I started Metoprolol 6 months ago while in the ER. I was weak wit...

I too experienced "racing" heartbeat and high BP. I saw your posting after I posted mine. I was afraid to come off toprol too, but it was making me so sick with other side effects that I had too. I was given clonidine to take when these episodes happened and my heartbeat got over 160/90. It is 11 months later and I have never gone over four days without an episode. I never had an episode until trying to come off toprol. My BP would go from a normal range and hit over 200 systolic in less than 20 minutes. Even after successfully slowly coming off toprol, the episodes continued. I have seen two cardiologists and all my tests have come back normal. I was referred to an internist who also could not find an answer for my episodes and has now referred me to an endocrinologist. Still no answers after even more test! As with many others, these episodes are accompanied with the most common side effects like diarrhea, lightheadedness, dizziness...sometimes flushing and nausea. I have been tested for certain kinds of tumors that also have these symptoms.....they have all come back negative. These spikes in my BP started within 24 hrs. after not taking toprol. I will continue to believe that toprol damaged something and my body has yet to repair itself. Good luck....I caution you to be more afraid of staying on the drug than coming off the drug. You will need medical supervision and a really good blood pressure cuff!!