August 14th
2008
8:22 PM
I am a 55-year old woman. I was first diagnosed with paroxysmal svt at age 7. It has never been much of a problem, but as I have aged, I have worried enough about it to make sure my doctors are all aware of the condition. I have had many ekgs, echos, worn a holter monitor, had every kind of stress test, but it wasn't until April that the svt was actually seen on an ekg. My internist freaked out, wanted to put me on Toprol immediately, but I resisted, since I knew that my irregular heartbeat could be back to normal by the time I reached the parking lot. I did heed her urging to see a cardiologist (two in fact), which led to an ep study, with the hope of a radio frequency ablation on August 5. I have been taking a full strength aspirin since April to decrease the slight risk of stroke during an svt episode. The ep study showed that the electrical problems in my heart were in places that made an ablation too risky, so nothing was done, but the doctor advised me to try Toprol (25 mg) for a month "and see how I liked it." I had my first dose in the hospital on Tuesday, August 5, and proceeded to take it as prescribed. By Thursday afternoon, I felt oddly on the verge of tears. On Friday, both of my knees were hurting, by Saturday evening, I was in bed feeling like I had the flu. Every joint in my body was aching. Sunday morning, I felt even worse. I found this website and decided to stop taking the medication at that point. Today, Thursday, August 14, is the first time I have felt vaguely like my usual healthy self. After stopping the medication, I had 2 episodes of svt, lasting about 10 hours each. I have had excruciating stomach cramps, headache, inability to sleep, depression. This is after taking it for 5 days!! My heart (no pun) goes out to those of you who suffered for months on the drug and then even more months off of it. I know it helps many people, my mother included, but thank goodness that those of us who have a bad experience have a place to realize that we're not crazy.
-- By pinknitter | Reply | Private Message me
July 26th
2008
11:19 AM
I am a 36 year old African American Female. I have been on Toprol for 4 years. I take 25mg a day. At one point a dr. recommended I take 50mg a day. That was horrible. All of my side effects were worse. I decided to break the pills and stay at 25mg. The lower dosage is better. At 36, I look like I am in my early 20's! Most people guess my age at about 24. I don't feel like it at all. I am always tired, I don't have orgasms ( which is bad when you have boyfriends in their early 20's all the time) and I have anxiety and depression. I love to have fun but toprol keeps me depressed, uninterested and I cry for no reason at all. I just feel severely sad for no reason at all and cry. It is horrible. I was prescribed toprol for rapid heartbeat and mildly high bp. That it works for, but the side effects are gruesome! I tried another med for a month and I thought my heart was gonna jump out of my chest. I have 2 sons: 10 and 16, I can't be depressed and crazy all the time. I am very attractive and I want to enjoy life now that my kids are older. I'm getting off toprol!
-- By sexyc | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
January 25th
2008
5:43 PM
I'm 35 year old woman and am on Toprol XL 50mg (generic version) once a day at night for palpitations. I am also on LisinoprilHCTZ 20/25mg for hypertension which was controlled with that and now Toprol. After two weeks was lightheaded to the point where I couldn't function at times, heart rate would be in the 90-110 range which is high for me and ringing in my ears usually during these times. At the bad times my left shoulder and hand would go numb. Finally the doctor is cutting me to 25mg but I'm wondering if that would really do anything and I have to get off of it all together. My heart is healthy but do have palpitations, any suggestions?
-- By wklaroe | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
December 14th
2007
4:30 PM
I was weaned off 50 mg Toprol over an 8 day period (after having been on it for 4 years) and then had been off it completely for 10 days -- when my Dr. decided that what I was feeling could not POSSIBLY STILL be side effects from Toprol Withdrawal and so put me BACK on it at a lower dose (25 mg instead of 50 mg) - and 80 mg of Diovan (along with Prilosec OTC for acid reflux and a Hiatal hernia) - the Diovan made me so sick, I developed a bad cough and pains in my upper chest so I stopped that --- and low and behold after being back on the Toprol 25 mg for 2 days -- the severe chest tightness is BACK and worse than EVER -- it is horrible. I am a 33 year old woman with asthma (5'3 @ 135 pounds with no other health problems) -- my problem is without meds my B/P runs 140/110 (they say that it is genetic and that I do not work out and have a desk job - because I do not drink or smoke and I am not overweight, and I eat a very healthy diet) -- but the meds they want me take for it give me so many side effects I cannot STAND IT.. I don't know what to do -- I go back to my DR. Wed for a follow-up but cannot stand this chest tightness until then.......... Being 10 days off Toprol I was still have chest tightness and breathing difficulties -- but not as often and not as severe - so I thought maybe it just took a long time to get out of your system... My Dr. said I should have been feeling better after 3-5 days so that it could not possibly be the Toprol. I am at my WITS END and do not know where to turn or what to do.
-- By vanessa74 | Reply | Private Message me
December 12th
2007
9:27 AM
I am a 43 year old woman in excellent health. One year ago, I was diagnosed with HBP and put on 12.5 mg of Toprol. I had a serious reaction to a cold medication that I took one month later and my blood pressure skyrocketed. My doctor doubled my Toprol. Immediately I felt extreme chest tightness, pressure, panic attacks, anxiety, depression and severe headaches. Until this time in my life, I had never even taken aspirin. I cut my dosage back to 12.5 mg. and now wonder if the extreme anxiety and feeling of impending doom is coming from this drug. I never had any problems before going on this beta blocker. Now I do not even know if I need it at all. How long do the side effects last if I stop taking this terrible drug. I have an appointment with a cardiologist in one week for some answers.
-- By daisydc | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
November 14th
2008
10:13 AM
I am a 40 year old woman. I was having to do a lot of mediation for my work and discovered I had situational high blood pressure. BP was 160/105, pulse 90. Started taking metroprolol and have had terrible dreams about huge spiders at night. That they're in my bed or dropped on my head. Creepy.
My major complaint however is that I feel fuzzy in my mind. I am a paralegal and I have difficulty grasping the word I'm looking for in situations - which is a terrible problem. I do believe that the medication calms me down - but I feel a tiny bit out of it - not really forgetful, just a lot of difficulty grabbing onto and expressing what I'm trying to say. "Fuzzy" is the best word I can use to describe it.
-- By kristiparalegal40 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me