Metoprolol Withdrawal (Page 46) (Top voted first)

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.

REPLY

REPORT

I was on it a year and a half before trying to get off. Been trying to get off it the last 6 months. Im on try #4 so far. Off 6 weeks with this last try. I keep giving in and taking a sliver just to have one good day then im back to ssquare one.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

This list of continuing side effects is virtually unbelievable. I DON'T MEAN I DON'T BELIEVE YOU GUYS, BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE AT LEAST HALF A DOZEN BOARD-CERTIFIED CARDIOLOGISTS HAVE TOLD ME THESE SYMPTOMS ARE SO VERY RARE AS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED. And I believe these guys and gals, too. I'm not the FDA. I'm a colleague, in some cases a supervisor. One smart guy suggested instead b****ing on this site, to go to the FDA's dedicated site for reporting adverse drug incidents. I directed a patient there. She wasn't an MD and they accepted her report anyway. I only was contacted because she mentioned me as cutting the dose of Effexor-XR from 300mg/d to 150mg/d and they wanted my confirmation. But a doc doesn't have to get involved. Here's the URL address: fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Surveillance/AdverseDrugEffects

They make it clear they accept reports from patients. Don't let the convoluted prose discourage. I have an MD and a PhD, but it's safe to skip over all but specific instructions. I did an informal Linguistics "once over" and if you have a high school education (or event ALMOST a h.s. education), you can fill these forms out. I suppose you can contact the American College of Cardiology, but I wouldn't trust them to pressure the FDA OR Big Pharma. Btw, I've been taking Toprol-XL (metoprolol) 20mg QD for years without incident. Turns out Medco's "house" brand is metoprolol manufactured by the original developer — I think it's Sanofi-Aventis. I have no way to tell if the original med lowers the incidence of side effects, but it's happened before.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 2

I wonder why the NASAIDS send us through the roof. I just thought of another thing that was going on with me and I don't have anymore. I would get thes slits on the corners of my mouth that would feel like paper cuts and they would come and go. I haven't had one since I quit the M. Feeling better today and started an exercise routine 4 days ago. Nothing really strenuous cause I'm finding if I do too much and get my heart rate to high it sends me off into anxiety again. It was okay the first month but now my body gets anxiety if I push it too far so easy does it. We will see as time goes on I will increase the intensity because I want to help my heart to stay strong along with my lungs. As I remember more I will post. I must say my sleep is soooo much better cause I'm not up and down with the M insanity jitters.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Very curious, said Alice lollo cute statement

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

The end of this month will be 3 months not four. Trying to push it along I guess

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Thanks just me . I am right behind you only 2 months for me but i think we will all get there and be normal again .

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

The brain fog is part of it . I also believe its oart of the anxiety everyone develops after getting of the M . I am at 2 months and it got better but anxiety and tension headaches are there . Also lately been struggling with some of my latest bp readings . But i also stopped walking for 4 days . Which i think its bad but i will restart today .

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Ok, went to doc. She says the thyroid controls all these spurts and periods of anxiety, palpitations, wonky head, buzzy feeling, hyper reactions to nsaids etc etc that we all are having. The metoprolol controls the thyroid reactions, the thyroid forgets how to behave and once the metoprolol is reduced or eliminated, you are left with a thyroid that is unable to reset itself, and basically spurts TSH randomly and creates a hyperthyroid status, often off and on, so it usually won't come up in blood work cause blood work takes a snapshot of the Moment it's drawn and not on an ongoing basis. Look up symptoms of hyperthyroid, they will sound very familiar. She said they usually prescribe tapazole for 6 weeks to allow the thyroid to relax and reset itself, or you can take natural Thyroid Calming Compound tincture 2-3 times a day for those 6 weeks to suppress the spurts. So that is the plan, I have been using the tincture as needed, but she says no, it has to be a daily suppression for the full 6 weeks. Fingers crossed that this will indeed be the ticket. I do know the tincture DOES work, within 15 mins.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Cjj88, totally about the socializing. I basically cancelled xmas and even now I just don't want to be bothered. It's too much, I cannot tolerate any of it. I don't want to talk in phone either. I assume eventually this will ease up as I feel better.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Anita i do the same intake my bp cuff and meds with me . The anxiety is what hets everyone . I get back and chest pain with it and the blood pressure rise due to it .

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I didn't even know what anxiety WAS until Metoprolol. It's terrible. I would put on my BP cuff and immediately my pulse and BP would skyrocket. I would have to take a deep breath, try and calm myself, take my BP. Then, if it was bad (over 150 on top) I'd start to worry. If it was 140 or 150 on top, I would wait a few minutes and take it again. I was in the ER 10 times last year with chest pains and BP spikes all due to the Metoprolol. Now, 6 months later, my BO is 120/70 on 10 mg of Lisinopril but I can feel when it goes to 140. It's "weirdo head" all over. Then I can feel the anxiety trying to come back. I don't think I will ever be the same due to the effects of the M on my heart and system. If I don't exercise at least every other day I start having problems with my heart rate again. I have a stressful situation right now and I can feel the chest pains and other symptoms of anxiety. I don't take any other drugs because I don't trust any of them not to harm my system more and the side effects are terrible. The cardiologist I saw wants me to take Lipitor. I have high cholesterol that has run in the family and doesn't budge with diet change and exercise. I'm terrified of what the side effects will do to me, but with 280 cholesterol I might have to risk it. It's a roller coaster ride since the Metoprolol but at least I'm functioning again!!! Small steps for everyone and I'm glad to hear you are all making some progress. :)

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I understand why you would be scared to take lipitor after going thru this . I am scared of any new drugs now. I would recommend talking to someone who has taken it before that might help you know alittle more about the drug . But good luck on what you decide to do .

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Thanks guys, yes I am more than reluctant. My doctor does acknowledge that some people can't tolerate statins, so at least he's going to be sensitive to any side effects I might have. They want me to start at a low dose and go slow. Not sure what a low dose even is. I've heard about the red yeast rice, has it lowered your cholesterol significantly? It's hard to get good info about anything other than "FDA" approved medication. I'd imagine big Pharm would want to debunk any natural remedy.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Anita short version since I've lost 2 replies! Cardiologist recommended Red Yeast Rice. Getting purest one is the decision since not Che cked like pharmaceutical driugs. It along with Pravachol, Zetia and Creston caused cramping. I'm just not taking anything. Number is 230-250. Last week down to 214. Nothing magic just using Krill oil now that might be affecting the lower number. Use coconut oil for toast and some cooking. Toast in AM is that plus gob of cinnamon. Coffee with creamer and cinnamon sprinkle. I am not a red meat eater and not big on fish. Eat lots of veggies and fruit. I do eat chocolate candy and ice cream but not too extreme. Just sharing. I have family history also of elevated cholesterol. I'm 74 so just sharing. I know many posters here are likely much younger. Good luck. Keep us posted. Good group here.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Thank you Jimbo, I just saw your reply to me. I am still having problems with sleep along with the anxiety but knowing other people pushed through keeps me fighting.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

JR -yes my heart rate goes up after a big meal. In fact I found out it is acid reflux, even though it doesn't butn. It's a serious condition. Try zantac 75 mg
or better yet go see a gastrointologist

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I stopped taking it and this is day 2. Feel great!
What's weird is everyrime my heart races or goes into afib I have to throw up acid indegestion. I stick my finger in my throat to induce it because I feel that I need to puke. Never really put 2 and 2 together. So today took Zantac 75 mg for the first time and I feel like superman and very normal and smiled all day. I bet acid reflux has been my problem the whole time

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Thanks LoneAfib ill try that .

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

How are you doing Lauren? I just want to check in with you

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

JR-hAve you taken a Zantac yet? How do you feel? Make sure to burp. Close your eyes and concentrate on getting the burp up out of your stomach

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

My Dr. told me I can just quit the metoprolol, my heart rate sometimes dips into low 40's for a few seconds at night...

3 REPLIES

So I was prescribed Metoprolol for high BP and have taken it for a total of about 8 years. It was horrible in the beginn...

20 REPLIES

My son had a terrible experience on wyvance. He has phyciatic systems to include halluciations. The doctor took him off ...

429 REPLIES

I have been in pain management for years, lost my doctor along with other patients, and primary won't fill or says s...

299 REPLIES

I have been on kolonopin 1 mg daily for 14 months now I am depressed and very anxious most of the time I want to get off...

292 REPLIES

How long before muscle aches and weakness subside after discontinuing Lipitor ## Had been on 10mg for 4 years. recently ...

204 REPLIES

I have been taking 200 mg. a day for about 4 years. I thought it was a coincidence that I've lost 50% of my hair dur...

165 REPLIES

I have been on Vyvanse for 4 weeks and I am now tapering off. I was going to quit cold turkey , but I wke up this mornin...

159 REPLIES

I started Metoprolol this Monday after the cardiologist prescribed it because of being in the ER with extremely fast hea...

103 REPLIES

I have been on stelaine for 25 years with short breaks but I am trying to stop it and getting nasty withdrawal effects. ...

87 REPLIES