Toprol is a beta blocker, which many people are sensitive to. I was given Toprol after having by-pass surgery. I developed a terrible asthmatic cough and shortness of breath. I felt so bad after I got off the pain pills and began to function normally. I would get dizzy spells and just felt very bad with depression and did not want to do anything or go anywhere. I did not even want to talk to anyone. I was having very nightmarish dreams that woke me up in the middle of the night scared. My husband could not understand what was wrong with me as I am normally a very outgoing, positive and happy person. I knew something was wrong but could not explain to anyone how I felt. I went to the computer and started doing research on the new drugs that I was taking. I found two websites that gave me all the information that I needed.
I immediately called my doctor and ask to be taken off Toprol XL. He said that I was just thinking that it was the drug and that I needed to keep taking it. He refused to help me get off the drug. I am a nurse also and understood that a beta-blocker had to be tapered off and not stopped all at once. I was taking 100mg. I broke it in two and took 50mg for eight days. Then I broke the 50mg in two and took 25mg for eight days. Then I took 12.5 for four days, then I took it every other day for eight days, then every third day for eight days, then I stopped taking it altogether. I did this just to be safe. I think the doctor would taper someone quicker than this. By the time I had finished the last dose all my symptoms had disappeared.
Doctors give patients medication and never tell them about the side effects of the medication.
These are excellent websites and now I always go to them when the doctor gives me a new medication. Hope this helps someone.
FrenchLady, the links you posted did have some good information in them but they also had online forums for people to post regarding complaints/issues with certian medications. As per Healing Well's rules and guidelines #4. links to other online forums are not permited even if you do not have a "vested interest" in these websites. I do hope you understand and thank you for your input in this thread. ~ Elisha
Post Edited By Moderator (els) : 4/24/2007 10:37:47 AM (GMT-6)