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Stopping Carvedilol (Coreg): When will the effects wear off?
Hi everyone,
I am glad to be a part of this community. Please foregive the long post. I was wondering if anyone has had a hard time while being on and going off Carvedilol (Coreg).
I am an active 45 year old mom of a young child. I have always tried to eat healthily and keep in shape (I do yoga, pilates and, run about 5k 2x per week). My BP has always been pretty good, but since my 40´s it has gone up a bit (heredity factors play a role). My BP and heart rate also "spike" when I get stressed or anxious, but for the most part are pretty level during normal times. I do have anxious moments, but I would not say anxiety has been a major life problem. At my last check (Feb 2016), and after wearing a 24 hour BP monitor, my cardiologist suggested I start Carvedilol 6.25 1x per day (quite a low dose) for the spikes and to keep the heart from getting too excited. I agreed that maybe it was a good idea and started over two months ago. Other than stimulating rapid bowel movements, I did not notice any side effects at first. I would say about three to four weeks into taking the Carvedilol, I began not sleeping well. I also noticed my heart pounding, like a bass drum, slowly and steadily, at times. Then the heart pounding began to wake me up at night (it turns out my HR was down in the high 40s at night). Some nights I even felt my chest muscles vibrate, as if a phone on silence mode was on top of my chest. I started to notice this more and more and then I would have a few normal nights, so I figured I would just talk about this at my next cardio check (booked out in June). I also noticed I was getting more and more anxious. I wasn't too sure why little things were beginning to bother me. I thought it was hormones, PMS, whatever, and started looking for someone like a therapist to talk to.
The previous week was bad. I woke up from a few nightmares and I started to panic in bed, just woken up from sleep. I had three nights of waking up to panic attacks and body shakes. The experiences made me very nervous. At this point I started looking into the side effects of Carvedilol and I was seeing not only chest pounding, but in rare cases reported effects of nightmares, visual disturbances, tremors, anxiety. I also know one does not simply stop a beta blocker, so we talked about tapering down. I tapered down for four days, and then I got in to see another cardiologist on Monday and he said just stop immediately. The effects are rare, but they have been noted. Going off this medication has been frightening. I feel weak and shaky all the time, and I get sporadic periods of pounding and muscle tremors in my legs, anxiety and fuzzy vision. I frequently get so cold I begin to shake. Yesterday I went back to the clinic for an EKG (normal) and some blood tests (including thyroid) and everything was normal. I am just assuming this is my body reacting and readapting itself after being on beta blockers. It has only been five days, but I am wondering if anyone out there has had similar experiences. How long did it take you to feel normal again? I ran a 5k just two weekends ago and yesterday I could hardly take a walk. Thanks for listening.
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@clariseb, can you arrange for another "doctor" (cardiologist perhaps) to review your medical records and give you a second opinion? Can I help you with that? Your case seems ready-made for it. Your low blood pressure reading of 116/66 and your lowest possible daily dose of Coreg align with each other and suggest that hypertension is not the target of the medication. Something else may be, and you deserve a full advisory conversation on that, your prospects, and a longer-term plan for managing your symptoms. Martin
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1 ReactionI have asked, he says this is the best medicine. He tells me I have "heart disease", I am not sure what this means. when I asked the nurse, she said because I had clogged arteries. Does Carvedilol help that, I don't see it anywhere. It is mainly for heart failure and I think my doctor may be using it for high blood pressure. My blood pressure this am was 116/66. ( I am taking 3.125 mg carvedilol at night, tried several times during the day and cant do it).
This is a response to @clariseb and @michelep1964, both of whom had severe side effects from Coreg (Carvedilol), although their doses were relatively small. I have taken Carvedilol for more than a year in doses of 25mg twice daily (with breakfast and dinner). Clarise says she is taking 3.125mg in the morning only. Her experience takes me by surprise, since I don't have any significant adverse symptoms from a daily dose of more than 15 times as much. Coreg seems to be what I need to manage my a-fib and hypertension, but comments here on Mayo Connect from a few individuals make it clear that they can't tolerate Coreg, and because of withdrawal symptoms, they have to work with their medical without delay to transition to a medication they can tolerate. Don't delay!
Martin
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2 ReactionsAll i know when i was on coreg i could not function at all. It was the worse drug i ever took. I wanted to die. Terrible side effects. I told my heart doctor i wasnt taking it and he went with me.
Hello @clariseb,
We're so glad that you've joined us here on Connect; you are advocating for your health by seeking more information, and I think that is very commendable!
There are a few other discussions taking place on Connect, which you may wish to view:
– Carvediol Bad side Effects - advice & getting weaning off http://mayocl.in/2tOX5kC
– Side effects of heart medicine carvedilol joint pain and stiffness, http://mayocl.in/2nTvsB6
– High blood sugar due to Coreg? http://mayocl.in/2tn8Iy7
I'm confident that the members in this discussion will join in and share their experiences, but I'd also like to introduce you to a few others to seek their insights about Coreg; please meet @incrediblemulk98 @myra @bergordon @l8dybug5 @teatime @murryone @neeci @momma78 @constanceann, and our Mentors, @hopeful33250 and @predictable.
If you would like to get a second opinion from Mayo Clinic, the contact information for Minnesota, Arizona and Florida can be found here: http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.
@clariseb, have you asked your doctor for an alternative to Coreg? What explanation has he/she provided for your present symptoms?
thank you for this
I was also prescribed Coreg.(3 years ago) I was 66 had shortness of breath. Had heart cath, they discovered two blockages, 99 percent. I was not in heart failure, I understand I had blockages, but is Coreg good for this? My EF is 84. My last stress test was great. I am ok taking the 3.124 mg at night, but cannot take it in the day. the quality of life is 0, my heart rate drops into the low 50's, dizzy, feel like I will pass out. The cardiologist insist that I need to take this, I hate to argue with a heart doctor, but there is a catch in my spirit that says something is not correct. (my Cholestoral when I had the stents put in was 138). I exercise regularly, eat low carb. I started meds for BP when my pressure shot up because of headaches. BP has been good for over six months, yet I am still on BP meds. I would like to take as few meds as possible, but don't want to do harm to my body, by not taking those that I should.
I am told that my heart doctor is a very good one, I have no reason to doubt this, but feel I would like more information. Thanks for your info. I might seek a second opinion, but I don't know how to pick out another doctor.
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1 Reaction@cabgx6maze517 Hi Gnite: Thanks for the update after your appointment. It does sound like things are in the process of getting back to normal. I am very pleased for you! Keep in touch with us at Mayo Connect as you need encouragement and support in your continued recovery from the procedure as well as the medication problems. (Stay cool as the temperatures rise!) Teresa
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1 ReactionI have seen my Primary care provider and made some adjustments to my meds. We have increased my Metoprolol to pre surgical norm of 25 mg twice daily and my blood pressure has stabilized, hovering about 120 / 75 +_ 5. Damn near perfect, but still fluctuating. And we have reintroduced Multaq ~ Dronedarone 200 mg which has lowered my heart rate from 90s to 80 and below. We took another look at Lasix for a day and removed 2 more Liters from accumulated fluids. But ended up back in the ER for opioid induced constipation, so I have to lay off the Oxy 5mg acetomenaphen 325. And set aside the anxiety drugs as well.
I still have a little blurred vision. And a low level whole body burning has replaced the tingling and numbness in my fingers and toes.
I no longer get dizzy and light headed every time I eat. The knots in my stomach have untied a little, and I can breathe a little deeper each day that pass, my resting 02 has risen to 94 generally, where my active o2 has remained higher, while not sitting.
But here in Vegas the daytime temps as indicated on my truck dash board have risen up to 109 degrees.
All in all I know the day the nurse called out that my BP was 200/100 and rising, the Cravedilol saved my life, but the following three weeks have been living hell. Here it is 4am and I did get a couple hours (3) sleep so far. I need to get off here and try to get some more. So I guess at 26 days post surgical CABGx6 w Maze I am doing fairly well and I should stop complaining and get some more sleep...
Gnite
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2 ReactionsI am not a newbie when it comes to surgery, For I had my first double bilateral carpal tunnel releases in early 1985 the left hand radial and ulnar, with a repeat of the left hand before the year was over. By a surgeon whom I occasionally had lunch with at a DC area hospital where I worked as a Bio~med Tech in the clinical engineering department for a couple years, with a 2yr tech degree from Penn State University. I did an internship, paid off my student loans working is a couple diff facilities and left the field.
With the guidance of my PCP and cardiologist, I went cold turkey off the Carvedilol and have returned to pre surgery Metoprolol lowest level and increased to regular dosage, which has helped my body regain control of my BP swings. We have on two occasions used Lasix to reduce edema in lower legs and feet ( especially the left), with positive results , including wearing compression sox to reduce swelling.
I am keeping daily record of BP HR and Po2, and the only issue to address is a minor inconsistent Sinus rhythm, which I am watching trend toward higher numbers from low, and waiting to hear from arrhythmia specialist to guide toward specific technique for control.
things have settled down quite a bit for my body, mind and soul. Peace of mind has begun to set in. Time is again on my side.
I am looking for the happy medium between Haste and Hesitation, It would be a waste if I missed it.