Toprol-XL and avail

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 have a Mitrol Valve Prolapse. It's very pronounced. I've been on all kinds of meds for it since I was 20 years old and I'm now 50. I was on Lopressor last, but it started to not have much of an affect so they put me on Topral XL 50 mg a day. Since being on it I've been very very tired, more so than usual, but I'm stubborn and push myself. Now I've gotten sever joint pain in my neck, fingers, knees, toes etc. It's awful. I was on the internet looking up the symptoms of lupus and MS; that's how badly I feel. I went to my family physican thinking I surely had to have Rumatoid Arthritis, like my Mom and Grandmother. The test came back normal, no sign of that. I've gained 20 pounds and I've been dieting and exercising the best I can with no avail. I went to look up side effects of Toprol and found this site. Can anyone tell me of a better drug to control palpations and irregular heart beats from MVP? I'd really appreciate discussing a new med with my heart dr. and trying it. I need to get off of this stuff.