Metoprolol Withdrawal (Page 108)
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i've been taking metoprolol for several years as partial treatment for high blood pressure. through diet and exercise, i've lowered my BP to the point my doctor says drop the metoprolol.

i did, 3 days ago, and i'm soooo tired, dizzy, irritable, and my vision is blurred.

is this withdrawal? how long will it last?

i remember starting this medication was terrible to get used to. it appears that stopping it is just as bad.

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Not sure but I'm having some of the same side effects on my 3rd day.

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Thanks for all the good information. I was on Metoprolol 25mg 2x a day for three months. Had so many side effects talked Dr into lowering my dose to 25mg extend per day and that helped. Have been on this dose for 2 weeks. Went to the Dr Tuesday and told him I'm still having side effects. He stated that my BP is good enough that he was taking off the Metoprolol and stay on my 10 mg Linsinopril 2x a day. Overall I have felt better, still have some chest discomfort, bad headaches and dizzyness. This is my 3rd day off the Metoprolol and each day has been a little easier, but not a fun ride at all.

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Hey......thanks again, Tony! There have been some incredible suggestions and thoughts on this thread, and I especially appreciate the time you've taken here.

And yeah, I want off this drug in a big way. As I stated earlier, I wouldn't have needed to go on it if I had only lost weight and gotten in better shape when it was prescribed two years ago. Now that I have done that while lowering my BP and pulse rate, the overall consensus by all of my doctors is that I simply don't need to be on a BP medicine at all. At 61, the only other health issue I'm aware of is acid-reflux, and that's been under control for quite some time now.

The most difficult part of this awful journey is indeed the chest pain and fatigue I get after exerting myself even lightly. I think I can actually tolerate the anxiety, dizziness, headaches, heart palps, etc., etc......at least until I get off this stuff.

In the end, though, it seems a bit unfair, doesn't it? It's not like this is a self-induced drug abuse problem, and here I am feeling like a junkie.......LOL.

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It sounds like you are weening fine but the doctor would know more than me. I can only share my limited knowledge and offer some encouragement. When dealing with heart problems , it can be the most frightening thing in your life. I can relate . I have been there my friend. The phrase... Impending doom... Is a very real feeling when faced with heart problems.

At least when you are off this drug you can look for options that might be a tad easier on you. Since the kidneys control your blood pressure, I'm not a fan of metoprolol for purely Bp control by decreasing your heart rate. If you really want the best to control Bp in the future , go see a kidney specialist.

Take ever day one step at a time and just keep doing the right things and I know you'll be fine. Keep asking those doctors questions til you get the answers you are looking for. Make them earn their pay. They certainly know more than me.

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Yeah.. The chest can be very scary. First off, angina is not a bad thing, it tells us to go easier and makes us aware of our limits and cardiovascular issues. Everyone gets some form of angina but at different levels of exertion depending on your conditioning and cardiovascular situation.

Trying to decide which chest pains are ER worthy can be very hard to discern. I myself have had cause to stop and wonder at times. It is very scary. When I say heavy pressure , I'm referring to a very heavy squeezing feeling that's unmistakable. If it's a serious heart attack you will have roughly ten minutes to seek medical attention and every minute after that your odds decrease by roughly ten percent of surviving. Once you are at 30 minutes, most likely you are dead for several minutes now . At least that's my non medical understanding. The fact that you are still fine and have been evaluated out of caution means that most likely you are have drug or other problems.

Metoprolol withdrawals I'm sure differ from person to person but I had my share of kinda like squeezing on exertion under metoprolol. Like I mentioned earlier, I could barely walk across walmart before I had to stop and I think I actually strained my heart because of the drug trying to limit me and me fighting it. So don't over exert during the weening. Go easy. I'm certainly not trying to scare you at all.

But you ar right in that any heart discomfort is a cause for concern and needs evaluation by a professional. But if your EKG is good then chances are this drug is just being a pain ... Literally.

Unfortunately, you won't know for sure until you see the weening process through. Then a week later, see how u feel and then u will know what's real and what's drug induced. But if you have been evaluated at the ER and been released several times, that should ease your nerves. I know u r still in a slight panic, and that's reasonable, but try to be patient .

If you really think you r having a heart attack , quickly take 4 baby aspirin and call 911. But taking baby aspirin daily is not always good. It takes about 4 days after 1baby adoring fir your clotting platlets to replenish so easy onthe asprin. If you want my opinion, take 4000 mg of fish oil daily. It also has some blood thinning characteristics.

It's good you are seeing a new cardiologist. Write down all the questions you have so you don't forget anything. Go in and explain what's going on and ask his advice. But don't be afraid to express how much you want off this drug if indeed that's your intention. My cardiologist wanted me to increase my dosage and I thought he was out of his mind. But of course I'm sure didn't truly realize what it was doing to me.

Anytime you go to the hospital with any type palpitation , doctors all want to put you on metoprolol or dilitiazem. Many times it's a good thing but sometimes they r wrong . As the patient, you have to weigh all the advice and how u feel and make the proper call. In the end, it's your life.

Now, if there is a valid medical cause for you to take these drugs then of course take them but too much of any drug that's not needed is never a good thing.

I would stress about your chest. Talk to the cardiologist and try and relax. Don't strain yourself. And ween slowly. If you were truly having a heart attack, you would have known it by now for certain without any doubts.

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Tony, you're providing more help than you can possibly imagine. Thank you once again!

It does frighten me when you say "unless I'm feeling a heavy pressing feeling" in my chest, because that's exactly what I'm feeling each and every time I exert the slightest amount of energy (again, climbing stairs, walking, etc.). I've already been to the ER three times for this, and they've detected nothing wrong with my cardiovascular system each time. The cardiac CT angiogram along with x-rays also detected nothing. As a result of all these tests, I've just been under the assumption that one of the many Metoprolol side effects I'm feeling are of the 'angina' variety, but it's so difficult to know for certain. Needless to say, it's very frustrating and quite frightening.

Regarding the notion of weaning, I sense that your schedule might be similar to what I'll likely try. I've been at about 18mg for four days now, so I'll probably stay there for another few days. I'm meeting with a new cardiologist tomorrow (didn't care for the first one), so hopefully he'll have some insight on the matter. The big problem, though, is finding a sympathetic doctor who truly understands the nature of this drug. Of the many doctors I've already seen in the past few weeks, only one ER doctor openly admitted that she had some knowledge of the adverse effects Metroprolol has had on some people.

Thanks again, my friend, and don't be surprised if you find another question or two from me, for you're definitely giving me some much-needed confidence!

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As long as you ween safely, once you take that final pill. The one where you say that's it , I'm done.... You will have to wait a week to notice real improvement after the last one u take. Metoprolol is no joke, it hangs on like a bad dream. And then in just a matter of days after that week, u should feel better every day. During the weening process, it can suck just like you are still taking a higher dosage . It's fights you. It did me, I could feel it trying to fight my heart, like it was trying desperately to keep my beats low when I needed more. It's very worrisome to have that chest feeling. So, I encourage u to see your doctor if it gets too scary or concerning.

But it will go away. Just don't ween to sharply and try and stay calm. Stress just makes it worse.

When I stopped my last pill and I said I'm done.... I felt it still bugging me til 4 am that 6 th day and poof, I felt relief.

Just don't try and ween too fast. I know some people who quit cold turkey but I'd be scared to do that. It might be too much of a jolt.

See your doc if you are too worried and discuss it. But unless you are feeling a heavy pressing feeling then it's likely no heart attack. These annoying dull aches and sharp pains are most likely metoprolol so don't panic. If you have any doubts about the pain of course err on the side of caution and seek help but in my experience I just had to tough it out a week.

I wish i could tell you to come off quick and be done with this beast but that might hurt you so just go easy and slow. You'll get it out of you. And when you do, you'll feel the relief .

I know it is lousy my friend. Just hang in there.

Also, I'm not sure the best way to ween this stuff because I wasn't on as long as you. But in my personal non medical opinion, I'd give it at least ten days between step downs. But that's me, some doctors may tell you to go slower and some might be ok with that. You will have to judge some of that on how you feel.

I was at 50 mg twice a day
Then to 25 mg twice a day for 3 weeks
Then to 12.5 mg twice a day for 2 weeks
Then to 7.25 mg twice a day for 7 days
Then I quit .
Symptoms went away 6-7 days later .

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Tony, once again, that's some great info! Thank you! I have one more question if you don't mind: how long did it take for you once you started the weaning process to feel your strength coming back? I have some commitments coming up in the later part of June that'll require me cancelling them if I don't feel that I'll be ready for them by then. One month ago it would've been no problem, but now I'm pretty useless when it comes to moving around. I lose energy very quickly, and my symptoms reveal themselves very quickly when I become even remotely active (climbing stairs, very short walks, etc.). I'm also down to around 3/4 of a 25 mg tab twice daily (about 18 or 19 mg), and I plan to go to a 1/2 tab (12.5 mg) by the end of this week.

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If you dropped the metoprolol , give it a full week and see how u feel then. The worst of the withdrawal symptoms will subside by then. If you took it for a long time, I wouldn't panic or nothing until you allow time for your body to adjust. If after say ten days you still feel bad, I'd go see my doctor. But you should go sooner if you feel it's necessary of course.

But yeah, after only three days, it's still in your system and you will certainly have side effects.

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You are very welcome jimbo. Glad I could help. I do want to add some more info for u. When I was weening off metoprolol and got it down to 7.25 mg twice a day, I still could feel it. At this point it won't affect your Bp much but I could still feel it. It felt like right under my sternum, someone had a knuckle pushing against my heart. I wasn't sure whether it was still the drug or my heart. It was very scary. But I was convinced it was the drug. Even with my live swelling, my doctor said oh... It's probably fatty liver. Well of course I had fatty liver, most Americans do, but the swelling was from the drug. I knew it in my heart. It takes about 6.5 days for metoprolol to completely leave your system once you stop taking it after weening to a safe amount. I myself am a diabetic , type 2, and metoprolol has some weird diabetic side effects. Diabetics tend to experience thirst more often as your kidneys are trying to clear your sugar from your system but metoprolol can mask this thirst sensation. Well anyway, almost exactly 6.5 days later , after stopping metoprolol I woke up extremely thirsty and I knew it had cleared my system. And that knuckle feeling I had been having was completely gone, like magic. I went to the kitchen at 4 am and drank 2 big glasses of water. Lol

Diabetes certainly is a silent killer. It can wreck havoc on your health in a silent slow way until one day it hits you hard. Don't wait till that happens. If your kidneys function is still healthy, go order dr. Atkins: new diet revolution and read the book from cover to cover. I can honestly say it has saved my life.

I work out daily now, my weight went from 260 to 240 and still falling. My sugar stays no higher than 120 and it's getting better. My Bp is currently 120/75 but I take losartan potassium 75mg once a day.

losartan potassium isn't too bad but it makes you evaluate your potassium levels very often because it contains a potassium salt I think and it combined with say zero sports drinks and tuna with potassium can add up to too high potassium. You have to be cautious on this drug too.

Anyway, my heart rate on metoprolol got into the 30's when I was tired at night even with 7.25 mg twice a day. Like you, I knew that was too low for me. I was scared to fall asleep. The cardiologist didn't seem concerned because your heart will generally kick in periodically on its own when oxygen levels fall too low and compensate while you sleep. But that didn't make me feel better. It was scary to me. Some people have low resting heart rates but I'm not exactly one of those . Another reason I didn't want that drug.

When I left the hospital the third time lol, I started on a serious diet an exercise regiem. I felt in my heart it was do or die time, literally. So I watched my diet carefully and started off very slow exercising. I bought a finger heart rate monitor for 20.00 from Amazon. It is awesome and I'd do a little bit every day. The thing about exercise is that you have to exercise at least once within every 72 hours or you lose the benefit you gained from the last time you worked out. So you need to do cardio either daily for at least 20 min and at least every other day to keep building on your progress. I used the heart monitor to go slow and kept my heart rate right at or below 150 beats per minute. The doctor can tell you what's safe for you. At first I could do little exercise and my heart rate would be at 150 in no time. But now I can run a mile and my heart rate stays around 130 beats.

Take control of your lives my friends. Heart issues can be so scary. So do something while u can and believe. Also, let me add....

If you have a cardiovascular or heart concern, buy a good brand of fish oil pill and take at least 4000 mg daily. Yes that's 4 grams. Over a three month period this will help you. You need need at least 4 grams to see any real results.

I wish you guys well. Sry I rambled but I worry about you guys. I was so scared and I know you have to be too. I sat for hours and cried when I left the hospital. When I first went, was my first trip in 20 years. When the ambulance came I was with my three kids and I was telling them goodbye in case I didn't make it. I thought I was gonna die at 42. Please start today and change your lives. God be with you all.

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Sherrie.....thanks for your thoughts as well! I really needed to hear these tonight, for I haven't been as positive about this as I should be. I just know that I have a high sensitivity to drugs in general, so I'm still a bit frightened over the notion of actually going cold turkey once I've weaned myself enough to do so. But, I'll get there eventually!

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Thank you for your thoughts, Tony! All of my doctors are in agreement that I no longer need to be on a BP medicine, so it only makes sense to wean myself off of it for good. In fact, I'm quite sure that since I've lost 30 lbs. while also living on a much better diet in the past year or so, the Metoprolol is essentially making me feel ill because my BP and pulse rate have become too low. I feel pretty safe in that regard. I had a huge setback last Wednesday when I had my cardiac CT angiogram, for they gave me nearly triple the dosage compared to what I had been taking at the time. Needless to say, it really fouled up any stability that I had going for me. I undoubtedly unraveled for a few days there.......very scary. Hopefully I'm back on track now, but it's been a rough three weeks.

Just gotta say......I'm thankful to have found some of you here. I would never wish for anyone to be going through such an ordeal as this, but it's comforting to know I'm not alone.

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Yes it will make little things impossible. I couldn't even walk through walmart without pain in my chest from metoprolol. Like I said in post #400, if it doesn't work for u, it's time to change meds. Maybe try dilitiazem instead.

Weening metoprolol isn't too bad , just try cutting it till u get down to a small enough dose that u feel safe dropping it. Of course this is contingent on why u were placed on the drug, you should always talk to your doctor . I weened myself because I felt I could without any real danger to myself. I cut it down to 7.25 mg twice a day and then just quit after a week of that. It took a week even still for it too leave my system.

Metoprolol made me feel weak trying to do small things. Pain in my chest and clearly it was damaging my liver. I knew I had to get off of it, no matter what I was told from my i**** cardiologist.

There are some great doctors out there but some really bad ones too.

Just this past week, I had been having some lung issues from my Bp medication. I decreased it by 25 mg and i feel much better. Clearly my dosage was too high. At least it was for me.

The way you feel has to be used as another piece of your medical puzzle. But just don't make changes which might harm you. Research and ask questions.

I'm currently weening off lorazepam too. It's a slow and tedious process. Never shoulda had it prescribed to me but it was. I've gone from 2 mg to 1.125 mg daily. It's taken a while. Never take a benzo unless you absolutely are positive you need it.

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I have a question for whomever may be able to answer it: Once you realized that your Metoprolol (or any beta blocker) medicine was wreaking havoc on your system, did the side effects or withdrawal symptoms essentially incapacitate you? In other words, did you suddenly find it difficult to climb stairs? or even walk short distances without feeling chest pain and shortness of breath? I literally feel as though I'm going to have a heart attack if I do practically any activity at all, and it seriously makes me wonder if I may have an underlying condition that I'm unaware of. It seems I have absolutely no energy whatsoever. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

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Aww, I'm sorry to hear that you've had to start over again Jimbo. But, ehh, give it another go at it when you know you're confident & ready to start fresh again. I read your comment above and lol you're quite the athlete if you can peddle a bicycle 30 miles... Thats why I own a car ;) anyway, if it makes you feel better, I quit on the eve of the 14th and I'm still having withdrawal symptoms. My darn legs still feel a little like a bowl of shaky jello & my my left arm is still tingling/numb/asleep feeling... I've been swelling up & can't figure out the WHY?! Not to mention I'm as cranky as a wet cat & not knowing how long this misery is going to go on is a bummer... Best wishes on your soon recovery & hopefully you'll be feeling better before summer starts in for good.

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I went to the hospital on feb 6, 2015 with a racing heart rate which I believe took place for a variety of reasons. High sugar, bad diet, overweight, started a new blood pressure med etc... Basically I really needed to take my health more seriously.

Initially I was prescribed metoprolol 50 mg twice a day. They felt I needed it to control my palpitations. First of all, metoprolol is a good drug to those that sincerely need it and can tolerate it. To me, it was a nightmare.

After leaving the hospital , I had to cut metoprolol down to 25 mg twice a day and then to 12.5 mg twice a day on my own because of the chest pains it was causing me. The doctors acted like it was no biggie. At the same time, I complained of swelling under my ribs and after a metabolic panel, my liver was swelling based on the results. Again I was told no biggie. I took myself off the drug myself. I did ween it but maybe even more than I needed to. It took about a week after I stopped taking it for it to clear my system. The chest pain quit. And after taking 500 mg daily of milk thistle, my liver swelling was back to normal. This drug was clearly not for me. It can be dangerous for the wrong person.

I found that by proper diet and exercise, my pulse stays normal. I had also had all the diagnostics ran... Nuclear stress evaluation and an echo of course, along with 3 ekg's. All came back clear.

The point is, don't take any drug if it does more harm than good and throughly research anything u r prescribed before taking it, especially any benzos.

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Hey Bee, thanks once again! I actually do have some of the herbal supplements that you've spoken about as well as a few others on the way. I think I'm getting myself prepared pretty well. What I wasn't prepared for was doing this over the long haul, and now it's appearing as though I don't have much of a choice in the matter. My system just won't let it go that easily. I still can't believe that a medicine such as this was able to literally turn my life upside down in a matter of just three weeks. Three weeks ago I was cycling 30+ miles two or three times a week while walking two miles nearly every day, but now I can't even walk around my own block. I've already cancelled numerous business meetings and social events only to find that I'll be cancelling more. This isn't to mention that my wife is running short on patience with me, too. It's literally turning my career and marriage into a horror story.

Sorry for sounding depressed, for I'm quite aware that I'm singing to the choir here, but I really do applaud those of you who've managed to get beyond this. Your help and advice is certainly appreciated, too! Thank you!

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Jimbo..........You can do this.......so what you have to start over.. And start over you shall... and yes you must be patient..... and stop trusting so much in these Doctors..........I get more information from an 85 year old woman who works in a health food store than I ever did from a doctor.........I figure she lived this long she must know a few things..........

Anyway; I am not sure of the formula for plaque so look at earthclinic.com.............It might be lemons and organic BRAGG apple cider vinegar and ginger and garlic juice... It will dissolve plaque and now also look into the supplements that were recommended here.. Maybe now you might be interested in taking a few lol.. I would also start studying nutrition and herbs and supplements.

Good Luck and let us know how its going.....

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Hey HBP MAMA... 1 more thing for ya... If your willing, go to 'doctors nutrition' and they have some really interesting podcasts :) I love the BIGG BUTT BIG GUT podcast... they list some foods which trigger inflammations throughout the body (not good) ..ciao gf

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Hi HBP MAMA... Sherrie here, I'm sorry to hear about your not feeling well but if it's from withdrawals it's to be expected. It sure won't hurt to try something natural for your anxiety & fatigue while your coming off of the Metoprolol, along with fresh veggies, fruits, H2O, walking & rest rest rest.... when my BP was high immediately coming off of the M, I took 1- 20 mg. Enalapril (which isn't in the Beta Blocker family mind you) and that helped me alot... I since don't need anything. II've cut back on caffeine this past week 1/2 & I eat no pig so hopefully the BP will come down more so as the weeks pass. Also, if your a mind to try some suggestions, try Yoga type stretching, listening to soothing Classical music (check out it's effects on snowflakes/water on youtube!), CUT THE TV OFF, cut back on PC uses on all devices as much as is possible, get outside for Gods sunshine :) idk, just things I myself am incorporating more so into each new day... If you haven't already and/or things get too tough, I'd really try & seek out a Doctor's Nutrition type facility where you can discuss all of your past/present health issues and they will work with you. And the good news is "It works." (for your good that is) Our Dr's Nut. group here are a fantastic group of ppl) K, I am praying for your speedy recovery!

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