I've been on Metoprolol for about three years now (low dose, half a pill morning and night). Can I wean off of it? If so, how?

[BouvGirl]

I have had Afib, once recently that I was able to reset holding my breath. I'm not on a blood thinner. I'd like to see if it can be managed without the meds. I'm 66 and otherwise healthy. I had a some high blood pressure but cut almost all salt out and got that under control. I'd like to use supplements like cinnamon and such rather then the meds.

[CDreamer]

Be very careful using cinnamon as a supplement, as a food - great.

Have you ever thought that you haven’t had AF because the Metoprolol is controlling your HR and your BP?

My thoughts are if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it and if you are better on the drugs which don’t cause side effects.

Please talk to your doctor about coming off any meds and if you do, and your choice of course, put some monitoring in place just to see if there are any changes once the drug is out of your system.

And that’s from someone who really cannot take Betat Blockers.

[BouvGirl in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you!

[etheral]

I understand your reluctance to take meds. However if you have had documented afib, you are at a 4x increased risk of suffering a debilitating stroke. Not taking an anticoagulant is certainly risky. As to the metoprol It certainly seems to be working, stopping it might put you back in afib, which can be then controlled by meds. This would be reversible, while a stroke might not be.

[BouvGirl in reply to etheral]

Hi! The doctor took me off the anticoagulants! Probably better to leave well enough alone!

[Paulbounce]

I would certainly discuss it with your doctor before doing anything.

I can understand you not wanting to be on med's. I do think though you should think about starting on an anticoagulant (often called a blood thinner). With afib and your age it really is worth consideration. I'm younger than you and my cardio basically gave me the option of continuing it or not. I decided to carry on after much thought - however come mid 60's I wouldn't hesitate as the benefits outway the risks.

Good luck whatever you decide. Play safe though and check out about starting on an anticoagulant. There's no harm done by asking / reseaching and you still have the option to say no.

Paul

[BouvGirl in reply to Paulbounce]

Thank you! It was the doctor who took me off the anticoagulant. I think I'm going to leave well enough alone!

[Paulbounce in reply to BouvGirl]

Sure B. If that's what your doc said then fair enough.

Just as a matter of interest was it your GP or a cardio / EP who said this ?

Have a lovely day.

Paul

[BouvGirl in reply to Paulbounce]

It was the initial prescribing doctor, not a GP.

[Paulbounce]

Sure BG. They know your medical history and will give you the best advice for sure.

Have a great day.

Paul

[TroublewithAF]

When I got AF diagnosis didn't immediately start on Noac(anti coagulant) because at 63 and no family history of stroke thought maybe a medication too far. However when AF didn't settle (and still peaking at 150bpm) with Beta blocker and then Calcium channel blocker. GP said that hospital wouldn't do a cardioversion without NOAC on board so chose to start it, especially recognising potential effects of stroke. After 2+ years of CCB decided to try beta blocker again - worked second time around on AF high HR, though had no effect on slightly elevated BP. Now after ablation have come off beta blocker. Feel quite transformed 10 weeks after stopping -no change in BP , can breathe and jog again, plenty of energy - shame the weather is so bad and gym is closed. If GP is agreeable you could stop but easy enough to restart if problems return

[BouvGirl in reply to TroublewithAF]

Thank you!