Metoprolol Withdrawal (Page 95)
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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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I misspelled that brand of Amitriptyline, which I've always called Elavil and always prescribed as ENDEP, because it came in a four-way scored tablet. As a chronic migraine/migraine variant/m, uncle con traction HS sufferer, I asked my docs even back in college to try Elavil. I felt better overall, but even 300mg/day didn't touch those chronic headaches. How I made it through college, med school, etc, with only about six years of surcease, taking lots of meds, is probably a function of knowing enough about those drugs to RESPECT them. For about five years, I took (in addition to anxiolytics, Ambien/Deysrel for sleep and sometimes Thorazine 50mg for nausea and vomiting) an average dose of 60mg of Oxycodone DAILY. We balanced me out so I could function with brand-name Dexedrine tabs or Spansules. We tried really shaking up our cocktail; there was an underlying MDE and Panic Attack/Generalized Anxiety Disorder, besides. My mentor, my own excellent shrink and I'm not bad at this stuff myself, tried different combinations of ADs, including the Court of Best Resort, Torfranil. I suggested cutting the Topfranil (a tricylic) and adding VIVACITY (porotriptyline), an energizing tricyclic. It was introduced the same year as Elavil by Merck, but not much publicity. My idea, so I research. Found a positive research study in two Peer-Reiveiwede journal and faxed it to both my docs. There was an additional ¶ or two taking like 2 small double column inches on the last page. I didn't read it and I didn't fax it. What I missed was the VIVACTIL and DEXEDRINE cam cause exacerbation of amphetamine's therapeutic and adverse reactions...but not right away. It takes the same length of time for VIVACTIL to reach therapeutic blood levels, even though it seems to giver you more get up and go within five days. A couple of weeks passed and, one morning, I started showing all the signs if too much speed! Not fun especially with a titanium heart valve and HTN. Since the only variable was VIVACITIL, I called a pharmacology prof at my med school. He emailed me links to an article of two. Now, we're supposed to taper just about ALL Ads, but I called my shrink and asked if I could just STOP, He told me that I faxed the the whole of those articles and we not missed it. I wrote my own damned script. He said, "CPZ is the best amphetamine antagonist; you have any?" Yes, for mirage related nausea. He told me to take 150mg and stop the VIVACTIL cold. It worked, but I was covered by other ADs.

We decided I needed to check in for a few days and work up the right meds. We thought this would be easy. However, I know what truly harmless comments can become in docs' and nurse's notes. I told the truth and THAT wasn't serious enough. I had to have homicidal or suicidal ideation or report having attempt either. I know I'd have to report something like this to the Office of Professional Conduct. I didn't need my practice or Rxs monitored and possibly restricted. My buddy who lived and worked in my apartment building, older than I said, "Report the symptoms of an MI. I just had one, which isn't unusual as my age, but no on would dare not to admit you. Question is WHOM; you know, I CAN bring you to the ER and give your symptoms. Get your shrinks on board and have them call me." THAT worked. One of my drinks is a DO and has the equivalent of certification in Family Practice before he completes his degree and enters Residency. Besides, in my own hospital, I had a lot of friends who wouldn't take exhaustive notes if I asked them not to do do. I insisted my reading my chart about QID; any patient can; they legally are the property of the patient. I only stayed five days, enough to get the meds on track and learned that I should swap out the Dexedrine for Ritalin because of a possible/problem cardiac issue (QT interval; possible/probable PVCs. One of my brother former students was the Attending Cardiologist and he flew in to make it look more cardiologically reasonable than the situation really was. Can you imagine NOT being NUTS ENOUGH TO FOLLOW YOUR SHRINKS' RECOMMENDATION TO COMPRESS INTO ONE WEEK WHAT WOULD TAKE ONE MONTH TO DO OUTPATIENT? Can you imagine having to admit to something that could compromise a professional license just to BE admitted. Yes, I had the money or a private psych hospital, but they invariably tagged it "Substance Abuse" and wanted to detox and treat it as such. That also would need to be reported to the OPC and my advice to docs going into rehab was top surrender their licenses TEMPORARILY. They always got them back, but this was a matter of public record. I'm not a "Substance Abuser" and my ability to practice psychiatry was not at al impaired. How nuts is this?

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Sandra... I feel the same way. I'm going along fine and then ... The old symptoms come back! High BP, erratic pulse, chest pain, funky feeling in my head, anxiety. That was yesterday ... Day 40 felt like day 4. Today I'm fine. Bp normal, feel normal, no erratic anything. Yes... It happens. Does it make sense? Can medicine be stored in the body that long? All I can tell you is that it happens and it's not due to any outside factors. Just a bad day. Sandra I'm sorry it's still happening after all that time but I'm with you that it's the beta blockers. Just have to ride out the bad days and know they will pass.

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This has been the craziest ride ever! I am 2 1/2 months off beta blockers. I do good for a couple days then I have a couple days of bad headache, dizziness and just feeling of withdrawal (if that makes sense). Today and yesterday is one of those nasty days. It's like I can just feel my body craving it. Most people are telling me that its impossible after 2 1/2 months but I just swear that's what this is. I am not on any other medication and had all kinds of blood work done and everything is normal. I just don't think my body is back to normal after all that. Maybe I'm wrong but hope not! Im hoping I just need more time. This board has given me hope that there is light at the end and I am still pushing for it.

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Dee can u please tell me how long where u was on them

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Can somebody tell me if I should take my dose of 12.5 mg now while my bp is 100/70 and HR is 83??????

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I checked on your link. I know many brands of amitriptyline, but TREPHINE isn't one of them. I assumed a tricyclic AD based on the discussion and the last syllable. I apologize for my earlier criticisms and complement you on your research skills. Can I post a link to Official Prescribing Info, too?

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If proper withdrawal protocols had been observed, you wouldn't e going through all this. I think you typed LORAZEPAM in error. LORAZEPAM (Ativan) is a bento and I think it comes in a 1mg tab as the lowest strength. You could get .5mg; the tabs are scored. What kind a doc is this? Im hoping he's not a Board-certified Cardiologist because, if so, he is at least guilty of Gross Negligence in the Practice of the Profession (that's our charge here in NYS); could cost him his license. Whatever the type of doc, he/she committed Malpractice. I know more than the average shrink about cardiac meds because both my mentor and I are "cardiac patients". I needed an Ascending Aortic Aneurysm Repair, Aortic Arch Resection replacement of the Aortic Valve when I was only 30! (Hereditary stuff we all just forgot about testing for, including my big bro, who also got hit and he IS a Cardiologist.) I don't know all the meds, but also take Toprol-XL (metoprolol) daily. This one is one the doc, unless you abruptly discontinued you meds with consulting with the prescriber.

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Anita...day 40... Congrats!!! You've come such a long way and you've truly helped me get through this. I understand what you mean about the blue cuff syndrome...when mine would go up on "adjustment" days, I would get anxious right before taking it. And I have the white coat right now because the last time I was at the doc, a nurse trainee incorrectly took my Bp, and it read too high...I could barely feel the cuff...it was too loose...so I spoke up and they took it again and it came down...

Sorry about your bad days...I hope your withdrawals keep getting less and less. Mine seem to be overall getting better, but still have the bad days...but I'm only 2 weeks off. I'm hoping the withdrawals keep improving overall for both of us.

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Day 40. Mostly I feel good but this week, my pulse and BP are higher than usual for no apparent reason. My friend the doctor says it could take a month or two to clear the body completely. Is stores in your cells and liver. I'm trying not to panic that trouble is starting again. I've gone past "white coat" hypertension to "blue cuff" (I made that up)which causes my BP to rise at the sight of a BP cuff. :-( I'm currently having anxiety about checking my BP. Trying to relax about it but after what I've been through its like PTSD but with medicine. Anyway... Hanging in there and carrying on. Overall my resting pulse is between 68-70 which is fine with me. I am exercising daily. I'm doing more but it's frustrating that things aren't settled yet and I don't trust that I'm fine. Having a bad few days. :-(

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Hi y'all its been a month now since I been on metoprolol tartrate 12.5 mg twice a day. Okay I done had my Echocardiogram done but for some reason every time I call about them the Nurses never call me back.

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Toprol XL (metoprolol) is a good drug. I need it and I take one 200mg XL tab daily without incident. After my heart surgery, I wanted to take all my cardiac meds at once and the surgeon prescribed INDERAL 40mg QID (easy if you're unemployed). My brother suggested Toprol XL; he consulted my cardiologist regarding the dose just to be safe. Treating crazy surgeons should be a sub-specialty of Psychiatry. They prescribed a "past-its-time" drug, VASOTEC TID. Easy to get over on even a doc who's full of Dilaudid. Again, y brother checked the dosage and prescribed MONORAIL (FOSINOPRIL), However, when they wrote for Tylenol E3 after I felt I went ten rounds with The Incredible Hulk, I lost it. I could always blame the meds, but I knew exactly what I was saying and what to meant: "You gotta be s***ting me!" Tylenol #3. You might note that the "Dr in front of my name stands for MD and PhD. Unless you want to face charges of Gross Negligence in the Practice of the Professional for failing to provide appropriate analgesics post-amor surgery, you WILL WRITE for Percocet (only 5mg the) Disp. #150...Sig: 1 or 2 tabs q4-6h prn postoperative pain." I'm a nice guy about 99.5% of the time, but my Mom always said I sounded like the Wrath of Gd or at least his Underboss St. Michael the Archangel when I really was angry or outraged. But they wrote that script.

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U got that right doc. These beta blockers r lethal. Took me a year to get off safely and still suffered through horrific side effects.

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Any MD/DO knows we have to TAPER these drugs when ceasing therapy. If you're doc doesn't know that, d find another one, preferably a Board-certified Cardiologist. I had a female friend at me State U Gifted Program, whose Dad worked for Ayerst, developer of there first popular beta-blocker, Inderal or propanolol. I read "DO NOT DISCONTINUE ABRUPTLY" in the package insert and PDR. This applies to ALL beta-blockers. Oh, I was 16 and n high school and the language was CLEAR in the PDR.

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Hi Anita: 12 days completely off...had some rough days this week, but overall better. ...And the highest my Bp has been this week has been 117/77 with a 66 pulse...so, I think I'm still in the clear there. I've been reading over the posts again for another "boost" and to keep going. All of you guys have been my strength to keep off of this stuff. I'm trying to keep light at the end of the tunnel imagery. All of your experiences are keeping me on track...I can't thank you enough.

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How much Torol or Toprol XL and how often. You may be experiencing the symptoms metoprolol treated. It also handles the physical symptoms of anxiety quite well. Every doctor with an IQ above 20 knows NEVER TO DISCONTINUE BEAT-BLOCKERS abruptly, except to switch to an equipotent dee of another drug in the same class. The only time we give these drugs PRN are to order small doses (= to 20mg of Inderal) for performers or students experiencing "state fright." I can't have a patient take 2mg of Xanax or 1mg of Klnopin irregularly. Too much sedation.

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You're never supposed to stop metoprolol abruptly! Doctor should have lowered your dose SLOWLY!! i.e. 200mg rice a day would go to 100mg once a day for 2-3 WEEKS, then 50mg, then 25mg.... I take 200mg a day and forgot for 4 days- I thought I was losing my mind!! Blurry vision, headaches, restlessness, fatigue, heart rate in the 120-130 range and confusion. You must have felt awful! I hope you called the doc or saw someone to lower your dose slowly. Take care!!!

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You are welcome. I wish I could help you more but it's hard to guess sometimes. Everyone is so different. Dizziness and breathing issues with metoprolol range from common side effects to allergic reactions. But since you no longer take it, and you feel relief taking it, I'd say it's adjustment.

But you know, metoprolol, when it's working, it reduces the amount of work the heart has to do to accomplish the same result. I think some people's bodies over time adjust to this. Then when you stop it, your heart suddenly has to do more work than its accustomed to and this is what takes time to readjust to.

It can make it hard on someone who's heart is in less shape too. You know, some walking and very light and gradual excercise might benefit you. Just conditioning your heart a bit extra might alleviate part of what you are feeling. But I'd go slow. Any chest discomfort and I'd rest and just progress gently. No need to hurt yourself. Maybe your heart just needs a little time to get used to doing more. It's hard to know. But if your oxygen level is good and you don't feel faint, no numbness in your extremities, no chest pain or pressure and good bp, then I wouldn't panic for sure.

I know when I was taking losartan potassium , it started to effect my breathing and I had to quit taking it. And I understand that worry you are having. I was also concerned. But it did go back to normal and I'd like to see the same for you. I know the relief I felt when that weight was lifted. Every tiny thing can make you stressed.

Staying calm, as hard as it is, is best. Just the other day, I got down to .375 lorazepam and I had some chest pains . It kinda scared me but I kept telling myself it's the drug, don't panic. And it did go away .

But I tell you, if you get too concerned, go get checked out by a professional. That's always best if it gets too concerning. I admit, I'm one of these people who thinks modern medicine can do a ton of good but I just wish they wouldn't overprescribe so much. Sometimes that just makes life harder and really doesn't help. You can almost tell the great doctors from the bad ones by how quickly they will throw you on a drug without being certain you really need it.

Metoprolol is like that, if you really need it and it works with your body , it can greatly improve your life. Otherwise it's living heck to take it.

After all I have been through, every time I see someone struggling on here, I just want to given a hug a tellem it'll be ok. My heart goes out to them.

Right after my second hospital visit , I at down and made recordings to all my kids telling them how much they r loved just in case things went bad for me. And I really felt they might. I was a wreck. Cried and cried in those tapes. When I go bad and listen to them, I can hardly bear to hear my own words. Fortunately I'm still here and I remind people to stay calm because I myself have lived in some really dark and lonely days. When I was on all these drugs, I was such a mess that I'd just go sit outside in the sun and try and stop crying.

That's when I couldn't help but think of Shawshank Redemption... When he said... Get busy livin or get busy dying. So I put everything I had into improving and getting off these drugs except if they were absolutely necessary.

My doctor the other day said he couldn't believe the changes I've made in my lifestyle and that he wishes everyone would do that.

It's gonna be ok Sandra , just hang in there darlin.

I'm pulling for you, I truly am.

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Thank you Tony! Ive been off 2 months but I cant help but think im still in an adjustment period. I heard they can take a very long time.

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One more thing Sandra. Just as a simple precaution, try the Epley maneuver and make sure your crystals are aligned. They most likely are but it's simple to do and there are YouTube videos to show you how. If you are having chronic dizziness, I'd always try this first and go from there. It never hurts even if it doesn't help you.

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I meant Sandra, not Anita. My apologies.

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