recently came completely off of the drug metoprolol after weaning slowly down (started at 50mg, 2x per day, then went to 25mg, 2X per day for two weeks, then down to 25mg, 1X per day for a week). I was originally put on this medication by my cardiologist because, while in the ER for a totally different reason, I experienced Afib (which he's since contributed to the infection I had). I had never before had any problems with my heart, no arrythmias or Afib.
I've been off for four full days now, and have had quite a ride. The first full day I was off, my heart rate went up to over a hundred, and stayed there for most of the day, tapering down in the evening to a cool 80bpm. On the second full day, I had no problems at all, heart rate stayed in the 70-80 range all day. On the third day, my heart rate has gone back up. It was around 110 for most of the day, then tapered down to 70 again in the evening. I had a short instance of lightheadedness that day while sitting down, but it lasted all of 20 seconds...so not sure if I can attribute that to this whole ordeal. Fourth day, things were good until about noon, when heart rate went up to about 105 for a couple of hours, then back down in the 90's again. It's getting fairly uncomfortable.
Here's the main question...I've called my cardiologist, and they want to schedule a holter monitor, which I'm fine with...but I can't get in to see him until the end of this week. Is it ok to wait this long? At what point do I cave and go to a hospital? Is any of this normal when coming off of a beta-blocker?
I can find a lot about side-effects while taking metoprolol, but not a lot about what happens after properly weaning off the medication. Thanks!