Just wondering if anyone can recount their
experience with weaning off metoprolol and
if they had any adverse side effects when
doing so...
I recently came completely off of the drug
after weaning slowly down (started at
50mg, 2x per day, then went to 25mg, 2X
per day for two weeks, then down to 25mg,
1X per day for a week). I've been off for
three full days now, and have had quite a
ride. The first full day I was off, my
heart rate went up to over a hundred, and
stayed there for most of the day, tapering
down in the evening to a cool 80bpm. On
the second full day, I had no problems at
all, heart rate stayed in the 70-80 range
all day. Now, on the third day, my heart
rate has gone back up. It's been around
110bpm most of the day again, and now, in
the evening, is starting to taper
down...right now it's about 94bpm. I had a
short instance of lightheadedness today
while sitting down, but it lasted all of
20 seconds...so not sure if I can
attribute that to this whole ordeal. It's
getting fairly uncomfortable.
Here's the main question...I've called my
cardiologist, and they want to schedule a
halter monitor, which I'm fine with...but
I can't get in to see him until four days
from now. Is it ok to wait this long? At
what point do I cave and go to a
hospital?
Please relay any experiences you may have
had in a situation like this. I can find a
lot about side-effects while taking
metoprolol, but not a lot about what
happens after properly weaning off the
medication. Thanks!
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eeyore46
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 346
Thanks: 23
Thanked:0
Posted: 04-22-08 20:01pm
Why were you placed on it and why are you
weaning off? I was put on Toprol (Beta
Blocker) because I have Mitral Valve
Prolapse and my pulse rate was ALWAYS over
100 resting. At times, it has been 133
resting. I took it for approximatley 6
weeks and it really didn't help. I
probably needed to have been on a higher
dosage, but my cardioligist felt I really
didn't need it at all, only if the
palpitations were bothering me. I do not
have a heart disease or any kind of
blockage. I had a heart sonogram, wore a
24 hour holter monitor, and a stress test
- all being positive. I decided to stop
taking the Toprol after all of the tests
came back positive. My doctor tells me it
is nothing to worry about, Mitral Valve
Prolapse is very common and can cause an
elevated pulse rate.
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tc1414
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 5
Posted: 04-22-08 20:16pm
i was originally put on it a couple of
months ago because i experienced Afib
during a short trip to the ER. the reason
I went to the ER was totally different
(sarcoidosis), but while there my heart
rate went up over 150. it came back down
after a couple of hours of being on a
drip. upon release, the cardiologist
decided to put me on the metoprolol for a
short time to make sure i didn't go into
Afib again.
my biggest problem is that, prior to the
ER visit, I never had a single problem
with my heart, no palps or Afib or
anything. i also had an ECG and stuff done
in the hospital, and all that came back
clean. i'm just worried that now, after
taking the beta blocker, my body may have
become dependent on it.
thanks so much for your response!
|
eeyore46
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 16 Apr 2008 Posts: 346
Thanks: 23
Thanked:0
Posted: 04-22-08 21:17pm
I am not familiar with sarcoidosis. How
old are you? I am 46. My father has had
numerous surgeries, triple bypass, aortic
abdominal aneurysm surgery, both carotic
artieries, etc. He is also on Toprol. I
know I am not really answering your
questions, but just hope this helps in
some way. Hopefully, the doctor will have
some answers for you at your next visit.
If you feel you need to seek help before,
do not hesitate! Are you having any other
symptoms such as anxiety? Mitral valve
prolapse is known to cause anxiety, so
that is what I contribute my high pulse
rate to since all of my tests came back
positive. But.........if you are uneasy
about any of your symptoms, do not
hesitate to seek help, it will ease your
mind and maybe save your life, if there is
a problem they have not detected.
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tc1414
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 5
Posted: 04-23-08 06:38am
thanks for that. i'm 27 years old, so all
of this is a little intimidating.
sarcoidosis is a type of infection, i
guess, that happens in the lungs. it
causes a dry cough, burning sensation in
the lungs, things like that. the doctors
explained it as one of those things that
science doesn't know where people get it
from, and it ends up going away on it's
own. weird.
i am having slight anxiety with all
this...more or less just worried that my
heart will start racing again at any
moment. yesterday was another good day,
though, so hopefully today stays level,
too!
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