Atenolol & Sleep Problems

About 3 days ago, I discontinued the use of Atenolol 50mg due to sleep problems such as unable to fall asleep and stay asleep.  Last night, I still have sleep problems.  Does anyone know how long it take to return to normal sleep ? I used to sleep 8 hours without an interruption. Or does anyone have similar experience to share with you ? I appreciate any sharing of experience to help me restore my normal sleep pattern.  Thanks.

[cindy707]

Hi i read your post too....actually beta blockers take 30 days to completely saturate your system and tissues when starting out and basically believe it or not takes almost the same amount of time to leave your system.  I also have issues with interrupted sleep but it is mostly due to menopause but not knowing your age range or if you are a male or female i can't even guess.  I know that the way i handled mine was to get ahold of my heart doc and got his okay for an over the counter called "Night Rest" which is made by Source Natural.  He is actually the one who recommended it to me because he said you get a full nite of sleep and wake up totally refreshed in the mornings and i guess he and his staff take it.  I can tell you this...since i started taking it i have slept like a baby and wake up totally alert with no drug hangover in the morning but i would clear it first with your heart doc after you research it and find out that it may work for you...i know exactly how you feel...i hated those nites and worse the next day when you feel like you were put thru the ringer sideways....good luck to you....

[Jerry_NJ]

Beta blockers, even selective BBs, are known to cause dream problems in some people.  Is you sleep interrupted by dreams that cause you to wake up?  

As for as how long to clear the system, I'd think the level in the system falls below therapeutic levels within 24 hours, surely within a few days.  How long have you been off the medication?

[cindy707]

Hi i read your post too....actually beta blockers take 30 days to completely saturate your system and tissues when starting out and basically believe it or not takes almost the same amount of time to leave your system.  I also have issues with interrupted sleep but it is mostly due to menopause but not knowing your age range or if you are a male or female i can't even guess.  I know that the way i handled mine was to get ahold of my heart doc and got his okay for an over the counter called "Night Rest" which is made by Source Natural.  He is actually the one who recommended it to me because he said you get a full nite of sleep and wake up totally refreshed in the mornings and i guess he and his staff take it.  I can tell you this...since i started taking it i have slept like a baby and wake up totally alert with no drug hangover in the morning but i would clear it first with your heart doc after you research it and find out that it may work for you...i know exactly how you feel...i hated those nites and worse the next day when you feel like you were put thru the ringer sideways....good luck to you....

[ayl2871]

Thank you for the reply.  I have off the beta block for 3 days. Today is the 4th day.
I don't have any dreams. But sometimes I just could not fall asleep and stay asleep.
For example, last night I went to bed at 10:20PM. I have interruptions at 12:00 midnight and 3:00AM. After that, I did not have deep sleep. Do you have similar experience ? How to overcome these problems ? Thanks.

[ayl2871]

Thank you for the reply.  I am not in menopause yet. Although I am in mid-40, I still have periods every month. I had Atenolol for about 3.5 years. Since I still have periods every month, I assume that my sleep problems are not cause my hormone changes.
I started to have sleep problems since Dec 2009 which is about 9 months ago.
I think they are long-term side effects of Atenolol.

I have been off Atenolol for 3 days. Today is the 4th day. If it takes 30 days for Atenolol to get off the system, then I will still have 26 days to endure.

Your reply is very helpful to me. Thanks again.

[Mom2four85]

Cindy, thanks for posting that - I'm going to ask if I can take it. I'm going to check out the ingredients but hopefully the dr next month will say yes - I have to find something to help me sleep better

[ayl2871]

Hi Cindy,

How do you know that beta blockers (Atenolol) take 30 days to completely build up  when starting out and takes almost the same amount of time to leave the system.?

Thanks

[cindy707]

Clinical and lab studies...plus you can go onto the manufacterers site and they give you all of the specs.......you can find it all on line if you research it........most meds when put into your system depending on how they are absorbed take about 30 days before they are no longer detectable in your system...with antenolol it is absorbed into our system via our tissues........