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Stopping Carvedilol (Coreg): When will the effects wear off?
Hi everyone,
I am glad to be a part of this community. Please foregive the long post. I was wondering if anyone has had a hard time while being on and going off Carvedilol (Coreg).
I am an active 45 year old mom of a young child. I have always tried to eat healthily and keep in shape (I do yoga, pilates and, run about 5k 2x per week). My BP has always been pretty good, but since my 40´s it has gone up a bit (heredity factors play a role). My BP and heart rate also "spike" when I get stressed or anxious, but for the most part are pretty level during normal times. I do have anxious moments, but I would not say anxiety has been a major life problem. At my last check (Feb 2016), and after wearing a 24 hour BP monitor, my cardiologist suggested I start Carvedilol 6.25 1x per day (quite a low dose) for the spikes and to keep the heart from getting too excited. I agreed that maybe it was a good idea and started over two months ago. Other than stimulating rapid bowel movements, I did not notice any side effects at first. I would say about three to four weeks into taking the Carvedilol, I began not sleeping well. I also noticed my heart pounding, like a bass drum, slowly and steadily, at times. Then the heart pounding began to wake me up at night (it turns out my HR was down in the high 40s at night). Some nights I even felt my chest muscles vibrate, as if a phone on silence mode was on top of my chest. I started to notice this more and more and then I would have a few normal nights, so I figured I would just talk about this at my next cardio check (booked out in June). I also noticed I was getting more and more anxious. I wasn't too sure why little things were beginning to bother me. I thought it was hormones, PMS, whatever, and started looking for someone like a therapist to talk to.
The previous week was bad. I woke up from a few nightmares and I started to panic in bed, just woken up from sleep. I had three nights of waking up to panic attacks and body shakes. The experiences made me very nervous. At this point I started looking into the side effects of Carvedilol and I was seeing not only chest pounding, but in rare cases reported effects of nightmares, visual disturbances, tremors, anxiety. I also know one does not simply stop a beta blocker, so we talked about tapering down. I tapered down for four days, and then I got in to see another cardiologist on Monday and he said just stop immediately. The effects are rare, but they have been noted. Going off this medication has been frightening. I feel weak and shaky all the time, and I get sporadic periods of pounding and muscle tremors in my legs, anxiety and fuzzy vision. I frequently get so cold I begin to shake. Yesterday I went back to the clinic for an EKG (normal) and some blood tests (including thyroid) and everything was normal. I am just assuming this is my body reacting and readapting itself after being on beta blockers. It has only been five days, but I am wondering if anyone out there has had similar experiences. How long did it take you to feel normal again? I ran a 5k just two weekends ago and yesterday I could hardly take a walk. Thanks for listening.
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Thank you ever so much for caring and your concern. I share a house with a room mate so I am not alone. After reading your post I did make a list of my medications, dosages, etc and insurance information and I keep my medications in one place and I showed my friend where they are in my bedroom. If the shortness of breath continues and/or gets worse I will go to the emergency room. Thank you. I am 69 years old now and I never had headaches or high blood pressure till just a few months ago. I just have to get my mind wrapped around this new phase of my life, at present I found all these medical problems, and words on medication side effects a little confusing and frightening. Thanks again.
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1 ReactionIt may be a good idea to put a list of all of your medications in your wallet. Easy access to any emergency respondents.
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3 ReactionsGreat plan @zany. Glad we could help you to be pro-active about your health. These "new phases" of life in our golden years are no picnic.
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1 ReactionThanks for the detail on your situation @zany. It prompts me to offer a few more questions.
Did you know that Lisinopril and Cozaar are very similar medications? They both interfere with angiotensin which is a hormone that constricts arteries; the hormone increases blood pressure, and both medications cut BP. Angiotensin is part of the renin-angiotensin system, which is a major target for drugs that lower blood pressure. Angiotensin also stimulates the release of aldosterone, another hormone which helps govern how the body handles blood pressure.
The connections to Renin and Aldosterone highlight the fact that the kidneys are important factors in my situation (and perhaps yours) and pointed to the need for my medical team to be led by a nephrologist (although both endocrinologists and cardiologists also have a role). Have you had the benefit of consultation or examination by a nephrologist?
What do your doctors tell you about your current need for Cozaar at the high dosage of 100mg per day? Also Carvedilol at the lowest dosage available (6.25mg) twice a day? Could you drop the Carvedilol altogether as unnecessary given your low BP readings at night? (FYI, my Carvedilol is 25mg twice a day with no apparent side effects and stable blood pressure.)
In the background of your hypertension, do your doctors emphasize how important your missing thyroid is and its former symptoms related to Graves Disease? Have you discussed this with your rheumatologist? Graves Disease is an autoimmune disease similar to rheumatoid arthritis. And research tells us that thyroid issues sometimes are ignored when heart problems show up.
I appreciate your frustration over the lack of central medical records and the inability of practitioners in several specialties to share crucial information and to better coordinate their diagnoses and treatment. Perhaps you would find comfort in engaging a comprehensive, holistic medical practice, such as a state university or Mayo Clinic. Let us know if that's something you'd like to explore.
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1 ReactionI never heard of a nephrologist I have a urologist that treats me for kidney stones. Thanks for the description of the blood pressure medications.
I haven't talked to the doctor about being taken off of or reducing any medications because of the weekend, but I will on Monday. Before I stopped taking the higher dosage of Synthroid my blood pressure was irratic and high which I believe is why all the medications and dosages were prescribed. I don't think I need The Carvedilol now at all my readings this evening have been 101/65, 105/59 and 113/64 so I definitely don't think I need any additional medications tonight.
I believe the thyroid Graves Disease caused my heart problems because it took a long time before it was discovered. The doctors when I complained treated me for aniexty and never checked my thyroid I was in hyperthyroidism for a good many years. I always heard my heart beating I thought everyone did so I didn't realize I shouldn't so I imagine that couldn't have been good on my heart. It was amazing how everything quieted down after it was found and properly treated. I never had what the doctors were calling an aniexty attacks again after my thyroid was treated.
All the doctors as of last week are in communications. i have a Medicare HMO Security Blue, therefore my insurance only gives me coverage in my area. so I don't think I can do what you were saying about a state university or Mayo Clinic.
I will be discussing the valuable information you have given me with my doctor tomorrow..thanks again for your time and consideration on my behalf...
That's a good idea too thank you ever so much
Happy to report I was experiencing a "thyroid storm" created by my thyroid medication that can create fast or slow heart rates as in the case of Graves- tachycardia- fast heart rates as was described to me. Everything has quieted down, my Synthroid has been adjusted. I am backing off of Carvedilol and now only taking Cozaar 25mg once a day. All is well, for now anyways...... Thanks to everyone for helping me...
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1 ReactionI hope everything straightens it self out...best of luck and prayers.
I am looking for a sympathetic ear, because I am awake nearly all the time for the third week in a row after > Cardiac Artery Bypass Graft x6 with Maze procedure. I am not normally on line for anything more than FaceBook, Craigslist, Amazon and Emails. But since my release from Rehab yesterday I have been investigating Recovering from the side effects and or allergic reaction to Carvedilol. While searching for info on Coreg, you seem to be the open ear, and possible source of comfort and or information as I have follow much of your discussion above.
As for myself I have had an immeasurably horrific experience with Coreg during my very recent 6x bypass surgery.
Firstly I don't know if you are actively online, and or how you would communicate with me.
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1 Reaction@cabgx6maze517 Welcome to Mayo Connect and thanks for your post regarding Carvedilol. I am sorry to hear of your bad experience with this med. As you read through this page you will see that many others have discussed the side-effects of this medication. Please feel free to share, as you are comfortable, some of the side-effects you have experienced with this drug. It might be helpful to our Connect members to relate to the problems you have had.
Also, what has your doctor said regarding this experience? Has he/she offered any alternative medication or suggestions regarding your reaction? I trust that you will have responses from many of our Connect members in the near future. In the meantime, I offer you all the best in your recovery from the Bypass procedure as well as in the recovery from the medication reaction. Teresa