dilta- a calcium channel blocker. Just changed 7 days ago so I am still adjusting to the dilta. I've had fatigue and general overall felt bad , some anxiety , not sure if from the change from toprol or just adjusting to the new drug. It's very depressing to keep having problems. Good luck to you all!!

Hi all,

I am 53 and from the UK. I was on Lisinopril for 13 years. First 5mg, later 10mg then a few weeks ago 20mg as my BP was 169/90. Afetr 8 days of taking this dose I felt strange and felt as if I was about to fall down when walking. Also had a feeling I was kinda walking sideways if that makes sense. Anyway, went for check-up with health worker at docs surgery and after 8 days on this stuff instead of my BP being reduced it was up to 210/120. The health worker took my BP 5 times and looked cncerned while trying to reassure me not to be concerned. She went of to consult the senior practice nurse and made me an appointment for the next day to see my GP. The next day I told my GP how I was feeling and he said he didn't know why my BP had gone higher on the double dose of Lis but to continue taking it along with nother drug he prescribed called Amlodipine 5mg, a calcium channel blocker. After another couple of days I felt very ill. Palpitations, dizzy, and a feeling every ten minutes or so as if my chest was puncched from the inside, a very uncomfortable feeling indeed. I decided on a process of ilimination and stopped the Lis but kept taking the latter drug. Almost imedietly I felt better even though my BP was round about 146/85. I started to realize that symptoms I had for 13 years were probably due to the Lis. Symptoms including, waking suddenly, literally choking on acid as my throat closed in a spasm, Strange nightmares, food sticling halfway down my gullet causing extreme discomfort etc. On top of this, nearly two years ago I was diagnosed with auto immune disease and had radioactive iodine treatment on an overactive thyroid, an overactive thyroid that instead of making me lose weight, made me put it on. A while later I was diagnosed as having type two diebetes which I tried to control with diet. Now since stopping the Lis my blood sugar readings have never been better, in fact I wonder now if I was ever diebetic at all. The most upsetting thing is, I now wonder if the thyroid malfunction was caused by the Lis. I feel much better like a veil has been lifted from my mind, no longer moody or having foggy thinking. I hope I have not gone on too long. I wish you all luck with your meds. I have started taking Hawthorn berry capsules which it's claimed help to lower BP naturally. My BP today is 140/80 but does fluctuate.
Lawrence

I am taking 10mg of Lisinopril every morning and 25mg of ATENOLOL each evening. Initially it stopped my anxiety attacks and lowered my blood pressure but I found myself getting tired quick and falling asleep for long periods. I have only been on this medication recently because of the anxiety attacks but in the last two days I have noticed my feet have swollen and am unable to put my shoes on. Needless to say, after reading some of the comments on the side effects of ATENOLOL, I am going to give it a miss and report back to my doctor.

Wow,I have been taking toprol for about six years.I was started on it due to a rapid heartbeat and irregular beats..two days ago I just stopped taking it. Im not sure if that was best, but I do feel different. My hope is I will have some energy in a few days.Im going to my Dr to see about a calcium channel blocker. Does anyone know if if topral can cause drug induced lupus..??? I have lupus and I just wonder..Thanks,

I am currently tapering off of Toprol in order to switch to a calcium channel blocker (Norvasc). I have resting tachycardia of about 140/min. and frequent palpitations with rest and exertion.

I have been prescribed Verapamil and am very reluctant to take it. I take digoxin for atrial fibrillation, (makes no difference) They both control the calcium on a cellular level and yet are counter in effect. The requirement is that both be taken together! Seems a madness to me given the potential toxicity of both and neither cure my condition anyway, at best moderate it. I would be delighted to hear from anyone who has gone down this path and is free of their heart condition. I take Hawthorne & Ginko tinctures daily to keep me going and do not know of or feel any side effects from these. I am still alive but this is in in spite of the various pharmaceuticals administered. Betablockers, Sotalol made me zombie-like. Diltiazem, another calcium channel blocker made me feel awful. Flecainide, put me into intensive care in hospital. Well from my empirical experience I would say avoid these poisons like the plaque and if you can find an alternative. You may of course have found benefit, I and others might say there is nothing like the placebo effect.

My mother had high cholesterol and was on several med's trying to lower it. They at times worked but she also had side effects. My sister was introduced to a company called Young Living Essential Oils. At first she was skeptical like everyone is, but she tried it anyway. She ordered Mineral Essence, Super Cal, and Helichrysum oil for my mother. Helichrysum is a chelator that lowers and regulates cholesterol and reduces blood clotting. You just rub the oil on the bottom of your feet once in the morning and then again before you go to sleep. You also take it in a capsule. You buy the empty capsules from you local store and put about 9-10 drops in one. Magnesium acts as a smooth muscle relaxant and supports the cardiovascular system. It acts as a natural calcium channel blocker for the heart and dilating the heart blood vessels. Mineral Essence and Super Cal are great sources of magnesium. Super Cal comes in a capsule. Mineral Essence comes with a dropper. You just put five dropper fulls of it in a glass of juice or water. I use it every morning before I lift weights. It gives me energy by moving the blood and it makes it so my muscles do not get sore. By the way, all of these are organic with NO SIDE EFFECTS. Y.L. sells nothing but 100% pure organic therapeutic grade A essential oil. Not the junk you by in the stores.

With in one week my mothers blood pressure was normal and she has been that way ever since. That was 9 yrs ago. Since that time my entire family has been hooked on Young Living products. My sister is even now a corporate trainer for them. We swear by their products. That is just one case out of thousands that I have heard and seen about Y.L. correcting an illness. We now do not take any man made drugs. You can see why. They also have lots of great products for muscle pains weaknesses, and everything else you could want. If you would like more info let me know. I can tell you where to get it and how to get the cheapest price. I am just taking time to write this because I know how it is to see someone suffer and then feel like there is nothing more you can do. But guess what, there is!

Thanks