Metoprolol Withdrawal (Page 35)

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 really getting where Joey is coming from at all. Those of us who seem to be on the same page, thank you for your support and those of us still struggling... Keep up the good work.

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Guessing Dr. Joey is a monitor maybe who is showing us some facts?? Not sure.

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While most of the onus is on the prescriber, patients should be encouraged to ask questions. I understand today's "assembly-line" medicine all too well. I've taken Valium and Xanax NOT continuously, but I wanted a psychiatric once over. (My friend is the spouse of an Attending Psychiatrist at Bellevue Hospital and she thought was primarily looking for a competent doc who would prescribe what I needed, no questions asked. Turned out Internist Dr. Bernard Shayes was an excellent doctor in all ways and I was honest about my history. Since I told him I usually took Valium or Xanax (insurance covered brand names), he asked if I minded Xanax because it was less sedating and I told I preferred Valium because of my tendency toward Muscle Contraction ("tension") Headaches. Fine. I and just taken a new position — big pay raise, full responsibility for two large hospitals Depts of Psychiatry and I figured a booster shop of therapy and maybe changing sleep-aids might help. I usually don't refer to myself as "Dr." in these settings. I inadvertently did and said I was an English professor. I NEVER saw so many so much SEROQUEL, Depakote/Depakene and other "hot mood stabilizers other than times I met colleagues who work for big drug companies "give me the tour." She had preprinted script blanks for PRODIGAL, NUVIGIL, AMBIEN, LUNESTA, SEROQUEL and a few others. Her her of triage was to watch her video and check off responses. I left my page blank and wrote: "The is obviously designed to spot symptoms of Bipolar, Hypomanic or Major Depressive Disorders" and I have none of the above. (Later a. MDE would rear its ugly head, but not for a few years). My primary complaints are chronic anxiety and insomnia. She stermiuned that I needed to take Seroqul in 25mg increment HOURLU until I achieve "prefect sleep." Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic, probably the safest of the new kids on the back then, and useful PRN in management of Bipolar Im Disorders. She thought I was taking a "huge amount" of Xanax (1mg QID brand name). She was a grad of the medical school at the University of Heidelberg, true, but her English was fluent — almost. She diagnosed me with a Bipolar Disorder. I wondered if I was absent from my Residency that year! Ands she loaded me up with Seroquel and Depakote samples. I stayed silent, but said I have no indications for taking Depakote; I couldn't hit her over the head bight my Vitae, so I just sid "So I won.t". My domestic partner REALLY has a Bipolar I Disorder and Depakote in al his forms caused him great distress. She wouldn't change the medication, so I did and found aa colleague or a colleague who said, "Joe, that's just nuts. I'll squeeze him in." HE didn't want to question her either. I told her that HE questions ME and I have better creds than SHE does. She missed on of the warning signs of Diabetes, but seemed to know her physical medicine. Seroquel "knocks yo ass out" as one of my adolescent patients said. "If you want me to titrate upward ad start at 8 pm. when do I get to have my life?" She wrote a script for Xanax — to "withdraw" me and she a) wrote it incorrectly and b) allowed some Medo or Express-Scripts jerk to get her to permit substitution. Bezos are always hard to find quality generics in lieu of". I politely pointed out that herLAtinate syntax was specific 1/1/2 pills QD (daily) instead of 1-1.2 pills QID (four times daily). She told me I didn't understand how dangerous Xanax is and how much safer Seroquel was. Sicilians have high boiling points, but enough is enough. "D you know what he 'Doctor in front my name signifies?" "You're a college professor of English/" "Almost true. I'm a MD Yale and PhD, Pharmacology, Cornell and as multi-specialty Board-certified psychiatrist." Now, you sit down and shut up. I took her dry erase market and asked what my Dx was? She gave me something that literally was an OXYMORON (i.e., "the anxiolytic [anti-anxiety drug], Desoxyn [methamphetamine]). I really do have a BA and an MA in English, so I read her the Riot Act concerning the made up DDx's etymology. It doesn't exist. Sure, I said, someone we up apparently meaningless abbreviations and terms within the profession, but our Oath requires us to be honest with patients — and does the law. "Why didn't she tell me or LJ that Sequel is an atypical antipsychotics with long-term adverse effects roughly equal to those of the traditional psychotics?) "The same tactics with Zyprex created a generation of late-teen/early 20s Type 2 Diabetics. I should know. I treat some of them.).

She has a Psychiatric Nurse (properly credentials — MSN, etc.) and she indicated I could address my progress and thoughts to her. I did and she explained that nurse had no time for patients, just for calling in scripts and handling insurance companies. He had my journal entires nd asked if she could shed them. I told her that not only could she shred them, it would be no get loss if she follow them into the shredder. I was outraged enough that she was doing assembly-line psychiatry — DDxs varied slightly, but the tx was the same — either you had Narcolepsy or "Sleep-Work Cycle Disorder" (I don't write for Provigil or Nuvigil, so I don't know the hype. If a patients requires an amphetamine, that;'s what I prescribe) or your choice of about three diagnoses that call for drugs LIKE Sroquel and Depakote. I came home and found my DP writing in pain — GIm pain — b because of the Depakiote. My friend, who lives across the hall, is a pediatrician, I treat her kid and her. With three kids and her pediatrics practice, she does carry a medical bag. I saw one of her kids in the hal and said, "Fia? Mom home? Well, then is her medical bad home?" It was. Bring it fast. I gave LJ a shot of Compazine and a shot of Morphine Sulfate. He was in that much pain. That was right before the showdown. I told her that my memory is excellent, my psych and writing skills were better and I knew several members of the Disciplinary committee of the Office of Professional Conduct (like Susan, my meds friend). I did that; LJ affirmed by deposition. And her nurse was told that either she tells all or she'll never practice again. Thankfully, this madwoman had her licensed revoked, was fined $25,000 and I wonder how Columbia University could possibly employ her. I had no trouble getting scripts and I called my mentor and he said he'd "cover" - I had been his patient, no worries.

With drugs that SEEM to not require a tapering warning, we are ESPECIALLY ACCOUNTABLE to provide one. Patient are more sophisticated today. I now some docs are impossible togged on the phone unless you're calling on your way to ICU, but asking the doc about coming off a drug used long-term is a logical question.

I ask my own Cardiologist and Psychiatrist questions if I'm unclear or something pops into my mind. I was somewhat pissed off reaching the last "new" cardiologist I tried out because he was a "Center Stage Doc" — talked the whole session, told me I didn't need Tylenol #3 for the residual arthritic-like aches and pains I suffer below my hip, post-serious accidents and "I won't be your drug supplier." I quite an eminent NYC area big hot in psychiatry. U know, when I was a med student, I actually had a bottle of Ambien stolen by a cleaning woman. (Ambien's been around a while.) When I called him, he could tell I was nervous because I had an problem with Rx drugs a LOT stronger only a few years before as an undergrad.) As I fumbled, Doc said "Joey, you ned a new script for Valium? What's the pharmacy number? And don't be so damned nervous if something like this happens. If you were going to scam me out of a script, it sure Hell wouldn't be for Ambien!"

However, you're right. Our responsibility is to EDUCATE and NEVER ASSUME a patient CAN or WILL read that Patient Guide, either! Point taken, Tony.

Editor's note: We do not verify the credentials of our users and nothing stated in our forums is intended to be taken as medical advice.

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I'm a MD/PhD who can't believe the way some my so-called colleague "practice" medicine or patients who take no responsibility for their own medications. This comes from a MD, a PhD in Pharmacology, five sub-specialty certs in Psychiatry and almost 30 years of experience in all. I am an Executive Chief of Psychiatry for two large hospitals that have merged into who now is a gigantic "health care system." and, having had a sweet private practice handed to me by my mentor, I have the tome do donate two days to a LBGT Clinic run by a respected Institute in the NYC area. I also get to use my "juice" to "terrify" some 3rd year residents into volunteering! Just another doc, that;s me.

Editor's note: We do not verify the credentials of our users and nothing stated in our forums is intended to be taken as medical advice.

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I was explaining in one post how difficult it is even with three experienced psychiatrists with PhDs in pharmacology was well, to come up with a cocktail for a Major Depressive Disorder. Lots of patients expect: "Experienced shrink. Here are my symptoms of Depression. "OK, here's some Prozac and Ambien. You'll be fine, See you next month." It's almost NEVER that easy. We're not trying to make extra money, but "titrating" is required in some cases and that takes time.

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Another one who didn't construct you to taper? Dod we have an epidemic of idiocy among PCPs? That's just plain malpractice; it;s part of his job to tell you what, if anything, you need to do to discontinue a drug safely. Sometimes I'm ashamed of being an MD, despite the prestigious school, and this is one of them! NO EXCUSE FOR THIS CLOWN!

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I hop on this forum from time to time to check on how everyone is doing. I try and offer encouragement when I can and enjoy the encouragement others offer me. Sometimes we all need a little during difficult times.

Everyone here has been really helpful. We certainly don't have all the answers and sometimes the answers we share are not always perfect. But it's the attempt at trying to help another soul that matters.

We certainly appreciate anyone's contribution. I know I do. we all kinda feel like a family on here in some small measure. I think about Jimbo, Sandra, Anita and several others all the time and wonder how they are.

I know what dark days are and I'd never wish that on anyone.

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Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Aortic Arch Resection and Valve Replacement, HBP, Type 2 diabetes, MDE (in remission), GAD and Panic Attack Disorder w/o Agoraphobia don't count! Having to watch my mother die as the sequelae to a series of strokes was easy, since I was cursed with the knowledge that comes from specializing in an area very, very close to Neurology, so I could read every scan, every EKG, and the only thing I could do was throw money (private room, private duty nurses; calling in my own friends who have privileges elsewhere, but whom I consider the best; a few even flew in from London and Cali) at Grim Reaper. I'll just have a team of my excellent neurosurgeon buddies replace and route her entire cerebrovascular system? Piece of cake! Easy for my sister, too. A Sex Crimes Bureau Chief for 12 years with a 94% Conviction Rate, she's used to winning. She did even better in private practice because her contract permitted hero choose which defendants charged with anything remotely like Child Abuse, DV or a Sex Crime will defend. She took 18 months off from her practice — OK, she had the money, but the point is she had to live with this every day and now, months later, had her "nervous meltdown" (actually an Abreaction Episode or that's what my mentor's generation called it). My luck, she gets a shrink who is an i****, an i**** I can fire for poor professional judgment. My sharp, tough little sister won't listen to the prescribing mistakes her doctor has made, but the pharmacist had the sense to call me. Struggling, me? No way.

Have your pity party elsewhere, lady. Nah, it was easy for me. I have the keys to the medicine cabinet and lots of friends who will prescribe whatever I want and pharmacists who will defer to my position and expertise in filling those scripts.

POINT: You shouldn't have to "struggle" to withdraw from or DC any beta-blocker. It's easy, but it's not taught in high school. Your doc has the responsibility to guide you and follow Hippocrates first dictum: "Primum non nocere." First, do no harm. There should be no "road to travel" and that 12-Step-esque groupthink. Would make any English professors ears curdle Discontinuing beta-blockers is SIMPLE INTERNAL MEDICINE 101.

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I think we all know what dark days are. That's why I became a doctor and chose to specialize in psychiatry. It's really an invaluable part of our training that we DON'T et in school. Thanks for stopping in!

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Thank you Tony. Without the kind, patient encouragement of the forum, I don't think I could have gotten off this poison. My doctor did NOT tell me about the side effects prior to prescribing nor did he tell me to wean off it. Every step of the way he made the exact opposite of a good decision. More meds more meds more meds. Most days are good days now, with the occasional bad day here and there. I still do not feel like my system is where it was before introducing the beta blocker. I do not expect an honest answer about why this is from the medical community that minimizes side effects and denies reality in order to sell more meds. I am getting better, and I am determined to be better. A day of random rogue anxiety is now more detectable as the abnormal day rather than the norm. My treadmill has been a life saver. I can walk and am increasing both my incline and speed, and getting some measure of fitness back. My heart is getting healthier (it was never unhealthy prior to Metoprolol) but I still get the occasional M twinge. My pulse rate is improving and I think my body is learning how to function again after this whole horrible experience. Again, I am grateful for the solid support from all of you who understand the reality, not what is "medically recognized".

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Joey, I'm not sure if you've noticed, but there's a common theme to this very thread that's been going on since 2010. It's not just a doctor here or there that's missing the boat; it's literally dozens upon dozens of them. When I discovered that I had a problem with Metoprolol, one doctor told me to simply quit since my dose was only at 25mg twice daily. He said it was a light dose and that I shouldn't have a problem quitting. Then, a cardiologist told me to quit while prescribing another drug to help alleviate the symptoms I was having from the Metoprolol. Two other ER doctors were simply scratching their heads when they discovered that I had no clinical reason to be in the ER in the first place, even though I was having severe chest pain, heart palpitations, and dizziness. My BP was typically 90/55 with a HR of 45 when they weren't highly elevated, and they still couldn't figure out that the Metoprolol was the primary problem. In fact, one doctor said that I was very, very fit for a 61-year-old man........LOL. It wasn't until a third ER doctor finally realized what was going on, but by that time I had already started to wean myself off of the drug thanks to my good friends on this website. I just needed to get off the drug entirely before considering the notion of taking any other meds, and I'm damn thankful I took the advice from the people on this site. I'm now feeling close to being normal again, and I'm no longer on ANY prescription meds.

With that being said, I honestly believe that the majority of us on this website can attribute many of our beta-blocker issues to being highly sensitive to these drugs. It obviously has an effect on our central nervous systems that doesn't seem to be an issue with many others. As a result, it seems to cause anxiety, depression, erratic BP and HR numbers (sometimes number too low), etc., etc. - all of which are symptoms to what this drug is often prescribed to treat. And, for whatever reason, the vast majority of doctors out there simply aren't "getting it" in terms of understanding how this drug affects some people. I'm not sure how the majority of people here feel about the medical profession these days but, I for one, have lost a great deal of faith in it. Of course, there are times when prescription drugs are necessary, but there seems to be a ton of doctors out there prescribing medicine to their patients unnecessarily. Just my 2 pennies...

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Thank you so much Tony! Its still possible im not going thru a sort of withdrawal but if all tests are good and I didnt feel this way before...I get told over and over that after 3 months it wouldnt be causing this. Today I am dizzy and very foggy headed. This needs to stop. And when I say foggy I mean I feel like im looking thru fog.

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How dizzy are you feeling? Very mild or strong dizzy?

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Why do I noe seeing anyone stating he went back to the prescriber or another cardiologist for guidance? I never even heard in passing of beta blocker about withdrawal until I hit this page. Every licensed MD should know this. Ayers, the original developer of Inderal (propranolol, the first Beta-Blocker) hasp in bold face caps that warning in EVERY medical journal ad and every PDR listing since the early 70s! Patients shouldn't t have to get "surprises" like this. What would you think if I had a patient taking Xanax 1mg QID x 18 months. He tells me "I don't think I need it any more, Doc?" Would I just say, "Cool. Stop today. You'll be fine." We all know he wouldn't be in about 12 hours from his last dose and this is an average dose. I even mention it in passing when we discuss :withdrawal syndromes to my psych Residents, Chief Residents and the Associate Chiefs at our other hospitals. I don't do it in a condescending way just is passing. I'm wondering how in the world this could happen — honest! Can someone hazard a guess?

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maybe this is why my depression became worse all of a sudden? other than that I seem ok with it, I did reduce the amount a little and I take my BP often at home and it's fine. I do notice my heart slowing down at night, I think that's what may have scared me at first and sent me to the ER, that and I had recently been in the hospital with some heart issues. Doctor checked me out and said I was ok and sent me home.

I think the VA wants to put me back on meds for depression, I didn't do well on them years ago, I was too hyper and could not sleep, so then they gave me another drug and I did sleep but felt hangover in the morning, finally had to quit my job. At least now I'm retired and don't have to work anymore.

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Did you see any decent shrinks? You don't always have to quite your job because of Mood Disorders. (If you wanted to, that's another story.) Affective Disorders (anxiety- or depression-based are common in cardiac patients.) I had open-heart surgery and I was thrilled to have survived a procedure with an 80% mortality rate! The most negative emotion I experienced was boredom, since I couldn't work after I felt well enough to do so. Of course, I was young (30s) for that procedure and Im sure that made me an anomaly. They key here is in the CORRECT MEDS in the RIGHT DOSES. Did your VA shrinks seem "on the ball" or what? I've had to clean up their messes in the past.

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Tony, its mild and its not constant. It comes in waves.

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Almost 3 months off and I gave in to a little dust from metoprolol to give me one day of relief. Probably wasn't the smartest thing but I wanted 1 day to not feel terrible. The side effects were bad but took away the withdrawal. I cant believe after almost 3 mo I am still withdrawaling. I took literally dust so hoping it doesnt set me back too far :(

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Jimbo — You're right. I'm relatively new and only on occasion do I write for Inderal for "stage fright." I'm also biased, a "whole bunch a" my immediately family members, including one damned good cardiologist, are on beta-blockers wit no untoward effects that I am recall. I HAVE treated patients who were CNS reducers and needed, say, 2.5mg of Valium to my my 10mg (I have the OTHER thing, which I am embarrassed to say I can't recall, but it means I need more CNS drugs than the average patient. SAVE THIS POST! DOC ADMITS HE DOESN"T KNOW SOMETHING!). I hate to disparage Fps and Internists, but sometimes when they're prescribing say, six drugs to a new or newer patient, only the most serious possible adverse reactions crate a mention. One of the reasons we have a NP - PSY in our office is to review meds, answer questions ands, frankly, catch errors. She has the Prescriptive Privilege and she can write for anything I can. I don't think we do it again, but we ALL should ask if "you ever take any meds that caused a stronger reaction or side effectuate you thought they would?". I dead; with this CNS REDUCER-AUGMENTER issue (I remembered!) all the time, but didn't do my due diligence — logical extension to other drug families.

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I have been on metoporol for 2 years, 100 mg. Just got cut to 50mg. I.feel ok

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