Metoprolol Succinate - Discontinuing - Wean Or Not?

I've been on 25mg, Extended Release, of Metroprolol Succinate for a while, about four or five years I think - never on a higher dosage. It was prescribed for hypertension, along with Diltiazem and Hydrochlorothiazide. The doctor took me off of the Diltiazem about a year ago, so now it's just been the Hydro and Metoprolol.

I've lost 60 pounds in the last year, and my heart rate was very low when I saw the doctor on Friday, so he said to discontinue the Metoprolol. I asked him if I should wean off of them, and he said no, it was perfectly OK to stop them cold turkey. I told him that when I had run out of pills a few months back for about three days, my heart started racing and beating erratically. He still said it was OK to just stop them.

I've been Googling this, and can only find info that says not to stop cold turkey, nothing that says how you should stop/wean off of the drug. I am confused because all these sites, including the FDA site, say not to discontinue the drug abruptly, and my experience with what appeared to be scary withdrawal symptoms a few months ago seemed to fit with that advice.

So I'm not trusting my doctor on this one. I would like some opinions about his advice and also how to wean off of Metoprolol.

Thanks so much. :)

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REPORT

There are times it can be appropriate to stop, without tapering, if your doctor deems it safe for you.

The accelerated heart rate and slightly elevated blood pressure can be normal withdrawal effects of stopping. It really depends on how high they are going, if they aren't hitting potentially dangerous levels, then there is nothing to worry about and things should settle back down in a few weeks, once your body adjusts.

Other withdrawal effects, as listed by the FDA, may possibly include nausea, headache and dizziness.

Have you checked your readings, when you tried stopping it?

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Re: Verwon (# 1)
I was on both drugs and 3 weeks ago stooped the hydrochlorithizide cold turkey. Ive been checking my blood pressure and it seems normal. My heart rate jumps around over 100 a good bid but goes back down usually immediately. My resting heart rate is 73. Most of the day it stays down under 100 but I do worry about the jumping around especially before bed. Hoping my body will adjust soon to the change of just being on one drug. I fell like now I have anxiety a lot.

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