my new meds..anybody on it?

[Ihatepalps2]

Metoprolol Tartrate ...I looked it up...I guess the "other" name for it is Lopresssor...
My brother, who has PAT, has been on this for many years...said no real side effects except he warned me to take it with food.

All the info that comes with it ..kinda scary. Like...dont ever stop taking it without checking with your doctor...doing so, could cause chest pain, or even a heart attack! Yikes!

So..anybody else on this? I just hate hate hate starting new meds. I love my Atenolol....pretty much grew up with it!!

But, i can see the doctors point...it seems to be losing its effectiveness..Ireneo here had that thought, and I think shes right.

So..I already took my Atenolol for the night, so I will start it in the morning...

Anyone thats on it for PVCs PACs...does it work?  Well?  I Hope...

[Rustystl]

I'm finally getting back to my post after starting my medication.  I'd say for the frist week I was still having heart palpitations, but they seemed less severe.  I was still having them several times a minute, 24/7, but I didn't feel them as much.

After about a week, they stopped altogether.  I've been wearing a 30 day monitor and I've only pushed the button a few times because of palpitations.  So for me, it seems to be working.

As for side effects, I did have a few weird dreams the first few nights, felt a little tingly in my finger tips and toes, but that all has gone away.  I don't feel tired either.  My bp is a little lower if I take it a home than when before I was taking the meds.  The doctor's office bp is still high (higher than what is normal for me, 133/85).

I'm due for a doctor's check up in February and I'm hoping that maybe I can try to stop taking it and see what happens.  I'm not if that is a good idea or not, but would be interesting to see if the palpitations come back.  Has anyone else tried that?

Also, what about having alcohol or caffeine?  I've stopped both since the beginning of Nov, that's when all this started.  My doctor told me to stay away from both, so that made it no fun for the holidays :)  I'm not a heavy drinker, just like to have a beer or two once in awhile.

I don't miss caffeine at all, the only hard part is if you go out to dinner you're stuck drinking regular Sprite or water.  I've been a diet soda drinker and most places don't carry a caffeine free diet soda, only the grocery stores.

Anyway, that's my thoughts, seems to be working just fine for me so far.

[bundleblocker]

Just saw your question (after 5 months!) so you probably have some answers from others.  I started 25 mg Metoprolol last fall and at first I had feelings of my toes and fingers going to sleep and I was also very tired. So because I didn't feel much like exercising I gained some weight.

However, now my body is used to the medication. I lost the weight, am no longer tired, toes and fingers no longer feel numb and I can still jog.

PS  Some people do get weird dreams and those I still have. They are not nightmares exactly, but irritating. In every dream I'm presented with a problem I have to solve; i.e being lost and finding my way home, losing an object, trying to find a bathroom, trying to catch up to a person in the distance, etc.  Very, very strange----

[ptadvoc8]

I have taken 25 mg Metoprolol XL (tartrate) once a day for over a decade. For me it has been better than other anti-arrhythmics and better than other Beta Blockers (like propanolol) that I tried and I have to say it is the most "comfortable" one for me. It does tend to make my BP a little lower and I think it does make my exercise tolerance a little lower than it would be without the BBs, but overall I can still function really well while taking it, which was not the case for me on some of the other meds I tried.

It is my understanding that Metoprolol is a selective BB and supposedly does not cross the blood brain barrier, so some people have fewer side effects from it. However, everybody is different, so you will just have to see if it helps your symptoms and how you feel on it. It is also my understanding that your body can become accustomed to any of the BBs over time and that they can stop being effective. It IS true that you don't generally want to just quit taking ANY of the BBs cold turkey as there can be a range of side effects from merely uncomfortable to potentially serious.

I don't think any of us are thrilled to have to take our heart meds, but if they make you feel better, they may worth the trouble, but I think it is good to always be aware of the actions, benefits and potential side effects of any meds you take so you can work with your doc to make the decision that is right for you when it comes to these drugs. If you are really uncomfortable about trying this new med, tell your doc about your specific concerns -- a little more information, or reassurance can sometimes help!

[Rustystl]

I'm just turning 41 next week and about a month ago I started getting PVC's.  Went through the blood work and stress echo after seeing a cardiologist and my heart is healthy as can be.  I just wish my heart knew that!

Anyway, just started taking the metoprolol tartrate last night.  My dose is 25mg tablets, 1/2 tablet twice a day.  I'll keep you posted as to how it does.

[Jerry_NJ]

I use Metoprolol ER and have for a couple of years.  I think it is the same or equivalent, but I don't see any mention of Tartrate on my prescription bottle.

It works to slow down my HR which is high due to AFib.  

I believe is main/common unwanted side effect is it makes some people, including me, tired.  But, some of that may be due to my underlying AFib.