How did you wean off Metoprolol?

Posted by kenny48 @kenny48, May 11, 2018

Hi,
I've been taking both flecainide and metoprolol now for eight years, as a prophylactic for Afib. I recently moved to North Carolina and have a new Cardiologist. Have had a lot of PVC's this past two months, and had to wear a heart monitor for an entire month. He said that although I had a lot of PVC's I didn't have even one PAC! He also noted that my BPM was low in the low fifties most of the time. He asked why I was taking metropolol. I told him that the only thing my previous doctor had said was " it makes the flecainide, work better". He suggested I stop taking the metoprolol to see how I do without it. Unfortunately I read a lot of information on the internet. I read that it can be very dangerous to stop taking it. I take 25 mg metoprolol succinate, split in half. Once in the morning with my flecainide, and then again in the evening for a second dose. He wants me to take half in the morning and skip the evening dose for two days, then stop entirely. Has anyone else stopped taking this drug in a similar manner? I'm worried that the cut off is too soon.

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@soliloquized

I used to get Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD, likely from limited exposure to sunlight in the winter. I began taking Vitamin D3 once per day, 2000IU, year round and really have not had it since.

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About a year after starting Metoprolol, my normally low blood pressure, (which initially went even lower on Metoprolol) started to climb. Cardiologist thought this was normal part of the aging process. Since it was sometimes high and sometimes not, I had the bp monitor test done and was told to monitor at home. Anyway, I thought it was weird that this was happening. Coincidentally, my appt with the specialist for osteoporosis was around this same time. Bloodwork showed my VitD levels were low. Started taking VitD religiously (1000iu to 2000iu daily). Within a few months, blood pressure back to my normal/low level and it has stayed that way.
I asked a bp specialist if there was a connection and he said there had been some small studies done showing a link.
So far no new meds needed!

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@sue225

About a year after starting Metoprolol, my normally low blood pressure, (which initially went even lower on Metoprolol) started to climb. Cardiologist thought this was normal part of the aging process. Since it was sometimes high and sometimes not, I had the bp monitor test done and was told to monitor at home. Anyway, I thought it was weird that this was happening. Coincidentally, my appt with the specialist for osteoporosis was around this same time. Bloodwork showed my VitD levels were low. Started taking VitD religiously (1000iu to 2000iu daily). Within a few months, blood pressure back to my normal/low level and it has stayed that way.
I asked a bp specialist if there was a connection and he said there had been some small studies done showing a link.
So far no new meds needed!

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Sue225 very interesting...I think I will get some VitD today what can it hurt? I will keep you informed if My BP lowers I quit the Metoprolol BP is down to avg. 152/90 not good but not in the two hundreds. VitD here I come.

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@tootsierollpie

Sue225 very interesting...I think I will get some VitD today what can it hurt? I will keep you informed if My BP lowers I quit the Metoprolol BP is down to avg. 152/90 not good but not in the two hundreds. VitD here I come.

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My systolic numbers were similar during that time. Diastolic didnt climb as much. If it is going to do anything, think it will take about 6 weeks to know. I no longer bother taking my bp at home.

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@sue225

My systolic numbers were similar during that time. Diastolic didnt climb as much. If it is going to do anything, think it will take about 6 weeks to know. I no longer bother taking my bp at home.

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It's possible to take too much vit d, Do ur homework.

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@1943

@gir72. Have terrible shortness of breath on metoprolol. Dr suggests av node ablation and pacemaker.

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..take some deep breaths. I am also struggling. Do yoga and learn some breathing styles.

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@healthytoday

It's possible to take too much vit d, Do ur homework.

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The amount of vitamin D I am taking is as per the endocrinologist's instructions.

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Three yrs. ago, after suffering the loss of my sister, I had an attack of Takotsubo, and was in hospital overnight. They gave me Metoprolol, and under the care of my Cardiologist/internist, I continue to take 50 mg tabs till this day. My heart is doing fine, according to my current EKG, etc. (just had test) and frankly I know nothing about this med. and will ask my doctor why I am still on it and it's import to my heart. Thanks for bring this med to my attention. I
am an 87 yr old woman, pretty active for my years. I still grieve my sister but for me the takotsubo experience was complex, as it involved her being in her apartment in a fire, the shock of it , taking her home with me and then having to put her in hospital where she died. We were both in shock. The story is complex and difficult for me to talk about, but I now live a quieter but still active as I can be life.

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changed my photo with an updated one, but can't get rid of that big pic. How do I do that?

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@sapphira

changed my photo with an updated one, but can't get rid of that big pic. How do I do that?

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Sapphira. very beautiful lady. Thank you for sharing your story. I can relate. My blood pressure spiked to 210/115 when my dear Mother in law at the age of 93 died. Her daughter caused her death and I could do nothing. My heart hurt so much and still does tears flow when I think of her so now I fight a battle daily of extremly uncontrollable high BP doctors cannot tell why. Meds do not seem to help.

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@sapphira

changed my photo with an updated one, but can't get rid of that big pic. How do I do that?

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Hi @sapphira, Thanks for uploading a picture and adding a bio to your profile page. I have removed the unwanted big pic from your previous post.

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