Trying to get off the Atenolol....Post EP Study and RF Ablation

[Victoryia]

I have a history of SVT and MVP resulting in trying many meds including Verapamil and Tambocor. Resulted in many ER trips.

I decided a year later to have an Electrophysio Study and Radio Frequency Ablation. 2 days later I ended up back in the ER 3 times. They put me back on the Verpamil and the Tambocor, which sent me back to the ER yet another time. It was the ER who put me back on those meds.

I then called the EP Cardio and let them know what had happened as the ER refused to contact him. He told me to stop both meds and put me on Atenolol, which has worked.

I tried, 4 months post procedure, to wean off the Atenolol. The first day was fine, but ont he second the arrhythmia came back. I was told that could happen. So back on the Atenolol for the time. It has been 8 months and I am still on the Atenolol. It is my wish to go off the med, as I there is now a question of Myesthenia Gravis and Atenolol is a no no med for those with MG. Besides, the entire reason I had the ablation done was to get off meds. I get very weak on the Atenolol and am not sure if it is due to a lowering of Blood pressure or due to weakness which could be Myesthenia Gravis related.

Would I have to be admitted to the hospital and be monitored to get off the Atenolol, to ensure I do not end up with congestive heart failure? When I tried to go off it at 4 months, I ended up with SVT on and off ALL day long.

One of the reasons why the SVT was such an issue with me was due to me not being able to tell it was even happening, and therefore the threat of CHF was pretty good.

Any suggestions?

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear Victoryia,
Usually most people can taper off beta-blockers without too much difficulty.  Your doctor can give you a plan to taper off but in general I give my patients half dose for a week and then quarter dose for a week and then stop.  

It does sound like you need a second ablation and I would consider going to a major heart center to have it done.  Most SVTs can successfully be ablated and this would solve your problem once and for all.

[jan]

Hi Victoryia,
I have a similar prob with IST. I didn't know when I was having it either. Mine seems to be regulated for the most part with a very small dose of atenolol (a.m.) and Tiazac (p.m). (I can't take a larger dose because of side effects) But how would I know for sure seeing I couldn't tell to begin with? I have been on monitors here and there and have had some tachycardia. Anyway, 2x's when I have gone off atenolol, my heart just went crazy. The drs. think that because I am on a small dose they don't have to wean me, they must be wrong. Anyway, because of it they have decided I need to have it. I prob should for the syncope, anyway. I will tell you there are times I know I am having tachycardia now and I believe I am more sensitive to it because of the atenolol. 'Don't know what that would suggest. I wonder how effective the Tiazac is because my heart is begging for the atenolol in the morning.
Good luck, I hope you are able to become med free!

[No Bypass / No Stents]

I think that Atenolol used in low doses can be counter-productive.

In my case it caused episodes of near syncope, which were very disturbing.

It took about a month after discontinuing Atenolol before I started feeling confident that I wouldn't have another episode.  It took about a year for the hyper sensitivity to physical and emotional stress, in my case caused by Atenolol, to completely go away.

My rules now are no Beta Blockers, Blood Thinners, or Nitrates, if I want to lead a normal healthy life and not feel like a heart patient.

[kristilb77]

i was only on atenolol for about a week and a half. it actually lowered my heartrate to the 30's so the doctor took me off of it right away. it also made me really tired. now i am taking toprol.  i had an ablation done in 1995 and i am still on meds. my problem came back after the ablation.