Coming off Beta Blockers

[Jasp666]

There is lots of people who take atenolol but not many for Migraine, my blood pressure goes high as well. I started these 3 years ago and have wondered why I have felt moody and tired all of the time. I also had my thyroid removed which was functioning fine but I had a goitre. I now believe that the tablets caused swollen glands, and  I gained weight.

I want to stop them now to get some energy back and have started taking 25mg instead of 50mg is thiss the way to go? Do I do it for 2 weeks then just stop.  Does anyone else take them for migraine? Iam 40 by the way.

[Jasp666]

Thanks great to know

How long should you wean off for. I have been taking half a tablet for a week and people have said how brighter in my eyes I look and thats without telling them I am trying to stop them.

[ed34]

The difference I noticed when coming off beta blockers? quite a lot but they did take some getting used to. My heart felt very strange being able to run free, sometimes it felt like it was going to leave my chest, but over several weeks I seemed to start ignoring it.
My blood pressure a bit higher too but I dont notice anything different about it. After having been on beta blockers for 2 years, what surprised me the most was how I'd forgotten how it felt before I took them. The medication had been a real support for me, stopping a lot of discomfort and it was a bit scary to come off them. I dont think they were addictive, but a very big mental comfort and it can be hard to let go.

[asgardshill]

I took atenolol for about a month but they were discontinued after my angioplasty.  I was given Metoprolol instead and weaned off the atenolol at that time. I can't really say I noticed any major changes as a result, but to be fair I've been tired and listless long before I started taking the atenolol.

[Jasp666]

are you off them now? and how do you feel

[ed34]

My experience with beta blockers were that I felt fatigued and very limited in energy. They didn't really make my mood change.

[Jasp666]

My Thyroid was normal levels before it was taken out and was also spot on at last test.
I turned into a 'not very nice' person bit moody no energy etc before that and when I think back it was when I first started taking atenelol.  I'm just so tired all of the time and its not my thyroid so has to be something.
I have been taking 1/2 a tablet for 3 days now and I honestly believe I feel a little better.
I will speak to the doc before I come off completley. thankyou,for your support

[ed34]

If a Doctor has put you on beta blockers, I would seek advice before coming off them. Your thyroid gland would have played a major role in controlling your heart rate, blood pressure and your rate for producing energy. The symptoms you seem to describe can be associated with beta blockers, but are also symptoms associated with thyroid problems. I presume you are taking medication for thryroid hormones? and you had blood tests to ensure the correct levels had been obtained?
If you suddenly stop your beta blockers, your blood pressure could go through the roof and your heart rate can be seriously affected so I urge you to seek your doctors advice first.