I am a living a puzzle or nightmare HELP!!

[charmednks]

Ok I am going to make this short, I have been on Toprol XL for over three years for Resting Tachycardia, but when I got it it stayed down below 100 by itself, which leads me to believe I shouldn't have ever got on this medication..but anyway since last Nov. of 2008 its not been working anymore. It's more feel like it works against me instead of with me.. They have tried to put me on Indrael and Atenolol, and I had a major HIGH with both that lasted for days, and they both caused major Bronchoconstriction...
Now I am wanting to get off of all this stuff I am back on 175mg of Toprol a day and it keeps my BP normal but I don't have high bp either, and it only keeps my heart rate down in the mid 90's if that at all. It seems to be barely working but I am stuck because trying to completly get off has lead to some serous REBOUND Tachycardia issues..
I am just trying to figure out how to get off all of this stuff and see if I even need it and how I can do this with minimal side effects because it feels like the drugs are running my HR and my BP both...
Can anyone suggest how I cut this down.. and tell me your thoughts or what you think... I am sick of feeling sick I need help.. thanks so much.....

[charmednks]

Thanks so much for replying I have tried two other beta blockers and got really sick with side effects off of those they all seem to affect me with Asthma like symptoms, but I am seeing the doctor tomorrow and I am going to try to get on a Calcium Channel Blocker and see what we can do I just know I am ready to be out of this. But the one thing I am so ready to do and haven't been is working out.. For years I didn't because I was so scared about my Heart Rate and what it was doing.. but now that I know I am not going to die from it, its time to start working out to keep that heart rate down.. Thanks again

[MAB22]

I take 25 mg atenolol daily for inappropriate sinus tachycardia (same as you sounds like).  I too wish I had never gone on the stuff.  My resting heart rate gets into the 90's oftentimes.  I take my atenolol at 5 pm at night and HR can get down into 70's and 80's (sometimes 60's) a few hours after taking.  In the morning, usually starts out in 70's.  My blood pressure can get high.  The only way I can bring HR down is through exercise.  I have also lost about 17 lbs over a year and a half.  As long as you have been cleared by Dr. try getting HR into 70-80% of maximum calculated heart rate (220-age) = maximum calculated HR.  I am trying to lose another 10-15 lbs.  I'm 68" tall, weigh 185 lbs.  I guess I am trying to make a total lifestyle change.  I see real reduction in HR when get above 80% (to 85 usually).  I try to measure my progress with exercise by BP.  Exercise does keep it down.  However, if I under do it or over do it, BP can creep up.  I see my cardiologist in August and would like to come off of atenolol, but I have to lower my heart rate further.  I bike ride, walk and swim, and lift a little weights.  I know what you are talking about with rebound affect of tachycardia, as I have tried to lower atenolol by myself in the past and had tachycardia, as well as palpitations.  Another problem I have is injuries from exercise.  I see the physical therapist a lot and stretch frequently.  I hope this helps and you feel better.

[musikbox]

I think it's time to get off beta blockers as a whole and try something new like a calcium channel blocker, but I am not your doctor so I cannot make that determination for you.

The good news is that other than beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, there are plenty of other kinds of drugs to try. Do not think you're stuck with these medications, as they are just the first line of defense in regards to tachycardia.

I have also read reports that beta blockers are generally good for short term use, but less so for long term.

Have a talk with your doctor and tell him or her exactly how you feel here. In the end, it's up to you and your doctor to figure out an efficient treatment plan.