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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

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

REPLY
1 reply
suzanne2019 | @suzanne2019 | Jan 17, 2020
In reply to @bocapapa "I really hope you got off that Xanax quickly. Withdrawal ftom that (.25mg once a day..." + (show)
@bocapapa

I really hope you got off that Xanax quickly. Withdrawal ftom that (.25mg once a day for 3 weeks) is terrible. Add stopping Toprol after 3 weeks and I am about to go nuts. WATCH OUT FOR XANAX.

Jump to this post

Best thing I did was weaning off completely the metropolol. That drug messed me up so bad! My chest was always tight and would run out of breath for no reason. For an active person that's not normal!
Glad you are getting off.i drink a cup of strong Hibiscus tea every day and it keeps my pressure down. Good luck

REPLY
sunshine20 | @sunshine20 | Jan 17, 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

How long did it take for the side affected to go away after the medicine

REPLY
bocapapa | @bocapapa | Jan 15, 2020
In reply to @mc4777 "Thank you Both for listing your side effects. I am on Metropolol 50 mg now cut..." + (show)
@mc4777

Thank you Both for listing your side effects. I am on Metropolol
50 mg now cut to 25 mg 1 day then stopped cold turkey as per my Dr. and I was having at least 3/4 of the symptoms you both mentioned. Plus low heart rate, crazy palpitations. It’s only been 2 days so at least I have hope these symptoms will slowly subside. Dr. Switched me over to calan sr 120 mg for my blood presure and to help with palpitations. Plus a small dose of Xanax as needed for anxiety.
I noticed
terrible gas,
loose stools,
nightmares,
Dizziness turning over in my sleep caused the room spinning,
Losing weight
Low heart rate 45
Bp low 100/65
Dry mouth
Difficult breathing
Fatigue
Heart palpitations
Anxiety
Depression
hair loss
I am so glad to hear that these will subside slowly.
Thank you for giving me insight and hope. This is terrifying to go through alone!
They should add all these symptoms to the RX pamphlet!

Jump to this post

I really hope you got off that Xanax quickly. Withdrawal ftom that (.25mg once a day for 3 weeks) is terrible. Add stopping Toprol after 3 weeks and I am about to go nuts. WATCH OUT FOR XANAX.

REPLY
1 reply
grandma1958 | @grandma1958 | Jan 12, 2020
In reply to @kenny48 "Ok, took my half dose for two days, today I'm supposed to stop entirely. I am..." + (show)
@kenny48

Ok, took my half dose for two days, today I'm supposed to stop entirely. I am feeling like a zombie. No get up and go, lightheaded. My BP is higher than it usually is but not thru the roof. 133/84 after doing some deep breathing exercises. Was 140/92 before. Doc said to go to emergency if it goes over 180. But that was the only thing they said to me. They said nothing about feeling like this. Mentioned some people get tachycardia. My heart rate is better than it was before 60,61 BPM but I feel so weak. They said nothing about this. Is this normal? When I asked about the tape off time, they said it's because I was only taking 25mg a day. Said it's a low dose, and I don't have to worry.

Jump to this post

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

REPLY
1 reply
sue225 | @sue225 | Dec 16, 2019
In reply to @heffert "I was told I have NSVT and to take metoprolol. I started the drug one week..." + (show)
@heffert

I was told I have NSVT and to take metoprolol. I started the drug one week ago and had a visit w my dr yesterday. She consulted with another specialist about my condition and he doesn’t think I even have NSVT. I’m going to be hooked up to another Holter for 2 weeks and see what happens. She said I could stop the metoprolol, which I want to. Can I do this cold turkey being that I’m only on 12.6 once a day? And only for one week? I called the pharmacy and they said take it every other day for 2 days. I’m reading horror stories about people coming off this drug. Now I’m afraid but I don’t want to be on something I might not need.

Jump to this post

I'd probably listen to the pharmacist. 12.5mg is a really low (almost homeopathic dose). Its only 2 more days. I take 25mg split in 1/2 a.m and p.m for the last three years for NSVT. It was detected on a holter monitor. Some public speakers and actors take betablockers to deal with stage fright.

REPLY
AFRobin | @afrobin | Dec 16, 2019
In reply to @heffert "I was told I have NSVT and to take metoprolol. I started the drug one week..." + (show)
@heffert

I was told I have NSVT and to take metoprolol. I started the drug one week ago and had a visit w my dr yesterday. She consulted with another specialist about my condition and he doesn’t think I even have NSVT. I’m going to be hooked up to another Holter for 2 weeks and see what happens. She said I could stop the metoprolol, which I want to. Can I do this cold turkey being that I’m only on 12.6 once a day? And only for one week? I called the pharmacy and they said take it every other day for 2 days. I’m reading horror stories about people coming off this drug. Now I’m afraid but I don’t want to be on something I might not need.

Jump to this post

It also deals with blushing! I used to blush and it was so embarrassing. Then I took beta blockers for Afib for a year and 9 months (until I cured the Afib myself through aerobic exercise) and after that I never blushed again. Strange!

REPLY
1 reply
sue225 | @sue225 | Dec 16, 2019
In reply to @afrobin "It also deals with blushing! I used to blush and it was so embarrassing. Then I..." + (show)
@afrobin

It also deals with blushing! I used to blush and it was so embarrassing. Then I took beta blockers for Afib for a year and 9 months (until I cured the Afib myself through aerobic exercise) and after that I never blushed again. Strange!

Jump to this post

Was curious so googled beta blockers and blushing . Betablockers are used to control excessive blushing . (Dilated blood vessels, sympathetic nervous system,--full explanation available online) . So, not so strange.

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Dec 16, 2019
In reply to @heffert "I was told I have NSVT and to take metoprolol. I started the drug one week..." + (show)
@heffert

I was told I have NSVT and to take metoprolol. I started the drug one week ago and had a visit w my dr yesterday. She consulted with another specialist about my condition and he doesn’t think I even have NSVT. I’m going to be hooked up to another Holter for 2 weeks and see what happens. She said I could stop the metoprolol, which I want to. Can I do this cold turkey being that I’m only on 12.6 once a day? And only for one week? I called the pharmacy and they said take it every other day for 2 days. I’m reading horror stories about people coming off this drug. Now I’m afraid but I don’t want to be on something I might not need.

Jump to this post

Hello @heffert,

Regarding going off a beta-blocker "cold turkey" I suggest that you contact your doctor who will be performing the heart monitor test and check to see if you should continue the metoprolol or taper off of it. I'm not sure if it would affect the test results or not, but better safe than sorry.

REPLY
elwood | @elwood | Dec 16, 2019
In reply to @heffert "I was told I have NSVT and to take metoprolol. I started the drug one week..." + (show)
@heffert

I was told I have NSVT and to take metoprolol. I started the drug one week ago and had a visit w my dr yesterday. She consulted with another specialist about my condition and he doesn’t think I even have NSVT. I’m going to be hooked up to another Holter for 2 weeks and see what happens. She said I could stop the metoprolol, which I want to. Can I do this cold turkey being that I’m only on 12.6 once a day? And only for one week? I called the pharmacy and they said take it every other day for 2 days. I’m reading horror stories about people coming off this drug. Now I’m afraid but I don’t want to be on something I might not need.

Jump to this post

Was taking it for 8 days when heart raced to 160s. Doc said could just stop at once. Tapered off over two days, no problem. Rate back to 80s. Back with dtilizem. (Sp)

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.