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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fachad on August 18, 2002, at 1:51:44
My gp gave me toprol xl for rapid heartbeat. He just mailed me a card that said it was a bit rapid, might be helped by adding a beta blocker.
I called his office and said OK, and now it's ready at the pharmacy. No explanation, no titration, no follow up.
Anyway, does anyone here have experience with this med? Is it a bad idea to start taking it? What side effects can I expect? Any expereinces or information would be very appreciated.
Posted by LLL on August 18, 2002, at 9:59:06
In reply to Anyone Know About TOPROL-XL?, posted by fachad on August 18, 2002, at 1:51:44
I was put on Toprol XL for hypertension. My g.p., in hopes of helping me with my high level of anxiety at the time (I was at the beginning of the relapse I am currently in with my panic)put me on this to control my high blood pressure and all the autonomic nervous system discharge. Yes, it did in fact help. My insides were much calmer, my pulse was down and my thoughts didn't produce the intense surges of adrenaline. BUT I also gained a pound of weight each month I was on it (6) and became very fatigued and depressed (both side effects of this drug). All these side effects abated (including lost the weight) since stopping. I am very sensitive to med's and ALWAYS have s/e's - you may not. Since I am now on another blood pressure med that does not have those side effects, I am considering once again adding a very low dose of the Toprol to the mix, to help calm me internally without the possibility of side effects. So after giving you more info than you prob want to hear, be aware of the possiblity of fatigue and depression. It came on so slowly and insidiuously, that I really just thought it was me! It's always best to start low and go slow. You should have a blood pressure machine availbable to monitor your b/p because it will bring it down. Beta Blockers are pretty innocuous drugs and should do the trick for you if rapid pulse is ALL that's bothering you. If you're like the rest of us on this board it's unlikely to cover "other" problems.
Good Luck
Lisa
Posted by fachad on August 18, 2002, at 14:29:42
In reply to Re: Anyone Know About TOPROL-XL? » fachad, posted by LLL on August 18, 2002, at 9:59:06
What dose of TOPROL-XL were you taking, that gave you this level of side effects?
I have 50 tables, they are scored, and I am only going to take 1/2 = 25 mg/day for the first few weeks to see how it goes.
But I'm curious what your dose was.
-fachad
> I was put on Toprol XL for hypertension. My g.p., in hopes of helping me with my high level of anxiety at the time (I was at the beginning of the relapse I am currently in with my panic)put me on this to control my high blood pressure and all the autonomic nervous system discharge. Yes, it did in fact help. My insides were much calmer, my pulse was down and my thoughts didn't produce the intense surges of adrenaline. BUT I also gained a pound of weight each month I was on it (6) and became very fatigued and depressed (both side effects of this drug). All these side effects abated (including lost the weight) since stopping. I am very sensitive to med's and ALWAYS have s/e's - you may not. Since I am now on another blood pressure med that does not have those side effects, I am considering once again adding a very low dose of the Toprol to the mix, to help calm me internally without the possibility of side effects. So after giving you more info than you prob want to hear, be aware of the possiblity of fatigue and depression. It came on so slowly and insidiuously, that I really just thought it was me! It's always best to start low and go slow. You should have a blood pressure machine availbable to monitor your b/p because it will bring it down. Beta Blockers are pretty innocuous drugs and should do the trick for you if rapid pulse is ALL that's bothering you. If you're like the rest of us on this board it's unlikely to cover "other" problems.
> Good Luck
> Lisa
Posted by LLL on August 18, 2002, at 14:41:12
In reply to How Much TOPROL-XL did you take? » LLL, posted by fachad on August 18, 2002, at 14:29:42
Now remember I was taking it to bring down my blood pressure which required more than what you're needing. I believe I began by splitting a 50 mg tablet daily and then taking a whole 50 mg. I can't remember if I took more than that or not.
It takes a couple of weeks to see a difference in your blood pressure and pulse, but you'll see the difference in your pulse first. It took a few months before I started to feel fatigued and depressed (as in standing up or sitting upright was too much of an effort - and not because my blood pressure was low) and a couple more months to figure out what was causing it. The fatique and depression is NOT dose related however. My husband takes it and although has also gained a pound a month in spite of regular work outs at the gym, he hasn't experienced any fatique or depression.
Also, alcohol, benzo's, etc. potentiate the effects.
So start with 25mg and good luck!
Posted by fachad on August 18, 2002, at 16:17:24
In reply to Re: How Much TOPROL-XL did you take? » fachad, posted by LLL on August 18, 2002, at 14:41:12
>My husband takes it and although has also gained a pound a month in spite of regular work outs at the gym, he hasn't experienced any fatique or depression.
Weight gain is not listed as a common, or even as a rare, side effect of TOPOL. The only weigt gain they talk about in the monograph is the water weight associated with congestive heart failure.
So I'm a little supprised to hear that both you and your husband gained "a pound a month" on TOPROL. How long has your husband been gaining at this rate?
Even if it were two or three pounds a month, but it leveled off after six months or a year, that would not be too bad in the grand scheme. But if it was sustained gain, into years and decades, that would be awful.
You said you quit after six months or so. How long has your husband been taking it, and has the weight gain been steady and sustained or has it leveled off? Also how much does he take?
thanks,
fachad
> Now remember I was taking it to bring down my blood pressure which required more than what you're needing. I believe I began by splitting a 50 mg tablet daily and then taking a whole 50 mg. I can't remember if I took more than that or not.
> It takes a couple of weeks to see a difference in your blood pressure and pulse, but you'll see the difference in your pulse first. It took a few months before I started to feel fatigued and depressed (as in standing up or sitting upright was too much of an effort - and not because my blood pressure was low) and a couple more months to figure out what was causing it. The fatique and depression is NOT dose related however. My husband takes it and although has also gained a pound a month in spite of regular work outs at the gym, he hasn't experienced any fatique or depression.
> Also, alcohol, benzo's, etc. potentiate the effects.
> So start with 25mg and good luck!
Posted by LLL on August 18, 2002, at 16:41:46
In reply to Weight Gain from TOPROL-XL ? » LLL, posted by fachad on August 18, 2002, at 16:17:24
My G.P. also insisted that weight gain was not a side effect. However, I'm pretty used to hearing that in regard to side effects from many different med's:"that's impossible, on such a low dose?!"
Although I was more physically active during that 6 months than prior to taking it (regular workouts at the gym and aerobic walking)and maintaining a healthy diet, I was steadily gaining - not maintaining, not losing - gaining! And coincientally lost it in a couple mos. after getting off of it. My husband MUST stay on it, however his Cardiologist said that it can in fact cause weight gain! No, he doesn't have congestive heart failure, he had a mild heart attack many yrs. ago. He's been on it for about 7 mos. and has gained 7 lbs (not exactly something you want if you're preventing further heart disease). It was his weight gain that clued me in to the fact that Toprol was doing the same to me. The only thing I can figure is that it slows your metabolism. My usual pulse rate is in the 80's. I just took it and just being around the house today doing a bunch of nothing it was 88. On Toprol my pulse dropped to the low 60's. I doubt that you can drop your pulse and blood pressure and NOT have an effect on your metabolism.
I believe he was taking 50mg and now is on 25mg.
You might want to ask for others opinions, maybe we're the weird exception.
Posted by fachad on August 18, 2002, at 17:18:19
In reply to Re: Weight Gain from TOPROL-XL ? » fachad, posted by LLL on August 18, 2002, at 16:41:46
> My G.P. also insisted that weight gain was not a side effect. However, I'm pretty used to hearing that in regard to side effects from many different med's:"that's impossible, on such a low dose?!"
You are right about that! A lot of GPs and NPs don't even know about TCAs causing weight gain! How could they be so blind? I've actually seen references to the non specific beta blockers, especially propranolol, causing weight gain.
> Although I was more physically active during that 6 months than prior to taking it (regular workouts at the gym and aerobic walking)and maintaining a healthy diet, I was steadily gaining - not maintaining, not losing - gaining! And coincientally lost it in a couple mos. after getting off of it.
TCAs are that way. My wife gained a lot of weight on a TCA, even though she exercised more and ate less! The weight gain did level off after a while, and a little even came off without lowering the dose.
>My husband MUST stay on it, however his Cardiologist said that it can in fact cause weight gain! No, he doesn't have congestive heart failure, he had a mild heart attack many yrs. ago. He's been on it for about 7 mos. and has gained 7 lbs (not exactly something you want if you're preventing further heart disease).
Well, contrary to popular opinion, there are a lot of things that are worse for your health than being a little heavy. Our culture is so thin obsessed and lipophobic that the overall picture is lost and people want to be thin at any cost. Better for him to be a few pounds heavier, with a regular heart beat, than thin with heart trouble. Otherwise, smoking would be a good idea - it helps you lose weight, and quitting will make you gain. But even fatter, you are still far better off in the long run as a non smoker.
>It was his weight gain that clued me in to the fact that Toprol was doing the same to me. The only thing I can figure is that it slows your metabolism. My usual pulse rate is in the 80's. I just took it and just being around the house today doing a bunch of nothing it was 88. On Toprol my pulse dropped to the low 60's. I doubt that you can drop your pulse and blood pressure and NOT have an effect on your metabolism.
You are probably correct there.
> I believe he was taking 50mg and now is on 25mg.
> You might want to ask for others opinions, maybe we're the weird exception.Well, there goes my theory about "flying under radar", that is, taking a very low dose to avoid side effects.
-fachad
Posted by LLL on August 18, 2002, at 17:27:10
In reply to Re: Weight Gain from TOPROL-XL ? » LLL, posted by fachad on August 18, 2002, at 17:18:19
Pleeeeease do not avoid this drug just because of our experience. Like I said, my husband has not experienced any of the fatigue or depression like I did. And like you said a few extra pounds to take a drug which is highly recommended for him to prevent a second heart attack is nothing.
Try it for a few months, the worst that will happen is you gain a couple of pounds. Looking back now I'd give anything to be back at that point where I was fatigued and concerned with putting on a few pounds. I was doing far better then than my current highly anxious, sleepless, more agoraphobic and thinner self!
Posted by fachad on August 18, 2002, at 17:38:11
In reply to Re: Weight Gain from TOPROL-XL ? » fachad, posted by LLL on August 18, 2002, at 17:27:10
> Pleeeeease do not avoid this drug just because of our experience. Like I said, my husband has not experienced any of the fatigue or depression like I did. And like you said a few extra pounds to take a drug which is highly recommended for him to prevent a second heart attack is nothing.
Well, my situation is a little different. I have not had a heart attack, nor any significant documentable heart problems.
I have subjective symptoms of my heart pounding, or beating fast and sometimes chest pain, but my BP is normal/high 135/75 and a 24 hr. halter monitor showed only a somewhat elevated pulse (the dr. did not quantify).
So I think the dr. is just offering me drugs to ease my symptoms because that's what docs do these days.
> ...Looking back now I'd give anything to be back at that point where I was fatigued and concerned with putting on a few pounds. I was doing far better then than my current highly anxious, sleepless, more agoraphobic and thinner self!
You did mention in your first post that you are considering adding a low dose Toprol to your current mix...it seems like if it really helped it would be worth it.
-fachad
P.S. Did the Toprol cause either one of you to have insomnia or disturbed sleep?
This is the end of the thread.
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