How did you wean off Metoprolol?

AFRobin thank you for your reply. Can you believe the doctor sent me home knowing my B/P was that high? It has been 6 weeks since my visit to her. I have an appointment with New Doctor April 15th. I stopped taking Metoprolol completely now. B/P without metprolol dropped to 120s 130s /77 and low 80s. just using CLonidine. I had weighed 188 I have lost 8 lbs. in 6 weeks. However Metformin and glipiside for my sugar levels well when I take them now the blood pressure spikes I am at a loss to understand why. Best I can do now is I have started watching everything that goes in my mouth. Salt intake below 1,000 gms a day Carbs less than 100 Eating like a rabbit. At any rate I appreciate your suggestions. I have given up all caffeine I was never big on soda or candy or cakes or pies...so I can handle not havind it at all. I do miss pasta. lol

You found my weak spot! The cardiologist brings up the "E" word at every appointment. I am almost 20 years older than you with a mixed bag of arthritis and pain issues and have to my detriment always put exercise on my list of allergies.
A neighbour of of ours is a doctor who had a heart attack in his late 40's. He continues to run on a regular basis and believes that exercise is a "panacea" for health problems.
Thanks for sharing your happy ending medical story. Wishing you many many years of continued good health.
And now, I better go for a walk!!

Hi Sue225! At age 46, I was on beta blockers for the worst case of Afib my cardiologist had ever seen. I was on Sotalol max dose of 320 mg per day for almost 2 years and felt horrible!. The doctor tried to have me lower what he considered to be a dangerous dose but my heart would flip out. I was like an old lady, with no energy and psychologically feeling like I was fragile and handicapped. I would ask my husband to do everything because I was too 'sick'.
One day I decided to do some research and read that lowered estrogen can cause arrhythmias. I asked my doctor for estrogen and my Afib stopped completely; slowly (important). But the gynaecologist said not to take estrogen unopposed; that is without progesterone because it can cause cancer in reproductive organs. So I took progesterone and the Afib returned but not so bad. So I was back on a lower dose of beta blockers with the estrogen and progesterone.
I read some more and learned that regular exercise (not walking but aerobic) could stabilize the heart. I joined a gym and went every day but Sunday and inside a month I was off the beta blockers, estrogen and progesterone. My cardiologist couldn't believe it and told me that it would not last. For 4 more months, being highly motivated to stay off the drugs, I kept up the daily (but Sunday) treadmill routine plus stretches etc... I have been fine ever since and it is now 24 years later!
I NEVER drink coffee or tea, alcohol or coke..and even sugary foods. I try to avoid stressful situations. I don't take decongestants, regular dental anesthesia or any supplement with any stimulant (i.e. gingko biloba). I do get the occasional blip which reminds me to get on my treadmill. And I hope to avoid ever taking any drug for the rest of my life.
LIFESTYLE changes CAN turn your health and life around.

OMG....your BP was 230/115. You were at the point of a stroke! I am not surprised that the doctor didn't know about the drug interaction but the pharmacist was not aware of this?!! This proves a point. ALWAYS be on top of your medical condition. Do your own research. Never put any drug into your body that you have not researched. Ask questions. Read more. And above all, when possible, make serious lifestyle changes rather than turning to drugs! They have serious side effects as you discovered. Lifestyle: dieting, reducing salt intake (BP), getting exercise, drinking plenty of water, eating 5 - 10 servings of fruit and veggies per day, avoiding foods and meds that are stimulants that cause or worsen arrhythmias (coke, decongestants, liquorice, coffee, tea, alcohol, sugary foods etc..) cutting out any sugary foods that can cause diabetes etc... One can cure diabetes 2 by diet alone. There is no need for so many meds that are just making us all SO SICK! Tootierollpie (which I hope you don't eat!), I'm glad you figured out your own problem and cured yourself. Bravo!

i was on Metoprolol 25mg 3 times daily plus clonidine .03 mg 3 times daily for high blood pressure. You all know how miserable I felt I was on this for 5 years. I read on internet the two drugs interact and cause the result to be lessesend I asked Doctor Nope was the answer keep taking both. My BP was out of control 230/115 in her office. She just sent me home. I decided I would treat myself. I slowly 1/2 a pill at a time over 2 weeks taking myself off. My BP started coming down. It is now 125/82 at the age of 73 I am satisfied. Quit my Doctor and have an appointment with a new one next month. BY the way I as at the pharmacy if the drugs counteracted Pharm said that is impossible. I told him what I did He still swore impossible Hell I am living proof

I have read that hair growth happens once the metoprolol is stopped so be hopeful! Not all the beta-blockers cause hairloss. I would have preferred to stay on a low dose of bisoprolol (taken once a day and it was the cardiologist's first choice) but it gave me g.i. side effects. So far, I have not mentioned it to my doctor because I'm not prepared to start switching meds again. I have to admit, this shedding is unnerving. Maybe will mention it on my six month followup visit. It is good to hear from someone else with the same side effect. Will you need to go on a new medication? Thanks for sharing.

@sue225 I have been on 12.5 mg of Toprol for over 13 years. I have lost so much hair. My doctor says she doesn't believe such a low dosage is the culprit. I don't know. In any event, I am coming off of it. I have reduced to 6.25 mg for 12 days now. My anxiety is out the roof. My dermatologist, on the other hand, says my hair loss could be the Toprol. I'm afraid at this point, after so many years, I won't have any new growth. I'll just be happy if the shedding stops.

Bisoprolol was the first medication the cardiologist prescribed for the non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. It worked extremely well. However, it caused intolerable g.i. symptoms. ( and when it comes to my lemon of a digestive tract, I can put up with a lot). I must have tried 5 different medications , e.g atenolol( & a calcium channel blocker which made me worse). Finally I picked the betablocker that I felt I could live with and that was metoprolol. After about 10 difficult months, my body seemed to accept the metoprolol (at least to an acceptable level) and my follow-up holter monitor results have all been good.

Good news, discovered a coffee 99.9% caffeine free, called Mommee Coffee. Sells online for pregnant Moms. Surely is nice to have a little coffee again that doesn't seem to bother my afib. Yeah!!

The one side effect that does not seem to go away is hair loss! I shed like a golden retriever. Not all beta-blockers do this. I am reluctant after 2 1/2 years to switch. I tried others and I got intolerable g.i. side effects. On a low dose of 12.5mg twice a day and it controls my arrythmia. Metoprolol has also made my IBS-C worse. It doesnt just slow my heart rate....it slows my motility to a grinding halt. The fatigue and sleepiness disappeared in the early months of taking it as well as the low bp and heart rate. I do feel lucky that I have not yet had to increase the dosage and that my heart is behaving well so far.