Drug problem, I think

[kaypeeoh]

I was put on metoprolol tartrate 25mg twice a day. It was prescribed because in the doctor's exam room I had BP140/90. I gained a lot of weight and had severe edema in my legs. It was winter in Colorado. I wore winter boots but couldn't lace them up because my feet were so swollen.

I wondered if I could drop my blood pressure by meditating. And it seemed to work. Using an Omron blood pressure monitor I got my BP down to 110/70. So I quit the medication. I'm still on Rytary, myrabegron, prucalopride, memantine, a statin and a bunch of vitamins. Every time I see the doc he checks my BP and it's generally normal. But only if I have time to sit and meditate. The one time I didn't have to wait my BP was 140/90.

Past few days I've wakened with ringing ears. I take morning pills at 7AM. I recall that ringing ears can be a sign of elevated BP so I tested using the Omron. Took four attempts but I got it down to 130/70. this was at 8AM. The ringing ears is better also.

Then I went to Dr Google. I read 50 or so patient comments about metoprolol. The majority want to get off it because of side effects: Lethargy, swollen legs (!) and weight gain being the most common complaint. Some also commented on a lower sex drive.

I'm not worried. Yet. I'll see the neuro eventually. But if anyone has experience with metoprolol I'd appreciate a comment.

[Bolt_Upright]

I'm no expert on BP or metoprolol (I did take that for a few months when I had AFIB), but... it seems to me that being able to temporarily lower your BP through meditation is not nearly the same thing as lowering your blood pressure.

Theoretically the drug keeps your BP down 24/7. Using meditation lowers your BP for a few minutes of the day when you are meditating.

Good luck and may God bless you.

[00Mark in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Bolt_Upright I think meditation does have more of a pervasive background effect on blood pressure, not just during the actual meditation session. Helps me to keep going, anyway!

[kaypeeoh]

I checked BP at 8, 9 and 10AM, Still normal range at 110/70, Kinda a memory of ear ringing now. If I grit my teeth the ringing is loud again.

[00Mark in reply to kaypeeoh]

kaypeeoh I wonder whether your blood pressure peaking at the doctor's could be due to "white coat syndrome", i.e. anxiety around the consultation?

Hope you find a solution, anyhow. 🤞

[park_bear]

140/90 is a bit high but at the margin of what merits treatment. Keep on meditating!

[Nikosmom in reply to park_bear]

You are an advocate of meditation so I thought I share my experience.

My blood pressure has always been high at the doctors’ office so I was prescribed Metoprolol since 2005. Because of the high readings my cardiologist recommended extensive tests. But other than old age everything was ok.

A couple of years ago I started taking celery juice and my blood pressure was too low so I stopped taking metoprolol.

Recently I went to an integrative doctor and my blood pressure was high so she took it again but she lead me tru a 5 minute meditation and urged me to think of a peaceful place. My blood pressure was perfect and it continues to be perfect as long as she takes it.

What are we doing ingesting so many chemicals in the form of medicine? Why don’t cardiologists make sure the patient has the optimal conditions for testing and use meditation if necessary to prevent false readings?

I guess we have been conditioned to think only prescriptions work and ignore the multitude of natural alternatives.

By the way, the insurance doesn’t cover my integrated doctor but paid hundreds to my cardiologist. What an upside down world!

[Rather]

Sounds like the side effects outweigh the benefits. I have suffered from edema in my feet, ankles, and legs. It can be severely debilitating, because when you have it,it resricts your movement, which leads to a progression of PD. There must be another drug for lowering BP. that will work for you. I had to quit Lexapro for my edema to go down, even though my doctor's said this side effect was rare. Yet, it was really the culprit and the edema caused my PD to progress, because I wasn't exercising very much. I hope you can solve your problem!

[MarionP]

The edema/swelling symptoms you mention are listed as the "heart failure" group of side effects for metoprolol.

So I would get to an internist and cardiologist ASAP... I don't know who first, except if the one prescribing your metoprolol is an internist, I would go straight to the cardiologist, but if you can get them in the same clinic then they may have better affinity too talk to each other, which is what you want.

[MarionP]

You know what else I would do, I'm thinking about it for couple minutes...while waiting for your appointment to roll around: I would spend as much time as I can with my feet elevated at or above my heart. Maybe a nice recliner if you have one or just a couch or bed.

[Boscoejean in reply to MarionP]

yes if a person can lie on the floor and put their feet elevated on a chair for half an hour a day it can be helpful - I was told this by an acupuncture provider- I have no idea if this has any effect on blood pressure but it may help foot swelling and the feet need to be above the heart

[drumhead]

I use Losartan for high BP with no side effects plus it protects the kidneys. If you have tremors ask about using propanolol as it can help with tremors and lower BP, but if you have a low heart rate like me its not so good because it will lower it more.

[azure64 in reply to drumhead]

metoprolol and propranolol are in the same drug class and work by slowing the heart down. this can lead to edema. perhaps a different drug class would be more effective for you.

[Nikosmom]

I was put in metoprolol in 2005. On my own I cut the pills into 4ths so I was only taking 10 mg. for many years. I had no issues, but my blood pressure was always high at the doctors office.

A couple of years ago the cardiologist recommended extensive tests. But other than old age everything was ok. Maybe it was the white coat syndrome along with stress.

I started taking celery juice and my blood pressure was too low so significantly to the point that I was concerned. So again on my own I stopped taking metoprolol. I have not have any issues at all.

Recently I went to an integrative doctor and my blood pressure was high so she took it again but she lead me tru a 5 minute meditation and urged me to think of a peaceful place. My blood pressure was perfect

What are we doing ingesting so many chemicals in the form of medicine?

I guess we have been conditioned to think only prescriptions work and ignore the multitude of natural alternatives.

By the way, the insurance doesn’t cover my integrated doctor but paid hundreds to my cardiologist. What an upside down world!

[Despe]

Kay, wearing compression wraps or socks (I hate socks, hard to put on) is MUST! Keeping the swelling down is controlling heart-related problems. Most importantly, protect yourself from injuries of the lower legs. . . Listen to me, the care giver who has been treating lymphedema and wounds for the last two years. There are chiropractors who specialize in lymphedemas and wound caring. They have decompression sessions and that will help you, too. Get the compression wraps and wear them all day, allevate your legs in bed at night. Prevantive measures are better than therapeutic. . /.

[kaypeeoh]

Hello to all, I slept for 12 hours and woke without ears ringing. The Omron says my morning BP is 110/70; I only tested it once, after consuming 24 ounces of coffee. I don't plan to continue the metoprolol, I use compression socks. I see five doctors and each prescribes his or her favorite medicine. Thats why I take so many pills.

Thanks, I appreciate everyone's interest.

[Despe in reply to kaypeeoh]

Look for Juzo products. I like their compression wraps, more effective and easier to use.