Stopping BB or C Blockers...

[Barbmag]

I went off of Toprol XL 25mg about a month ago....my cardio said to wean myself off but did not tell me how best to do this... How, much, etc...He just said to take 3 days to taper back which I did...I also started a new med, 180 mg of Varapamil to see if that would control the episodes of PVC's and PAC's but after 2.5 wks I did not see a reduction of my arrhythmias! My first question is: Would it take a few wks to see an improvement  if the meds are going to help, or will they do so within a short amount of time? Say a day or so?? I tried to ask a pharmacist but she was not helpful.

I decided that since I had not seen any improvements w/the C Blocker, I would ck w/my cardio about stopping it b/c I felt so fatigued  while taking them. His nurse said that I did not have to taper them so I did not. A day or so later, I decided to ck about this  online and got conflicting info re. this. Some sites said to taper C Blockers while others did not address this. I was so worried about it and this was on Fri night (no one to call in the cardio's office till Mon) so I started taking half a tablet and did that for the next 2 nights. I know that these meds are nothing to fool around with and I am just wondering if anyone has any info re.this? Also, if you do need to taper off of a BB or C Blocker, what is the best method?
Maybe it depends on how long a person has been taking the drug or what dose or what state of health a person is in...I don't know but hopefully someone can answer this for me!
Thanks so much!! And have a wonderful day, everyone!
((((hugs))))

[sueinns]

Hi Barbmag.  When my med was changed, I went directly from a beta blocker to a calcium channel blocker - no weaning from one to the other.  It took about 3 days for the adverse symptoms I had with the beta blocker to wear off.  I didn't notice any change in my PVC's - the beta blocker actually controlled these pretty well and it the calcium channel blocker just took over in that regard.

I can tell you that the beta blocker controlled my arrhythmia very quickly -  hours if I'm not mistaken.  The main problems I had with them was a very low pulse (40) and feeling like a zombie.

There are different reasons people take beta or calcium channel blockers so maybe tapering depends on the diagnosis as well as the reasons you've listed.  It's best to go with what your doctor tells you.  I find the internet is full of conflicting information - best to stay with the reputable sites or ones that end in org or edu.

best of luck.

[Barbarella]

NEVER listen to what a nurse tells you, ONLY what your doctor tells you.

[Barbmag]

Oh, I should have said that the nurse ck'ed w/the cardio. It was just that I had not talked directly to him but through his nurse.

Sueinns, the C Blocker does not affect your pulse rate? What one are you on, if I may ask and what strength? I perhaps should have given it longer but after 2.5 wks I did not see any reduction in the no of episodes that I had. That,plus the fact that taking meds scares me, bc again, I read too much online about side affects, etc. I know that I need to take some kind of sleeping aid b/c of my lack of sleep but I am so afraid to try one..fearful that I would become dependent.

I took one Tylenol PM last wk and slept pretty well, but then I read that they can cause liver damage so I guess I will not take those again!!

Thanks to you both for your help!

[sueinns]

The C blocker did not affect my pulse rate.  My normal resting is now around 56 and that's what it was before I tried any medications.   I felt that I got my life back when I was switched from the beta blocker.  The only real side effect I had on the CB was not being able to drink red wine (gave me a horrendous headache).  Unfortunately, it stopped working about 6 weeks ago.  I'm now off it for 5 days pre-ablation but was on Cardizem 120 mg (lowest dose) once a day.

I hear ya on the meds though.  I really dislike taking anything and even told my doctor I preferred to live with the arrhythmia.  However, I was told that my condition is such that meds are strongly recommended.

[Barbmag]

Thanks sueinns and I wish you the v best!

[Momto3]

I think the importance of weaning off depends on why you're taking the BB's.  I don't recall having to wean off and I was on/off many times (for pvc's)

My BB's usually worked within 30 minutes.  I've never been on a CCB, but I have been on sodium channel blockers (antiarrythmics - flecainide and rhythmol) and I don't think I weaned off of those either.  

Good luck with finding what works best for you!  This is a great place to learn : )

Connie