Back Pedaling on Beta Blockers (Atenolol, Metoprolol, Propranolol) for Hypertension

Peoples Pharmacy.com ^ | December 23, 2013 | Joe Graedon

[HarleyLady27]

August 31, 2017 at 3:45 pm

I am a migraine sufferer. Approximately 18 mos ago I was put on beta blocker Metoprolol (25 mg twice a day) as a preventative to reduce headache frequency and severity. I had no problems with the medication, other than slight lethargy and a few pounds gained. About 6 weeks ago, however, my pharmacy advised they had switched to a different manufacturer, and things went quickly downhill.

My bp, which is usually steady and in the good range of 120/67 started going all over the place from lows to highs, with accompanying rapid heart beats of as much as 90 – 118, other than my normal of 62 – 68. I felt lousy, going from being extremely cold, especially in my lower legs and feet, to breaking out in a sweat at the smallest task such as getting dressed.

I had rapid weight gain (10 lbs in two weeks), several anxiety attacks (which I had never suffered), swelling in my ankles, blurred vision, dizziness, a dull headache which lasted for days and fatigue so bad I could hardly get out of bed. My brain felt as if it were in a total fog, and I couldn’t remember something I had done five minutes earlier. At first, I thought the issues were caused by seasonal allergies and a sinus infection, but after the infection cleared, the symptoms grew worse to the point I could hardly get out of bed. Not taking the drug one evening resulted in my feeling much better upon waking, but as I started moving around, my bp hit 146/86 with pulse of 92, and knowing that beta blockers should not be stopped abruptly, I took the dose, which caused things to get even worse and I quickly ended up in my doctors office with a bp of 170/100 and a pulse of 118. After blood work, urinalysis, EKG, my physician and I both believed the culprit to be the new manufacturer.

[qwerty1234]

My MD put me on Metoprolol a few years ago for borderline high BP. My reaction was so severe I went from someone that could do regular 3-4-5-6 miles walks several times a week and/or snowshoeing to someone who could not walk to the end of my driveway without stopping to rest.

I stopped it; I’ll take my chances with my BP and hope for the best.

I honestly think most drug companies are just pushing crap eat us as fast as they can make them up in order to maximize profits - they could care less what the LT side effects are - and most doctors don’t have the time or expertise to know either.

Best bet, try to drop a few pounds, try to get more exercise and eat better and cutout the crap (smoking, excess alcohol, junk food etc) and just hope for the best.

[huldah1776]

hmm. question. are you stressed to the max? Just wondering because the people I know who have had pacemakers or arrhythmia are. Also, do they only give pacemakers to the elderly?

[Sans-Culotte]

hmm. question. are you stressed to the max? Just wondering because the people I know who have had pacemakers or arrhythmia are. Also, do they only give pacemakers to the elderly?

I do have a somewhat stressful work situation (boss is an arrogant narcissistic putz). However, I guess the metoprolol helps because of the "whatever" attitude I have when I'm on it. At age 60, I am probably old enough to have a pacemaker, but I think they do them for whomever needs them. It would be nice to have my heart beat normally without the brain fog, but my doctor does not think I need to see an electrophysiologist just yet.

[Sans-Culotte]

I’m also going to wear a Holter monitor for 7 days starting next week after the echocardiogram.

[imardmd1]

I've had the same kind of symptoms.

From the posted article: ". . . my physician and I both believed the culprit to be the new manufacturer.

Or maybe a bad batch from the same (generic?)(India?) manufacturer.

Here's a link to the warnings:

https://www.healthline.com/health/metoprolol-oral-tablet (click here)

About a month ago I had to go be taken to the hospital for vertigo that was persisting. I was having low heart rate, though. The upshot was they eliminated one kind of BP medication, and cut my metaprolol daily intake to half as much.

I just do not know what to make of it all.

[Mastador1]

Thanks to ExTexasRedhead for this article...brings to light what our meds are doing to us...

Actually it......brings to light what some medications do to some people. I have been on 200mg Metoprolol ER for two years for Hypertension and my BP has been steady with a added bonus of a dramatic decrease in the migraines I have suffered for decades.

So what does this prove? Nada, zip, zilch! People are individuals and there will always be differences in reactions to medications.

[heartwood]

Metoprolol gave me nightmares, some of the worst I’ve had, and labetalol gave me story-like, therapeutic dreams. I no longer take beta-blockers because of the link to type 2 diabetes.

My mother and I have both had experiences with medication that differed radically by manufacturer.

[V_TWIN]

I to had something similar. They called ‘em premature ventricular contractions “PVCs”. Supposedly a harmless anomaly but unsettling non the less. Good luck and take care my friend.

[Jane Long]

You may want to do a bit of research on this “People’s Pharmacy” author, before popping off.

Joe Graedon has been a highly respected, synidicated and published pharmacology expert, for years.

He provides great information and insight into pharmacy, meds and medicinal topics.

Many here likely appreciate his personal experience on this (beta blocker/generics) subject.

Here’s his bio....should you care to become more informed...

https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/about/

[tbpiper]

Metaprolol is of the devil.

[LouieFisk]

“You may want to do a bit of research on this “People’s Pharmacy” author, before popping off.”
—
Makes no never mind to me. If they wanna tell heart patients to stop taking their heart meds, then more power to the people! (and the lawyers they’ll need when some people die taking their prescribed advice)

[tbpiper]

Doctors seem to treat patients like black boxes all of which are identical.

Been trying to get my Bp meds adjusted. Feel like a damn lab rat. Stuff works but screws up the rest of my life.

[Jane Long]

I missed the part where he tells people to stop taking their heart meds.

I DID see where he discussed his GENERIC Rx - that was causing significant issues - with his doc.

[Veto!]

Thanks for this very timely article. My BP has gone up to off-the-charts level in the last two months, 25 mg Hydrochlorothiazide has been keeping it to acceptable levels for the last couple of years, and before that, I needed nothing. That’s the only prescription med I take.

This new extreme BP development is worrisome. I hate the very idea of prescription meds, so will attempt to lower it naturally. My 88-year-old neighbor, who is fairly smart about these things, said his BP drops dramatically when he adds potassium to his diet by eating bananas, which I thoroughly detest.

Good. news is, sweet potatoes are the best source of natural potassium. Avocados are XLNT too. Yum. Will let you know next week how my new daily sweet potato-avocado habit works out.

Meanwhile, since I went on the “Wheat Belly” wheat-free diet 15 months ago, added bacon, eggs, butter, etc, my cholesterol DROPPED 40 points and LDL dropped 46. Lost abut 10 lbs too, but weight was never my issue. Salt may be, so goodbye bacon.

The outside factor undoubtedly affecting BP is Daisy, my new and totally insane kitten. I’m always in a panic about her....No, No, Daisy, NOT THE LAMP...as she storms through my apartment like a hurricane. What was thinking? .

[sparklite2]

It took me a long time to find the right statin. One of them had me damn near paralyzed on the left side.

[LouieFisk]

I’m busy buying up all their “People’s Pharmacy Leg Soap” at 8 bucks a pop for resale to gullible sucke...er bright customers, that is. Guaranteed cure for restless leg syndrome, doncha know.

[ExTexasRedhead]

You can check their website for additional information.

Joe Graedon’s credentials.

Master of Science degree in pharmacology from the University of Michigan, 1971

Syndicated newspaper columnist, King Features Syndicate since 1978

Co-host of The People’s Pharmacy public radio program since 1981

Adjunct assistant professor, Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education, University of North Carolina (UNC) Eshelman School of Pharmacy at Chapel Hill since 1986

Founding member of the Society for Participatory Medicine

Co-editor of the Journal of Participatory Medicine

Founding member of Patient Advocacy Council and member of the Patient Safety and Clinical Quality Committee of the Duke University Health System from 2003 to 2011

Doctor of Humane Letters Honoris Causa from Long Island University in 2006 as “one of the country’s leading drug experts for the consumer”

Fellow in Pharmaceutical Sciences of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for “exceptional contribution to the communication of the rational use of pharmaceutical products and an understanding of health issues to the public” in 2005

Member of the Board of Visitors at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy at Chapel Hill since 1989

Dr. Oz Medical Advisory Board since 2012

Terry Graeden:

PhD in Anthropology from the University of Michigan, 1976
Syndicated newspaper columnist, King Features Syndicate since 1980

Postdoctoral fellow in Medical Anthropology, University of California, San Francisco, 1982-1983

Co-host of The People’s Pharmacy public radio program since 1984

Assistant professor, Duke University School of Nursing and adjunct assistant professor, Department of Anthropology, 1975-1979

Lecturer, medical anthropology, Duke University Department of Anthropology, 1987-1989

Fellow of the Society for Applied Anthropology, 2010

Founding member of the Society for Participatory Medicine

Co-editor of the Journal of Participatory Medicine

[jughandle]

I get those PVC’s occasionally, PAC’s (pre-atrial contraction) sometimes more than occasionally. Feels like a skipped beat when taking your pulse. This was happening sometimes every 4th beat or so. Very unnerving, makes me a bit lightheaded. Combine that with stress and not much sleep... The worst occasions have been difficult to catch on a holter monitor or at the office.
They did a couple stress tests, echo, and the dye and found it all normal for a 48 year old guy. Cardiologist prescribed a very low dose of metoprolol just before bedtime which I tried to convince myself was helping but didn’t do anything for me. Three years later we’re still trying to sort it out. They keep saying it’s nothing to worry about, so I figure by now if it was anything I wouldn’t be here anymore!
Best of luck to you, Sans.

[Do the math]

I also suffered from migraines. My doctor gave a prescription for Midrin. The drug stopped the pain in about 15 minutes. My side effect was a Bonner from hell. Let's just say that I'm not living up to my impressive potential. You know those commercials that say that if the erection last more than 4 hours seek medical attention, hell I was crying like a little girl after an hour. Had to go to the er. The company that made that drug paid my er bill.

[bitt]

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