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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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Bisoprolol 5MG is a good substitute for metoprolol. It is less prone to reducing circulation in the extremities as with ones hands and feet.
Unless your condition greatly improves the meds are a part of life and better to determine which specific brands or types provide the least in terms of side effects. At least it is easy to find this information with the many Web sources.
This includes sites with detailed information on drug interactions as with a heart condition people are taking multiple drugs. In my case the question of which P2Y12 antiplatelet medication to take was important as I also take a statin.
With a stent implanted my risk factors increased five-fold and so I needed to review which medications and in which dosages to continue to take. I switched from clopidogrel to ticagrelor and reduced my statin dosage by 50%.
Despite the extra work to research drugs and protocols I am glad that there are so many more options than I would have had 10 years ago and so many drugs are now available in generic form. The regular ticagrelor sold for $450 in the USA and the generic form at Costco costs me only $8 per month.
I should add that to minimize the risks of rhabdomyolysis with a statin, I also take CoQ10 daily.
@sandwalk my only problem with eliquis is the price.
@jls0805
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I’ve been on Metoprolol 50 mg for 6 years after a 4-way bypass surgery. I recently had a pacemaker implanted for a low heartbeat. The pacemaker was working well after the surgery. During the follow up appointment, a new doctor took me off Metoprolol without tapering. I experienced within 2 days dizziness, shortness of breath and an increased heartbeat upon exertion. A feeling of great fatigue and depression followed and this lasted for approximately 9 days. I was set back to before I had the pacemaker implanted. I was told that stopping this drug cold turkey could cause all of these symptoms by one cardiologist, but another doctor told me the drug does not cause an increased heartbeat. I am so confused right now with different doctors saying different things. Perusing the Internet, it all says taper - do not stop cold turkey. I have now been back on Metoporol for several days and withdrawal symptoms have improved dramatically.
@sonoragal I look for the drug interactions sites and read about a specific drug, but also go directly to the manufacturer's site and see what their monograph says. In all the instances I can recall, now eight years later for me, they said to not stop taking it on my own accord, and to not stop taking it 'cold turkey'.
I had the exact same problems you had with it. I did something crazy after the dizzy spells and falling started. I just stopped taking it! I'm not suggesting that for anyone else, my story is quite different. I had a doctor a few years ago who assumed I had AFib because of some things I told her about my symptoms. But I don't think I ever had that. When I stopped taking metoprolol along with my other meds, Levothyroxine, sertraline and Xarelto, my life became my own again. Yes I stopped all my meds cold turkey. Not recommended for people with real problems. But as I read more and more on my symptoms and my side effects on these medications, I realized doctors aren't always on our side. I know my body better than anyone and I am not going back on any of those meds. I have never felt better in my life! my lightheadedness and dizzy spells are gone, my hair is growing again, my energy is back, my appetite is normal, wounds heal much quicker and I can sleep through the night! Even my horrible headaches which I've been suffering for years are virtually gone! I can't believe how good I feel! doctors are trying to keep me in a muddled State of mind. I prefer natural supplements which are really helping me a lot. If you want to know what I'm taking, write me. And please don't do what I did if you have serious issues. Be safe healthy and happy with yourself.
_kdoll
I was on Eliquis and Bisoperol after afib in Spain. When I got home and saw a PA for follow-up, she noted that my RHR was below 40 (no symptoms). She stopped the Bisoperol cold turkey. Six days later I was back in afib.
@kdoll I would be interested to know which supplements you are taking. I have been prescribed Metoprolol (by my PCP although we did not talk about it) after the Zio monitor I wore (great little device!) for 14 days indicated SVT. I did fill the prescription but have not begun taking it because, for one thing, the dizzy spells have disappeared after months, and those were my primary symptoms….and yet taking beta or calcium blockers indicate dizziness as a main side effect!
So I am in wait and see mode.
Have been waiting a long time to get in to see a cardiologist so I can discuss and go on April 1st.
I also am one of those who knows my body best and I do not always concur with what the doctor ordered. Not all doctors appreciate skepticism but I think it is healthy. I have never taken drugs except for surgery for a broken wrist and that took about six months to leave my system, but those are heavy duty anesthesia drugs.
Plus I am 80, pretty healthy, but the SVT is a concern and I will keep exploring what if anything is necessary. Thank you for sharing your experience. It is really interesting to browse these forums because it is obvious that “one size fits all” is not always an answer to our symptoms.