Mild heart attack symptoms and conditions

I'm taking 25 mg Toprol XL once daily following a mild heart attack in June 2008. What I have experienced is just an overall feeling of aging--tired, muscle aches, fuzzy thinking, forgetfulness, short fuse. I have very little motivation to do things around the house and tire easily. I accepted an invitation to golf this week, but I already told the group that I may only be able to do 9 holes. I don't feel like I could do 18. That's just not me! I have cut back to 12.5 mg. but still feel like a really old man. I complained to my cardiologist, but he said that my dose is too low to cause these problems. I am going to slowly reduce my dosage to 6.25 mg. to see if that helps. I feel my quality of life has suffered for taking this drug.

Returned yesterday from 3 days in the hospital. Rapid heartbeat and pain in the chest sent me to the ER. The heart enzyme tests showed that I'd had a mild heart attack but an echocardiogram showed my arteries were fine and there was no damage to the heart. They call me "the mystery lady". No mystery to me! It's been 2 weeks since stopping Levaquin after 5 pills of 500 mg. I've been suffering with constant headaches, severe neck, shoulder, arms and elbow pain and am convinced that the heart problems are all part of the results of taking Levaquin. I'm drinking Aloe Vera Juice, and taking calcium, magnesium, garlic, Omega 3 fish oil, and lots of water. No one seems to know what works!

I was on Avelox in December for a sinus infection. I had some pain and also had anxiety and bad dreams, etc. But I just finished taking 10 days of Levaquin 500 mg for another sinus infection and I feel like my life has turned into a real nightmare!!! I have severe joint and tendon pain, swelling, had several nights of terrible nightmares and for the past few days have had a hard time walking and getting up and down is very painful and difficult! I've had pain in my kidneys for a few days, bloating, etc. At first I thought my fibromyalgia had the worst flareup ever! Now I am really concerned as to what long-term effects I may have from this medication!

I had terrible side effects last year when my doctor had me on Cymbalta for my fibromyalgia. I went off of it on September 26, 2008 and had a mild heart attack on October 17, 2008. I thought it was the worst drug nightmare I would ever live through but now I wonder if the Avelox/Levaquin situation will be!

If anyone knows anything that can help reverse the consequences of being given this terrible medication, please share them! I would rather have lived with my sinus infections than contend with the agony I am now enduring!

M. K. B.

I had a mild heart attack 14 months ago (aged 56). A stent was inserted in an artery. I was put on four medications (Lipitor was at 40mg) so what caused what is up for grabs.
Friends told me I was slurring my words - which I experienced as an inability to find words and hence I could not talk at talking speed. The Metoprolol was reduced and I also started taking Co Q 10 as I had read that Lipitor reduces both cholesterol and Co Q10. The slurring reduced. I also had sudden pains as if a sharp object was being pressed hard on the ends of my fingers and toes at random. The doctor shrugged.
Since my heart attack my memory has been poor and I have been noticeably clumsy.
About 6 months ago I started to get left knee discomfort - I can relate this to water on the knee from an impact at age 11. It hardly ever caused a problem since. I went to Physical therapy and had ultra sound and it seemed to take ridiculously long to improve. And at that time I was becoming increasingly aware of a "bruise" to my left elbow (I am left handed). I felt like a complainer! I had bruised my left elbow but could it hurt 3 months later. I had an X-Ray and the elbow was fine. I was getting similar sensations on the other side of my body (knee and elbow) but at like 10% of the intensity so I dismissed it as nonsensical.
Then I awoke at 3.00 a.m. one night with incredible pain in my lower left arm.
The orthopedic surgeon I saw said I had tennis elbow and I got a cortisone injection. I was beginning to feel as if my body was decaying and getting torn internally.
I then read a blog and a disability insurance assessor said she always asks if people who have been diagnosed with tennis elbow are taking Lipitor. Ping!
I quit Lipitor. Two nights later I had unbelievable cramps in my lower left leg. I have had the pins in the end of the fingers and toes again and the inability to find words appears momentarily.
But I have far more energy. My biggest surprise is that I am breathing more deeply. Spontaneously I am taking really deep breaths. I started at the gym within a week of quitting. However I am being careful. I will take a cholesterol test in a month, and have gone almost dairy free, and am vegetarian every other day and will continue with CoQ10

I have been on Lipitor for several years after experiencing a mild heart attack at age 54. Considering I roller blade and bike and use weight training to stay in shape it was quite a surprise. From the onset of taking Lipitor I complained of nausea every day but became more depressed as the months went by. Every thing seemed to be going wrong with my body. The weakness and numbness in my legs and knees to hardly being able to get out of bed in the morning with back pain. I am tired of doctors appointments and getting no where. I was finally directed to this site and every thing fell into place. As of today I am off Lipitor. I will keep you up to date in two weeks from now and let every one know.
Mike

I have been on Lipitor for several years after experiencing a mild heart attack at age 54. Considering I roller blade and bike and use weight training to stay in shape it was quite a surprise. From the onset of taking Lipitor I complained of nausea every day but became more depressed as the months went by. Every thing seemed to be going wrong with my body. The weakness and numbness in my legs and knees to hardly being able to get out of bed in the morning with back pain. I am tired of doctors appointments and getting no where. I was finally directed to this site and every thing fell into place. As of today I am off Lipitor. I will keep you up to date in two weeks from now and let every one know.
Mike

Hello All. I have been on Toprol 25mg for over 2 years. I had a mild heart attack & also have an irregular heartbeat. In the begining I did not really notice any changes. Since My heart attack

I have been jogging, Lifting weights, yoga etc. About 12 months ago I started gaining weight for no reason. I now have gained about 20 lbs in the last 8 months. I stopped taking it today on the advice of my Dr.

A few weird dreams but I for the last few weeks I have noticed feeling a little buzzed after I take the Toprol.

Peace

I began taking this med following a mild heart attack in 2004. I have had a nagging cough for quite some time and saw an article in the paper today that stated that some blood pressure meds cause this cough. I'm relieved and annoyed!

Since starting 25mg Toprol XL after having a stent inserted and suffering a mild heart attack during the angioplasty, I have lost all libido and have gained 40 lbs. My ability to jog/run has been diminshed. I also feel depressed, unmotivated and suffer from memory loss and brain "fog."
My question: Do I really need to be on this medication?
Thanks.

I had mild heart attack 6 weeks ago. I had a 90% blockage in one artery and minimal or none in the others. I Left the Hospital with a mdicated stent and on Topral XL and Lisinopril, and Lipitor. Since then, no energy, depression, insomnia, generally bad feeling. I stopped topral and lisinopril 4 days ago. My BP and heart rate are still very low 40 to 60 beats per minutes, BP 110 to 120 over 60 to 80. How long do these drugs stay in your system? 52 year old male with no other health issues and previously active life.

I began taking Toprol as I left the hospital after a mild heart attack in March ('06). 100 mg at first, then 150. I kept expecting my sex drive to come back as I recovered from the HA, but it never has. Viagra gives me an erection but the problem is, I don't care. Sex has no meaning, I don't care about it. I am tired most of the time and even when well rested, 3 hrs is as long as I can do anything. I never have an appetite anymore. How do they expect me to function?

My husband was put on 5 mg of Lisinopril starting over New Year's weekend. He's been on 100 mg of Toprol XL since Dec. 2004 after a mild heart attack where two blockages were discovered in his LAD artery and successfully stented... This Dec. 30th 2005 he awoke in themiddle of the night with arm pain and had ceased a 1 year regimen of Plavix post-stent placement just 7 days before the Dec. 30th incident in which he had cardiac arrest in the ER, thankfully. Bottom line: We're really unclear why he has this drug when he's still on Toprol, resumed the Plavix and has an ejection fraction of 70% as well as no BP issues. Exercises, eats right and doesn't smoke. He's been COUGHING since starting it...within two days of taking it...he noticed a dry cough that is different from the Michigan nose/sinuses type cough we all get eventually living here...

I began Lipitor shortly after a mild heart attack 20 months ago. Initially the ere were no side effects and I resumed normal physical activity gradually. After 8 months, I was able to get back to running 8 - 10 kms. per day. HOWEVER, about 5 months ago, I began experienceing tingling in my feet and lower limbs, primarily on the right side. Cholesterol levels were acceptable but bounced around a bit. I also found that I couldn't run as far or as fast - in fact, had to cut the distance down to less than half. The tingling has increased and runs from hip to toes. The toes are becoming increasingly numb. I have also developed a debilitating ache in my right gluteous. It's so painful that sleeping only on my back decreases the discomfort. Any other position is impossible. Sitting is painful and exacerbates the pain. It takes nearly an hour each morning before I am able to move about with bearable pain. The doctor had increased my dosage to 40 mg three weeks ago just prior to the increase in the intensity of these symptoms. I've taken myself off this drug because my quality of life has suffered dramatically. My fear is that these symptoms may not disappear but may be permanent.

I have been taking Toprol 25mg for 2 years now , due to a mild heart attack, along with aspirin and Zocor. have experienced shortness of breath, times of dizziness, memory loss,weight gain and heartburn. I'm not really happy with the shortness of breath, especially when doing mild excersice or mowing the yard. I will be weeenieing myself off for a while to see if I can get back to my old self.