Cardiologist had me on Norvasc and ten other meds after a heart attack in Oct. 2012. Norvasc made me feel like crap. Legs felt like they weighed a ton, light headed, and no energy. I was having panic attacks too, but not sure it was related to the Norvasc. Threw them in the garbage along with the Coreg he prescribed. Have been holding off on taking Lipitor for the last couple of weeks.
Some days are still a struggle, but feel much better without them.
These blood pressure drugs decrease the workload on the heart, and allow it to remodel and become stronger. The downside is that initially they can reduce cardiac output and make you feel weaker. It's a strategy that works, though.
Back in the old days they would do the opposite and give drugs that would make the heart work harder. You'd feel better, but the downside is you'd be dead in a couple of years.