Connect
How did you wean off Metoprolol?
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.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.
Connect
I'm ambivalent about exercising, but I want to return to the simple walks I did with the dog. It involves hills, but I'm not one to run up them, I'll just go slow and assess.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThank you for this response. I must admit that I do not exercise at all, eventhough I was once a college athlete. The reason: I am afraid of my heart rate getting low during or after exercise causing an event similar to what I had when I was over medicated: rapid heart rate, feelings of almost passing out. But this is the variable that I DO feel would change this entire scenario.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionWhat if you can't exercise due shortness of breath due to afi b and metropolol
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionSo, that's why my cardiologist keeps stressing exercise.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThe Parasympathetic Nervous System acts as a Brake for heart rate. I never realized how much until the afib started. Metoprolol does a great job controlling rate, but I had an altercation with another driver recently, OMG, what was I thinking. Although the rate probably didn't go above 100, it hasn't been near that at rest in awhile, more like the 70s at rest, 90s after climbing the stairs. It took hours for my heart rate to return to normal. Adrenaline causes a higher rate, the parasympathetic nervous system brings the rate down, but something that upsets it lets the rate go, or remain, high.
Reading a medical article recently, the doctor said when they see heart rates above X amount, it means Parasympathetic Response has been withdrawn entirely.
So, in those approved to exercise, and in those cases exercising commensurate with their doctor's oversight and in ways approved by the doctor, increased conditioning brings increased parasympathetic tone and a naturally lower heart rate.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI am curious; do you drink coffee, tea, alcohol etc.? Do you get out every day for exercise? These can make a huge impact on your conditions as I said above.
We all respond differently to medications, to some degree. But I'm taking, for various ailments:
Phenytoin 500mg as 200mg AM and 300mg PM
Metoprolol Succinate 350mg as 200mg AM and 150mg PM
Metoprolol Tartrate 25mg mid afternoon.
The Metoprolol, my pharmacy had to clear the extra little bit of Metoprolol Tartrate with my doctor. The Max dose of succinate is 400mg, of the tartrate is 450mg. I'm under the Max in both cases, but that little bit, mid afternoon, makes the day smoother heart rate wise for me. And the Max dose can be exceeded under a doctor's instruction for many medications.
Singulair
Xyzal
Zocor
Levothyroxine
Coumadin
If you read the drug monographs individually, you'd think it was impossible I'm still awake, but not uncommonly I'm up by 4:30 AM through 10:00 PM, so they're certainly not having the negative effects that one would think. I'm almost 62, retired, I'm not as active as I used to be.
I'm in afib, I had the opportunity to be electrically cardioverted, but I was to be put on Sotalol. Reading the literature on Sotalol, it says it should only be used in "Highly Symptomatic" patients. I'm not highly symptomatic, no dizziness, no shortness of breath, just those darn flops in my chest and irregular rhythm. Today is bad, I suspect too much salt in Easter Food, or just too much food. On the days when it's calm, I feel I made the right decision in not getting Cardioverted, but days like today, I wish I had.
My experience was that being physically active allowed me to lower my beta blocker dose. When I kept up the exercising month after month, I was able to get off the beta blocker completely. Of course, I NEVER drank coffee, tea, alcohol, went near smokers, or took any stimulant like decongestants etc.. I know I keep writing the same story but I can't tell who has read about my AFib cure. This happened when I was 46 over a 2 year period. Now I am 70 years old and have had the odd blip and skip but it is usually because I had some chocolate (stimulant) or a sugary meal. That scares me into total compliance with the 'NO stimulating foods or drugs regime'. I wish the same experience for everyone.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction"I want my life back." Yes, me too. Before I developed afib and heart failure two and a half years ago, I was a very active person on a ranch. But this illness took me down. I am lot's better, heart failure corrected etc. and also am on Metoprolol which is taken to slow the heart rate. This is working fairly well but I have little physical energy. Part of Metoprolol's job as I understand it, is to keep the heart rate lower and when I start exercising I am fighting this med not allowing the rate to move much higher. It's a confusing thing for my need for movement and my heart's need to not beat too fast. Yes, I'd also like a normal heart function but at 71 I am where I am. Trying to be at peace with this process, not able to make plans that can't be changed because I might be having a difficult heart day etc. On the other hand, I am grateful I function as well as I do and the illness is being managed.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI am wondering about how to wean off Metoprolol also. I had panic attacks as a teenager, and they disappeared once I was older. Once I was placed on Metoprolol XL 25mg, I began having more anxiety attacks which seen to be getting worse. I tried getting off of this with my University of Michigan physician but I felt terrible the entire time. I want to wake up late on the weekend. I want to go out of the country without thinking about having to take my pill on time. If not taken without 15 to 20min of the normal time, I begin having palpitations and panic. I want my life back.