How did you wean off Metoprolol?

Is anyone on here on beta blockers for an aortic aneurysm? My blood pressure normally is 110/60 but doctor wanted to get it lower. He prescribed Metropolol 25 mg succinate but I could not take it (so many issues and side effects after only 2 days). I was switched to Metropolol Tartrate 12.5 2 x per day and told to stay on it for at least 7-14 days. I am on day 21 and the side effects are growing and getting more and more invasive. Leg and foot cramps, insomnia, dizziness, mental fog, anxiety, depression, fatigue, headaches. None of these were happening to me before the meds. I have no other meds being taken right now. Messaged him this morning to ask about side effects and he responded that I must be dehydrated or doing too much. I am otherwise fit, have great bloodwork, no issues healthwise (other than bicuspid aortic valve that has caused aortic aneurysm). I want off the meds and I don't see why I need to suffer the side effects if my blood pressure isn't high to begin with. I have been told I lack the enzyme to properly metabolize medications so this is not new to me when put on medications.

How are you cutting it so small and is that per day or 2x a day? I am on 12.5 metropolol 2x a day to reduce blood pressure lower than regular for an aortic aneurysm. I took a sliver dose this morning (I cut poorly on one pill so it ended up that way). Just curious how you managed it and do you think your coming off time is longer because you have been on it so long?

Be advised that those on Coumadin might have problems with elevated INR values if they drink Cranberry Juice or consume Cranberries.

Interaction between warfarin and cranberry juice
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17919554

Get some non-sugary cranberry juice from Trader Joes, 1/2 cup of it straight or mixed with water will help with bladder and kidneys. Raw organic (if possible) celery each evening helps eliminate extra water retention.

I rely on Vitamin C (buffered). 500mg with breakfast, 500mg with mid morning snack, 500mg with lunch. I feel better when I do this.

I admit that I can link my health problems to my (somewhat) overweight and level of inactivity. If I were half as active as my husband who is a 10 mile a day walker and weren't drawn to 'goodies' (although I eat at least 7 servings of fruit & veggies per day) I would not have blood pressure issues that require medication, recurrent bladder infections brought on many times by eating a sugary meal, (Bacteria lives on sugar) and hives that flare up when I eat carbs of any kind. So the LIFESTYLE changes, I get. I have cut out all sugar at least. Now to get off my duff and MOVE! I think we can all blame ourselves to a certain degree for our health problems and therefore take responsibility and eat better, move more, be happier, do for others, take supplements like vitamin D in winter, keep our brains active and lose weight.
My aim as I approached 'old age' was to not be on ANY medications. I am on two and not happy about it. I plan by the end of the summer to have my BP down and be off any and all medications...and to live a long and healthy life. Isn't that what we all wish for?

""#5.Important new work suggests AF is modifiable with lifestyle measures. As in you can help yourself.""

Actually, these apply:

""#9. There is no “cure” for AF. (See #5)

#10 The treatment of AF can be worse than the disease.""

So, I see where you get the "no cure" part, but he emphasizes the treatment can be worse than the disease, which is an important point. Unchecked heart rate, one that is too high because of Afib, can lead to heart failure, and those with Afib, without proven methods of Anticoagulation, are at significantly increased risk of strokes, but more so in people with certain conditions, but as we age, most of us have one or more of the identified conditions, and anticoagulation is required.

But he emphasizes life style changes and that some treatments are worse than some forms of Afib. I'm not symptomatic, my only symptom is that I feel the commotion in my chest when it's acting up, it just isn't warranted jumping into treatments more than adequate rate control using Beta Blockers and taking the Anticoagulant Coumadin. My resting heart rate is in the mid 60s, before afib because of another Beta Blockers I was taking, it was in the mid 50s.

Thanks for the reply. Dr. John or others posting it, is also on YouTube, not sure of how many shows, I've only seen one.

Thanks for the link. I read Dr John's information. #5 stated that AFib cannot be cured. I wrote to him and told him my story of a cure for the most serious case of AFib my cardiologist had ever seen. I still feel strongly that if people afflicted with AFib exercised AND stopped any stimulants like coffee, alcohol etc...MANY could be cured...or at least could lower their beta blocker dose. Of course, the patient would need to be cleared by his or her doctor who could do tests like a 24 hour or longer Holter monitor during exercise and an endurance test at his or her clinic etc..

According to your doctor, abilities, and not endurance level. Athletes can have low heart rates, due to enhanced Parasympathetic Tone and good Ejection Fraction.

This individual is an Electrophysiologist:

The Mysterious Athletic Heart
https://www.drjohnm.org/the-mysterious-athletic-heart/
He details how Endurance Level Exercising can cause Afib and dangerous heart rhythms. But overall, in those approved, non-endurance exercise can be good.

The following link, I'll spoil it, he says the best tool to treat afib is education. Since he's a doctor that does ablation, and since, while, essentially endurance exercising on a Bicycle, he went into afib, I figure he knows both the doctor and patient sides. He advocates for restraint in seeking treatment, I'm sure commensurate with the patient's situation. This was a relief to me in reading it. I hope that MayoClinic finds this suitable, I'm not sure of their policy. If questionable, I hope they review the site, it has much to add without advertisement. The doctor was cardioverted, but he said that if still in afib, he couldn't do the ablation that is his profession.

The best tool for treating atrial fibrillation
https://www.drjohnm.org/2011/03/the-best-tool-for-treating-atrial-fibrillation/

We have to live within our abilities. By no means am I saying all people must exercise, in fact, an Electrophysiologist I read says that too much exercise can cause arrhythmias, but he's talking endurance exercise. Exercise might also not be the solution for everyone, the causes of Afib vary. My comment was about the significance of parasympathetic influence on the heart rate, something I never understood the extent of.