Toprol-XL and ankles

I am a 39 year old white male that had aortic valve replacement surgery five years ago. About three months after the surgery (which went off without a hitch) I had a tremendous spike in my BP that went on for a few days (200/100 - enough so I could see my heartbeat in my eyes!). My Dr started me on Toprol XL 75 and while it brought my BP down some, it didn't bring it down a lot. He moved me to 200 mg a day and now my BP is around 105/55 with a resting pulse around 50.

While I experienced many of the side effects listed here (feeling groggy, confused, etc) they only lasted a few months. I must admit that I did pack on about 20 lbs over six months. However, unlike so many who choose to blame drugs (or lack thereof) for their problems, I took it upon myself to start exercising and guess what?!? The weight comes off! I now weigh less than when I graduated high school, I am in better shape than any time in my life and I believe that exercise helps me sleep better at night. All of this even though I still take 200mg a day. Given that some of you say that you're practically dead at taking 25, I should be 6 feet under or weigh 400 lbs.

I guess what I want to say is that perhaps instead of jumping on the bandwagon here that Toprol causes all of your problems, perhaps you want to take your own health into your hands and begin to eat a little better and exercise (and don't give me "but my ankles are swollen!" excuse - there is something called water aerobics). I don't deny that it can cause some side effects, but it can work wonders with your BP. You just have to DO SOMETHING to help keep the weight off (which then help with the sleep problems, mental clarity, etc).

I am a 45 year old black female. After the death of my father, I started experiencing blood pressure problems and headaches. I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea 2 years ago. Not having bought a CPAP yet has contributed to a lot of the blood pressure and headache problems. But, my GP put me on Toprol in June '08. I am having difficulty sleeping.Every time I eat, I have severe gas and my chest is hurting off and on. There has got to be a better solution. I started exercising and using Isagenix (******). It is simply wonderful - I have lost weight and toxins. When I go to my doctor on tomorrow, I am going to ask him if I can get off of Toprol. I do not like the way this medication makes me feel.

Weight gain, swollen middle,ankles,and feet. Tired and eat every little and exercise by walking most days. Can't walk too fast because I experience shortness of breath. I take 150 mg a day.

I decided a long time ago, Doctor's are not the best listeners!! I am a nurse, I know!! Read my post today June 18th. I have been praying for an answer to all my symptoms, especially the profuse sweating I have been having for the past year!!! I believe I have found my answer at this site. Thank God I found it. All because I was looking up info about Toprol because after the doctor increased my dosage yesterday , today my ankles and feet swelled up like balloons!!!!! Now I have pitting edema!!!
I have gone to a # of doctor's in the past year and a half and I think they believe it is all " in my head"!!! I have been so depressed. My husband has even threatened to leave me. NO interest in much of anything. I don't know what it is like to sleep anymore :-( My husband says " just close your eyes and sleep like a normal person". Maybe after he reads the posts at this site he will begin to understand that everything I have been going through is "REAL". I am calling my Dr. in the morning and she will WEAN me off this awful drug!!! My BP has been going up since I have been on Toprol instead of going down. I have wondered why the Dr. didn't just change the med. It really makes one wonder. DO the Dr's ever hear what we are saying???? I would be happy to share stories with anyone on this site. How many of you have experienced profuse sweating???? The doctor will WEAN me off this drug!!! :-)
God bless everyone!! I pray you all get off this drug!! It needs to be pulled by the FDA!!!
Joyce47oh ;-)

I have been taking it for two weeks. The first week I noticed severe itching lasting 30 minutes or more within 3 hours of taking the 50 mg pill. I also had headaches, insomnia, nightmares, ringing in my ears and short term memory loss. I thought these symptoms would decrease when my body adjusted to the medication. After taking it for one week, my blood pressure did not go down, but increased. I called my doctor's office to let them know. I should have reported these side effects at that time, but since I just talked to the nurse on the phone, I didn't mention them. The nurse told me the doctor wanted me to double my dose since it was not decreasing my blood pressure. I then began having swelling of the hands, feet, ankles & lower legs, joint pain, increased thirst, dry lips and mouth, shortness of breath in addition to the original side effects. The only thing that stopped was the itching. I am going to call my doctor's office Tuesday (we are in the middle of a 3-day weekend/holiday) and report all of this.

38y.o F taking toprol 100mg once a day for hypertension x 15mths History of Hypothyroidism which is controlled w/ synthroid and closley monitored w/ lab work.
Experience weight gain, unable to lose weight w/ diet and exercise including w/ a nutrionist and personal trainer. Hairloss, lack of libido, chronic joint pain, swelling in hands and ankles/feet, back pain and/or muscle aches, lack of interest in everything, no energy. Major swelling after high sodium intake. Ear drainage, tingling of extremities especially in feet and fingers, visual disturbances. Blood Pressure is okay.
Has anyone experienced an improvement since they've stopped using toprol?

I have been on Toprol XL for over 2 years and I can't believe what I am reading on this website. I am so glad that I googled. I have had many of the same problems and I am taking 100 mgs once a day. I cannot lose wait, my memory is horrible, I am always tired, I even had the itching thing go on, my joints ache some thing fierce, so bad that I went to a joint specialsit to have them checked because I thought that I may be getting arthritis at 37. I suffer from both depression and anxiety and was given this medication called Lexapro and had a panic attack in the middle of the night so that was the end of that. I have also had the sleeplessness and the sleeping too much and most importantly the edema of the hands, ankles and feet. I can't wear shoes that are too flat because they swell, I can't wear shoes that are too high because they swell, I can't eat salt because they swell, I can't stay out in the heat or humidity for too long cause they swell, I am so tired of swelling I want to scream. I also get very bad leg cramps and leg pain when I walk too far, also my menstural cycle is crazy. I bleed so much (sorry guys) that I have to buy new at least 2-3 new pairs of jeans a month because of "damage". I get overly fatigued and everything because fo blood loss. I am so tired of this it is not funny, but I like the fact that it is time released and is somewhat gentle. I am going to speak to my doc next week about changing though because I thought that I was in a very small group that was having these issues, even down to the inability to lose weight.

I have Grave's disease which effects your thyroid. I got radiation therapy for my hyperthyoidism.My numbers are still hyper and I'm taking Topral. I take 25 MG in the morning and 25 Mg at night. I have gained 8 lb's in 3 wk's.If you are familar with hyperthyroid, I should be losing weight.My face and ankles are puffy and my legs are crampy. I'm going to ck into other beta blockers until my thyroid gets regulated.

I've been taking Toprol for about 6 years to control irregular heartbeat. I can't remember what I felt like before taking the drug, but am fairly certain that the sleep disturbances I've had for several years may be attributed to the Toprol. Also, I've got alot of fluid retention in my feet and ankles--something that I didn't have before. Overall, I feel just plain 'blah' and tired . I have no motivation or drive. I am finally going to go through with an EP study--something my doctor has been recommending for many years. If the find extra electrical pathways in my heart, they'll burn or 'ablate' then. Supposedly, that will 'cure' my irrigular beats and I will be able to give up the meds. Kept putting EP study off because it is invasive---catheters fished through arteries in leg, groin, and up to the heart. Had a recent, scary event that convinced me to go through with the study. Anyone else out there have an EP study?? What can I expect?

I have been taking TOPROL for 4 months to slow down my heartbeat which it has seemed to do and have now experienced swelling in my feet and ankles along with wait gain. I will be calling doctor to see if there can be a substitute.

I have been on ToprolXL for five days. I have severe pain in my neck and shoulders and lower back. I have serve muscle pain on Lipitor. My ankles and feet are swollen inspite of taking hydrochlorothyozide.

I have been taking Toprol XL 25 mg for 3 months. I am excessively fatigued, have gained 15 lbs., have swelling in legs and ankles, decreased (almost non-existent) libido and no energy at all. I'm 49 yrs old and and was prescribed Toprol XL for tachycardia by my family doctor. He doesn't want to listen to complaints of side effects. Says my dosage is not high enough to cause these problems. I have to get off this stuff! It's ruining my life!

I've been on toprol for two years and am now weaning myself off it. The swelling in my ankles and feet has disappeared the pains I had in my leg muscles is gone. I have my balance back and have much more energy. Since stopping prolol, I have developed a mild tachycardia, buy I feel twenty years younger. My only regret is that I did not get off this terrible medication much sooner. I am in the process of finding a medication for the tachycardia which does not have such terrible side effects. If your doctor won"t take you off prolol, change doctors. Don't be afraidtoo take charge of your life.

I have been taking Toprol XL 50mg for about 3years now & have had alot weight gain & have had swelling in my ankles broke my left foot 2 years ago & now last month broke my right foot its seem to affect my walking or the sudden lost of balance is off.
I have extream Hot flashes & can't seem to get cool off for long time---I feel overheated & just can't stand myself at times.
I am not sure what do but I see my Heart Specist 6/18/04.
Hope I can get him to belive me over this medicain problems.
BJ