Metoprolol and other beta blockers

[john319]

Glad to hear you are feeling better.

I wish you well with the Prednisone. I was on it in 2006 when the asthma had gotten more chronic. In retrospect, I now don't know if I could label that time strictly asthma-related. I was developing anxiety because of the asthma and GERD. Chest tightness is a symptom of both asthma and anxiety. I used to take 20-60 mg of Prednisone depending on the chest tightness, usually every 10 ten days. Mind over matter? Probably. I haven't taken the med since November 2006.

You saying you're a worrier--you're preaching to the choir . I still have trouble distinguishing if chest tightness is anxiety or asthma. (My asthma is mild.) I still worry about this, though not as bad as I used to. I went to an outpatient health-anxiety program which was IMMENSLY helpful.

Me too: making an appointment with the dr for the bp med situation. I am calling tomorrow and see when's his next Saturday.

I hope that you continue to feel better EVERYDAY!!!! I am so happy that you were able to get off that Toprol and see immediate positive results.

That's very kind of you. Thank you. I read this to my wife and she also considered this very thoughtful.

You too: take care of YOU! And have a good night.

[MountainReader]

I did the Medrol pack again in February after my asthma had been out of control for weeks. I usually end up on Prednisone or Medrol a couple times per year. This time, for the first time, I had the rapid heartbeat side effect. I woke up one night and took my BP and my pulse was in the 150's. This was while resting. I called my doctor. He said not to worry about it unless it became worse since I wouldn't be on the steroids for long. After I completed my prescription, my pulse went back to normal. I can't speak to the headaches because I had a sinus infection at the same time.

The Norvasc has worked well for me for several years. I take it in conjunction with Dyazide.

John, I can relate to the anxiety over the chest tightness. Up until this January, my main asthma symptom was a horrible chronic cough. This year, I developed the chest tightness symptom as well. First time I had this it really scared me. I ended up needing emergency treatment. Now, I worry the next attack will end up the same. I now carry an epi-pen just in case to give me some time if it happens again.

[john319]

MountainReader,

Isn't funny--and I don't mean ha-ha funny--how this stinking disease can change. From 2000 when I was first diagnosed with asthma until November 2005, the asthma was never affected by the cold. Then that year's Thanksgiving night I got my first attack because of cold air.

It's good you carry around an epi-pen. I am sad that you have to carry it.

[Vanessa74]

Hi John319 & MountainReader,

I am with you BOTH - chest tightness is my MAIN asthma symptom - and it really SCARES me. I have chest tightness with my GERD/Reflux as well so it is hard for me to distinguish between the two - and it does make me panicky at times. I worry that if I ignore it and relate it to GERD - that it will actually be the asthma and I will end up in the ER.... I have a prescription for Xanax but try only to take it when absolutely NECESSARY and not get addicted to it - but it does help with the panick and anxiety A LOT

Chest tightness was also a side effect of the Beta Blocker that I was on - so even though it has been 30 days - I was on it for 5 years and am still trying to get it out of my system

I have been off the Prednisone for 10 days now and still having the racing heart rate off and on, headache, and B/P spikes. I know that I needed it but I really hate the side effects. It has also made my GERD act up really bad - which means LOTS of chest tightness.... Its like a circle .....

My asthma used to be VERY mild - until October - now I am affected by Cold, Humidity, Dust, Perfume, Hairspray, and on and on - it has been difficult adjusting my life to all these new 'triggers' but very worth it!

I am looking forward to trying a new B/P med to get that back under control!

Hope you are all doing GREAT!

Vanessa

[john319]

Vanessa,

My pulmonary dr last night believes my chest tightness and recent asthma outbreaks are due to my GERD which, by the way, is in the larynx. He is referring me to a gastrointerologist who, according him, is great for GERD patients. He may be onto something because the chest tightness started around the time the GERD started, late 2006.

so it is hard for me to distinguish between the two - and it does make me panicky at times. I worry that if I ignore it and relate it to GERD - that it will actually be the asthma and I will end up in the ER....

Believe me, I know the feeling . I would err on the side of caution and treat it like it is asthma even if it isn't.

Re: the Xanax, I have .25 mg tabs that I use to help with the chest tightness.

Last month when I was on the Metoprolol I also did notice increased chest tightness occurrences.

Stay strong with the tapering off of the Prednisone.

Interestingly and thankfully my pressue was 120/80 last night, which is the 5th day back on the Benicar. Good luck with the BP med.