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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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@randypape some do not have the depth of knowledge you have and would probably be helped if you were to explain exactly what V tach is. I do know, but there are others. many here are news to the world of heart problems.
Hi Myra,
After my bypass I was on Metroprolol and was told by the surgeon that if my heart rate went below a certain number or my BP readings were very low to stop taking the Metroprolol. Well, my heart rate did go below the rate specified by the surgeon and I was switched to Carvedilol. That one has kept my resting heart rate down to as low as 36, but the migraines I suffered through of years are gone unless I try to go off the Carvedilol.
The migraine doctor told me if I were to switch to any other beta blocker it would have to be back to Metroprolol. She claimed it was the only other one that would address my heart problems. They seem to be like twins, Carvedilol and Metroprolol. The pharmacist however differed with both of the doctors and suggested Attenolol.
I don't think there are any perfect for everyone drugs ever made by pharmaceutical companies.
I am sorry you had this, however you just cleared up so many ?? For me. I had a severe reaction to it after being off for weeks. I am completely drained. So many of your symptoms are just what I had. Best of luck. FGFMSN
Hello @fgfmsn,
Welcome to Connect, and thank you for joining us and sharing your thoughts. If you are comfortable, would you share a few more details? Were you on Coreg for a heart condition or hypertension? How are you coping after you stopped taking it? We look forward to getting to know you.
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1 ReactionI was on Coreg for hypertension, Coreg 40 CR. I switched to short acting due to cost.$300 a month versus a few dollars. The first dose of 25 mg bid knocked out my pressure and heart rate. Cut it to 12.5 id, still had a multitude of problems. tried 6.25 twice a day. I had a syncopal episode and woke up on floor between bathroom cabinet. Hit so hard, bent my earrings. LOL I weaned own down to 6,25 a day etc. Then stopped. After being off for over a week the doctor decided to start 6.25 bid for some breakthrough sinus tach that I get. First dose I had weird feelings, skin on fire, overall feeling not well. I took Benadryl ( I had been in hospital , thought maybe soap etc). The next morning I took the dose within 3 hours I was on fire, felt like I had needles all over my body, my hands were like ice, I was freeing and shaking. Completely washed out and exhausted. I called the cardiology dept, said to hold dose for 3 days. as time went on a little less symptoms, but next morning still incredibly weak, had to have help to walk. Over all feeling of impending doom. Went to cardiology, had holter, etc etc, Doctor wanted to restart at lesser dose, I said not. Of course since my symptoms were vague some looked at me as iff I were nuts. After reading the post here, I realize I even had issues while on the CR. I am so grateful to have found this site. I really feel one more dose and id of been toast. Glad to have my nursing knowledge, especially in critical care. As a very wise, cardiologist once told me " listen to your patient, even if the book doesn't have it written. Listen carefully"
FGFMSN
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1 ReactionReally sorry to hear about your misadventures with Coreg, @fgfmsn. I'd be scared if I went through all of that.
But right now, I'll suggest that you find a competent cardiologist for your future treatment. According to the FDA, initial dosage of Coreg should be not more than 6.25mg twice a day. Had you started on 40mg CR? Moreover, you should never abruptly cut back or terminate use of the drug; your doctors should always phase it down over time -- as much as three weeks on lower doses up to three months on heavy doses. These standard practices are published as strong recommendations of the FDA. Did your cardiologist follow these rules even a little bit?
@fgfmsn
Why not make the switch in the Doc who cares for your heart? There are many out there who do not prescribe that amount. Carvedilol is a tricky drug that can help. It caused my migraines to get under control. Have endured only 4 over the last 2 years. Could not figure out which drug was stopping them and when I tried to go off the stuff they returned, BUT I think it was the manner in which I had tried. I got some advise on this board about doing a much slower wean off and am trying that approach.
My dose has always been the smallest, 3.125 Mg 2X daily. I talked to the Neurologist about the migraines and she told me I would only be able to switch to Metoprolol, which is an even more evil drug, due to my heart condition. So... with the consent and support of my Cardiologist, I am now reducing the Carvedilol one dose per week, so each week I skip one more dose. Will see how it goes over the next 12 weeks.
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2 ReactionsI see a good cardiologist. This was over about a 3 week period. Family doc was out of town etc.
FGFMSN
Years I was on the Coreg CR. for years.
FGFMSN
Hello @randypape,
Did you have the ablation for your ventricular tachycardia? We would love to get an update and hear back from you.