Stopping Carvedilol (Coreg): When will the effects wear off?

This Dr is not listening to you. Find a new Dr. There are many other meds which won’t cause side effects. I was on very low dose time release Coreg and it still caused bad side effects. Try a good endocrinologist to help with the thyroid and maybe they can help guide you in the other areas and help you find another cardiologist.

I don't have a cardiologist because I don't have any heart problems at all. I have yet to find an endocrinologist that takes my insurance. There's an incredibly limited pool of doctors I can see and this is the only one that didn't have an 8+ month wait list to get in and I have to have my thyroid medication.

I'm 37 and have been on carvedilol for 15 months and it has been an awful experience. I'm one of the people who's had most of the side effects. Low blood pressure to the point of passing out, weight gain, high blood sugar levels (I'm not diabetic), weight gain, nausea, muscle aches to the point of being very uncoordinated and stumbling/falling frequently, horrible nightmares or insomnia. My doctor won't listen when I try to discuss these things and tells me it's because of my weight gain. All of those issues are because I've gained weight. Along with all of those things I also have trouble eating because once I eat any type of food it comes out one way or another. I have hypothyroidism and when I was put on the medication it was because I had gone to the hospital because my thyroid had completely stopped working and I had pheumonia. My lung collapsed and I filled with fluid. It took them 3-4 days to actually treat me for what was wrong and not what they thought was an overdose. I ended up in a coma. Before the put me on this medication I lost 93 pounds and since I've been on it I've gained 86 of it back. The thyroid medication that I'm on causes weight loss, but because of this medication I'm gaining. My doctors only solution is gastric bypass. She refuses to pay attention to anything I have to say and just repeats that over and over. I want to go off the carvedilol because I'm tired of feeling sick and weak all of the time and I don't want to go on diabetes medication because of this medication.

Hello @shersh

I'm a little confused in that you said, "I don't have a cardiologist because I don't have any heart problems at all." However, you do take carvedilol which is a beta-blocker med which is generally used for heart failure and other serious heart problems.

Here is a link to Mayo Clinic's website that explains the use of Carvedilol, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/carvedilol-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20067565?p=1 Please read this link.

I would suggest that you see a cardiologist if you feel that the med is not working well for you. Many of us have had problems with beta-blocker meds. I was taking a different one (Metropolol) but I also would wake up at night with very vivid dreams and not feel well during the day. My cardiologist switched me to Atenolol and I felt much better. It could be that a different med would work better for you.

Will you consider consulting with a cardiologist?

It is me again! It has been ten days off the Carvedilol. while I don't feel 100%, I am doing a lot better- maybe 85%. Weaning off of this drug was difficult. I am sleeping a lot better. My cardiologist prescribed me a mild anti anxiety pill to get over the first few nights (only half a dose for five nights) and that improved sleep quality and got me over the hump of unease at nighttime. My resting pulse is back up to about 60-62 which is more me (it was 50-52 while on Carvedilol and even lower at night). I felt that took the longest to stabilize. The night poundings have stopped. I have actually gone for two (albeit short) runs this week and have been doing a bit of yoga again. We are following up with a 24 hour halter test (I am doing that today) and an EKG (normal). I am monitoring my BP, which is pretty good. The cardiologist had originally prescribed Cozaar but is now open to trying a few months of lifestyle and diet changes and keeping a BP log- as long as I don't spike again (I had to buy a cuff for home use). I am quite anxious to try another medication at this moment after this experience. I would like to give it a real chance to see if I can keep my BP down more naturally while I am still in my 40s.

Thank you for your post. I am taking a 12.5 twice a day but it has been horrible. I actually have higher BP and anxiety attacks more it seems while on this drug. I called the doctor and he suggested taking half a dose for now. I'm trying to slower get off it but I feel all of the side effects just like everyone else. I'm so happy it's not just me. Praying for you all. I'm going to do the same as you and just make lifestyle changes. No more drugs while I'm in my 40's . Coreg was by far too strong for my heart. Thanks again everyone for these post. They do help others.

Hello @eileena,

I'm so sorry that you are upset! You are an important part of this community and you contribute to making it welcoming. I can see that very clearly from reading your past posts on your profile page. Please allow me to clear any misunderstanding or confusion, @eileena.

I am absolutely confident that Mentor @predictable was only replying, in detail, to @shawn2018 about the effects of stopping or weaning off from Carvedilol. I acknowledge that @predictable's post had a cautious undertone, but that is because as a Mentor, he recognizes that Connect is about health, first and foremost.
Connect Mentors are knowledgeable, compassionate, active members in the community; they are patients, caregivers and family members who have first-hand experience with a health condition(s). Our community members should feel safe, which is why Moderators and Mentors monitor the conversations and, more importantly, rely on community members like yourself to share insights through your experiences. That is also what Connect is about.

When we consider a medication like Coreg (Carvedilol), how we start is very important. But how we stop is just as important, As you've mentioned in previous posts, it’s so important to taper off gradually, with help from your doctor/healthcare provider, rather than stopping abruptly to avoid any confusing, unpleasant symptoms. However, it is a well-established fact that sometimes people, myself included:( undermine common sense, get impatient with the weaning process, and decide to stop, cold turkey!
Hence, I sincerely believe that @predictable was merely ensuring that @shawn2018 had enough information, as well as emphasizing the importance of "following Dr's orders"– and showing care and concern for a community member.
If you go to the first page of this very conversation, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hi-everyone-i-am-glad-to-be-a-part-of-this-community/ you will see how perceptive and accurate (and cautious), both you and @predictable have been in sharing your knowledge with community members.

I hope this helps show another side of the situation, @eileena? Please keep talking, and thank you, sincerely for all your support and participation.

I have been taking 50 mg (2 -25 mg TID, 1 -40 mg Telmisartan and 6.25 HCTZ for about five years. I’ve gotten my Blood sugar normal thru low carb diet, lost weight (eating at home for months) and exercising more. My BP came down dramatically. My doctor has been weaning me from Carvedilol for weeks. From taking half for two weeks, to 1/4 for two weeks to 1/8 for two weeks. She was mostly worried about my pulse going up. And it has been somewhat faster. High 70s low 80s. This week she had me stop the 3.125 TID. I only took the 3.125 at night for 3 nights then 3 nights ago stopped it. So no Carvedilol for three days. I’m not happy with my pulse. E.g. sitting here it’s 89. If I go up one flight of stairs it will be 115. If I walk into another room it’s 105. I get a little out of breath. No heart disease that I know of. The pulse does come back to the 80s quickly when I sit. Will this adjust and come down to high 70s low 80s or should I call her and see if I should go back on at least one 3.15 once a day? Or is there another beta blocker that’s milder than Carvedilol. My blood pressure is still very good. Seldom over 120/80 and usually more like 110-115/70.

I have been taking 50 mg (2 -25 mg TID, 1 -40 mg Telmisartan and 6.25 HCTZ for about five years. I’ve gotten my Blood sugar normal thru low carb diet, lost weight (eating at home for months) and exercising more. My BP came down dramatically. My doctor has been weaning me from Carvedilol for weeks. From taking half for two weeks, to 1/4 for two weeks to 1/8 for two weeks. She was mostly worried about my pulse going up. And it has been somewhat faster. High 70s low 80s. This week she had me stop the 3.125 TID. I only took the 3.125 at night for 3 nights then 3 nights ago stopped it. So no Carvedilol for three days. I’m not happy with my pulse. E.g. sitting here it’s 89. If I go up one flight of stairs it will be 115. If I walk into another room it’s 105. I get a little out of breath. No heart disease that I know of. The pulse does come back to the 80s quickly when I sit. Will this adjust and come down to high 70s low 80s or should I call her and see if I should go back on at least one 3.15 once a day? Or is there another beta blocker that’s milder than Carvedilol. My blood pressure is still very good. Seldom over 120/80 and usually more like 110-115/70.