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Metoprolol for palpitations exacerbates anxiety

DEAR DR. ROACH: I just discontinued using metoprolol succinate extended release (ER) at a dosage of 6.25 mg. My heart rate is normally in the 70-80s, and my blood pressure is normal. My doctor prescribed metoprolol for palpitations, but it seems totally unnecessary. My issue is that I am experiencing tachycardia of over 100 beats every single night as well as dry mouth. Could this be anxiety? And do you think an antidepressant like Zoloft or Paxil would help? I had a Holter monitor, which showed nothing wrong with my heart. The palpitations were sporadic only when I was anxious. I ...

Ways of donating to family of the deceased

Dear Heloise: In regard to your hint about flowers at funerals, I no longer send flowers to funerals. Sometimes the service is so darn short, maybe 2 hours, and then it’s right to the crematory or cemetery. I put the money and check form in an envelope that is made out to the family to help them with their expenses. Why waste the money on flowers? There are hospital expenses, funeral expenses, and expenses of finding someone to watch children so that they can have their services. There are also expenses afterward of having a wake for the people who did attend the funeral. There are ...

Horoscope

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll have an audience. Whether you perform for one person or a thousand, your aim is the same — to be your best. And actually, in the end, scale doesn’t matter. The effort will be identical. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). When people feel judged, they instinctively pull away. And when you judge yourself, it’s the same. Part of you pulls away from yourself, leaving you feeling torn and lonely. But when you stop grading and scoring, tension dissolves. Connection is possible again. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Someone else might dismiss a minor opportunity, ...

Today in History

Today is Monday, Oct. 27, the 300th day of 2025. There are 65 days left in the year. Today in history: On Oct. 27, 2018, a gunman shot and killed 11 congregants and wounded six others at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue in the deadliest domestic attack on Jews in U.S. history; authorities said the suspect, Robert Bowers, raged against Jews during and after the rampage. (Bowers was convicted and sentenced to death in 2023.) Also on this date: In 1787, the first of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays calling for ratification of the United States Constitution, was ...

Horoscope

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Caring for others is a big part of your life. Sometimes, this seems to lead to getting ground down by stress. Stress is not your identity; it’s just a habit your body and mind learned to keep up. Let it move through you as breath does: inhale, exhale. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). When the butterfly of happiness flits past, just remember that every emotion has its merits. Even sadness can be a beautiful reminder of our humanity, which deepens our experience and shows us we’re capable of love and attachment. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Because thank-you notes ...

Today in History

Today is Monday, Oct. 20, the 293rd day of 2024. There are 72 days left in the year. Today in history: On Oct. 20, 1944, Gen. Douglas MacArthur waded ashore in his return to the Philippines against Japanese forces in World War II, fulfilling a promise he made (“I shall return”) after being ordered to evacuate the country in 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Also on this date: In 1803, the U.S. Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase. In 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee opened hearings into alleged Communist influence in the U.S. motion picture ...