8 Weeks Post SVT Ablation and Weaning off of Metoprolol

[Dogluvr95]

Hi all, yesterday was my 8 week mark post SVT ablation. I tried weaning myself off of the metoprolol yesterday because the night before my heart rate went extremely low (upper 40’s), I take two 25 mg tablets a day, so yesterday morning I did 3/4 of a tablet instead of a whole one and it threw my day off. I could barely stand up without my heart racing and I’m wondering if that’s to be expected? I just don’t know how I’m supposed to wean myself off of this medicine when I could barely even stand up taking 3/4 of a tablet. I’m also wondering if I was just siking myself out and my anxiety is what made my heart race. I’m really not sure. At this point I’ve been back in the gym (taking it relatively easy, not lifting nearly as much as I used to), I don’t do any cardio yet either besides a small walk on the treadmill occasionally. I also have avoided alcohol and any stimulants such as caffeine. I seem to be okay, but I just really want to be off this medication and it’s starting to scare/depress me as I’m only 22 and don’t want to be on this my entire life.

Bryce

[Alison_L]

Hi Dogluv. Can I ask why you are trying to wean yourself off it? Many of us are on beta-blockers for life. My HR regularly drops to around 45 at night (it used to drop below 40 when I was on Bisoprolol, but have since switched to Carvedilol).

[Dogluvr95 in reply to Alison_L]

I’m weaning off because I had the ablation specifically so I wouldn’t have to take medicine for the rest of my life, he pretty much told me it would be a certain fix for my SVT but my procedure didn’t go necessarily as planned so I’ve been on them for 7 weeks now. He initially wanted me to start weaning off of them after 2 weeks, but I didn’t feel comfortable doing that.

[Alison_L in reply to Dogluvr95]

Ah, fair enough. In that case, try taking alternating the 3/4 with a whole one for a few days (take the 3/4 at night, and the full one in the morning to keep you upright!), then try the 3/4 in the morning. You may need to stick at each gradual decrease for several days to get your body used to it. If in doubt, have a chat with the BHF nurses.

Cardiologists are notoriously quick to say "this is a certain fix" and "you'll feel so much better"!

You'll get there; you just need to take things really slowly while you do

[Dogluvr95 in reply to Alison_L]

Thank you so much! You’re certainly right, I was told everything would be smooth sailing and it has definitely not been that. I appreciate your feedback