PVC's from Atenolol Withdrawal..when does it go away?

[Irishroots]

I am trying to withdraw from Atenolol and wanted to ask you more about your experience a couple of years ago.  Coming off this stuff is like coming off of Kryptonite!  I have had a hell of a time.  I tried to come straight off of 25 mg per day, and experienced (for the first time in my life) major PVC's and affiliated anxiety, so went back to the 25mg and am trying to wean over about 2 weeks.  I am nearly at the end of week one and I am taking around 10-12mg per day, but man is my heart complaining about it.  My BP is fine, but PVC's and anxiety periodically throughout the whole day.  I had a perfectly normal sinus rhythm prior to starting Atenolol for moderately high BP, but coming off this stuff makes me feel like I am 80 (I'm 44).  Has anyone experienced the same effects from withdrawing from this stuff?  How long did it take to get free of the symptoms?

[DoItForJohnny]

I took 1 25mg tablet of Atenolol last Wednesday and didn't like the way I felt so I immediately stopped taking it. So I only took one pill. Two days after taking it I started having anxiety and my heart was racing. I do have a history of anxiety so I am not sure if this is just a coincidence. Though I have not had anxiety for like 10 years. My wife and son are in Florida for eight days and I'm really stressed about it so that could be causing it also. But I wonder if the one Atenolol could cause some anxiety in my body. did something inside my brain? Do you think it is causing this?

[Candicrcrossfontenelle]

I'm in that same boat. I took one 50mg atenolol pill and immediately I felt my heart racing and I quickly went to the ER. They said that was too much of a high dosage. They gave me Enarpril 10mg to take. I've been having quite a few side effects for the one pill I took which was 5 days ago. Heart racing, spike in my blood pressure reading, lightheadedness, hot and cold hands and feet, heartburn, hot flashes, anxiety and insomnia. Very scary stuff. Not all day I'll feel awful but I'll be good during the day and at nights anxiety or vice versa. And it's only one pill I took and I'm not ever going to take those pills again. Anyone have any advice on how long these withdrawals will last?

[jaspers]

Hi

I too have been on this Med for 11 months for PVC's.

It really worked for me and would still be on it now but I had to come off as I wanted to start a family.

I started the weaning process in June and I was on 50mg, so I cut down to 25mg for two weeks and then 25mg every other day for 2 weeks.

Once I started going one every other day I noticed the skips a lot worse and the anxiety feeling that I believe was due to the fact I was getting the skips again.
Once completely off they were still more than when I was on it and after 4 weeks of being off it I fell pregnant and then a whole bunch of flutters and skips started, all of which have calmed down the further in to pregnancy I go.

Not sure how long it will take for your symptoms to go, as everyone is different.
I do know though with some kinds of Meds including BB you can have a rebound effect and you can feel worse than when you started but this usually occurs when you come off too fast.

[RNRita]

I did stop taking this med after 20+ years on it.  The only thing that happened was that my HR went back up to 88+ on resting and rapidly increased on exertion.  My cardiologist advised me to just go back on, which I did.  When they tell you to wean off gradually, it is usually for higher amounts and the gradual weaning from a low amount like 25 mg should be fine within two weeks.  I am just not sure your symptoms are from the weaning.  Could it be that you are expecting symptoms and thus your body is reacting with anxiety causing the heart symptoms?
I have heard other people saying that they experienced PVCs after being on a beta blocker but I am not sure how this can happen.  I will tell you that anything is possible, I guess. I've experienced some weird things.

Sorry I can't be more helpful, but maybe you should ask your doctor how best to wean off and explain what you are going through.