A touchy subject (LNS) how Toprol affects guys

[Bionic Man]

I might as well just come out and talk about this. I don't know how many others have posted on it so far because I forgot to do a search and now it's really really late and I just want to post my post before I keel over from tiredness so if this is a repeat, please forgive me!

I find that when taking Toprol I have a particularly frustrating problem that my wife points out to me... I call it LNS otherwise known as "limp noodle syndrome". It's not that things stop working by any means... just the quality of the working is less than optimal. Not the end of the world but I do like to make my poor wife feel like she hasn't just wasted her time to be "close".

I talked to my cardiologist and he switched me to Labetalol which seemed according to my wife to help a lot. When eventually my other doc switched me back to half a Toprol with a mix of half a Lysinopril which supposedly is better for marfans patients. Sadly LNS has returned.

So I'm back to asking my new doc to see if they can do a mix with Labetalol replacing the Toprol in hopes that it will make things work better. I don't think that I'm ready for Viagra or anything like that. But after mercilessly making fun of those ads I have to admit lately I've given them ever so slightly more than a passing thought... but I'm too scared to try them. Sooo... I guess I'll see what the doc says.

 

[Mary]

I'm not male, but I was concerned when Toprol was prescribed that it would diminish my ability to "achieve". Frankly, it was a major concern so I asked my cardiologist to put me on the lowest dose possible and happily I had no difficulty.

If your Toprol dosage was reduced, would that help? If not, I would ask to have the Labetalol replace it.

I know we all have different issues that are more or less important in our lives, and this was a very important issue in mine. I suppose you have to choose what's best for both you and your wife.

 

[Cooker]

This can be a problem ... what dose are you taking? ... I am on 25mg and it causes no problem ... keep after your doctors until they get it right.

 

[netmiff]

Well, they are beta blockers, and the job of a beta blocker is the
"....management of cardiac arrhythmias, cardioprotection after myocardial infarction (heart attack), and hypertension." (per Wikipedia). If it lowers your blood pressure and keeps your heartbeat rate low, there is less blood in the plumbing, causing LNS - just not enough air in the tires !

If you are on beta blockers and/or meds for HBP, you should check with a medical professional before even thinking about Viagra, I believe they are contra-indicated, but check !!

 

[Ross]

Beta Blockers might as well be called Hard on killers. Work with your Doc at finding something else that may work and if not, the laughing at Viagra may have to stop. Your not alone. I think just about every man in here is having problems, just most won't talk about it.

 

[ctyguy]

things are still working on demand but I do notice its not as "robust" as it used to be. Didn't know that beta-blockers had that type of effect. Im on 50mg.

 

[ChuckVSP]

Don't be afriad or too embarrassed to talk with your doctor. LNS (i may need to use that acronym in the future, please) didn't hit too bad with Toprol XL (I take 50 mg twice a day), but it did not fully control my A-fib. My Cardio added Sotalol, 80 mg twice a day. This is gereric for BetaPace*, another beta blocker. The combination controls A-fib pretty well, but kills everything else. I am not that old of a fellow (45 ain't old!), but my physician explained that about 25 to 40 percent of men in my age bracket automatically have some form of LNS. He also explained that two beta blockers would also dramatically add to the problem! As we age, it automatically gets worse. He did prescribe an aid to assist in this matter (Viagra). Sad thing is, health insurance only pays for 6 a month. Oh well, gotta take the good with the bad!

Talk with your doc. Get the facts, and make a good, informed decision. Both you and your wife will be glad you did. Take care, and good luck!

 

[hensylee]

my boss was very frustrated when he had to take bp meds. His wife told us the main thing that he'd get distressed about was his prowess in the sex area. I hope you can get back to what you were on before. this should be considered by every dr who rxes this sort of meds. after all, it is a major part of life and enhances the whole rest of life.

 

[Turkey Hunter]

I am on Toprol as well, and the "endurance" was never an issue when I was married. (Ex wasn't much on sex...not sure if she could spell it)
But now that I am living with a woman who enjoys sex on a very regular basis....... Wow this isn't real easy to talk about is it?????
It responds on demand and works as it should (at least I think it does); but at 35 yo I should be able to keep it going for at least a couple "near death" experiences....shouldn't I???
Would not being able to "go again" be LNS?
My doc had asked me a year or so after the Ross Procedure if I was having any problems in this area.......I told him I wasn't but maybe I do and didn't realize it.

 

[Duff Man]

beta blockers are flacidifiers dude. For that matter, they're libido killers. The less you take the more firm it is. I'm 25, and I experience a complete reversal of the symptoms if I just reduce or stop my dosage. Like you said, it's not like it doesn't work, it's just not optimal. It's just what beta blockers do, I think. I think it's actually a function of the beta blockade.

The trade off for me is that I could die if I take too little, but it's also the most effective at controlling my rhythm, palpitations and blood pressure issues.

 

[Wise]

Beta blockers didn't do that to me. They did make me very sluggish otherwise though. I take an ace inhibitor now. No problems.

 

[tobagotwo]

It's a known side-effect with beta blockers. Or getting to "that point" and finding that you are unable to come to a conclusion (males and females both).

There are two approaches: try other beta blockers (they're quite different, and there are lots of them) or go to a different type of blood pressure medication (usually an ace inhibitor).

Beta blockers are not use as frequently in the rest of the world, as they seem to line up with sexual disfunction, diabetes, and immune system issues (like drug-induced psoriasis, digestive issues). Ace inhibitors are the front line for blood pressure control in the UK. We in the US should reconsider our cardiologists' love affair with the beta blockers.

I always get annoyed when I hear that high blood pressure causes "ED," when in fact, it's usually the beta blocker that causes it. Same with the blaming of late-onset diabetes entirely on personal habits. I even heard in a Walmart that people with psoriasis are more apt to have high blood pressure, when it's the other way around, thanks to our beta blockers.

Note that many people do not have problems on beta blockers, but those who do are largely ignored or pushed aside with ignorant statements like those above.

Best wishes,

 

[Turkey Hunter]

So what is my answer....stoptaking the med....HELL no! I have had some bad experiences on other drugs and would be scared to try something different!!!

Honestly; I really don't think I need it anymore but the arrythmia that I had was very scary and hard to just stop the meds at this point....

Should i speak to my docabout LNS drugs that can help or just "work" through it?

 

[tobagotwo]

You should never just stop meds, expecially BP meds. IF you're to go off any meds, it should be done with a doctor's or pharmacist's instructions.

As far as trying other things, if you're not willing to, then you've left yourself few avenues. It's your choice.

As far as a straight and perfect answer, there isn't one, or you'd already have seen it yourself. There are only other options, or the option to go off the dosage altogether.

Best wishes,

 

[Duff Man]

I took a nitro tab one time (long story) and it was a potent unflaccidifier.

I also reduced my dosage of tenormin 50% and upped my dosage of ACE Inhibitor 50% to counter act the rise in blood pressure. LDS eradicated. Mostly.

I tried to take a calcium channel blocker instead of a beta blocker but it made me so constipated it couldn't have been healthy.

 

[Turkey Hunter]

You should never just stop meds, expecially BP meds. IF you're to go off any meds, it should be done with a doctor's or pharmacist's instructions.

As far as trying other things, if you're not willing to, then you've left yourself few avenues. It's your choice.

As far as a straight and perfect answer, there isn't one, or you'd already have seen it yourself. There are only other options, or the option to go off the dosage altogether.

Best wishes,

I would never stop any meds without docs OK (hell I won't even take something new from a PCP without running it by my cardio); but tryng something new is a bit scary....not that I am against it......I guess I am just looking for information and oppinions on what others who have/are dealing with it have done.

Thanks Bob

Ben

 

[briansmom]

OMG!, my son is on massive doses of beta blockers. (80mg CR Coreg) I asked his doctors to talk to him about this subject but they really consider him a kid and I know they are uncomfortable with it. He surely doesn't want to talk to me about this.

 

[lcwhitney]

A lot of guys taking BP meds have the same problem. One of my brothers had the same problem on Toprol. He would die if he knew my sister-in-law told me this. When he finally told his Doc. he said that beta blockers almost always cause this problem. he now takes Cardizem 180mg.
Tell your MD he should be able to replace your meds to something more that won't have this affect o n you.

Lettitia

 

[tobagotwo]

Ben, I know you know that. That's also why I had said if there were a straight path, you'd already know what it was. The response was really for other people reading this who might not be aware that you can't just stop these things without endangering yourself.

I can say that I've not had the issue so much with Bystolic, although the Atenolol caused problems at both ends of The Act. However, it's a pretty new drug, and there may be other things we don't know about yet. I'm going to try to talk my new cardiologist into an Ace Inhibitor, because of some of the other not-so-nice side byproducts of beta blockers. We'll see.


As I said, many folks have no apparent issues with them. If it's working for you, you should probably stay on them, as it can be hard to find a drug that suits you and works on your BP. Get blood tests to ensure your sugar isn't going the wrong way, and watch for other symptoms. Other than that, I guess just be glad you have something that works.

Best wishes,

 

[Cooker]

Ben, I know you know that. That's also why I had said if there were a straight path, you'd already know what it was. The response was really for other people reading this who might not be aware that you can't just stop these things without endangering yourself.........

Glad that you posted this ... I have noticed that there are some here that "adjust" their meds without medical advice .... stopping or changing the dose of certain meds can be very dangerous .... thats for highlighting this again.....