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Hi all, I started a new bb (metoprolol 25 mg extended release) in early July after being off of them for a year and I am having muscle and joint pain especially in my legs ( knees, hips, quads). When i get up from a chair I feel like I'm 80 yrs old (I'm 58 btw). I'm not sure if it's from the bb or from some ticks bites I got at the end of June. I have an appointment to see my primary care in a couple of weeks but I just thought I'd ask if anyone else noticed muscle soreness/joint stiffness from bb's? Thanks 😊

That would be awesome if it works! Keep us posted.

I don't know how an EKG would show the status of your sodium and potassium. Maybe they were speculating?? Blood test is the only way to know.

Haha. Thanks I needed that 😄

Thanks everyone. I actually own 3 and I'm trying to figure out which one would be the most beneficial. One goes from top of hip bones to ribs (6.25 inches). It's a little uncomfortable because it sticks into my ribs. One is shorter and goes from hip bones to just over my belly button, not all the way to the ribs. And the most recent the Dr recommended is actually a lower back brace but covers the mid to lower abdomen also (it's the 3 belt adjustable kind). I guess I just need to figure out which one I will actually wear! I was mainly wondering if it needed to be higher or was wearing it lower okay. Thanks again!

Hi all, I hope this isn't a stupid question but where do you place your abdominal binder? Do you wear it below, at or above your belly button? I don't know if it should be higher or lower on the abdomen?? Close to the hip bones or more toward your ribs? Thanks

Thanks! I'll ask about it🙂

Thank you for sharing your opinion. 🙂

Hi all, My EP retired last year and I had to see a "regular" cardiologist in the group. My EP diagnosed me by tilt table with NCS in 2013. I have been on a beta blocker for about 10 yrs and midodrine just once in the morning. I had been feeling okay, just tired a lot and having some pre-syncope episodes while driving (mostly while driving on the interstate). I am able to work. I just feel like crap a lot of the time when I'm there. A lot of my work is standing and it's a stressful job at times also (heart rate over 100 most of the time I'm working). But, I am able to work and am thankful for that because I know a lot of people here can't. So, my new cardiologist took me off the beta blocker and midodrine so I've been meds free for almost a year now. She thought the beta blocker was causing low blood pressure and causing my problems. I asked her about the pre-syncope while driving and she didn't have an answer so she referred me to Vanderbilt. I've been waiting almost a year for this appointment and I'm struggling with insurance to see if they are going to pay for the testing and Dr visit. So, my question is: has anyone been to Vanderbilt recently and has it really helped? I'm thinking they're just going to go through all of the stuff I already know: increase salt, increase fluids, wear compression, exercise. I just have a gut feeling that this is going to be a big waste of money and I'm still not going to be able to drive on the interstate

I don't really have any answer, but I had the same thing happen to me. I also have shortness of breath and chest pressure. Had a PFT at my primary care's office and it "suggested neuromuscular disease due to air trapping". And the follow up PFT at a pulmonologist's office was normal!! I have had cardio workups (stress tests) and they tell me my heart is fine. So, I just live with it and have pretty much given up on doctors

I take a heart selective beta (betaxolol). Maybe you could switch to one of those and not get the shortness of breath issues? When I started on bb's my doc said he had a list he'd go down until we found one that worked for me. I tried two other ones before I settled on betaxolol. I also take a small dose (5mg). So maybe ask him to try a diff't bb (cardiac selective) or try a smaller dose?

I don't know what that means, other than you should have a workup by a cardiologist/electrophysiologist.

I was thinking about higher salt food also--pickles, cheese, and pretzels. Does she like those?

Remember those school projects where you make a volcano with baking soda and vinegar? I wonder if it would cause your stomach to "erupt" when the bicarb hits your stomach acid?? Hopefully not

You should definitely get your heart checked out to be sure that it is ok. When I get these feelings, I try to control my breathing and I just repeat in my head "you are ok, you are not going to die, stay calm" and I just breathe through it. It took me a few times to realize that I'm not going to die though and I did panic. It's hard to not panic when you feel like that. It takes some practice. Best wishes!!