long term atenolol

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

hey been on atenolol for 12 days now , would like to know if anyones been on it a long time and what long term use could be, does it build up in system and you have to change after a while or can you use it for 30 years, i just came off of timolol and was on it 15 years , didnt want to switch but dr said this a better drug for pac. so far good have been palp free for 4 days except one palp yeasterday . just getting over most of the side affects like tirdness,weakness and i think it cause me stress to , but was already understress so not sure that was from drug. thanks for the input.

[anacyde]

People can be on a beta blocker for life.  My father has been on one for 10 years, with no changes in his dosage.  He takes Atenolol.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

thank you for talking to me. i have been so up-set about new meds but i think am going to stick it out the pac have gone its just geeting over the side affects been on it 13 days today so maybe things will start looking up. God bless you

[anacyde]

Glad to help.  I know how much these can cause stress.

The Atenolol side effects you're having are common and usually ease up with continued treatment.  If they get worse, contact your doctor.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

hey iam still on atenolol haging in there the pac are gone most time a few here and there and when they do they are really small ones and not 6-7 in a row as before, so yes am glad i hung in there with this drug 13 days to day and most side affects are gone , now if i can get rid of this anxiety and stress i will be back to living thank you were a big help onmaking my mind up of keeping with the drug and my cardio dr thanks you to because i was calling everyday stressed about the side affects . God Bless you , barbara

[hipcatpat]

Hello!  I'm 38 years old (male).  I've been on atenolol since I was 22.  I was diagnosed with MVP and had bad chest pains, palpitations that were driving me crazy.  I've been taking atenolol every since and it works like a charm.  No long term side effects and symptoms have decreased 99% from where they were years ago.  In fact, up until 5 years ago I used to drink alcohol like a fish, smoke heavily, chug coffee AND use a variety of illicit substances and the atenolol STILL always worked like a charm.  I love it!  Doctors can't even detect any kind of heart murmur if I go in for a checkup.  Echo tests can BARELY detect the MVP since I've been on atenolol.  Just be sure to taper off over time if you ever decide to stop using it.

-Patrick L.
Portland, OR.

[manitou]

I've just started reading these postings...I've been on Atenolol for 10 years....various dosages....the last 5 years 25mg 1x/day.  I'm so tired of being tired....so at my cardiologist appt. last week the doctor told me to cut my dosage in half.  I began the half dosage yesterday and I'm feeling awful....dizzy and extremely fatigued....I'm wondering if anyone knows how long this will last?  

[EFT56]

I was on Atenolol for 8 years then put on Toprol xl for another 6.5 years !  
You have the beta blocker side effects - normal tiredness and dizzyness and no get up and go symptoms.  fatigued  is the word -  I found that overtime some people, not all
have problems with beta blocker meds after a few years being on it. it took me 4months
to start having side effects from the meds.  so everyone is diffrent -it also depends on the dose your taking daily.  You can read online the side effects  of this drug ..
I also found online - that a few studys were made on beta blocker medications -
and in the u.k - beta blockers are not used long term anymore!  due to adverse side effects, and they found that over long term useage - it caused low or high blood sugar
and can cause diabetes .   the bbc news put out a report on it a few years back .

they also found that cal channel blockers  ccb's  were not to good use .. and doctors were told give them as short term only.   as thre is a cancer risk factor for long term useage !     another bbc report ..

so far I havent found one u.s  Doctor to tell about this or agree with it.  

I myself after years on a beta blocker medication  couldnt take it !   im now on a ccb
so there you go ?   cancer risk  guess so ?   what can I do ..

have to have something to keep the ol blood pressure down ...

lets find a Medication without side effects !    that wont tear us apart !