8 months ago, PVCs got my attention. Hospital put me on a Holter monitor. They saw PVCs and short runs of tachacardia. Put me on 25mg of Metoprolol. I stupidly began to miss taking my daily dosage because I didn't think it was doing me any good. Found myself in the emergency room with V- tach. They raised my dose to 50mg once a day. After a couple months I felt like I had lead boots on my feet, my muscles were sore for no reason and I was always fatigued. My cardiologist said to lower the dose to 12.5mg once a day. After a recent physical I complained about my erratic heart beat, thumping when I'm trying to sleep, never or rarely does my heart beat normally. They put me on the Holter monitor again. I'm still having PVCs and V-tach, although I can't detect the V-tach. Blood work showed slightly elevated cholesterol @223,pressure 130/80, they started me on 20mg Lipitor. I hate taking these meds. rather try a natural approach. With everything to read about these drugs it's frustrating trying to decide whats good for you and what isn't.
Is there an alternative to Metoprolol?
Question posted by Glork on 19 Dec 2013
Last updated on 27 February 2019 by JoJo528
Quick update. I saw a cardiologist today. I was told to stop taking Metoprolol, I'm starting a different drug, Atenolol 25mg. once daily. Hope the side effects are tolerable. I have an appointment to see a electrophysiologist in 3 weeks. This will be the second specialist I've seen, ablation was ruled out earlier this year for several reasons. We'll see.
Answers
After not getting any help from doctors regarding my changing heart rate it would either be tachycardia or bradycardia I decided to research on my own. And no I don’t advocate anybody being their own doctor but there are some things we need in our diet that can help heart rhythm. One of them is magnesium glycinate. I take 3-5grams of magnesium glycinate at 8pm. I sleep better and my heart doesn’t feel like it’s going over a bumpy road as I go off to sleep. Look up electrolytes for heart health. Also people would tell me that because I’m vegetarian I should be getting enough magnesium in my diet but there’s something about the magnesium glycinate That just makes my heart feel so much better.
I would also get a sleep study done to make sure you are not retaining Carbon dioxide while you sleep.
This is not something to try your own cure. V tach can be very serious. I can almost guarantee you that the condition is far more dangerous then the medication.
Thank you for you response. I don't want to play doctor, and will be following all instruction from my doctors. I just feel we as patients should take a more active roll in our healthcare. Try to be informed and involved in the thought process our doctors use to determine our treatment. Ive been pretty healthy all my life and have little exposure to hospital care, it's been a frustrating learning experience for me. For example, During my first visit to a cardiologist after a short stay in the hospital from which I wore a Holter monitor for 24 hrs. The cardiologist asked me if I am open to wearing a Holter monitor? I had to explain to him that they just removed the monitor from me and that the results should be in my records which he was holding!!! Granted, I am a new patient to him, but that doesn't excuse the fact the Dr.failed to review my records prior to seeing me. Things like that, and there have been other instances that lead me to question everything.
Is there a suitable replacement for Metoprolol that doesn't reduce my libido? I have an upcoming appointment with my doctor and would like to ask about certain substitutes.
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Further information
- Metoprolol uses and safety info
- Metoprolol information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side effects of Metoprolol (detailed)
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