Metoprolol- advice please.

[Qualipop]

The chemist just delivered new tablets. Metoprolol , 25mg one twice a day. Experiences please? I had hallucinations on bisopralol and it dropped my BP so low I could barely move. BP normally averages 123/63. This is for constant PACs and PVCs.

I react really badly to many meds and there are a couple of minor concerns listed on the sheet like advice before lidocaine ( I have a huge amount of dental work booked); dry eyes- already have bad dry eyes and it says "can be used for an overactive thyroid" My thyroid is already right at the bottom end of normal and we are wondering if that could have caused the ectopics to start so suddenly. Also possible bowel problems- I already have serious chronic constipation caused by opiates.

[MummaSoap]

Hi, I’m sorry to hear that you have had some horrible side effects from previous medications.

I’ve been on different doses of of metoprolol and when I first started the medication I experienced diarrhoea, visual disturbances, feeling faint as my BP plummeted, dizziness, fatigue, vivid and disturbing nightmares amongst other things but obviously everyone is different and symptoms can vary.

I kept a diary to track my symptoms and allow me to discuss them specifically with my GP and consultant.

Wishing you a positive experience on metoprolol and hope they help you to start feeling better! 💛

[Qualipop in reply to MummaSoap]

I spoke to the GP's pharmacist today and, because my BP Is already pretty low, we decided to wait a while then start with half dose. When I had bisopralol after heart attack I had nightmares, couldn't sleep but also the most horrific hallucinations; it affected my eyes and dropped BP so low I was a zombie. Did your side effects ease off or did you have to stop taking it?

[MummaSoap in reply to Qualipop]

That sounds like a wise decision; I would contact your consultant’s secretary just to keep them in the loop but given your previous experience it’s always an option to reduce and build up if necessary.

I started on 50mg twice a day in January 2021 following my diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy and (borderline) severe heart failure and really struggled with side effects. In the February, my GP advised me to half my medication to see if that would ease my symptoms. In March, it was reduced again to 25mg once a day and I only took it at night so that I was a bit more “with it” in the daytime.

In the May, much to my surprise, I found out that I was 20 weeks pregnant (but that’s another story!)

After my daughter was born in the August I was put straight back onto the Metoprolol at 25mg twice a day. I was still having side effects in March this year and by May I had had enough and refused to take it.

I have just been moved onto dapagliflozin and am due to start ivabradine next Thursday so I’m hoping that this will be have less side effects 🤞🏼🤞🏼 These meds will hopefully reduce my heart rate without bringing my blood pressure down, so I’m hoping that it helps improve my heart function again.

[Qualipop in reply to MummaSoap]

Consultant? What's that? Never had one, even after the heart attack. Congratulations on your baby and thanks for your experience. It sounds very much like I was on bisopralol. On the pharmacist's advice I'm waiting to see if it settles down any more this week; seeing G P Friday hen if necessary will start on just half of a 25mg tablet and see how it goes. I've had enough of medication making me feel lousy.

[MummaSoap in reply to Qualipop]

Gosh, I’m really surprised by that - how come you never had one? Do you have a heart nurse?

Aww thank you, she’s 15 months now and other than being diddy, you would never know she was 8 weeks prem!

I sympathise completely with not wanting to feel lousy because of meds! I would recommend you see your GP either way and at least it’ll help you get some piece of mind.

Good luck, I hope they get you sorted and find something that helps your heart and you stay feeling well! Let us know how you get on 🙂

[Qualipop in reply to MummaSoap]

NO after the heart attack I was just discharged back to GP, no rehab nothing. Aw bless, my son was born at 31 weeks weighing 2.2lbs. I brought him home when he was 4lb 4 oz. He's now 34 and bigger than me. No ill effects except mild dyspraxia.

[MummaSoap in reply to Qualipop]

Wow, that’s actually quite scary! I felt alone enough as it was when I got my diagnosis so I can’t imagine how difficult this journey has been for you; that certainly help you with any anxiety you may have around what happened.

I think if you have difficulties with metoprolol then it would be worth asking your gp to refer you to cardiology for further support around suitable medication as they are the specialists and not GPs.

Aw it’s so lovely to hear success stories like yours with your preemie son 😁 my little miracle is 15 months now and other than seemingly being more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses (which I think is related to her lung collapsing when she was a day old), she is just as sassy and bright as her 2 older siblings 🤣

Wishing you all the best, I hope you get sorted and start feeling better, you deserve to 🤞🏼🤞🏼

[Qualipop]

Thank you- I'm seeing gp tomorrow. The ectopics seem to me to have really calmed down but I can't be certain. Hopefully I might avoid the metopralol . I feel certain the sudden ectopics had a cause which I can't mention on here without getting deleted. The hospital doctor in urgent care agreed with me but GP hadn't heard of it happening. SO I'm just praying I was right and it may have worn off.. Premmie's grow up just fine on the whole and you may find she's a lot brighter much earlier than your others. Mine started reading literally as soon as he could talk, a year old in pram pointing at street sign BARTON and saying look look says NO. at 5 he'd read the HObbit; at 6 was on newspapers. I took him out of his first school when the teacher called him Mr Knowit all and would only give him picture books. He was bored stiff. I kept in touch with a few others who'd been in babycare and they we re the same.