Have you or anyone you know ever taken meds for hypertension that led to depresssion? -

I was on a med for nearly 5 years during that time I had a few life changes. My life seem to be in a down hill spiral and it was during the spiral that I was unable to afford my medication. I weened myself off and was waiting for med coverage from a new employer. All of the sudden I no longer felt lestliss and tired and my thinking was clear. Two months into this I developed a sinus infection and had to go to the dr s. It was a new dr and in describing how I was feeling without telling her what the med was she turned to me asked if it was toprol. I was floored! She told me she had another patient who had similar experience. I asked the pharmacy for a print out on side effects and depression was not listed. I feel that I have been robbed 5 yrs of my life. Do you know anyone who has experienced the same and what med they take now without that side effect. She did prescribe a new med and I feel that I am sensitive to that as well. Any thoughts of what you would do? Help

I do not know of a beta blocker (selective or not) that does not carry the potential side/adverse effect of depression and/or weakness: After all, they do block the quot;betaquot;androgenic(adrenalin) influences of our bodies message to fight or flight. Many attach the comment that these effects will be reduced with additional time It is well recognized that some individuals are very sensitive to the group but selective meds tend to be better tolerated,.( i am one) You didn t mention what med you were changed to but if you don t feel better,in a few months, you can push the issue of looking else where for a cause. If for hypertension, there are a vast array of different classes/groups of meds that treat HTN. I have settled for B-Blocker, just a low dose that I take at bedtime. Otherwise, not enough info to provoke some good questions for your Doc. Sooooo many causes for your symptoms: The first place to look might be thyroid. Hope this may give you some thoughts.

Toprol is a beta blocker, and one of the known side effects of beta blockers is anxiety and nervousness. In my experience, I was on Inderal (another beta blocker) twice, I had no fear and no conscience, as well as no ambition. Like you, I had some difficulty in finding health care providers who understood the problem. Toprol is a very selective B blocker, and is usually much better tolerated than Inderal, but there can always be problems.

I do know that toprol and other beta blockers can cause fatigue which is a published side effect. Although depression is not listed per se, chronic fatigue can certainly lead to depression and/or symptoms of depression.