In March of 2012 I had a heart attack and two stents put in. I was taking medications associated that was prescribed by my Dr. from Virginia Heart. In Dec of 2012 I lost my job and without health care have been unable to obtain prescriptions. I am also unable to obtain any information from my Dr. as Virginia Heart will not allow me contact with her without an appointment and as I mentioned I am without insurance to afford the appointment.
The first of my medications that I am unable to replenish is Metoprolol, which I was taking in 25 mg doses once daily. A short time after stopping to take this medication, I started having pains in my knees first and principally the left knee.
I am looking to discover if the pain in the knees can be a result of not taking the Metprolol.
Thank you
Metoprolol and knee joint pain?
Question posted by ElPrimo on 25 Sep 2013
Last updated on 26 September 2013
Answers
No, stopping metoprolol wont cause knee joint pain. This is caused by something else. It is not good to stop metoprolol though. It can cause your heart rate to elevate, cause pounding in your chest, it can cause angina (chest pains), increased blood pressure, headaches, so if stopped it should be stopped gradually. With your heart history, you need to find some way to get healthcare. Have you told your Dr what happened? That you lost your job and insurance coverage? Some Drs are willing to work with you and will give cash pay discounts or allow you to make very small payments until you are on your feet again. Have you checked to see if you qualify for Medicaid or some kind of state assistance? Have you looked into finding out if there are any low cost healthcare clinics in your area. These heart drugs should not be just stopped. It can be fatal if ignored for too long.
Unfortunately Virginia is very bad on letting people know what help is out there. We only found Charlottesville because a social worker I knew told me about it. They aren't big on helping the little guy.
My Dr. Sara Kalungara is great however Virginia Heart(less) not so. I have not been able to contact my Dr. directly as VH does not allot me direct phone contact. Thank you for your responce and concern. Since being removed from the job I have no choice but to go without. Fighting US government corruption did not work for me as they fired me and left me only the choice my children or my medication, I chose my children.
Hello El Primo
Your plight is so sad. I am sorry to hear that you and your family are forced to make this cruel choice because you lost your job. But what will your children do without you. Is it possible to go to or contact clinics/ teaching hospitals in Richmond or Charlottesville(at UVA) as Karismama suggested?
I don't know what part of virginia you're in, if you're anywhere near a teaching hospital they have clinics that you can go to and pay according to sliding scale. This is terribly important for you to see a dr. I know Richmond has some, and Charlottesville(at UVA) has one. As far as your records, if you can get to another dr, they have to release your records to him. Metoprolol doesn't do anything to your joints that it would show pain after you stop it. You're pulse may go way up without it tho.
Thank you for taking the time to answer, your advise and your concern. I am not sure what my opions are I live in Leesburg, VA. Regarding slide scale I do not have far to slide from 0. For the past 9+ months all my savings has gone to defending liesin front of the MSPB and the care of my 3 children. My medication is an indulgence I cannot afford at this time.
Related topics
heart attack, angina, angina pectoris prophylaxis, osteoarthritis, pain, metoprolol, medication, knee, heart
Further information
- Metoprolol uses and safety info
- Metoprolol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Metoprolol (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
