Toprol-XL and muscle pain

WOW, I am so happy to find this site. I am a 56 yr old female. I too am on Toprol. I was on 75 mg 2 x's a day for HPB and mitral valve prolapse pain. Then yesterday the Dr. increased my dose to 100 mg 2x's a day .Today my ankles and feet blew up like balloons. I have been having profuse sweating and was cold and clammy for the past year and no Dr could tell me why!! NO sex drive , depression,sleep apnea, severe insomnia, brain fog, short term memory issues, moody, irritable, my husband has threatened to leave me. NO appetite!! Floaters in my eyes started a few months ago, I have so many symptoms that I have read in all your posts. No quality of life for the past year. I have felt like I was losing my mind, gained 35 lbs in past 2 years without changing my eating habits. I gained the weight after I had lost 50 lbs. Been on Toprol about 2 1/2 years ( I think ) Every symptom I have experienced I have read in your posts!! I have type 2 diabetes and am on glucophage, I also take 10 other scripts. I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, RSD in my left arm, muscle pain and joint pain. Pain in my right upper qaudrant. Nausea/ some vomiting, NO ENERGY, Loss of interest in most of life. So now after reading all your posts I have to ask myself, are all my symptoms linked to the Toprol and not syndromes or illnesses? I am calling my doctor in the morning and getting off this med!! They will just have to put me on something else!!!
So how do I post to receive replies?
Joyce47oh

I have been taking Toprol-XL for a long time. I have recently been switched to the generic and it is not controlling my blood pressure as well and my heart is palpitating a lot. I think I had problems before with the brand name but this is far worse. Is there a possibility that this drug causes Fibromyalgia??? I've seen some posts about that and I was also diagnosed with it because of severe muscle pain. If anyone has noticed a trend please respond, I am desparate.

Weight gain,muscle pain/tiredness especially in the lower legs. Fatigue/lack of energy, moodiness. Also intestinal bloating/gas.

Getting adequate exercise is problematic given I can't get my heart rate into my target area, and the almost constant pain and dead feeling in my lower legs. It gets to the point that I have to stop walking and wait for the blood flow to reach my lower extremities. I am assuming this is a large contribting factor to my weight gain.

I started taking Toprol XL after being diagnosed with SVT back in May of 2003. I was only in my late 20's & was very trusting, at the time. I was recently sent to a cardiologist because I was having horrible chest pain & the Toprol XL 50 MG wasn't working at keeping the heart rate down. The GP put me on a double dose as well as Cardizem to help with the chest pain & rapid heart rate. I was already on Lanoxin 0.5MG, the highest dose allowed. The cardiologist took me off of the Cardizem right away because he said that is was too stressful for the heart to be on that much heart medicine. I went though several tests & was told by the cardiologist that I didn't have SVT & that this was actually Postural Tachycardia (POTS) & Neurocardiogenic Syncope. I was taken off of Lanoxin, but kept on Toprol XL 100 MG. He put me on lots of salt & water to increase my blood volume which would help my blood pressure when standing. That was in June of 2007. All went pretty good, I thought, until January 18, 2008 when I was working. My heart rate went up to 136 just standing or walking across a room. I called the doctor & talked to a nurse who suggested that I take another 1/2 of a Toprol. I did that & felt better for awhile, but it was short lived. I had been having chest pain, rapid heart rate, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, nausea, vomiting, short term memory problems, rapid weight gain, hair loss, cold extremities, & other things I can't think of right now for what seemed like forever. My gynecologist & my cardiologist first thought that I had thyroid problems, but all tests have come back negative. They then thought that maybe it was from the birth control pills that I had been on for the ovarian cysts. I was changed from one medicine to another & at first I thought that was what was wrong. I am now certain that all of the problems that I have been having were & are a result of the Toprol XL. I was even told that all the problems were "psychiatric in nature". I know that that isn't it at all! I have never had anxiety problems & the GP now thinks that's all that is wrong with me & wants me to go on Zoloft. I tried it, but became so ill that after one pill, I quit. I now plan on weaning myself off of the Toprol XL without the GP's knowledge or consent. The cardiologist was planning on weaning me off at some time in the future, but I am starting without him knowing it at the time. I'll just tell him when I see him next month. Thanks everyone for alerting me to the facts about this medicine. If I had known then what I do now, I'd have never consented to starting it in the first place. My only question is, are some of the "side effects" going to be a permanent thing for me or will they eventually go away? Any advice would be welcome! Thanks again!

Been on Toprol XL for 4 years. I am 64 with SVT and mitral valve prolapse. I was started at 50mg daily and got relief but when breakthrough SVT started the dose went up to 50mg in the AM and 25mg in the evening. I still have breakthroughs but can wait them out. I did notice that my SVT or palpitations seemed to be triggered with an imminent BM. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia but coincidentally....it started with severe muscle pain when I started taking Toprol XL. I wasn't told that this could be a side effect.HMMMM When my insurance was discontinued (retirement) I started taking the generic due to cost. I haven't noticed any difference between the two. I also noticed that after a SVT episode I have a increase in urination....Toprol or SVT? I also noticed that I am very aware of an increase in a feeling doom. I have had ekgs etc and my heart is in good shape otherwise.

How do others fare after going off Toprol XL?
I have found after several months of using Toprol (50 mg dose before bedtime) and its generic form that it caused in me unaccustomed "aches and pains" and annoying queasiness. So, not liking the near nausea I was getting from it (I am also on Atacan and staying on it) and have only labile HBP in the 130's and 140's), I decided to try going off the Toprol.
I can't tell you what a difference it has made being off that medicine. Nor has my HBP been affected significantly (nor was it by being either on it or off it). I had had a minor heart attack late last year ('06) which in the opinion of doctors demanded a quintuple bypass (I am 84 y/o). The bypass went smoothly. I feel great (I am working full time as a college teacher).
I was hesitant to "experiment" with going off such a potent drug as Toprol. So, I tapered off of it for about only a week. But now that I have and confine myself to taking 'Baby Aspirin' at night along with Atacan in the a.m., I feel 100% better--no more nightmares, restlessness, bloatedness, muscle pain, and above all that annoying feeling of queasiness in my stomach.
I won't get into finger-pointing about advisories from MDs. Medicine is an art as well as a science. In either respect, advice is subject to various conclusions and differences of opinion. People react differently to various medicines. I also feel that MDs these days probably tend to over-prescribe, but not necessarily for "legal" reasons yet that, too, may be factored in in some cases.. There are also regional differences within the U.S. in terms of types and degrees of medical treatment of this or that condition. Some regions are "radical," some conservative in terms of treatment. From my own experience, I would advise people to find out what region they are in by asking their physician about the given "syndrome" that reigns in a given region. Florida, for instance, it outstanding for tending toward the radical. This may well be a reflection of the "patient market" or demand in the given State, a market in Florida, at least, that includes the yearning by oldsters for perpetual life for well past the age of 100 y/o! ---ALW

45 y/o female, nurse, prescribed Toprol XL 50mg daily. Could not take drug at bedtime as suggested by MD. Was not able to sleep. After a few months experienced visual problems, joint and muscle pain, anxiety, gi upset, weight gain as well as sleeplessness and heavy sensation of chest along with shortness of breath. Complained to MD to no avail. Called cardiologist, he suggested brand use as opposed to generic. Apparently, generic drug does not provide continuous steady release. Also, he lowered dose to 25mg daily. Will report subsequent effects but hope to be weaned off the drug entirely. I appreciate all the information that has been posted on this site, especially the beta blocker info. Hope this helps somebody else!

Been on this drug for less than one year...have gained 25lbs. never had weight on stomach before, But most pressing problem since January 1, it was very sudden onset with sharp pain, and now it has been a dull muscle pain and weakness in my thighs..can barely walk when I first stand up!..and also treated since October for a stabbing pain in my foot...have had PT, cortisone., multiple xrays....it has subsided at last. I am going off Toprol....my body is absolutely rejecting it. I take no other meds. How do people start going off this...my doctor told me never to go off it abruptly....any suggestions how it has been done without complications.l He did admit to me that medicines are poison, and one has to chose the least worst of them....I don't think so!!!

I have crazy muscle pain or sharp stress like pains in my arms and hip joint - I take 12.5mg toprol xl - i have notice some weight gain - I know our Doctors are not the same, but prescriptions are the same - I feel like the doctors are brain washed by the durg companies, getting some sort of kick back. I listen to my heart Dr. yet he doesn't listen to me Toprol xl does cause changes to peoples health.
After reading about 20 listing and viewing over 18 web sites just about toprol xl - we are not crazy thinking this MED has bad side effects.
I'm in great shape, I work in construction & work long days and move heavy items daily. My heart problems are less than most, yet this silly pill has caused more dis-comfort than I was in before, I started taking It. I will slowly take myself off toprol xl.
I'm going to try to find a natural way to find small dose beta blocker, does anyone else know of any natural beta blockers?
Stay well and enjoy life to fullest

my side effects include HEAVY menstrual flow,muscle pain,leg & back pain,tiredness,weariness,depression,nightmares,dazed,confused,double vision,blurred vision,in a "fog" all the time,cant remember things from one room to the other,screeching in my ears,muscle & joint pain,insomnia,VERY,VERY tired all the time,loose my temper quickly,no energy,weakness,no desire for sex,lethargic

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.

My husband just started taking toporal 50 mg only on it 4 days, the comments we've read are scary and wanting to stop taking right away, any input on stopping it after only 4 days, he is allready having some side effects. Less than one month ago my husband started experiencing shortness of breath and muscle pain in chest, this was befor any meds and he never has had any problems befor, he never had high bp befor either, one trip to er and one dr visit later. (all ekg ,stress test normal) and was perscribed toperal.

I am a 41 yr old female who has been taking 25mg of Toprol for almost 2 months for high BP. I immediately started experiencing chest pains and muscle pain on my left leg. Doctor told me she doubted if it was caused by the Toprol. EKG, ECHO did not show any abnormally with heart. I reduce dosage to pill (12.5 mg) and side effects are almost gone. My BP has never been better 110/70. But I have noticed a reduction on my sex drive these past 2 weeks - could it be the Toprol??

I'm a 40 year old male, diagnosed with high BP (148/110) and was placed on Cozaar (25). One month later placed on Toprol XL (25). Since then the side effects have been -
Sleepy (yawn, stretch, scratch, snore)
Loss of Mental Focus (I'm male, it was small enough before and now it's even smaller. The mental focus people...)
MUSCLE PAIN! Pecs, both sides but mostly the left. From deep muscle throbbing to pin-prick ouches. Left arm, follows the large bones (deep pain.) Lower back pain but hey, that may not be from the Toprol.
Oddly, sexual function has been helped. Sexual *drive* has gone down though. (Hey, my wife is 10 years older than me so she's ok) ;)

I hate this lethargic, crampy feeling. All my reading has shown to not quit Toprol cold-turkey but do a weekly dosage reduction down to 12.5 for two weeks before stopping. I'll see my doc in a couple of days to discuss this further.

Sidebar: EKG, Stress test show that my BP is reduced but not while exercising. So there's a fine line between side effects and prevention of High BP. Best of luck ladies and gents,
D

I am a 24 year old male. I started taking 25 mg toprol because I was rushed to the hospitol with left face, back left of my head and left arm going numb. At arrival my blood pressure reading was 202/120 and they couldn't get it down right away and I don't think they had any idea what was wrong. They did a million test and the only thing they fpund out they thought was that my (I think my white blood cells being at 56) so they said I had polysithemia( not sure of the spelling) so they sent me home with 25 mg of toprol and every other week drawing a pint of blood from me. Which sort of helped but then I started getting these terrible headeaches in the back left of my head that are the worst pain, it shuts me right down its hard to function. and at this time blood pressure was still pretty high 165-170/95-105 on average. so they upped my dose to 50 mg and for a couple of months I just dealt with the pain that I was still having cause I gave up on my doctors they were realy starting to piss me off. then I had another check up and my blood pressure I told them was still high 145-155/95-100 so they upped my dose again to 100 mg. but know I have terrible lower back pain which I thought it was my kidneys but got check and it isn't same damn head aches tingling in my left part of my face, deep muscle pain, leg cramps all the time specially my left calf for some reason, my eyes are swelled shut 3 out of 7 days a week and through out the day my eyes are almost always blood shot red, like there bleeding. and like all this isn't enough I have had mono, tharyngitis lyarangitis, scarlet fever, pneumonea, and broncittis all in the last 6 to 7 months. Fun!!! any feed back would be greatly appreciated

thanks
don cross

One week ago my boyfriend started taking Toprol 25 mg. He is now sleeping a lot, having trouble with ED, and says he is experiencing crazy dreams at night. He also mentioned deep muscle pain in the upper right chest area, and an increase in his appetite. He is only 37 he should not have these problems.

I want him off this med.
Margo

Depression, Severe Joint and Muscle Pain especially feet, hot flashes tiredness and lack of sex drive.

I started taking Toprol 50mg in May 2004 I have had muscle pain in my kidneys,back,elbows. also shortness of breath ,heaviness in my chest while doing small chores, constant bloatiness ,trouble swallowing .since I stopped taking it for 5 days most of the syptoms have left .I will be calling my Dr,

I am a 32 year old male who has been taking Toprol (50mg) for nearly six months. My doctor prescribe it to me for hypertension and to be honest I felt better without it. Before taking this med I felt strong and like a young man, now I feel like a frail old man. Never before in my life have I felt so sickly. I know my body, better than any doctor, and I'm sure it's the Toprol. Like many other posts I experience shortness of breath, chest pain, anxiety, deep muscle pain, and dizziness. I find it disturbing that a majority of the comments here are negative. The side effects of this drug are worse than any symptom I had before taking the drug.

I was prescribed 50 m of Toprol. After taking it for almost a year, I produced muscle pain in back of hands and the tops of my feet and toes. fingers feel arthritic. Lifting elbows have limited range of motion without pain.

Doctor finds nothing wrong. I know my body and that it is the Tropol. I want to get off of this stuff ASAP. I have been taking every other day until my next doc appointment.

Don't they study these drugs before prescribing them to people? Being in this kind of pain from head to toe - I wonder what it could be doing to the muscles of the heart.

Achy joint pain increasing the pain in my wrists, hands and feet. Ache in big toe does resemble gout. Cervical neck pain and hip joint pain come and go, but the pain in my wrists, and feet remain constant. Lower back muscle pain and deep muscle pain on my right chest area. Some loss of short term memory and confusion in daily routines that did not exist before. The severe anxiety when missing a dose is very disturbing and that is exactly what happens to me and I don't want to be "addicted" to a drug. My depression (which was under control for thirty years) has now returned. If this is the price I have to pay just to lower my BP for a bit, than NO THANKS. I am on 50 mgs of Toprol and I want my doctor to decrease my dose.