Stopping Toprol xl 25, scared

[dale25]

Hello, I have been taking toprol xl 25 for about 3 months for palpitations and high blood pressure.  Recently I had a visit with an awesome electrophysiologist who is 95% convinved that I have SVT due to my symptomology and triggers.

He was happy to do an EP study ASAP but I am not entirely convinced and so I asked to do a holter monitor in 2 weeks and he obliged. Problem is he wants me to completely stop my beta blocker Toprol XL 25 before I strap on the holter monitor.

I am terrified! I am only 23 years old but I know that I feel really horrible when I am off the Toprol and have been reading horror stories of people having heart attacks etc.  He assures me this can be stopped cold turkey but I at the very least want to get the advice of others here on how to stop it with a little less discomfort. What are your opinions, is this dangerous and need I worry?

[tom_h]

It's hard to say what you're experiencing based on what you've told us.  SVT starts and stop abruptly.  It's doesn't ramp up and down.  You can be sitting with a HR of 70, and within one beat, jump to 240.  Most SVT's are not life threatening if they're terminated with a reasonable period.  My longest period in SVT was just over 24 hours. I was 6 at the time.  It was finally repaired when I was 59.  Hundreds and hundreds of episodes, and I'm still here.  Relax.  You'll be fine.  Remember, unless you have SVT or whatever you're experiencing on a daily basis, a 24hr. Holter may show nothing.  Be prepared for that possibility.

[dale25]

Hey guys I am a few days away from my holter monitor and im down to 1/2 a pill of the 25mg but have been having some attacks of fast heart rate.  Think this is definite SVT?

it definitely feels like it as the lower I go on my BB the more apparent and common the symptoms become. I got on my bike and within 20 seconds my heart was RACING, I am going to keep lowering the dose.

But these fast heart rates cant kill me right? They are just extremely scary and annoying?

Thanks

[tom_h]

CYA by the drug companies.  As you suggest, in some instances in might be valid.

[dale25]

Thank you all, so no danger from death or anything? Why are those warnings posted for heart attacks is that only for higher doses?

[MaryLL]

I understand your concerns about going off your medication. Especially when your previous experiences have been negative. I recently had to go off mine for an ablation (off meds 2 days before so they don't mask symptoms). The first time I had done this, I ended up in the Urgent Care Center so I really didn't want to do it again. But it had to be done for the ablation.
What I did the days when I was off the meds was to reduce all stress (I wouldn't even answer the phone if someone stressful to me was on the other end), I ate very healthy food (low sodium, no caffeine), and I relaxed and drank sleepytime (or a similar) relaxing tea.
I made it through and I know you can too. Just take extra care of yourself knowing that your body is more vulnerable during this time.
I wish you the best, please keep us posted!

[Jerry_NJ]

I'm not sure what your concern is, many (most?) who post here about BB complain about how bad the BB makes them feel, unwanted side-effects. I am in this second category. I take regular release (lower cost) twice a day at 25 mg each.  I've taken as high as 100 mg ER twice a day, and went under doctor's direction cold turkey from 200 to 100 then later to 50 mg.  A calcium channel blocker was added to make up for the reduced BB in my case.  I too have worn the long term (30 days? don't remember).  I got used to it and don't remember having problems sleeping with it on  In my case if confirmed my only problem is atrial fibrillation.

[tom_h]

Toprol XL is the the timed release version of Metoprolol.  If you're on 25mg, that is a teeny-tiny dose,  I was on 100mg, at one time, and others have been on dosages as high as 400mg.  Stopping it should not be a problem.  For my ablation I had to stop my dose for the procedure.  My electrophysiologist told me as well to just stop it cold.  Because I find it hard to follow  instructions (what do they know) ;-) I decided to dial it back slowly instead.  Same results, except I did it my way.  So I don't think you'll have a problem stopping it.  You could halve the tablet if that would make you feel better.

As far as the Holter.  The recorder is traditionally a 24 hr. monitor.  You may or may not experience anything within that period, and if nothing is found, you'll be told that you're fine and sent on your way.  A much better alternative is a 30 day monitor.  It's only a two lead device, that the patient wears 24 hours a day for typically a month taking off only to shower.  I wore mine all the time, and I do mean ALL!  Sure enough, it captured 3 SVT events and countless skips over the period, and was instrumental in my path for a cure.  Previous Holters returned usually nothing as 24 hours was too short of a monitoring period.