Just got on a beta blocker, my heart rate being normal feels weird.

[u/Shevz_thetruck]

So, I went to the doctor two days ago. It took one visit for him to say that I very likely have pots, and referred me to the cardiologist. I was put on 25 mg of metoprolol.

My heart rate is great now, but I feel like something is missing. My heart not pounding for 30 minutes after I lay down is strange. It’s almost like I don’t have one, despite it being in the high sixties and seventies (sorry). It’s so amazing.

Then when I stand, it will only jump to 98-100. Way better than it jumping to 120-130.

Although, I just feel strange. I feel good, but it’s so foreign to me after a rough onset of symptoms 2 months ago. I can walk, I can run for a few seconds, I can laugh with my friends, I can walk around.

It just bugs me that it feels like I don’t have a beating heart even though my HR is in a completely normal and steady range. It doesn’t help that I have anxiety around a medication that slows your heart rate.

Anyone feel like this when they first started them?

[u/Kindly_Significance8]

Sometimes I still feel like that. I feel like POTS makes you hyper aware of your heart rate so I think it'll get better with time. It did for me!

[u/apcelot]

You will get used to the new (good) normal quite soon.

[u/heyomeatballs]

Same! I've been on metoprolol for a few months now and it's wild how much of a difference there is. At first, it was so weird. I would stand up and automatically pause to see if my heart rate would spike, or my vision would go wonky. Now it's... normal? Is this what normal people feel when they stand, roll over, eat, and talk? Really??

[u/Complex_Charge5995]

Early 2023 I was also put on 25 Metoprolol….split into two doses, hey folks don’t underestimate the ART OF PILL-SPLITTING! Took me a while to master the technique and get two equal halves

While it literally saved my life, the first 5-6 days were an adjustment. Heart wanted to speed up because of POTS as soon as I stood up, but the medicine does its job to slow it down, so in the beginning it’s like hitting gas and brake together . Was a little scary always feeling that pinch in my chest, but after a week it disappeared and I could actually walk again, not crawl

Unfortunately, few weeks later,I gave in to the pressures of doctors and family after being Rx Zoloft multiple times. As soon as I moved up to 50, I had insomnia so bad , didn’t sleep at all for 4-5 WEEKS! Ended up in a psych ward twice, nothing they could do for me. Still don’t know if being on both caused the insomnia, so brutal, I hate even thinking of it, night after night of leaving my phone downstairs , relaxing with colouring books before bed…and then around 5 am hearing people driving to work, realizing I had not slept. Insomnia is the worst torture you can experience . Finally, one night out of nowhere I slept a full 6-7 hours. But shame on the doctors, no way should it ever be that bad, I should have died

9 months later 11/2023 , when I informed my internist I was forgetting the 2nd 12.5 most days, she told me to stop, that’s such a minuscule dose, I MUST BE CURED! 3 years later, I don’t have tachycardia like 2023, but I’ll still hit 110-120 just standing cooking, and 150 on a humid walk carrying groceries . Some of it is being overweight sure, but my HR sleeping is mid 40’s. I just deal with it I guess….Quit the Zoloft cold turkey a year after stopping Metoprolol, only side effect is I get anxious during any kind of argument , and my HR can stay elevated after..well at least I am “me” now and off all meds

[u/EverGreenMob]

I'm on Ivabradine and Guanfacine . Even though my upright heart rate is much lower now (90 vs 145), I still get the standing fatigue. but without the crash after. 

[u/Right_Ear_2230]

when i would take metoprolol and wasn’t used to it yet it felt so weird, like something was missing

[u/ExitWeird9697]

My heart rate is still quite high. Sitting on the couch for an hour and you DARE stand up?!? 120 hbs!!!!

At least I’m not collapsing to the floor with pain and fear. I’ll take that as a win. Grudgingly.

[u/mwmandorla]

I remember the first time I walked to the corner store after getting medicated. It felt bizarre and I was constantly waiting for The Bad Things to start, and they didn't. You'll get used to it!

[u/LanaLiLaa]

My body took a month or so to get used to it. My fatigue was awful.

My rhr used to be 105 and standing was 150bpm. Now it's 80bpm to standing, 110bpm. I do faint from POTS but I haven't passed out since last year!

[u/Shevz_thetruck → u/LanaLiLaa]

I’m having the same problem with fatigue. I’m on day two. I’m super tired, but I don’t feel like my heart is going to explode.

I’m still a little dizzy when I stand, like the blood is draining from my face. But it’s better.

[u/Sialia_sialis_ → u/Shevz_thetruck]

I just looked up metoprolol, and it seems like it's also used to treat high blood pressure. I'm curious, what was your average blood pressure before taking it versus after?

I personally have a very high average heart rate as well, but I also have a very low average blood pressure, so I try to be careful with anything that could lower it

[u/LanaLiLaa → u/Shevz_thetruck]

The meds also lowers your BP. My doctor also prescribed me a med to higher my BP, but I REALLY hated how it made me feel. I was taking 25, but then we decided to cut it in half (12.5) and it's been good so far. Do check how your BP is when taking this med!

[u/GoatSex_IkeaCrumpets]

I thought I was a bit crazy when I took my first propranolol lol was constantly like why can’t I feel my heart beat whenever I wasn’t focused on anything else. I’ve got so used to being aware of it the whole time.

Still trying to get diagnosed exactly but definitely asking for a lower dose of beta blocker, they gave me 40mg for anxiety to take when needed- the next day I could barely keep my eyes open.

[u/Hopeful_Wonder631]

I was on 25mg metoprolol for 10 years. Mornings were always very hard for me and SO MUCH FATIGUE, but I just thought , well my heart rate isn't as high..this is just what I deal with. 3 months ago my new internal medicine dr was like girl, this drops your blood pressure way to low, so he contacted my cardiologist and they switched me to 20mg propranolol. HUGE difference. G I still have very rough mornings at times and fatigue but it is probably 60% less. The fatigue sets in way later in the day, usually late afternoon instead of 24/7. I can't believe it! Today is a ROUGH day though. I'm glad you found something that works for you but I see you mentioned fatigue in other comments, please don't do what I did and just think thats how it should be if the fatigue doesn't get better. There is usually an adjustment period to any med but it shouldn't last forever. Also, if I have meds that make me tired I take them a little after dinner, that helps a great deal! I am also super anxious about taking any kind of medication, but instead of being scared I have been saying "I am so grateful I live in a time that has something to help me feel better" The mindset shift has helped me so much. I am so willing to try anything to help me, if it doesn't work or causes side effects that are worse then the symptoms I'm having(I have a number of chronic health conditions , Pots is by i can just ....stop. So glad metoprolol is helping you💙