question about meds

I have had a pacemaker since 2008. I have severe A-Fib also. My cardiologist has tried many things to help with this but nothing takes care of it completely. At my last visit he suggested putting me in the hospital to administer a new med (you have to be monitored because it can cause you to have a heart attack also). Anyway, I declined for that reason and also I have no insurance. So he started me on Metroprolol to see if that would help. Maybe it has, I'm not so sure. But my question is that the last time I had the med filled the pharmacy gave me the generic form. Since then I can't sleep. If I get one hour of sleep I'm doing good. Has this happened to anyone else?

7 Comments

Metroprolol

by Alaskan - 2011-01-22 01:01:19

I have been on metroprolol for a year or so without any problems with it. I still do go into A-Fib almost annually though. They have now put me on Sotalol to slow my rate down enough that my pacer MUST work and that keeps me at a prescribed rate. I had to stay in the hospital when they increasted my dose for a couple days to be sure I could tolerate it.

about meds

by anette - 2011-01-22 01:01:57

Why you don't mention the name of the new med? That must be an antyarrhytmic drug like Sotalol or Dophetilide(Tykosin). They are monitoring those drugs in hospital looking after a QTprolongation,rarely, a polimorphic ventricular arrhytmia could occur ; I was tested in hospital for Sotalol but infortunately my QT WAS A LITLE PROLONGED and the doctor stopped the trial.I am taking now Multaq.(Dronedarone). Keep us informed what you decide.
Anette.

metoprolol

by LS - 2011-01-22 02:01:54

I went in the hospital so they could try Tikosyn out on me. Works fine. I also take metoprolol 2 times a day with no problems.
It's been a year I've been on them.
The metoprolol actually made me very tired when I first started it. It took a good 5-6 months for me to get used to them.
Liz

Touble Sleeping

by SMITTY - 2011-01-22 06:01:45

Below are some of the side effects listed for Side effects of Metoprolol. I have put in caps the one that may answer your queston.

"Transient effects include dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, diarrhea, unusual dreams, ataxia, TROUBLE SLEEPING, depression, and vision problems. It may also reduce blood flow to the hands and feet, causing them to feel numb and cold; smoking may worsen this effect.
Serious side effects which are advised to be reported immediately include, but are not limited to, symptoms of bradycardia (a very slow heartbeat (less than 50 bpm)), persistent symptoms of dizziness, fainting and unusual fatigue, bluish discoloration of the fingers and toes, numbness/tingling/swelling of the hands or feet, sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction (impotence), hair loss, mental/mood changes, depression, trouble breathing, cough, dyslipidemia, and increased thirst. Other highly unlikely symptoms include easy bruising or bleeding, persistent sore throat or fever, yellowing skin or eyes, stomach pain, dark urine, and persistent nausea. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, and severe dizziness.

Taking it with alcohol might cause mild body rashes and therefore is not recommended."

"They" tell us that some of the side effects may go away after a few days, but you may need to talk to yuor dr about your problems.

Good luck,

Smitty

Sotalo

by nrracing - 2011-01-23 02:01:35

Well I am on Sotalo, I did not go to the hospital due to the fact that it was my 1st a-fib I had and they said if I get shocked to just relax, I have been on it for a bit and still have a few side effects, if it is not better after the next few days i will be coming off this crap, two months feeling like sh*t is not good.

Relax?

by amyoswag - 2011-01-23 11:01:06

Okay, I know the doctors all say "If you get shocked, just relax." But since most doctors haven't got devices, this is much easier for tham to say than for us to do.
When the dog gets zapped by the shock collar, he's "a little antsy" for awhile, and I'm no different! I don't like it!

Sotalol and Metoprolol made me feel like I was moving in slow motion. (My BP was too low.) I could fall asleep at the grocery store. (How embarrassing!) It felt really good to get off of both of them. I am now on Bystolic, and it's not nearly the freak show that the other Beta-blockers were. I can still work, without having to nap several times a day.

If it's not working TELL YOUR DOCTOR!! It's your body, and the doctor needs to hear your concerns!

Good luck! Keep us posted!

to amioswag

by anette - 2011-01-26 09:01:31

METOPROLOL is Betabloker and Sotalol is an antyarrhytmic drugwith betabloker action too,; sure you didn't feel good...How much Bystolic you take now?
Anette

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