October 19th
2008
3:39 AM
Chest Pain (external), shallow breath, shortness of breath, anxiety, mild depression, lethargy.
I have just started taking Toprol XL 50 MG because of a scary Atrial Fibrillation episode last week.
When I was 30 my Doctor opter to put me on Norvasc to "control" my BP. My BP was 130/73. A couple of years later my new doctor changed me to Lotrel 5/10. My BP stayed in the same range despite me exercising less and gaining weight, and drinking more. Basically, I did all the wrong things. Despite that I never had any side effects from either Norvasc or Lotrel. Only other thing to note is I do have sleep apnea, untreated as of yet.
Well, last week as I stated, I had an episode and went to the ER. They pushed Lopressor and eventually Toprol to get my A-Fib back to level. I was completely freaked out of course. I went to my doctor the next day and he prescribed Toprol XL 50 MG at bedtime, and to stop the Lotrel.
I have been taking this drug now for 4 days. Here is my experience...
I take the pill with dinner at around 9 pm. I then go to bed soon after. While I lie in bed, I feel like I need to consciously breath or I will stop breathing. If I get up this feeling goes away. My breaths are very shallow. I have sleep apnea, so I can visualize myself falling asleep and not breathing. I do have some anxiety surrounding this, but I would not say it is out of ordinary. Right now it is 3:33 am and I cannot sleep due to this issue. Every time I start to fall asleep I jolt back awake because I feel like I am not breathing.
In the past three mornings, I wake up and feel anxious and downright depressed. I feel tired and wrung out. This appears to last until approximately 1 pm and then things start looking up. Then at 9 pm the whole cycle starts again.
My mother and father take this medication. My father takes 2 * 100MG and he does not complain of side effects. My mother takes 2 * 50 MG and she has similar side effects as what I have described.
-- By garyw | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 20th
2008
9:10 AM
Hi,
i am using met Xl 50 from the past 5years and now i had a problem of becoming unconscious during night which starts with headache and giddiness.Is it anything due to met Xl .Can anyone please let me know since i am facing this very seriously.
-- By aruna1785 | Reply | Private Message me
December 5th
2007
11:13 PM
I had been on Toprol XL 50 mg. for three years. In April of this year, I began having gastrointestinal problems. By May, I was sick just about every day with gas, bloating, cramping, pain and nausea. I was seeing a gastroenterologist practice almost weekly. Over the next five months, I had just about every test, scan, and scope there was to do to no avail. By June, I began having anxiety attacks simultaneously with the gastric episodes. The doctors could find no reason for the symptoms and I was referred to another specialist and tests that were ordered at a medical facility 50 miles away. I had also lost 38 lbs. because I was unable to eat without becoming sick. In November, I notice that my hair was thinning and my family doctor said that it could be from the Toprol. At that point, I discovered this website and began reading the postings. I cut the Toprol dosage in half after informing my doctor about it. In three days, I started to feel better. I also read more of the postings and saw that other were fine on the brand name Toprol but had problems with the generic. Click went the light bulb. Towards the end of March of this year, I had been switched to the generic. I began weaning myself from the medication and took the last dose on Thanksgiving. There have been some minor withdrawal symptoms but I am feeling so much better and have had no gastric symptoms for two weeks. Yesterday, I was actually hungry for the first time in months. I saw both the family doctor and gastroenterologist and informed them that they need to consider a patient's medications which unexplained illnesses arise. I can't express the gratitude that I feel for having located this website and thank everyone for the information that has been provided.
-- By bak65 | Reply | Private Message me
November 29th
2007
1:48 PM
I am a 45 year old female & am on the Toprol-XL 50 mg & take 1 twice a day...I have noticed I have blurred vision & problems with my eyes & also suffer with my legs hurting a lot & also have joint stiffness & cramps in my feet & legs & have trouble sleeping & some memory problems at times along with feeling tired all the time & some depression & shortness of breath & no matter how little I eat I seem to put on weight & look & feel bloated...don't know if it's the Toprol-XL or not but have only had these problems since I been on that & Crestor.
-- By rebel_babe820 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
November 7th
2007
10:31 PM
PLEASE READ THIS WARNING ABOUT TOPOROL.
I was prescribed Toporol XL 50 in May of 2007 for premature atrial contractions. I was given no warnings about this drug. Within 3 weeks I was in a severe clinical depression. I went through hell for the next four months seeing numerous physicians, underwent numerous exams, was hospitalized several times and was suicidal. In my interactions with a number of psychiatrists, I learned that depression is a common side effect of Toporol and all beta-blockers. I also learned that, in particular, persons who have any history of depression should not be prescribed a beta-blocker because they have a high likelihood of re-entering a depression if they are given a beta-blocker. I had a history of depression and it was clearly documented in my file. Nevertheless, the doctor who prescribed Toporol for me did not make me aware of my high vulnerability to re-enter a depressive state with a beta-blocker. Had I been warned, I would have certainly declined this medication and saved myself from several months of indescribable misery.
PLEASE BE WARNED THAT THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL LIKELIHOOD OF ENTERING A DEPRESSION WITH TOPOROL OR ANY OTHER BETA-BLOCKER, PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF DEPRESSION. IF YOU ARE TAKING TOPOROL AND ARE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION, NOW YOU KNOW WHY. DON'T BE SURPRISED IF YOUR DOCTOR FEIGNS BEWILDERMENT IF YOU TELL HIM YOU'RE DEPRESSED BECAUSE OF THE BETA-BLOCKER. MINE DID, AS WELL. FOR SOME ODD REASON, DOCTORS DON'T LIKE TO CONCEDE THAT BETA-BLOCKERS CAUSE DEPRESSION. THEY WON'TN WARN YOU AND THEY'LL DENY THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE BETA-BLOCKER IS THE CAUSE OF YOUR DEPRESSION. DISREGARD THIS. GET OFF OF THE BETA-BLOCKER AND GET TREATED FOR DEPRESSION. YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY YOU DID.
-- By terrytom | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
October 27th
2007
4:17 PM
I am a 33 year old woman -- I have been on Toprol XL 50 mg for 2 years for HBP -- Off and on I have epsiodes of severe chest tightness - feels like someone has a belt around my chest and is pulling. Got so bad went to my Dr. thinking I had developed asthma. Put me on asthma meds and they do NOT HELP the chest tightness. Has anyone else experienced this chest tightness? Any response would be GREATLY appreciated.
-- By vanessa74 | Reply | Private Message me
October 18th
2007
1:06 PM
I too am having many of the side effects listed on this site including chest pains, fatigue, shortness of breath, foggy head, dizziness, to name a few. I am wondering if anyone has had heartburn or an increase in heartburn while being on this drug. They have recently switched me from Toprol to the generic form, Metaprolol. More of these symptoms seem to have come on since switching to the generic. Any thoughts?
-- By sammyvb | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
September 15th
2007
10:47 AM
September 15, I first started taking Toprol XL 50 mg for an irregular heart
2007 beat. That was about 2.5 years ago. It didn't help me at
1:27 PM first so my Dr. upped it to 100mg. It helped for about a
year and a half before I began having diarrhea and loose bowels for over a year now. My doctor didn't seem too concerned about
that. At the same time I was taking 1500mg of Niacin a day. I thought
the loose bowels came from too much Niacin, so I asked the Dr. to take
me off that. That did not help me at all. I am seeiing my Dr. next week
I do hope I can get off of Toprol. I have other side effects as well, enlarged thyroid, dizziness, short term memory, depressed,sleepy. But I do mow the lawn without any fatigue. I am tired of the diarrhea every day 2 to 3 times a day. Thanks to everyone who has posted their side effects/ It helps to know others are having the same side effects I am with Toprol.
September 10th
2007
6:34 PM
I have been on Toporal XL 50 mg daily for 3.5 years. I have SVT & A-fib. I had ablation 2 years ago & it was not successful. Now I also take flecanaide 200 mg daily.
Since I started this drug I have gained 15+ pounds and have been working out harder than ever before...so frustrated. I experience all the same symptoms: fatigue, tiredness, especially walking up stairs, IBS, lethargy, on and on. I've tried to ween off but keep going back because my heart starts racing.
I'm going to try again.
Alcohol really triggers the rapid heart rate so I'll have to give that up too. I enjoy a little red wine and now that's gone!
This is such a drag.
September 8th
2007
10:04 AM
Hi, I was switced from Atenolol to Toprol-XL 50 mg about 1 year ago for palpatations and it seemed to work very little papations now. However, I am currently experiencing right upper quadrant pain and my triglycerides are over 500. I am told I it is drug induced fatty liver disease? I am slowly weaning myself off this medication because you can not just quit per/pharmacist. I also have gained weight which I can not lose, hair thinning, hard to concentrate, elevated triglycerides, calf pain after walking or excercising, fluid retention, feet swelling etc..... for those of you who are on it I would suggest having your triglycerides and liver enzymes checked.
-- By glendab | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
August 8th
2007
11:06 AM
I've been on TOPROL-XL( 50 mg) for about 18 months now. Gained 25 lbs. Lack of interest (consistently) in getting much done. I had an aortic valve replacement 12 years ago and they were recently concerned about an enlargement of the aorta-so they wanted the Toprol to reduce the blood pressure further. Its keeping the pressure steady but not a huge decrease. When I discuss the side effects- they smile beningly. I'm having difficulty with digestive tract issues, also, which seem to be connected with weight gain. Other than fluuid retention- anybody know WHY this cuases weight gain? Anybody had any luck switching to other medications??
-- By hilltool | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 9th
2007
8:53 AM
Hello, my doctor has me on Toprol xl 50mg and just a week ago lowered it to 25mg. Since then i have had mild dizzy spells and just feeling of uneasyness. Please let me know if this is normal and if anyone out there has experienced this when they had Toprol xl lowered by DR.
Thanks
June 26th
2007
8:31 AM
I began taking Toprol XL 50 mg about one week ago. Since taking it I am tired all the time, my vision seems kind of cloudy and I an constantly groggy. I have also begun having nose bleeds for about the past three days. Has anyone else experienced this? I hate to stop it only after one week, but I may need to try something else.
-- By dilesta | Reply | Private Message me
June 23th
2007
6:22 AM
Hello to you all. I have been on Toprol XL for 8-10 months. I have "palpitations" which is why I was placed on this med. Also a diagnosis of Mitral Valve Prolapse. My doctor told me that the MVP can trigger the palpitations and that Toprol is the drug of choice. It helped for a few days. I felt like a new person at first. Then the palpitations gradually started to come back. I have gained 10 lbs. I am 50 years old and assumed that my wt gain was menopause. Now I think that is NOT the answer. I am an RN and I intend to wean myself off of the Toprol after reading the messages here! Why do I need to keep taking a medicine that is causing me to get fat and is NOT controlling my symptoms? Good luck to you all.
-- By snowwhite | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
May 10th
2007
4:09 PM
I have been taking Toprol-XL 50 mg for the past two weeks instead of Altenolol 50 mg. I have been having tight chest, pain in my throat area and lower teeth. I did not have these effects when I was taking Atenolol 50 mg. My cardiologist changed me to Toprol-XL because Atenelol might have triggered by depression again. I had a heart attack 12 years ago. I also take Linisiprol. I cannot walk more than 2 or 3 blocks in a regular pace when I get the side effects listed above. Is this a regular side effect?
-- By minnesotamex | Reply | Private Message me
April 29th
2007
10:12 AM
Knock on wood --I do not have any side effects! I take Toprol XL 50 mg per day. I had been to the ER three times with a heart rate of 150-160's but the highest it has gone since toprol is 104 but only for a few minutes!! I guess they might increase the dose a little?
Gosh that heart rate of 150-160's was so scarey I am glad they make toprol !!
-- By femmefatale | Reply | Private Message me
April 19th
2007
4:57 PM
I am so glad I found this site. I have been experiencing severe joint pain and constant edema. I never even thought it could possibly be the toprol xl 50 mg I have been on for over a year now. I have had extensive blood work to find out why I have such joint pain and everything has been coming out normal! I am in pain EVERY day...and it has been getting worse. I do have a thyroid condition (which was also recently checked and all the blood work was fine), because I got terrible joint pain as a symptom of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an auto-immune disorder) way back in 1999 when I was first diagnosed. So, when this terrible joint pain returned, I was sure it was the thyroid and that my medication for THAT would have to be adjusted. Needless to say, I was shocked and concerned that my thyroid numbers are all normal.
I cried today over this pain...I am only 44 years old and I feel like I'm 90 years old. Maybe fate led me here tonight. It may or may not be the toprol causing all of this pain, but at least I have some hope now. I am scared because since I do have an "auto-immune" disease, I am apparantly at a much higher risk of developing other auto-immune diseases....so perhaps it is not the toprol. I HOPE IT IS THOUGH...
March 7th
2007
10:08 PM
W Female Age:29
i began having high blood pressure just before my second pregnancy 3 1/2 years ago. I have been on Toprol for over 2 years straight to today. I had tried several different medicines that could not control my blood pressure after he was born. Toprol XL 50 mg x 2 daily was the only one that seemed to work, but i do have the side effects. I have had several instances of panic attacks with feeling of dying. By the time i could be seen at the hospital it had already subsided. The doctors have not been able to give any indication as to the reason for these attacks other than it was a panic attack and have prescribed Zanax. I have experienced the heavy left arm with chest pain, the dizziness and nausea along with ringing in the ears. I am now changing cardiologists and will try new medications to rid of the side effects. Again, the medicine has done its purpose, but the side effects are begging to take their toll.
March 2th
2007
10:18 AM
I had what a nurse called as a hypertension crisis with a 220/130 bp. I went to the ER in an ambulance. After trying me on several meds over a short period of a few days, I am now on Toprol XL 50 mg. and cardizem LA 180 mg. I have only been on Toprol for 1 day and I already have leg muscle weakness and feel a sense of depression that I never have. I am also dizzy and have some shortness of breath. The doctor says that my heart is strong and that all my blood work was great. I am just worried that it won't stay that way. I have an alternative medicine physician that I will be talking to and looking for safer alternatives. Does anyone know if only 5 days on bp medicine and then weaning myself off will hurt me?
-- By glegiese | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
December 5th
2006
8:12 PM
HI I'M 45 YR. OLD MALE I'VE BEEN ON TOPROL XL 50 MG. SO FAR EVERYTHING I'VE READ ABOUT EVERYONE WITH THE SIDE EFFECTS HAS ME WORRIED I'VE BEEN ON IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW SO FAR NO SIDE EFFECTS IT HAS LOWER MY BLOOD PRESSURE ALOT ....................
-- By acetaylor.michelle | Reply | Private Message me
September 26th
2006
6:51 PM
I have been on Tp xl 50 mg for 6 years. I have had several issues through the years that I never thought the Tp was affecting. My throat has been sore for a year, I am tired alllll the time, moody and even worse at that time of the month, my left shouder has hurt for years and I never associated it with my meds, until now. I have NO SEX drive at all, poor hubby. My BP is good however when working out, Cardio my heart rate stays at 95. I have gained a 100 lbs in the 6 years I have been on TP and I am very moody. I never can finish sentence because I am always trying to come up with words to fill my sentences. Still I never thought this was cause of Tp. The only thing I blamed my TP on was weight gain, mood swings. Know I can associate alot more with my meds. Thanks for the reading material.
Cathy
July 19th
2006
11:13 PM
I just started taking Toprol today for tachycardia,increased BP, which my dr says may me hyperthyroidism. I have been waking up at 3 am for days with a racing heart. No racing heart now with Toprol XL 50 mg, but my fingers feel swollen and I can't sleep. I feel short of breath and my muscles hurt. After reading all of the comments, I will call the dr tomorrow and ask for something else. This drug is scary.
-- By jeepster | Reply | Private Message me
May 22th
2006
10:19 AM
I have been taking Toporal XL 50 mg & altace 5 mg for about 3 years. Had 4 way by-pass 1-year ago and went through cardio rehab sucessfully. Been back to work for about 8 months and recently began feeling stressed out, shortness of breath, short term memory loss, tired and depressed. Recently admitted to hospital for chest pain, vertigo & nausea. All tests came back negative & allowed to go back to work. Toporal reduced to 25 Mg per day and altace increased to 10 mg per day. Given new prescription for anax (?) for anxiety. Hope this will help me get back on track.
-- By gmitchell348 | Reply | Private Message me
May 17th
2006
11:43 AM
I am 23 year old female, been on toprol xl 50 mg for almost 7 months and i have gained aleast 15 pounds, i have very bad hot flashes where my upper body gets extremely hot and i sweat, my heart beats rapidly on occassions also i have found it almost impossible to lose the pounds i have gained...my doc says toprol dosn't make you gain weight, but how would he know, he isn't on it...can anybody relate?
-- By ciacia22 | Reply | Private Message me
December 11th
2008
5:57 PM
I just started taking Toprol XL 50 mg about a week ago. I feel a little confused though on the doctor's judgment. I have a slow pulse (tends to run in the forties) from running a few miles a day and have mild hypotension. I was dizzy, lightheaded, fainted a few times, blurred vision, shortness of breath, chest palpitations and chest pain. My pulse would go from 35 to 170 just by standing and walking ten feet. The doctors determined I have what is known as POTS Disease, even though i suffered some of these symptoms lying down. Although the Toprol is helping with my palpitations and chest pain, it makes my resting heart rate and blood pressure even slower. Doesn't that seem dangerous, seeing as it's already low for even an athlete? My symptoms seem to be remaining the same besides that (which I guess is good seeing as Toprol can cause my symptoms, therefore I thought my dizziness, etc. may get worse). It's causing trouble sleeping, vomiting, cold feet and fingers.
-- By rbauer2 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me