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.

@soliloquized

Most Beta Blockers are effective and safe, and Metoprolol is both. For those of us with Afib; my family doctor said mine is Paroxysmal, though that's the first time I heard that; the top part of the heart beats at a very fast rate, and in some people, that fast rate causes the ventricles to beat very fast as well. That's the form I have, known as Rapid Ventricular Response.

Fortunately, between the top of the heart - the Atrium, and bottom - the Ventricles, is the AV Node - the AtrioVentricular Node. This limits how fast the ventricles can beat in response to activity in the Atrium. BetaBlockers such as Metoprolol slow the passage of signals through the AV Node, reducing the rate the Ventricles Beat.

I take 200 mg Metoprolol in the morning, 25 mg Metoprolol Tartrate in the early afternoon, and 150 mg Metoprolol Succinate at night. This is approved of by my physician, and the pharmacy had to talk to him before they'd fill it, even though the prescriptions were in their hands, because it's not common to take the Succinate (long acting version) and Tartrate (shorter acting version) in one day.

Only the Tartrate version has been proven to reduce the chance of a 2nd Heart Attack, but I'm not sure why. It may be because the only research was done on the Tartrate.

But I'm taking a large dose of Metoprolol, plus various other medications, I've not had the problems some attribute to even a smaller dose.

So, it safely, when used as directed, slows your heart rate, reduces the Contractile force of your heart, and actually helps calm some people down by limiting the effects adrenaline has on your heart and in some cases, system.

Jump to this post

Ive been on metoprolol tra for 16 yrs now. I had a virus last month that stressed my heart
, now its crazy ! I was on 75 mg 2x aday, now im down to 25 mg twice aday! !!!!????

REPLY
@success101

I have just been reading all the
Negative effects of metoprolol.
I'm 75. Been on this number years
Along with Flecinade and blood
Thinner.
I feel good.
I'd like to hear of the benefits
Of the drug.
Thankyou

Jump to this post

Most Beta Blockers are effective and safe, and Metoprolol is both. For those of us with Afib; my family doctor said mine is Paroxysmal, though that's the first time I heard that; the top part of the heart beats at a very fast rate, and in some people, that fast rate causes the ventricles to beat very fast as well. That's the form I have, known as Rapid Ventricular Response.

Fortunately, between the top of the heart - the Atrium, and bottom - the Ventricles, is the AV Node - the AtrioVentricular Node. This limits how fast the ventricles can beat in response to activity in the Atrium. BetaBlockers such as Metoprolol slow the passage of signals through the AV Node, reducing the rate the Ventricles Beat.

I take 200 mg Metoprolol in the morning, 25 mg Metoprolol Tartrate in the early afternoon, and 150 mg Metoprolol Succinate at night. This is approved of by my physician, and the pharmacy had to talk to him before they'd fill it, even though the prescriptions were in their hands, because it's not common to take the Succinate (long acting version) and Tartrate (shorter acting version) in one day.

Only the Tartrate version has been proven to reduce the chance of a 2nd Heart Attack, but I'm not sure why. It may be because the only research was done on the Tartrate.

But I'm taking a large dose of Metoprolol, plus various other medications, I've not had the problems some attribute to even a smaller dose.

So, it safely, when used as directed, slows your heart rate, reduces the Contractile force of your heart, and actually helps calm some people down by limiting the effects adrenaline has on your heart and in some cases, system.

REPLY
@garlandtown

Of the heart, this forum is for hearts.

Jump to this post

I'm sorry, I didn't make myself clear. Ablation is done for various arrhythmias, such as PVCs that occur too frequently, Supra Ventricular Tachycardia, and Afib. What changes did you notice after the ablation?

REPLY
@success101

I have just been reading all the
Negative effects of metoprolol.
I'm 75. Been on this number years
Along with Flecinade and blood
Thinner.
I feel good.
I'd like to hear of the benefits
Of the drug.
Thankyou

Jump to this post

Have been on a low dose of Metoprolol for three years. This betablocker controls my arrythmia. Much prefer taking medication to having an invasive ablation procedure.

REPLY
@glr702

Thank you for replying. Those are the symptoms I had while on the medication. Just wanted to list them in case it can help someone. Right now I still have some palpitations, some anxiety, some hand tremors, it seems like the tachycardia is getting better (at least today), some dizziness and weakness and some chest tightness. I feel much better than when I was on the medication, that’s for sure, so hopefully I will keep getting better. Just wanted to know if anyone had any input on how long it usually takes for the remaining side effects to go away.

Jump to this post

I have just been reading all the
Negative effects of metoprolol.
I'm 75. Been on this number years
Along with Flecinade and blood
Thinner.
I feel good.
I'd like to hear of the benefits
Of the drug.
Thankyou

REPLY
@soliloquized

What was ablated? Is your heart rate too high now?

Jump to this post

Of the heart, this forum is for hearts.

REPLY
@garlandtown

Ive been on metoprolol for16 yrs, was ablated on 4/22/05, now metoprolol
Isnt working any more, they seem to not be able to find anything to put me on any more! Any info would sure be nice at this point! Thanks

Jump to this post

What was ablated? Is your heart rate too high now?

REPLY

Ive been on metoprolol for16 yrs, was ablated on 4/22/05, now metoprolol
Isnt working any more, they seem to not be able to find anything to put me on any more! Any info would sure be nice at this point! Thanks

REPLY
@afrobin

Hello Healthy Today, Do you take a diuretic? I think you probably do. In this colder season I like homemade soups...and inevitably they are salty. It's hard to make a soup that isn't salty. Since I have high BP, I do take a diuretic and that seems to help.

Jump to this post

No, not a pill diuretic. I eat organic celery before bedtime ...that's natures diuretic. Also, you can make soup without salt, there are herbal salt subs online. One produced in Las Vegas is very good.

REPLY

This IS your support group and you don't even have to leave the house to join! lol

REPLY
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