1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions

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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sapphira | @sapphira | Mar 28, 2019
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @sapphira, Thanks for uploading a picture and adding a bio to your profile page. I..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

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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thanks so much for removing the big pic. Don't know why that happened but appreciate your taking it off.

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sue225 | @sue225 | Mar 28, 2019
In reply to @sapphira "Three yrs. ago, after suffering the loss of my sister, I had an attack of Takotsubo,..." + (show)
@sapphira

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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Please don't abruptly stop taking metoprolol before seeing your doctor. Anyone who has been on this drug for a length of time, needs to be weaned off it slowly. Serious heart problems can occur if you go "cold turkey". Just worried so wanted to tell you.

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sapphira | @sapphira | Mar 28, 2019
In reply to @tootsierollpie "Sapphira. very beautiful lady. Thank you for sharing your story. I can relate. My blood pressure..." + (show)
@tootsierollpie

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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I sympathize with your hurt and grief. Losing someone dear under any circumstance is very painful and we never stop missing them.
I try to keep busy and despite my bout with takotsubo (weird episode for me), I try to be positive and enjoy the things that have always interested me. Emotional upset can surely throw the body off so stay calm and peaceful as possible - see if that helps.do things that interest you as well. Let go of anger re "her daughter" - At 93 yrs, it may have just been her time to go. We only last so long.

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2 replies
sapphira | @sapphira | Mar 28, 2019
In reply to @sapphira "I sympathize with your hurt and grief. Losing someone dear under any circumstance is very painful..." + (show)
@sapphira

I sympathize with your hurt and grief. Losing someone dear under any circumstance is very painful and we never stop missing them.
I try to keep busy and despite my bout with takotsubo (weird episode for me), I try to be positive and enjoy the things that have always interested me. Emotional upset can surely throw the body off so stay calm and peaceful as possible - see if that helps.do things that interest you as well. Let go of anger re "her daughter" - At 93 yrs, it may have just been her time to go. We only last so long.

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thanks for your concern. I would never stop a medication without talking to my doctor, so don't worry about that issue. I only question why I still need certain meds when I see him and we discuss it. It's good to review your meds periodically - no harm in that.

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 28, 2019
In reply to @sapphira "I sympathize with your hurt and grief. Losing someone dear under any circumstance is very painful..." + (show)
@sapphira

I sympathize with your hurt and grief. Losing someone dear under any circumstance is very painful and we never stop missing them.
I try to keep busy and despite my bout with takotsubo (weird episode for me), I try to be positive and enjoy the things that have always interested me. Emotional upset can surely throw the body off so stay calm and peaceful as possible - see if that helps.do things that interest you as well. Let go of anger re "her daughter" - At 93 yrs, it may have just been her time to go. We only last so long.

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Hello @sapphira

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister and the traumatic events surrounding her death. It is hard to even imagine how you must feel. I would encourage you to join the Mayo Connect discussion on Loss and Grief. You can find the discussions at this link, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/loss-grief/.

I think you will find some very compassionate Members in this group you will be encouraging and helpful to you as you seek to live your life without your dear sister.

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1 reply
sue225 | @sue225 | Mar 28, 2019
In reply to @sapphira "thanks for your concern. I would never stop a medication without talking to my doctor, so..." + (show)
@sapphira

thanks for your concern. I would never stop a medication without talking to my doctor, so don't worry about that issue. I only question why I still need certain meds when I see him and we discuss it. It's good to review your meds periodically - no harm in that.

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Of course, I agree with you. Just remembering how the doctor warned me about metoprolol. Be well.

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sapphira | @sapphira | Mar 28, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @sapphira I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister and the..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @sapphira

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your sister and the traumatic events surrounding her death. It is hard to even imagine how you must feel. I would encourage you to join the Mayo Connect discussion on Loss and Grief. You can find the discussions at this link, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/loss-grief/.

I think you will find some very compassionate Members in this group you will be encouraging and helpful to you as you seek to live your life without your dear sister.

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Thank you Teresa, I will think about that discussion group and if I want to be involved.

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healthytoday | @healthytoday | Mar 28, 2019
In reply to @tootsierollpie "Sapphira. very beautiful lady. Thank you for sharing your story. I can relate. My blood pressure..." + (show)
@tootsierollpie

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.

Jump to this post

Probably need more than meds, a support group, writing poetry expressing your feelings, writing a story, drawing some pictures.

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sapphira | @sapphira | Mar 28, 2019

writing can help a lot - I wrote a novel during my sister's illness. It was a form of distraction for me after visiting and caring for her. Helped me a lot during that time.

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 28, 2019

Hello @sapphira
Writing and/or keeping a journal is a great idea. Writing a novel was quite an undertaking! If you don't mind me asking, was it published or was it just for your own personal purposes?

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