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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.
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I do not think my doctor is helping me. I have diabetes and high blood pressure. I am 73 i weigh 180 female. Gall bladder out at 18. Complete hysterectomy at 46 endometriosis stage 4 and fibroid turmors. They sliced the aorta I had 14 units of blood transfused. They also cut the ureter and forgot to take the stint out for 6 months until I complained of pain. Uncontrollable blood pressure started 6 years ago overnight it had always been 110 over 70 never over 125/80 overnight it went to 210/115 and continued to be high. In the doctors office at times 235/130. They just sent me home. Meds are clonidine .03 3 times a day. Metoprolol 100 gm 3 times daily. I am a zombie cannot keep my head up lost hair dry mouth. Brings my pressure down to 180/101 bounces around at that.
I did some research and found metoprolol can intefer with clonidine making them ineffective. My doctor hates when I try to ask her for changes she threatens to fire me. quit me as a patient. So I tried on my own. I weaned myself down to one Metoprolol at night. Continued the clonidine. My blood pressure dropped to 170/90 stayed low until time to take the Metoprolol I took one 100gm tablet and blood pressure spiked to 201/102 stayed that way for about 8 hrs then came down some. Next day I skipped metoprolol blood pressure came down to 120/80 stayed around there all day. I read about cold turkey of metroprolol said it could be dangerous so I am took it again blood pressure is back up 187/99. Doctor will not take me off Metoprolol I told her and she yelled at me said self medicating is going to kill me. I do not know the answer. Any one have any ideas This high blood pressure is bad. Oh on top of that the two days that I did not take metoprolol my blood sugar dropped from 250 to 126 whats with that?
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1 ReactionAll I take is metoprolol and vitamin d3.
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1 ReactionAre you taking statins also? Statins can cause muscle pain and loss. If you are, there is a recommendation to take CoQ10 supplements as well.
I take both statins and metoprolol tartrate, also at 12.5 mg twice per day. I doubt my pains are due to the latter, but I've never tried eliminating them. I also cut mine to half dose because of the effect it had on my heartbeat.
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1 ReactionI'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?
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1 ReactionOh heck no. I'm on nearly 400 mg of Metoprolol Succinate in divided doses, and 500 mg of Dilantin in divided doses, and taking Ranitidine (Zantac), Singulair, and Xyzal (all three of those for Chronic Urticaria) and Zocor for Cholesterol, according to literature, I should be a babbling sleepwalker, but honestly, I feel fine.
Results vary between individuals, in no way, shape, or form am I insinuating that certain people aren't experiencing brain fog even with lower doses, we all react differently to medications, I just wanted to assure you Brain Fog isn't necessarily a result.
One caveat. Dilantin can depress Vitamin D levels, and lack of sunlight in the winter the same, and at one time I'd get Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) so on my own, I started taking 2000 IU of Vitamin D3 once a day, 365 days of the year, and it made a HUGE difference in my Seasonal Depression, I'm not sure if it helps with cognition too. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist before adding supplements, either vitamin or minerals.
Here's just one of the interactions possible between Vitamin D3 and one of the prescriptions I take, but my doctors are aware that I take it and the Neurologist tested me to be sure I was taking enough, which I am. Plus I'm not taking a High Dose of vitamin D3:
""MONITOR: Coadministration of thiazide diuretics with high dosages of calcium and/or vitamin D has been associated with reports of hypercalcemia in some patients. Thiazide diuretics inhibit the renal excretion of calcium and may also enhance responsiveness of bone and renal tubule to parathyroid hormone, thus concurrent use of large amounts of calcium or vitamin D can lead to excessively high plasma levels of calcium. Patients who are particularly susceptible include those with hyperparathyroidism, those being treated for osteoporosis, and those receiving high dosages of vitamin D for hypoparathyroidism. Metabolic alkalosis and the milk-alkali syndrome have been reported during prolonged therapy with thiazide diuretics and calcium.""
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1 ReactionWelcome to Connect, @katydid77,
I found a few published studies the effects (positive and negative) of cardiovascular medicine on the brain, which you might like to read:
– Neuropsychiatric consequences of cardiovascular medications https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181843/
– Beta-blockers: Acting in the Brain But Healing the Heart https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/578687
While we wait for other members to return with their insights, could you share a bit more about yourself? Have you been taking Metoprolol for a long time?
I would like to know about memory loss too and if everyone has brain fog taking Metoprolol.
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1 Reactionis memory loss regained when metoprolol is stopped
Let me know if this works. I have not cut down to 12.5mg due to rising blood pressure when I try.
@joma7862 I, too, am trying to wean off Toprol XL. I have been taking 12.5 mg for at least 13 years. Today is the first day where I halved the 12.5 and my blood pressure is rising. My doctor wants me to do this for two weeks then stop. I am thinking this medicine has caused my hair to thin a lot. I am also on Cozaar which has had several voluntary recalls due to a carcinogen contamination. I'm not sure what I am going to switch to. After all, most generic forms are manufactured overseas where there's no safety regulations enforced.