Is anyone taking Metoprolol (or any Beta Blocker) along with cancer meds?

[PlutosNose]

I have been diagnosed with Afib and the meds my Doc prescribed are causing problems. I’ve been on Letrozol & iBrance for cancer for 2 years with no bad side effects…. until I added these new drugs for AFib. Any ideas??

[MSWife]

what sort of issues have you been having?

[PlutosNose in reply to MSWife]

Bad confusion.. not just brain fog. It scares me to death because I'm 72 and have not had this problem before.

[MSWife]

I guess it depends what new meds you’re on for afib?

[Hazelgreen]

Do read what the Mayo Clinic site has on atrial fibrillations. Many people have them without taking meds for them! (I think I have had them lifelong, certainly decades before breast cancer.) In my experience, doctors are too quick to prescribe medications without considering the individual's overall situation. It is unlikely that they suddenly arise, and now need to be treated...

[PlutosNose in reply to Hazelgreen]

Thank you so much for your reply.

I was heading in that direction and your message helped me calm down and take my instincts seriously. I apologize for posting an email on Afib in the Meta Cancer forum but meds do interact, and the info I was gathering from the Afib forum was simply above my head at this point. I've always gotten good (and understandable) info here.

I found a wonderful video on Afib on youTube by Dr. Andrea Cooley and will check out the Mayo Clinic site today before checking in with my doc on Monday.

Wishing you good health & a wonderful holiday season, Cathey

[fancydog]

I am on Coreg for HBP, it is a betablocker, I've had no problems. But what you are reporting could be the A. Fib if not controlled.

[PlutosNose in reply to fancydog]

Thanks for your comment, I checked Carvedilol on drugs.com & it also lists "confusion" as side effect. I must be especially susceptible to whatever causes this.

Meeting with my doc next week and will mention this drug & see if he thinks it might be easier on my brain. At this point I'm leaning toward backing off Beta Blockers completely (I have never had high-or low-blood pressure) and monitoring for a time. We'll see if he is open to that.... Quality of life is important!

Thanks gain for taking the time and have a wonderful Holiday season. Cathey

[Oberammergaux2]

I take metoprolol along with Afinitor and Exemestane. I take it to lower my B/P. Has your B/P been running low? Low blood pressure can cause some of the issues you are having. It may be that metoprolol simply doesn’t play well with your other meds…..a lot of these meds have not nice interactions. Your MDs should be willing to try to work with you, change meds etc. Don’t forget to become your cancer pharmacist’s best friend, they can frequently trouble shoot for you!

All the best to you, please keep us posted!

[PlutosNose in reply to Oberammergaux2]

I spoke with my Primary this morning and she suggested that I request my heart doc to reduce dose way down for starters. I relly need more time to research this. Feels like when I just started out with Metastatic Breast Cancer.... (Overwhelmed with all of the information) but all of the feedback here has given me a start.

Thank you all!

[Artesa]

Hi PlutosNose.. I've been on metoprolol for years now, (For bloodpressure control) 25mg ER at bedtime. I've been on letrozole and Ibrance for 1 and 1/2 years, not any significant side effects. I hike a lot so by the time I'm ready for the week off Ibrance my legs feel a little heavy. I'm not sure what else you might be on like a blood thinner or amioderone but you are likely on something else beside the metoprolol. All of these meds that we take have side effects affecting some more than others. I don't know your dosing of the beta blocker but yes, there can be side effects causing fatigue and other issues.

[PlutosNose in reply to Artesa]

Hi Artesa, Thanks for the input. I have never had high or low blood pressure so that's not an issue. I think this Cardiologist may be overreacting, and I want to have more tracking done on what is going on before I get in bed with (yet another) set of drugs on top of my cancer meds. I'm going to request to reduce the metoprolol dose by half (down to what you are taking) until we can get more thorough information on what my heart is actually doing. Seems like there are lots of non-drug options for Afib and the mental confusion this drug is causing is not OK.

Thank goodness for the helpful folks in this forum!

[nonna70]

I know nothing about your question, but I love your username!

[PlutosNose in reply to nonna70]

[viennagirl]

I have been on Ibrance and Letrozole for 69 cycles which is about five years. I am doing well and feel good. So don't have any advice about how to help you. My only side effects lately have been some digestive upsets and constipation but I have resolved those with drinking a lot of water and occasionally eating a few dried prunes before bed. Hope you are feeling good again soon. Hugs M.

[PlutosNose in reply to viennagirl]

Thank you Viennagirl!