How did you wean off Metoprolol?

Hello Always Hope,
After a period of AFib where I did not have 3 steady beats in a row all day, every day..to the point where I felt faint all the time and the Holter monitor malfunctioned. I was put on the maximum dose of a beta blocker, Sotalol. I felt like an old lady but I was only 46 years of age. For almost 2 years I took that drug. The cardiologist told me that my heart could stop at such a high dose and to try to reduce it even by a bit. Try as I might, even cutting out 1/2 a tablet of the 4 I was taking daily, sent my heart into a tailspin.
I read that exercise can reduce arrhythmia and palpitations and I joined a gym. I went every day but Sunday for 35 minutes on the treadmill and then strength training for another half hour. I gradually reduced the dose of beta blocker and my heart remained steady. I was elated! At the end of a month, I was completely off the beta blocker.
My cardiologist said it wouldn't last. I kept going to the gym for 4 months. My heart remained strong and steady...and here I am 24 years later and my heart is fine. No issues whatsoever.
But I am sure half the secret is: since that dark period 24 years ago, I have cut out all stimulants; absolutely no coffee, tea, Coke, decongestants, any ephedrine drugs used in dental freezing or supplements that can be stimulating and alcohol. I have a friend with AFib who prefers to take the beta blocker so that he can enjoy his wine and morning coffee. For me...no thank you! I would rather be off those drugs and their horrible side effects.
Whenever you can, go the 'changes to one's lifestyle' route. Exercise and avoiding stimulants. It worked for me and my extreme AFib. So, it stands to reason that it CAN work for others.

I was told by my cardiologist that you cannot stop metoprolol cold turkey as doing so can cause serious heart problems.

Yes I've been taking Metoprolol succinate. Metoprolol succinate is an extended-release version of metoprolol, so it remains in your bloodstream for a longer time. Metoprolol tartrate is an immediate-release version of metoprolol.

I started 12.5 mg once daily for over a year now for a fast resting heart rate, and yes I am having growing problems with muscle cramps, spasms, stiffness and joint pain which makes no sense to me. It has caused a lot of anxiety and making it difficult to walk. I contacted my cardiologist and PCP and both stated definitely not to quit, reduce the dosage until something else could be prescribed.

Unfortunately, I lost my medical insurance and could not make an office apt to see the cardiologist or PCP for a different prescription naturally they would not prescribe another medication without seeing me.

The muscle spasms, cramps and stiffness are definitely a side effect. On some websites it's considered "less common" but it is listed (also on the Mayo Clinic website)

After significant research I found that metoprolol has an "anti-anxiety" agent which relaxes and lowers the heart rate. This can make it difficult for some people to quit cold turkey because after long term use the body can build a dependence on it so after consulting your doctor, reducing the dosage until another medication is prescribed makes sense for some.

Also, there are some people who are sensitive to Beta Blockers, I'm also one of them. I have searched and searched to understand what specifically in metoprolol causes this condition but can't find anything that explains it.There may possibly be vitamin or supplement that may help?

I've been on metoprolol about 8 months for one bout of afib. I was prescribed 25mg twice daily. I took that for 2 days and my pulse was in the 40s so went down to once a day. It was still low 50s so I went to 12.5 and have been on that for most of the time. My resting pulse is mid 60s which is lower than it's been my whole life. I'm sensitive to most drugs and metoprolol I think is one of them. I'm having terrible back and hip pain to the point of it affecting how I walk. I've told my cardiologist and my pcp but they both say metoprolol isn't the cause especially at such a low dose. Tonight I started halving the 12.5 and will use that for a week and then stop. If after a few weeks if the pain goes away I'll know it was the drug and see what alternative drug is suggested by my cardiologist. Has anyone else had back and hip pain?

It's possible to take too much vit d, Do ur homework.

About a year after starting Metoprolol, my normally low blood pressure, (which initially went even lower on Metoprolol) started to climb. Cardiologist thought this was normal part of the aging process. Since it was sometimes high and sometimes not, I had the bp monitor test done and was told to monitor at home. Anyway, I thought it was weird that this was happening. Coincidentally, my appt with the specialist for osteoporosis was around this same time. Bloodwork showed my VitD levels were low. Started taking VitD religiously (1000iu to 2000iu daily). Within a few months, blood pressure back to my normal/low level and it has stayed that way.
I asked a bp specialist if there was a connection and he said there had been some small studies done showing a link.
So far no new meds needed!

I think memoirs are marketable and have been in the past, but you didn't write it as a marketable piece it seems to me. You wrote it as a way to express your feelings and issues, and writing is a good way to get them out of your system. I have about 35 years worth of journels. I do ponder their fate. I am getting closer to the idea of taking them to a blm campground this summer with a fire pit, and having a goodbye fire. I'd like to let go of the past though I have plenty of cool drawings in them. I'm not a writer.

I'm 71 with an annoying heart problem (afib etc) and want to explore completion with all my life's loose ends. Therefore, I just made a donation to an antique store of misc antiques and some small paintings. I have given many misc objects here and there. My main purpose now is to place valued objects in the right place. Three years ago I sent ancestral photos to Historical Societies in Indiana and New York. They were appreciate to receive the donation for there collections. Jung says the end of life should be a process of completion. Not that I'm going to heaven tomorrow, but placing these things holds meaning.

as to publishing a first novel - a memoir - quite difficult. I tried two agents - one sent me a lovely rejection letter - seriously - She thought it was well written,
but it didn't "grab" her. Memoirs are not marketable so I'm told so I began to write a mystery, but stopped writing as I find it too confining. It keeps me indoors too much - and I need to walk and do more activities. I could self-publish but I find that a bit egotistical and costly. I'd want my memoir/novel published on it's merits, not as an ego trip. All is in abeyance at the moment.

writing can help a lot - I wrote a novel during my sister's illness. It was a form of distraction for me after visiting and caring for her. Helped me a lot during that time.