Metoprolol Withdrawl
I started on Metoprolol Suc 25mg back in 2018 due to increased heart rate and BP...Heart rate sometimes topping 180 per minute. A few times my BP was higher than could be measured...then 2019 comes along and I found out I had an egg allergy. I didn't correlate the two as being the same issue and eventually, in 2021 my Metoprolol Suc was increased to 50mg.
After I really started watching my egg intake...that is very hard as just about everything has some sort of egg in it and my allergy was whites and yolks. My pulse would drop down into the 40's at night and I could go exercise and barely hit 70.
Talked to my doctor and asked if the egg allergy and BP issues could be related and was told no, that I needed to stop drinking any form of caffeine. Continued have issues with low pulse and lightheadedness. Was referred to a cardiologist and after giving my background was told to tapper from 50 mg to 25 mg for 4 days. I was nervous so I went a step further and split the 25 mg in half and took 12.5 for 4 days.
The first week was fine with a few episodes of High BP and Pulse but they told me to expect fluctuations for a week or two. So now starting on Day 5, I have been waking up with headaches...which if I take 2 migraine tabs it goes away but it happening for the 4th day now. Has anyone else had any headache issues coming off Metoprolol and how long did it last.
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No wearable that I know detects sleep apnea. They can monitor your heart rate and rhythm, and they can monitor your blood pressure, and they can monitor your oxygenation, your 'sat', or O2 saturation levels, including while you sleep. My Galaxy, in Canada, was finally approved to measure for AF via an ECG, and it even had to be approved by Health Canada for measuring the blood pressure (BP). I don't know about how it currently sits in the USA, but a quick search on the www should have an answer for you. Or ask the sellers.
My watch, through a phone app (on and listening while I sleep), will report snoring, which is only a loosely associated indicator of sleep apnea. Some snore and sleep properly, some don't. Those who snore and don't probably, not certainly, have some form or level of sleep apnea. But, the SO@ levels, if they show a marked dip at any point in the previous night's record, you can take that to the bank...it's an indication that you had a apneic event or somehow stopped breathing...which could mean a central apnea , or when the brain forgets to make you breathe. It's worth investigating, especially if it comes about each night, especially more often as time goes on.
Remember, though, that there are other devices such as wearable SO2 meters that keep a record of your sat levels, and there's the Kardia Mobile device, only a few dollars, that gets really strong reviews, a device that also keeps downloadable records for your night's data. The Kardia is only for heart rate and rhythm.
BTW, and I don't know if this is just a Canadian thing, I would think/hope not, but my Galaxy watch must be recalibrated with a suitable sphygmomanometer every 28 days. You'll get a warning that the calibration period is about to lapse, and you have three days to recalibrate. After that, when you go to use the watch to measure your blood pressure, you'll get a flag saying you must recalibrate...or else.
Thank you so much for the information! Very helpful!
I believe you need to taper no matter how little you take. It is amazing how much tapering helped me I was again on 12.5 mg 1/2 of a 25 mg pill so I cut them in quarters and slowly tapered and it helped me. And I felt much better you don't even realize how hooked you are on those pills even at low dosage. I can only give you my opinion of what I did I was also told not to worry but I said it can't hurt to taper and it made getting off of it so much easier for me. Bummer I just reverted after the flu so I thank you for bringing this up so I will taper again when I get fixed enough to get off of it again. Thanks for shading very helpful for me!
whoops Sharing not shading!
This is my approach as well...if you think you'd like to taper, just for cheap insurance, then do it. Won't hurt, and shouldn't cost more if you taper with the last five or six pills left in the prescription. There is lots of anecdotal evidence that people have a hard time stopping metoprolol cold, and they're advised to taper. It works for them.
Hello @anonymous1274, I combined your discussion on Metoprolol Withdrawal with another discussion of the same title by @rs197290:
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/metoprolol-withdrawl/
I did this so you and @rs197290 and others could share information under one discussion.
When I quit cold turkey my heart stopped for enough time for my soul to leave my body. I got really lucky that my heart started to beat again. I was alone at the time and my children were very young so I'm greatly blessed for that.
Hi
In 2008 my dose of Metopolol was doubled by a new Dr. I was transferred as dr was on sick leave.
So I went from 49.75 doubled in one dose.
I could hardly breathe so it was reduced back down to what I had prior 49.75.
In 2010 it was stopped cold turkey as I was vomiting with a tummy bug.
Dr said that h/r too low now.
Then in 2019 when I had a stroke embolic with Rapid and persistent AF, and on 4th day Thyroid Cancer (shadow on my thyroid whilst having a Carotid Arteries Scan).
The Endocrinologist on the Stroke Ward discussed putting me on Metopolol. I stated NO as it will make me breathless. She ignored me and I was given 3 x 23.75 daily. I was assured that I could reduce them.
No Dr would allow me to 'change' this medication.
At 1 year 4 mths I demanded a heart specialist. A thyroidectomy was performed at 4 months post operation. Plus 12 lymphs removed plus diasection of the right lymph bed.
I had an ECHO, an ECG and wore a 24hr Heart Monitor. This Monitor showed avg Day 186 BPM and pauses at night with 47bpm avg report. I couldn't exert myself, tired and sleep way out.
Changed to Bisoprolol which is more suitable to AFers. Another Monitor still uncontrolled. 156bpm Day and same 47bpm night. No breathless or pauses at night Left there uncontrolled.
If you replace one med with another no gradual weaning is necessary.
Locum asked me to go privately to a (her) reputable H/Specialist Within 2 hours H/R Day went from 156 to 51. Day.
Reduced the new med CCB Diltiazem from 1/2 dose to 120mg. Bisoprolol 2.5mg from 10mg. I took only 5mg whilst introducing to Diltiazem.
Been on Diltiazem CD 3 years @ 120mg. All AFers should be trialled first on a BB and a CCB. I wasn't.
Metopolol is not right for me. Breathless during Day on any exertion. Pauses at Night on my normal 47bpm.
Pauses at night could be Metopolol causing it. Have a heart monitor.
2024 December Bisoprolol was dropped as blood pressure was too low.
Do get evaluated closely.
I know someone who takes 100mg Metopolol, 120mg CD x 3 times day but he had a heart attack and has too much blood in his system. He has it siphoned off regularly - his blood.
Do take care.
cheri Joy (tuckie)
I take a half of 25mg at night. I've repeatedly asked if I can discontinue and have been told no. She says it helps with angina, but since all I'm doing is sleeping I don't see what the concern is re: angina. Plus I have stable angina and seldom have symptoms. I'm very frustrated.
I would get a second opinion find a cardiologist look up his credentials his experience and meet with him see if you feel comfortable with him and get his opinion