Question for former and current Toprol users

[Bryan B]

As some of you know, my surgeon told me I could stop taking my Toprol a few weeks ago. I decided to wean myself off of the Toprol (which he ok'd), so I have been taking 12.5mg daily instead of 25mg daily. I was hoping to stop it by now but I'm not sure if I should. While on the 25mg daily my resting BP was mid 120's / mid 80's with a heart rate in upper 70's. On the 12.5mg dosage my BP has actually improved to upper 110's / upper 70's...but my heart rate has gone up to low 90's. I'm wondering if the "stress" I've been going through recently is the culprit for the increase in heart rate or the lowered dose of Toprol.

I know...I should be asking my doctor this, and I do have my 6 month post-op cardio checkup scheduled for September 14th. I will probably just stay on the 12.5mg dosage until then. I can definitely feel an improved energy level vs. being on the 25mg dose (which makes me want to get off of it alltogether), but I can also definitely feel my heart beating faster and I'm having what seems to be "restless leg syndrome" when trying to get to sleep at night. It could just be that my "plate is full" as far as what I can handle emotionally right now.

I guess this whole post may just be my way of venting (a little one).

Anyway, any "non-medical" advice or experiences are welcome.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

As you said Brian, GOOD QUESTIONS for your Doctor!

Maybe you could call his nurse and have her relay your concerns and questions.

At 100 mg I definitely felt 'dragged down' but at 50 and 25 mg I felt pretty good for several years. My cardio had me stay at each level for two weeks before going down another step. When I went cold turkey after 25, I had another arrhythmia so went back to 25 which worked quite well for the last few years.

As far as your Heart Rate is concerned, you may still be coming down from your surgery. It can take a LONG TIME to stabilize. And yes, Toprol will help hold your HR in check so there is some benefit to continuing it's use. BUT, you should talk this over with your DOCTOR. Try the telephone first. Good Luck and Best Wishes.

'AL'

 

[MelissaM]

All sounds pretty normal to me. When I weaned myself off Toprol I had similar reactions. Eventually, my heart rate settled down. Would be good to watch between now and the 14th and see the trend.

 

[Karlynn]

Ah, so I can blame my tiredness on the Toprol. I've been on 50 twice a day for almost 13 years. I have to take it to keep my heart rate down.

Bryan, it could be you heart reacting to being removed from it, or from possibly the fact that you will be like me and need it for your rate. (BP has never been a concern of mine.)

Your doctor may have you stop it and give it some time to see if your rate comes down. If not, you'll probably end up back on it.

 

[Candy]

Hi Bryan- I was originally on 50mg. I was weaned to 25 and felt lousy for almost a week, and the heart rate jumped 15 points or so. 3 weeks later I went off totally and the next 1 1/2 weeks were tough. My heart felt like it was racing all the time, pounding more. I just flet out of wack. Well, it all went back to normal within a few weeks. Hope it happens for you too!
Candy

 

[Bryan B]

Thanks Candy!

I feel ok, just a bit edgy and flopping around like a fish out of water when I try to go to sleep at night. I got what I call the "heeby geeby legs" when I go to bed. My Mom was the one who told me there was something called "restless leg syndrome". The only thing I have found over the counter that seems to help somewhat is Icy Hot. I think I'll stick to the 12.5mg till I see my cardio in a couple of weeks and see what he wants me to do. I have an appointment to have my root canal this coming Monday...can't wait!

 

[Nan]

Hi Bryan, re: restless leg syndrome....It sounds like you might have it! I hope not, for your sake, but check out the southern california RLS support group site ( I don't know how to put in the address so you can click on it, sorry!)...just put it in your search engine, it should come up.

It will give you an idea of what RLS/PLMD symptoms are and what to do about it. There is also a RLS Foundation site.

I "got" it after my AVR.

It is absolutely related to stress (which you certainly have been experiencing) as well as many other factors, and there is good treatment for it...usually a dopamine agonist. But you have to find a doc who recognizes RLS and who will prescribe either Mirapex or Requip. The two best meds for it.

Hope you feel better soon

 

[Candy]

Holy cow Bryan! Your poor body has been through enough! And now this leg problem, too? Well, the root canal should be a piece of cake at this point .
I too had a very hard time sleeping, but nothing like what you have described. I did feel like I was going to jump out of my skin. I was so tired. And all I can say is, this, too, shall pass.
Candy

 

[Bryan B]

After Nan's post about the dopamine agonists that peaked my curiousity. I was on opiods for what I consider a long time (2+ months) for my sternum. I know opiods affect your dopamine receptors, and it is also used for restless leg syndrome if dopamine agonists fail to work. I'm wondering if:

A) Being on the opiods for that long have temporarily messed up my dopamine receptors and my body is still adjusting to not having them in my system.The RLS symptoms didn't show up until a few days after I stopped the opiods about 2.5 weeks ago.

B) I developed RLS after the surgery and the opiods have been masking it.

Oh well, the Icy Hot seems to work ok as long as I fall asleep before it wears off (the sensation of the warmth and coolness seems to distract my legs ). I'm going to try and hold off on taking another drug unless it reaches the point where where it affects my ability to function normally, whatever that is!

 

[Nan]

Hi Bryan, lets hope that it is option A and that soon you will be RLS free!!! Glad that the Icy Hot works for you.

Just a word of caution about some common things that seem to aggravate RLS....Benadryl (and many other antihistamines) are big aggravators! And mono and di-glycerides which are found in many food items such as frozen yogurt and breads can also be a culprit. Caffeine can also cause a flare up.
(and there are lots of other things too....)

Again, it is worth looking at the Southern California RLS support group site(or the RLS Foundation) as it mentions many of these things, either by the docs or from people writing in. There is also a doctor who answers questions...maybe you could ask about the possibility of the opiods causing problems with the dopamine receptors.

Best of luck to you.