Hi everyone. This is my first post so bear with me as Im not sure if this is too much info to get an answer or not enough. Im 32 years old - female, with a long documented history of anxiety. In the past I have taken Paxil and Celexa to keep in under control but since have learned to control it without these meds. I hate taking medicine - just the thought of it and its side effects makes me anxious (imagine that) Anyways - I have been controlling my mild and occassional anxiety with .05 mg of Xanax as needed and it had been working fine. I had a stress echo and full bloodwork and the echo was fine and my HSCRP test came back moderatly high but my cholesterl is fine. About 6 weeks ago I did a 2 week trial of Meridia which I quickly weaned off of because it made my BP high and my anxiety worse. Since then I have been experiencing daily fluctuations in my BP - i havent been monitoring it to know the exact numbers, but have seen the Dr a few times and it has been 130/90, 142/78, and 130/88 at random times. This last visit my Dr. put me on 25 mg of Toprol XL. Im not sure if this is something that I want to take because of the side effects Ive read about on these boards, plus we are social drinkers. Not alcholoics, but we do like to party on occassion and are heading to Mexico in 4 weeks, and I know that there will be some drinking going on. So I guess my question is, at this dosage do you think that I will have the adverse side effects that people are spekaing of (fogginess, bad dreams, inability to exercise, sexual dysfunction, grogginess) or do you think that this is more an anxiety issue that I should treat as such, or could this be an adverse reaction to taking the Meridia? Im so confused. Thanks for any input.
Angie

So I guess my question is, at this dosage do you think that I will have the adverse side effects that people are spekaing of (fogginess, bad dreams, inability to exercise, sexual dysfunction, grogginess) or do you think that this is more an anxiety issue that I should treat as such, or could this be an adverse reaction to taking the Meridia? Im so confused. Thanks for any input.
Angie

I can't answer all your questions, but I can say that every person is different as far as side effects go. I have been on double the dose of the generic, non timed release version of Toprol for over 2 years and have had NONE of the side effects you mention.

Are you taking the Toprol for anxiety or for HBP? Have you taken your blood pressure at home on a regular basis for several days to compare to the readings you get at the doctor's office? "White coat syndrome" (higher blood pressure at the doctor's office) is quite common, and may not be the best way to determine whether or not you truly have bp problems. Mine actually varies tremendously with the doctor: my cardiologist always gets the highest readings, my internist the lowest, and what I get at home is about 1/2 way in between.

I can't answer all your questions, but I can say that every person is different as far as side effects go. I have been on double the dose of the generic, non timed release version of Toprol for over 2 years and have had NONE of the side effects you mention.

Are you taking the Toprol for anxiety or for HBP? Have you taken your blood pressure at home on a regular basis for several days to compare to the readings you get at the doctor's office? "White coat syndrome" (higher blood pressure at the doctor's office) is quite common, and may not be the best way to determine whether or not you truly have bp problems. Mine actually varies tremendously with the doctor: my cardiologist always gets the highest readings, my internist the lowest, and what I get at home is about 1/2 way in between.

Hi connie - see thats why Im confused - she said to me that the anxiety and HBP go hand in hand if I get one - i get the other and so on. No I havent taken my BP at home, but you know how you can just tell when its going up. I have never had HBP in the past or had any problems with DR.'s getting higher results due to the white coat thing. So thats where Im wondering if the Meridia usage has caused my BP to start fluctuating more than normal even though Im no longer taking it. Perhaps I should ask her if I should monitor my pressures at home for a week or so before starting the medicine? I just took my first dose today. Thanks again.

but have seen the Dr a few times and it has been 130/90, 142/78, and 130/88 at random times. This last visit my Dr. put me on 25 mg of Toprol XL. Im not sure if this is something that I want to take because of the side effects

Amhorsch,

With numbers like that at the doctor I would share your concern about taking a beta-blocker.
Enjoy your trip and when you get back, buy a BP tester and test yourself daily at home, relaxed and seated or reclined for 30 days to see what your REAL BP is...the average of these readings.

Perhaps you might want to consider some weight reduction, salt or boze restriction. IF you have a long term average of 140/90 on either number, then you might consider a lifetime of medication. Probably a diuretic is the most sensible way to begin.

Unless you are CERTAIN you have hypertension, don't start on the Toprol.

Hi Lenin,
Thats what I was beginning to think myself. I sent her an email yesterday expressing my concern that we may have been quick to judgement on starting the medication and asked her if exercise, salt reduction, and weight loss would be a good way to start off along with monitoring. So thank you for your reassuring words. Does anyone think its possible that shes putting me on these more for the anxiety and does that even work?