Comments on: From Toprol to Bystolic

By: Mat

Mat — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:26:27 +0000

I was put on Bystolic last week for hypertension caused by IVIg. Within an hour of the first 5mg dose I got a migraine. Every day gets worse with stomach cramps, headache, nausea, diarrhea, horrific dreams,and little sleep. My Dr. cut me back to 2.5 mgs this week. Please tell me that these side effects will go away with time. My BP runs about 140/93, even with the Bystolic. Heart rate is always steady at 63.

By: mikemw

mikemw — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:35:00 +0000

Johnm re: leg cramps I have been on Bystolic for about two months and have noticed a significant increase in leg cramps (charley horse) at night. One thing that I have found that seems to help is to intentionally hyperventilate. this will usually clear the cramp in 1-2 minutes and there is no recurrence later (may be coincidence). Suspect that it may have something to do with reduced circulation when sleeping. Let me know if you have any luck with hyperventilation (rapid deep breathing).

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:00:27 +0000

Have noticed difficulty swallowing… seems like my throat swells up. Have gained weight. PVC’s come at night, dissappear in the day. Headaches are occasional, but the insomnia is the worst. Doesnt affect libido, but does affect orgasm.

By: DINK

DINK — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:21:19 +0000

I WAS 64 HAD STENTS INSTALLED IN NECK AND KIDNEY ,WAS PUT ON BYSTOLIC GOT VERY TIRED LOST APATITE, HAD STROKE WITH IN 24 HOURS FEEL BLOOD PRESSURE WENT TO LOW THREW CLOT FROM STENT.? THIS WAS IN 2009 STILL RECOVERING,STILL WATCHING BYSTOLIC

By: johnm

johnm — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:43:36 +0000

Been on bystolic about 6 months. First bp med I’ve been on.

Had occasional muscle cramp in calves but didn’t pay a lot of attention to them. Other night I got one while lying down that had me screaming in pain for a minutes. Like a knife slicing my leg open.

I see muscle pains listed here, but any cramping like that?

Have experienced some shortness of breath. Figure that was because of the 1 1/2 packs of cigs a weeke I was smoking ….. and now on chantax and so far have stopped.

Thank you for any thoughts

By: Barbara Sylvain

Barbara Sylvain — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:17:48 +0000

Have tried so many BP meds I’ve lost count. Serious problems with all. Took Bystolic for about 2-1/2 months. Went through most of the side effects mentioned here except weight gain and hair loss. Felt the best on Bystolic than any of them — from the neck up! Felt clear-headed, no pressure in head or headaches. Also was able to play tennis in the Florida heat without shortness of breath, unlike with others. Finally realized that this med was causing the serious body aches and pains and muscle spasms I had been experiencing for a month or more. Stopped the med and muscles were back to normal within 5 days. Now I’m trying again to find a med I can tolerate with no success at all and have to take BP meds as I had a stroke 3 years ago. Heart rate on Bystolic was consistently 52, which is pretty low.

By: Tony

Tony — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 17:54:24 +0000

Diane:

I was only on it for 6 weeks (5 weeks @ 5MG then 1 week at 2.5). Cardiologist saw nothing wrong with my heart and the efficiency was good (nuclear test). She recommended that I stop the Bystolic as my dizziness was come and go and my heart rate was always in the 40-50s. She has now put me on a calcium channel blocker and so far so good.

Because I was only on Bystolic for 6 weeks, my side effects have really been unnoticeable since stopping a few days ago, but I did read that some people go a few weeks with side effects lessening when they are on it longer (a year or more of use).

I hope you get back to normal soon as I know my experience with Bystolic was not great (did a wonderful job lowering my BP). Other people do very well with it, but not me.

By: DIANE

DIANE — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:53:10 +0000

I have been on Bystokic 5mg for 9 months. It has caused major swelling of my legs, feet and ankles, weight gain, coughing, wheezing, and I am very, very tired all the time. I am off it now. Does any one know how long it takes to get rid of these side effects, once you are off Bystolic 5 mg daily??

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 20:46:29 +0000

Thanks, Reggie. I saw the cardiologist for the first time this morning and she thinks my symptoms may be caused by the Bystolic and/or some kind of gastro problem. I have the nuclear stress test tomorrow so she can be certain. Heart problems are not too common in my family but stress from my job and a young family has taken a small toll…especially the job!

I am thinking the Bystolic @ 2.5 would be a good thing for me as being at 5mg has my BP in a good area, but my heart rate is a staggering upper 40s to mid 50s…I am usually near 65-75. I am NOT a fit athlete but am not being craned in and out of my home (5′8″ @ 220 lbs.)

Thanks for your information. It is simply comforting to hear others who are using this same medication and the things they are experiencing (positive and negative).

Best of luck to you.

By: reggie

reggie — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:51:19 +0000

Tony:

I have been on Bystolic (2.5 2/day)for 3 years for control of pvc’s. Most of my side effects are under control, however, I get some of the GERD and chest pain side effects. However, the impact on my heart rate has been consistent since i began the medication. It typically stays between 55 and 60 although at times it would get down to 52. When I exercise, I have a hard time getting it above 150 as compared to 180 - 190 prior to Bystolic. That’s one of the benefits of a beta blocker–slower heart rate that controls PVC’s and is less stressful on your heart.