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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success101 | @success101 | Jan 17, 2020

In reply to @grandma1958 "I started tapering Metroprolol 100mg ER a month or so ago, due to too low BP...." + (show)

@grandma1958

I started tapering Metroprolol 100mg ER a month or so ago, due to too low BP. Keep in mind have lost 32 lbs over past 5 years and had been on this for 20 years. At start of 75 mg dose initially, it dramatically relieved migraines! So, I have had a reluctance to go less than 75mg. From previous reductions. Several times docs wanted me to try 50. Pulse seen very low in sleep at 42, plus have sleep apnea.
I know the migraines return, so reluctance strong. Anyway, taking 75mg now, saw Cardiologist month ago due to a second angina attack in three weeks. Usually these only every 115- 120 days. Reading this, maybe the reduction caused the second attack. Dr. Wants me off this or any beta blocker. Said taper. I have taken 50 mg now for about a month. So this is over second fill month tapering.
Having Headaches every day. Back to taken a full 100 mg Imitrex (Sumitryptiline) yesterday to prevent migraine.
I have had some malaise days, above normal for me as a chronic pain pt. But, recall you also go through this when starting on Beta Blockers for 3-4 months.
I Forced myself to shower, dress and get to store yesterday. No nap. It helped! On CPAP but didn't sleep well due to headache all night. I am watching BP everyday. I had to stop HCTZ also a month ago. Took for years, no longer helps, but Cardiologist did note leg swelling and replaced it with a low dose loop diuretic 20mg Lasix. Dr. Said if Bp goes up, to have primary prescribe LaSartan. I asked about it due to previous recall. He just said there are different ones. All my changes with reduction of BB are due to being in LBBB, a conduction issue and bradycardia. It was that or a Pacemaker. My mom died 5 weeks after getting a pacemaker at age 81 due to a contaminated lead wire. Had Superbug on it. By the time pain so bad in shoulder area, on a SAT. She was already dying. 4 days later we unplugged everything and sent her to Heaven.
So, no pacemaker for now. I am slowly tapering and will figure out what, if anything more will be needed,will work for BP and Migraines.
On 100mg had gotten as low as 95/60, on 75mg 115/67, on 50 mg 134/75, pulse is better was low 42 high to 64, running about 57 Ave. Now. Pretty good for LBBB. PS have 30%+ block of LAD, this is vessel causing Pritzmetal angina symptoms. As a RN, BSN, MHA, And a patient, I suggest taper with Dr. Assistance and the longer you are on it, the slower and more methodical the tapering should be with daily recording of BP and any significant symptoms. Any severe symptoms, call a squad. Make appt. To see your doctor in advance. Like me may need another BP med or migraine prevention med. Best of luck! Keep on...keeping on!

Beach Grandma

Jump to this post

I sometimes feel,I am not doing right by
Some of the letters I read.
I am 76. A hyper person by honest judgement. A caretaker,with stress.
A husband that needs all my physical help.
But,also,taking diltiasm metropolol,and
Xanax. I feel good. And rest well. I have
A fib. Watch it carefully. Walk when I
Can and try to eat healthy.
Can always improve on that.
But, feel my cardiologist is on top of
My condition. She, is superb,and looks
AT ME AS her patient,closely.
Goes over me with fine tooth comb.
I have been on these meds for long time.
I pray,that I continue to feel well.

I like reading the letters.
Than you, for the info you put forward.
Success101

AFRobin | @afrobin | Jan 17, 2020

What a positive message! Thank you!

Soliloquized | @soliloquized | Jan 17, 2020

In reply to @success101 "I sometimes feel,I am not doing right by Some of the letters I read. I am..." + (show)

I agree with AFRobin, positive message, appreciate it much.

amberj | @amberj | Feb 22, 2020

In reply to @glr702 "Hello, I took propranolol 10mg 4 times a day for a week. Had horrible side effects,..." + (show)

@glr702

Hello,
I took propranolol 10mg 4 times a day for a week. Had horrible side effects, was switched to metoprolol succinate 25mg once a day for 2 weeks, felt a little better but still many side effects, so I was on them for about 3 weeks only. I tapered down and took the last dose 6 days ago. The first day was horrible, then a little better the second, same on the third. However, I’m still having palpitations, dizziness, head feeling weird, some tachycardia (somewhat less today), weakness. I’m much better than when I was on the medication, that’s for sure. I had almost all of the side effects I could get and even ended up dehydrated in Urgent Care, also got anxiety for the first time in my life which has been horrible. So, my main question is: am I any close to the end of this road? I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to feel like myself again. I was put on this for occasional hypertension and tachycardia, which I believe was caused by stress. I would appreciate it so much if someone could help me with their experience. Thank you so much

I’m listing all the side effects I had with these medications, sorry for the long post:
✔️Blurred vision
✔️chest pain or discomfort
✔️like electrical current in head
✔️tingling, chills like on arms, back and head
✔️confusion
✔️palpitations
✔️dizziness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
✔️hair loss
✔️dry mouth
✔️hot flashes/heat intolerance
✔️sweating
✔️unusual tiredness or weakness
✔️insomnia, nightmares
✔️soft stools
✔️difficult or labored breathing
✔️difficulty with speaking
✔️extreme tiredness or weakness
✔️fast, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
halos around lights
✔️headache
✔️overbright appearance of lights
✔️lose weight
✔️seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
✔️tightness in the chest
✔️tingling of the hands or feet
✔️troubled breathing
✔️continuing loss of appetite that got to the point when only could eat liquids
✔️continuing abdominal pain
✔️continuing nausea
dark urine
✔️difficulty with moving
fever
✔️general tiredness and weakness
✔️hoarseness
✔️increased frequency of urination
✔️muscle pain
✔️sore throat
✔️sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth-white tongue
✔️unpleasant breath odor
✔️weakness
✔️anxiety

Jump to this post

Hi, I’m having a lot of the same symptoms as you, my Dr is going to wean me off of it soon, I’m on 50 mg a day, the side effects are miserable. My eyes are constantly watering, my nose pores like a faucet,anxiety,muscle pain, all my toes on my right foot are sometimes blue and staying cold and swollen, sick stomach, sunshine and lights are hurting my eyes. And a Lot more, it just takes me forever to type, it’s not helping my BP it’s still running high. I have COPD and a my breathing meds causes a lot of these symptoms but not the worst ones that’s all metoprolol, the cold sweats are getting worse. I’m taking it for Afib. But I just wanted to let you know how your side effects are so mine also.

suzanne2019 | @suzanne2019 | Feb 22, 2020

In reply to @amberj "Hi, I’m having a lot of the same symptoms as you, my Dr is going to..." + (show)

Omg. So many people have the same symptoms I had. I stopped taking it all together.my right foot had a rash on it and I couldn't figure out what it was. I put all kinds of stuff on it thinking maybe it was a fu gus because it was so itchy. My chest was tight all the time
As soon as I weaned myself off during g a week period my rash went away! My chest tightness gone!. That stuff is horrible. My anxiety was through the roof. Now I have to take herbs for my anxiety until I retrain my brain!! Good luck!

healthytoday | @healthytoday | Feb 22, 2020

In reply to @suzanne2019 "Omg. So many people have the same symptoms I had. I stopped taking it all together.my..." + (show)

What r u going to do about ur afib.

nancynana4 | @nancynana4 | Mar 1, 2020

I’ve been taking 12.5 mg metoprolol succ Er once a day for only the past 3 days. Totally messing me up mentally. Constantly crying, depression, my head feels weird, panicking. I’m done with this prescription. Prescribed for when my heart rate gets very high when in stressful situation.

suzanne2019 | @suzanne2019 | Mar 1, 2020

In reply to @nancynana4 "I’ve been taking 12.5 mg metoprolol succ Er once a day for only the past 3..." + (show)

Y p.o ur dose is low but that is reported the #1 worse beta blocker on the market! I did a lot of research and weaned myself off due to my extreme side effects just like yours. I have heard so many similar stories on this site from this drug. Dont take it anymore!!! So happy I stopped taking it!!!

sue225 | @sue225 | Mar 1, 2020

In reply to @nancynana4 "I’ve been taking 12.5 mg metoprolol succ Er once a day for only the past 3..." + (show)

@nancynana4maybe you should stay on it a little longer: three days isn't enough to decide. Maybe your body will adjust. I have been on the metoprolol tartrate for over three years to control an arrythmia. I had different side effects for 10 months! but I liked how all my pounding and fluttering and racing sensations vanished. My doctor tried me on bisoprolol , atenolol, metoprolol and I chose the one which at the time was the least offensive in terms of side effects. And eventually my body gave up rebelling against the drug. Let your doctor know, and know that there are other meds within the betablocker family to try.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 1, 2020

In reply to @nancynana4 "I’ve been taking 12.5 mg metoprolol succ Er once a day for only the past 3..." + (show)

Hi @nancynana4, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It sounds like you're having a very rough time. Might I suggest that you call your doctor first thing in the morning? You'll want to let him/her know how you are feeling and that you suspect these symptoms are because of the medication. @sue225's right that 3 days isn't very long to judge. @suzanne2019 is also right that drugs can cause side effects. Everyone is different. And no one can tell you what you should or shouldn't do. That's between you and your doctor. Your doctor uses medical knowledge and evidence to make a recommendation. Only you can tell the medical professional how it effects you. There are choices. I hope you'll call in the morning and report back what you learned.

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