Toprol-XL and heart palpitations

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.

55 year old female
I have been on Toprol 5 years. 50mg. it works for me but since it went generic,I wonder...I am on 10mg lexapro and December started the vivelle-dot for my hotflashes. It is now June and the last 4 weeks my hair is falling out big time.
It is so thin I have to wear a scarf as not to scare small children at work.!! :)
I have talked to a couple of hairdressers and they have told me many of they're clients with thinning hair were on Toprol.
Anyone heard of this? Please help me figure this out.

I have taken toprol for seven years. I never had any bad side effects and it controlled my blood pressure most of the time. However, I suffer from anxiety and depression and was recently put on Lexapro. My heart rate dropped into the 40's and I was exhausted all the time. Turns out Lexapro interacts with Toprol in that the drug (Toprol) does not break down in your system and keeps building up! Because the Lexapro was helping my anxiety I decided to lower the Toprol dosage. Down to 12.5 mg and still extremely low heart rate and fatigue. Decided to go off the Toprol and monitor my blood pressure, which has been amazingly good so far. Went off completely six days ago and it has been rough. Anxiety, insomnia, pounding heart, heart palpitations. This stuff is a real B*tch to get off from. Have talked to both the pharmacist and my doctor and both said to NOT start taking it again. There are plenty of newer medications out there. I also experienced weight gain when I first started taking it...I think because it slows your metabolism down. So now I am on xanax to counteract the Toprol until the Lexapro kicks in more. It it isn't one thing, it's another.

I too had HORRIBLE experiences on Toprol-XL. I was put on it after I walked into a doctor's office and my BP was 235/152. Yep..you read that right! Scary times. I started taking the med, and I too gained 35 pounds with no change in diet. I was tired, weak, groggy - I honestly felt like I was slowly dying. At that point, I decided that high blood pressure was far better than the experience I had on Toprol. It ruined my marriage. Can you say ZERO libido? I decided that I would try a different form of metroprolol - metroprolol tartrate versus succinate. I did this when I went out of town - I honestly thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest - coming off this medication was horrible, and if the other posts are true about this being worse to come off than opiates, I REALLY feel for addicts now. I have been off the Toprol now for about 9 months, and I feel so much better. I've lost what I call the Toprol weight, and I made some life changes. I did the following: (A) I purchased a rebounder (mini-trampoline) and have built up from 5 minutes per day to 15 minutes per day (goal = 40 minutes per day) - there are HUGE health benefits in rebounding and it's really easy on my joints (google the benefits - I promise you won't be disappointed). I turn on the TV or turn on my Ipod and bounce away. (B) I joined Freelife International, and began drinking Go Chi juice (www.pbowen.freelife.com) because it has three scientific studies proving its effectiveness. (C) I stopped drinking caffeinated soda and began drinking a homemade blend of green (matcha) & darjeeling teas (if you want the recipe, e-mail me and I'll send it pamela.bowen@gmail.com), and (D) I bought a device called RESPERATE (www.resperate.com). I HAVE MY LIFE BACK!!! Don't think you have to live the way you are forever!

I am a 41 yo woman in good health. I started Toprol xl about 3 years ago for a heart palp that would happen maybe once a day, and occasional racing heart beat. I did great for a long time on 25mg once a day. Then about 6 months back I was switched to generic due to insurance issues - they only want to pay for generic.

It took me a while to figure out what was happening, but several problems started happening over the last few months that I am sure were from this generic drug. Suddenly I was having vivid dreams - fish swimming on the ceiling, cats with heads 5x too big! Worse yet, over about 3 months I gained 20 pounds with no difference in diet. And I was getting more and more tired. I started looking into what could be causing these crazy effects - I was only on Toprol and birth control pills.... well, it was not the birth control!

So, I decided to wean myself from the Toprol. I decided I prefer a heart palp and occasional racing heart to this!! I gave myself a couple of weeks of lesser doses, then 5 days ago I stopped it altogether. I am having some horrid "rebound" or withdrawal effects! Numb/tingling hands and feet, headache and - surprise! High blood pressure! I never, ever took this med for HBP, and I have never had HBP! I always had a nice, low blood pressure, even when 9 months pregnant! Now it's running around 135/93 - I work in a medical office, so I got one of the nurses to check it on Tuesday...she sort of freaked! She said she has seen much higher, but mine is not normal. So we have been checking daily, and it's staying up there. I am so mad to think Toprol could have damaged my body in some way so that my blood pressure may not stay messed up for life. I have read online that the rebound effects can last up to a month, even with a fairly low dose like I was taking. Does anyone know if a month is about right? If my blood pressure keeps this high, I suppose I will have to seek treatment at some point. Ugh!

On the plus side, I don't feel so tired. No vivid dreams since I stopped the Toprol, and much better sleep! I feel "clearer" mentally. I just wish the tingling hands and feet would stop - and the high blood pressure!

I am a 39-year-old female who was put on Toprol 25 mg about four years ago due to heart palpitations. The Toprol didn't affect the heart palps at all, but I liked the fact that it kept my heart from racing after I ate, which had been a problem for me since high school. I took it sporadically for a couple years. At some point I started the generic, but I can't remember just when.

About two years ago I noticed that I was hearing noises in my right ear. Gradually the noises prompted me to see my PCP. She thought my BP was a little high (about 138/80) and she doubled my Metoprolol dose right away to 50 mg. She told me the noises were caused by my blood pressure, not the medication.

The noises got much worse right away and I was hearing them almost 24 hours a day. Sometimes it was a whoosh-whoosh noise (which I guess is classic for high BP) and sometimes just like a faucet had been turned on in my ear. At this point I definitely suspect it's the medication itself, not the BP. On days when I don't take the med, the noises are much better or not even present. My heart does tend to race though, and the palps are the same either way.

I'd like to wean myself off the med, and if my BP elevates try a different medication. I can't stand the noises anymore so my priority is to stop them. I am curious if this particular side effect has happened to anybody else here?

I am 49 years old and have been in great health until about 6 months ago due to some stressful situations with one of my nephews. My blood pressure was 140/80 at the highest. At this time...I began to have some mild heart palpitations and was put on Toprol XL (50 mg.) suddenly my palpitations became more intense and occurred more often. Then I began to have panic attacks and vision and memory problems. My doctor then prescribed Xanax .25mg. for the panic attacks. I weaned myself off of the 50 and began to take .25 mg. I really wanted off of it so I tried to cut that in half for several weeks. After about a month...I went off of the medicine for several days and began to have some strange symptoms. My arms were tingling and numb, I woke up sweating, my head felt strange...so I went back on the Toprol (25 mg.). I really would like to get off of all of this medicine. I have never been one to take anything and I am far worse than I ever was. I just wonder if doctors read this information and if the drug company takes note of any of this. I think this is a very strong drug that is over prescribed. I worry that I have damaged my heart with this drug. I am just not sure what to do. Please help...

Today is my ninth day coming off Toprol (had been on 25 mg for 2 1/2 years, then 50mg for 1 1/2 years) - today is the first day that the Dr. does not want me to take any Toprol. It has been SO DIFFICULT... Extreme chest tightness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, headaches. She has me switching over to Diovan (80 mg) which I have been taking for 7 days now. I want to believe that everything I am feeling is from the Toprol Withdrawal and not NEW side effects from the Diovan - but I am scared. I feel really awful, I have no energy. I lay in bed waiting for the bad feelings to pass and they do not. I have lost 7 pounds in the past (2) weeks. Not sure if it is from going off the Toprol - or just not feeling that well. This website has been my only source of sanity and peace. Anyone else gone off this and can tell me what to expect? THANK YOU!

Oh thank you people. I just signed in here today, at the advice of my husband- to check out Toprol- and see if any one else has had similar side effect. OMG, Everyone is saying the same thing- dizziness- dullness- no motivation, no energy- heart palpitations- some one mentioned their older mother has had vivid dreams, and you thought it might be Alzheimers- NO! I have had vivid extremely busy, cunfusing dreams, like I'm running from place to place-talking to all sorts of people- and it makes me wonder if that's why I also feel so exhausted and achy from head to toe every day- and never have left my house once all summer- which is so unlike me. I ,too thought I was in a depression- but after reading everyone else's replies- I see we are all in the same boat. I am 72- worked in the nursing profession, until I ruptured two discs in my spine and got nerve damage in my right leg- so I do know quite a bit about medical care. This med was given to me by a past Doctor which I did not trust- and finally changed Doctors- I just decided today- I am D.C.ing this med. Which is what the Dr. says when he wants it discontinued!! I will see my new Cardiologist-internist, and will advise him I can not take this any longer. Has anyone else had excessive itchiness, and flaming redness of the skin after taking this at night? I have severel times- and was taking a shower at 3 in the morning, I was itching and scratching and red all over- and clawing myself bloody- so I showered and used this OLAY CREME RIBBONS, WHICH LEAVES A SORT OF CREAMY LOTION ON THE SKING- IT HELPED SOME WHAT! Didn't mean to capitalize- I have no stock in Olay- Hah! I hope to fe4el much better in the morning by not taking my Toprol tonight- and maybe I won't have such radically busy, busy dreams. Thanks for listening. Ms Nannerbananner

It's hard to describe all the side effects I think I am having from taking 50mg. of toprol 1x a day, at bedtime. Since taking it, I have heart palpitations,flushing, full body pain, sleep all the time. Feel without hope- so I guess that would be described as depression. I have 0 energy, or even motivation. I have become a hermit in my own house, have not gone out anywhere at all- the entire summer. At first I thought it was becuase certain terrible things were happening with my daughter- but now that has abated-BTW she's 47. So I don't think the way I am feeling has to do with that. I feel just ghorrible- worse every day. Don't want to do anything. All I do most of the time, is sleep, or pray that God will let me die- I have nothing to live for- or Please heal me. Finally I have an appointment with my Cardiologist-Internist this Thursday, and I will ask him to take me off the Toprol. Tonight I am not going to take it, nor anymore until I see him. Nancy

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.

I have been on Toprol 25 mg for almost a year for heart palpitations. I has worked for the palpitations, but the side effects have been a challenge. I have gained about 20 pounds, have the vivid nightmares, lack of energy, etc. One thing that I have noticed recently is the increased severity of allergies and difficulty breathing. Anyone else experiencing this?

I am taking 50 Micrograms of Toprol per day for heart palpitations and high blood pressure resulting from too-strong thyroid medcine (my thyroid is underactive and the increased dosage of Levothroid caused this). After just 5 days on Toprol, I had some light headedness, nose drip, numbness in the legs, and my BP is still 137/85 at best. I'm seeing my cardio this afternoon, and he is going to switch me to something I think is called Corzine? I am hoping once we get my thyroid med back in balance, I can quit all the BP meds. I did not have high BP before this incident.

I have heart palpitations and was shocked back into sinus rhythmn via a cardio-vert procedure. I have been in regular rhythmn for over a year. However during this time my moods have become excessively black, my sleep has been irregular, and I can nod off at a moment's notice. During this time I have had lapses in short term memory and have suffered from bouts of bad judgement which I have never suffered from before in my life.

My cardio suggests keeping me on these but I feel I must get off of the medication. I have been off for up to three days and have found that my outlook and vitality has improved greatly.

I went to the doctor a year ago for anxiety and ended up with high blood pressure????? I have been on Toprol for 8 months now and my hair is thinning on top. I have very thick hair and this is not normal at all for me. I am very very tired all the time. Hard for me to get going and when I do I want to go back to sleep. I get heart palpitations. I am also on an anxiety pill. I tried to get off the anxiety pill and I could not for fear of having attacks again. Also, I don't think I understood how to start taking the medications. At the that time my grandmother passed away, my bosses husband pased away and I was worried about my daughter. I want so bad to get off the 2 medications I am on because I have not been the same ever since. I wanted to get off the Toprol but the doctor wanted me to stay on it. I WANT MY LIFE BACK.

I am 26 years old and have been on toprol xl for 7 years. I started on 50 mg and now my doctor has increased the dosage to 200mg. I am exhausted 24-7, I have joint pain so bad I can hardly function. i can't even hardly keep up on my housework and I can't work. My hair is falling out and has for 2 years now. I have no sex drive which is ruining my marriage. I just had bloodwork done and my tryglyceride level is 915 which it is suppose to be below 150. I just saw an article that said beta blockers will raise tryglycerides(which is fat in your blood). Also I still have high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, chest pains, palpatations, and "episodes" where i become really hot, pale, nauseated, have severe chest pains, cant move, and weird heart beats and my doctor doesnt know whats wrong. My doctor puts me on a special diet and tells me to exercise. I eat better than most people and still weigh 200 lbs. and I am 5 feet tall. I try to exercise but I am so tired and hurt so much, it is just about impossible for me to do. I felt this way for many years and my doctor doesnt seem to care. she blows me off when i keep telling her how I feel. I didnt even really know toprol could cause such harsh side effects. and now that i know that is why i feel so bad I cant do anything about it because i tried one time to get off the toprol for one day and almost ended up in the hospital because of how bad i felt(my heart)

27 yrs old and put on toprol for high blood pressure. have experienced large amts of hair loss, moderate weight gain, and heart palpitations with worsening anxiety. I am in the process of weaning myself off the toprol and am hoping the palipitations will get better.

I've been taking Toprol XL for over a month now for heart palpitations, etc., which has taken away 90% of the irregular beats. however, I have experienced a slight weight gain (5 lbs). I faithflly run 4 to 5 mi/day M-F and am finding it harder and harder to just get past my 2nd mile. I've also experienced slight depression to the point of others telling me they've noticed a change in my personality. Not sure if it's all related, but thought I'd submit my side effects to this site.