Stopping metoprolol

I took 25 mg of metoprolol for a month and it make me tired. So I started taking half a tab with doctor's permission. After diagnosis of Apnea and put on Bipap and oxygen, my new doc said I could go off it completely. So I did -- a few months ago. I seem to be doing fine without it. My week's average heart beat is around 70. And my blood oxygen is, on average, 95%. Now when I see my PMCP this month, I am going to try to go off the pravastin and try some homeopathic stuff to address my LDL. Wish me luck.

I am 82 years old, but do three mile walks most mornings and have an hour training each week in aerial yoga and pilates. I am trying to avoid medical intervention as much as I can. That being said, I am on thyroid supplements and have been for 45 years. I so appreciate the medical interventions -- fused L3-L5 vertibrae and a whirligig patch on my heart -- that have made my life so much better.

You are doing the correct approach to decision making by getting as much info as you can. In the end, the treatment decisions should be in concert with your doctor. Any areas of disagreement should include second opinions...opinions of other experts, not just those of us who share our experiences.

Good luck on your quest. I wish you well.

I think it depends on your particular body. About 5-10% of people are poor metabolizers for CYP2D6 enzyme needed to metabolize metoprolol and atenolol — like me. I was on 50mg of atenolol for years then 25 mg for years, then 12.5mg for a year or two. I tried to quit from there and had the rebound issue. So I’ve been on 6.25mg for a year (as small as I can cut that tiny pill). I can’t stop without rebound. I can skip one day okay but every time I skip a second day, about mid-day my heart starts palpitating really hard then races up into the 90s from 60, then just keeps going up and down like a yo-yo until I take atenolol to stop it. It feels like my afib but the rhythm isn’t chaotic so it isn’t afib per Kardia. My cardiologist said I should easily be able to stop atenolol from the 12.5 but not for me. I think if you’re a normal metabolizer you can stop easily, but if you haven’t been tested you don’t know. It’s not a routine test. I had enzyme testing because of cancer. I’ve given up and will just stay on 6.25mg. Best of luck to you.

Thank you so much for both replies ! Ultimately I need to trust my EP but it is so nice reaching out and getting the experiences of others.
Again thank you !!!😊

I had to stop metoprolol (50 mg/day) recently as preparation for autonomic testing. I definitely felt it. My heart rate increased dramatically and the pounding sensation kept me awake all night. It's important to say, though, that I was diagnosed with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), and that may be why I had such a dramatic reaction to suddenly stopping the metoprolol. With POTS I really need a medication to slow my heart down. It sounds from the comments here like the reaction to stopping all at once has been really variable for people, and I'm sure that it may depend on whatever underlying condition the person was taking it for. When I have decreased the dose in past years, I always just tapered down slowly. My cardiologist didn't feel it was necessary to taper, but she also had no problem with my doing the dose reduction gradually.

@anjimlynch
I cannot comment on metoprolol and the protocol from coming off it. I take mexiletine for the PVCs and PACs which is a similar medication. I could not take metoprolol because it contradicted another heart medication I was taking.

I am having ablation surgery on June 4th. 5 days before ablation date they took me off Mexiletine all at once. I was taking it every 8 hours 3 times a day. So I was taken off the Mexiletine all at once. I know that those not cover coming off metoprolol but I could only comment on Mexiletine which is a similar medication to metoprolol.

Now did coming off mexiletine affect me, YES. The PVCs, PACS, started up the next day and got some non sustained tachycardias. Checked with EP and said could consider putting me back on before ablation but they took me off so could get a good look at where PVCs were coming from on active real time.

@jacqincalifornia I think I may call today and just request a tapering schedule for my peace of mind and see what they come up with. I am just very Leary about cold turkey !!!