Cheryl's Journal

Yumiko Ishida  I know fluid retention is typical but you are almost two years out so I assume that’s not it. Maybe your weight is from muscle gain? I have experienced net weight loss in the immediate aftermath of each of my procedures / surgery when there were / are physical restrictions, and I know it was / is muscle loss. 

Brady Busch  That is an interesting question and got me thinking.So,I looked it up and found a few things and there may be more.
It's okay to donate blood after heart surgery,but doctors want people to wait about six months.Also,blood pressure can't be too high or low.The medications,concerning heart patients and giving blood are anticoagulants.

Marie Myers  Hypertension is one of the more common things that happen with time. It is possible this is something new that just needs to be monitored. You could bring your BP machine with you to your next office visit, and see how your reading compares to what the office gets. 

Pamela Gregory  HI Cheryl, I am almost 7 months post AVR and still on 25 mg of Metoprolol. My Cardiologist wanted me to wean off but my blood pressure was a little inconsistent at that time. I think it was work related (getting used to being there again was tough for me) so I stayed on it. 2 months later I saw surgeon who said everything was good so just to stay on it if I felt ok. I do feel pretty good. I don't think I have your side effects. He said we could switch it if I wanted but I think I am ok? Sorry to over explain that I am still on it.

Rose Madura  I'm thankful I don't have any issues taking 25 mg of Metoprolol Succinate. I have taken it for nearly six years.

Marie Myers  My cardiologist switched me to bisoprolol also. I was not having any particular problems with metoprolol,  but he suggested that it had less possible side effects. The bisoprolol is once a day, and I don’t have to cut those microscopic metoprolol tablets in half anymore. Bisoprolol is a bit more expensive, if that is a concern.

Rita Savelis  I hear  you Cheryl. I took metoprolol for a year and it also made me tired and depressed. I would try another betablocker. Everyone has different reactions to medicines, but I was happy to stop metoprolol. I now take Ivabradine, which is a med for those who don't like betablockers.

Susan Lynn  I was on and off it twice without tachycardia. I did develop PACs and PVCs two years after surgery, so I'm on Metoprolol succinate, now.

Klara Čičić  It is not uncommon to experience tachycardia after getting off beta blockers, I experienced it when reducing dosage, a know few warriors who had it when coming off ... That is the reason why it is important to do it step by step to give those receptors time to adjust to the new situation, and not coming off abruptly. Hope you are supervised by a doctor... 

Amy Payjack  Could you try 1/4 of a pill? They're so soft they might crumble but if your doc says its ok its worth a try. The tachycardia might be more or a withdrawl symptom rather than a symptom because your body needs it. I definitely notice the fatigue and depression. I am also only taking half a pill, twice a day currently. My blood pressure was so low taking a full dose. I had horrible palpitations until they lowered my meds. Now i barely have any. I am also on ramapril which could also be contributing to the fatigue even though they lowered that by a third as well. I just did a medications class for my cardiac rehab and I asked about the depression and how people are suppose to cope with the side effects from these drugs and they told me "metoprolol doesn't cause depression, you're likely just depressed from the fatigue." 😒 I've been fatigued my whole life, I think I know the difference between being tired and not being able to turn the TV on when the remote is right there because my motivation is non existant. I've been supplementing with b vitamins and tryptophan and it's been helping. I must of been really low in B6 because I read a sign you're low is no memory of your dreams or only having nightmares. I realized I hadn't been dreaming since my surgery. It took 2 weeks of 100mg daily to be consistently dreaming good dreams. I noticed in three days the dreams were coming back but they were all nightmares at first. I now just take a regular B vitamin complex and the dreams are still pleasant. The b vitamins, especially the b6 are needed to convert your amino acids into neurotransmitters. I luckily have not gained any weight but I've also had very little appetite. It's been 3 months since my surgery. I also learned a trick of setting very small and realistic goals for yourself and checking them off when you accomplish them. The sense of accomplishment is very rewarding and by being a small goal it's not overwhelming and actually doable. It's been very helpful for me to get me doing things again. An example would be: walk around the block every Tuesday. Or "visit with so and so every other weekend" or "sweep the kitchen floor every saturday" you'll be tempted to make your goals larger but on bad days they will seem too much and then you won't do anything. I find i am doing more than my goals now without too much effort. It would be much nicer to live my life pill free but I understand that isnt always possible. I hope you start feeling better soon. 

Susan Lynn  I'm taking 100 mg of metoprolol succinate and I felt many side effects initially, but they seem to have subsided over time. I had PACs and PVCs - both are now within acceptable ranges. Would love to be off this med, but it works. Best of luck to you.

Jeanette Davidson   I agree! I take 75 a day and have been up to 125 at some point. It shouldn’t be too difficult for you. Hang in there and I hope you feel better when you are off it❤️

Rita Savelis  I also came off of Metoprolol one year after surgery.... and my depression miraculously lifted! Take care.

Brady Busch  Hello Cheryl,
I've been taking it since surgery in 11/2021,but haven't researched the side effects.Feeling more tired,seems to be happening.Something to look into.

Richard Munson  I think so but slowing down my heart rate trumped a little lightheadedness, unless its caused by something else. 

Steven Methot  It is funny but I had those same side effects with Metropolol and was switched to another (Carvedilol).  I find that the latter has basically slowed me down a bit.  In walking with my wife in the woods I now take longer to warm up and Natalie has to wait for me.  Not that it's harder, just that I seem to be stuck in second or third gear and can't get up to speed for a while.

Marie Myers  I was lucky with the metoprolol and did not have side effects from the 12.5 mg twice a day. A couple years ago, my cardiologist switched me to bisoprolol 5 mg once a day. If you need to stay on a beta blocker, you could speak to your cardiologist about switching to a different one. Good luck!

Cheryl Vaughan  Thank you everyone... Your replies make me feel so much better. I am going to call my cardiologist tomorrow about getting off the Metoprolol and if he thinks necessary to stay on a beta blocker to switch me to something else.

Susan Lynn  I'm taking 100 mg Metoprolol succinate and I'm not thrilled about it, but it's keeping my PACs under control. I felt fatigued when I initially started it, but it seems I've grown used to it. The good news is that it seems to be keeping my migraine headaches away since it is a beta blocker. I hate taking medication, but am grateful that it's available. Best of luck to you.

Rose Madura  I do not seem to have any side effects from Metoprolol. I was on mega doses directly after surgery 5+ years ago. I'm now in 25 mg of Metoprolol Succinate.

Rita Savelis  I hear you. I was on metrapolol for a year and could not wait to get off it. It made me tired and depressed - this is because it slows one's system down. A betablocker (like metrapolol) is a standard prescription after heart surgery to slow you heart down and give it a break after surgery, but if you are having side effects that are hard to live with let your doctor know and you can be taken off of it, or have the dose changed, or be put on another betablocker-type drug.

Rita Savelis  No, I had no problems coming off of Metoprolol, or not that I remember (it was 7 years ago). I know that sometimes one is tapered off. It also will depend on why one was taking metoprolol- sometimes it is also used for high blood pressure, I think. Take care Cheryl.