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RE: ATENOLOL FOR PVC's.
To those who take Atenolol....
I was prescribed this for my frequent PVC's, and was wondering if any of you have had any bad side effects while on it. I know everyone's body is different in the way they metabolize meds, but overall what is your experience while on them for PVC's?
I am having many pvc's all day and also at night. I am at my wits end and will start them if they will help. I am tired of sitting here in fear over these pvc's. it's taking a lot out of my enjoyment with life. I want to not be scared but it's hard. My last holter showed 4,280 pvc's in 24 hrs.
If any of you have any advice on this particular med, please let me know. I guess I am scared for a couple reasons:
1. My Blood pressure is already on the low side ranging from 94/53 - 100/60 at rest. My pulse averages around 80 bpm at rest. I do not want my blood pressure to fall even more while on these.
2. I am scared to take anything that might increase these pvc's furter. heck, I don't take any meds now and even Tylenol I am always hesitant to take!! I am very sensitive to medication ad its effects.
Thank you all for listening!
Steph
I was prescribed this for my frequent PVC's, and was wondering if any of you have had any bad side effects while on it. I know everyone's body is different in the way they metabolize meds, but overall what is your experience while on them for PVC's?
I am having many pvc's all day and also at night. I am at my wits end and will start them if they will help. I am tired of sitting here in fear over these pvc's. it's taking a lot out of my enjoyment with life. I want to not be scared but it's hard. My last holter showed 4,280 pvc's in 24 hrs.
If any of you have any advice on this particular med, please let me know. I guess I am scared for a couple reasons:
1. My Blood pressure is already on the low side ranging from 94/53 - 100/60 at rest. My pulse averages around 80 bpm at rest. I do not want my blood pressure to fall even more while on these.
2. I am scared to take anything that might increase these pvc's furter. heck, I don't take any meds now and even Tylenol I am always hesitant to take!! I am very sensitive to medication ad its effects.
Thank you all for listening!
Steph
Hi sunshine
Just wondering how you are doing after all this time.
I too have very frequent pvcs that come on with the slightest bit of exertion.
Thanks
Just wondering how you are doing after all this time.
I too have very frequent pvcs that come on with the slightest bit of exertion.
Thanks
My experience with the drug has overall been very good. I was Rx'd 25mg daily about five years ago after a return of PVCs with a vengeance. Well, after about 48 hours I went from thousands of them to ALMOST none.
Now, it IS possible some of the effect was psychological but I doubt it was ALL psychological. Since then, I had a bad return of PVCs this past year while trying to wean OFF the drug. My doctor suggested maybe going up to 50mg but I decided to tough it out instead. Now I'm feeling a lot better.
During the last four years, I basically had a PVC FREE life and so I'm VERY grateful to the drug.
As far as side effects, they of course will vary by individual and dosage. I find I had some MILD sleepiness and fatigue. Also, I DID have some very vivid nightmares the first few months but not like every night or anything. Just 3 or 4 REALLY vivid dreams. Not bad at all.
If I had to do it again, I would do the EXACT SAME THING as I bought myself 4 wonderful years. And even though I've had a rough 8 months I am feeling MUCH better.
If you decide to go ahead, I would suggest taking it at bedtime as it makes you sleepy and it can help you get into a deep sleep.
If you are afraid because you are sensitive to drugs, start with a MINIMAL dose and take it from there.
But for me, this drug was a Godsend.
Feel better!!!
Now, it IS possible some of the effect was psychological but I doubt it was ALL psychological. Since then, I had a bad return of PVCs this past year while trying to wean OFF the drug. My doctor suggested maybe going up to 50mg but I decided to tough it out instead. Now I'm feeling a lot better.
During the last four years, I basically had a PVC FREE life and so I'm VERY grateful to the drug.
As far as side effects, they of course will vary by individual and dosage. I find I had some MILD sleepiness and fatigue. Also, I DID have some very vivid nightmares the first few months but not like every night or anything. Just 3 or 4 REALLY vivid dreams. Not bad at all.
If I had to do it again, I would do the EXACT SAME THING as I bought myself 4 wonderful years. And even though I've had a rough 8 months I am feeling MUCH better.
If you decide to go ahead, I would suggest taking it at bedtime as it makes you sleepy and it can help you get into a deep sleep.
If you are afraid because you are sensitive to drugs, start with a MINIMAL dose and take it from there.
But for me, this drug was a Godsend.
Feel better!!!
Hi,
We, unfortunately, can't have everything. If the PVCs cause you such fear, (they certainly bother me), and the Doctor prescribed Atenolol, knowing that you blood pressure is as you stated, I'd give it a try. Atenolol is a Cardioselective Beta Blocker, Inderal is a Non-Selective Beta Blocker. Often, the Cardioselective Beta Blocker produce less symptoms than the Non-Selective versions. As soon as I start on Nadolol, a Non-Selective drug, I can feel that my trachea has constricted somewhat by the breathing noise that becomes evident.
First of all, don't spend too much time on the Internet looking for Side Effects, if you do, you certainly will experience them. It's quite interesting to see Drug vs Placebo trials, people on the placebo reporting that they feel tired, have stomach upset, etc. Yet this is not likely from the placebo. I think the best comparisons are from the studies that list the Drug's effects versus the placebo. If 10% of the test group experienced tiredness on the placebo, and 10% experienced it on the drug, it's not very likely that the drug is causing the test subjects to be tired. Yet if 10% of the placebo group and 17% of the Drug group report tiredness, the drug certainly seems to be the culprit. Yet, it's not likely that 17% of the study subjects had tiredness from the drug, more likely only 7%, as this is the difference between the placebo and drug group.
You have a choice to make, either outcome is likely not to be perfect. You will likely have some problems initially with the Atenolol as your system become used to it. You may be more tired than normal. But, this should dissipate after a period of time. Some Epileptics use Barbiturates to control their seizures (more so years ago), and the dose of Barbiturates that they take would put you or I to sleep in short order. Yet they walk around all day, having become tolerant of the dosage.
The Atenolol will reduce the forcefulness of your heart’s contraction, this should cause you to feel the PVCs less. It will also slow down your heart, and the effect it has on the conduction of the heart’s electrical system may also reduce the number of PVCs. Anyone on Beta Blockers whose Blood Pressure has been lowered needs to stand-up gradually, or, at least, not suddenly, since the blood tends to rush out of the head. Atenolol is sometimes used to treat anxiety, something that you may appreciate, at least when you initially begin to take it.
Why do you feel that the Atenolol may increase the number of PVCs?
Oh, and by the way, Beta Blockers reduce the effect that Adrenaline has on the heart. Adrenaline is a known contributor to PVCs. If you are really frightened by your PVCs (I am every time mine start again), you will likely cause yourself to get more PVCs. With this fear comes Adrenaline, which may cause more PVCs, which will cause more fear, which will cause more Adrenaline, which may cause even more PVCs. I’ve been at contentious meetings at work and had PVCs so bad that I almost excused myself and went to the Medical Center at the facility. Yet, when the meeting is over, the PVCs drastically reduce in number. It’s the Adrenaline aspect vividly demonstrated.
Be well, and keep in touch with your Doctor.
We, unfortunately, can't have everything. If the PVCs cause you such fear, (they certainly bother me), and the Doctor prescribed Atenolol, knowing that you blood pressure is as you stated, I'd give it a try. Atenolol is a Cardioselective Beta Blocker, Inderal is a Non-Selective Beta Blocker. Often, the Cardioselective Beta Blocker produce less symptoms than the Non-Selective versions. As soon as I start on Nadolol, a Non-Selective drug, I can feel that my trachea has constricted somewhat by the breathing noise that becomes evident.
First of all, don't spend too much time on the Internet looking for Side Effects, if you do, you certainly will experience them. It's quite interesting to see Drug vs Placebo trials, people on the placebo reporting that they feel tired, have stomach upset, etc. Yet this is not likely from the placebo. I think the best comparisons are from the studies that list the Drug's effects versus the placebo. If 10% of the test group experienced tiredness on the placebo, and 10% experienced it on the drug, it's not very likely that the drug is causing the test subjects to be tired. Yet if 10% of the placebo group and 17% of the Drug group report tiredness, the drug certainly seems to be the culprit. Yet, it's not likely that 17% of the study subjects had tiredness from the drug, more likely only 7%, as this is the difference between the placebo and drug group.
You have a choice to make, either outcome is likely not to be perfect. You will likely have some problems initially with the Atenolol as your system become used to it. You may be more tired than normal. But, this should dissipate after a period of time. Some Epileptics use Barbiturates to control their seizures (more so years ago), and the dose of Barbiturates that they take would put you or I to sleep in short order. Yet they walk around all day, having become tolerant of the dosage.
The Atenolol will reduce the forcefulness of your heart’s contraction, this should cause you to feel the PVCs less. It will also slow down your heart, and the effect it has on the conduction of the heart’s electrical system may also reduce the number of PVCs. Anyone on Beta Blockers whose Blood Pressure has been lowered needs to stand-up gradually, or, at least, not suddenly, since the blood tends to rush out of the head. Atenolol is sometimes used to treat anxiety, something that you may appreciate, at least when you initially begin to take it.
Why do you feel that the Atenolol may increase the number of PVCs?
Oh, and by the way, Beta Blockers reduce the effect that Adrenaline has on the heart. Adrenaline is a known contributor to PVCs. If you are really frightened by your PVCs (I am every time mine start again), you will likely cause yourself to get more PVCs. With this fear comes Adrenaline, which may cause more PVCs, which will cause more fear, which will cause more Adrenaline, which may cause even more PVCs. I’ve been at contentious meetings at work and had PVCs so bad that I almost excused myself and went to the Medical Center at the facility. Yet, when the meeting is over, the PVCs drastically reduce in number. It’s the Adrenaline aspect vividly demonstrated.
Be well, and keep in touch with your Doctor.
I also had the best success with Inderal. I doubt it did anything to reduce the frequency (20,000+/day), but it definitely made than less noticeable.
At the time, my BP was generally 100-105/55-60. Initially, I was pretty tired and sluggish, but that wore off and I tolerated it just fine. Sometimes, it takes a little trial and error to see if any of the BB's will help. Overall, they are considered safe medications and your doctor will work with you to titrate the dose that fits you best.
When I took antiarrythmics, my BP would sometimes dip into the 80's/high 40's. My doctor was more concered if I was symptomatic from the BP than what the actual readings were. If you're feeling lethargic and you think it's the RX, let your doctor know so he/she can try adjusting the dose.
Take care.
At the time, my BP was generally 100-105/55-60. Initially, I was pretty tired and sluggish, but that wore off and I tolerated it just fine. Sometimes, it takes a little trial and error to see if any of the BB's will help. Overall, they are considered safe medications and your doctor will work with you to titrate the dose that fits you best.
When I took antiarrythmics, my BP would sometimes dip into the 80's/high 40's. My doctor was more concered if I was symptomatic from the BP than what the actual readings were. If you're feeling lethargic and you think it's the RX, let your doctor know so he/she can try adjusting the dose.
Take care.
Like Jerzeegal, I have opted not to take the beta-blockers for PVCs. I get over 20,000pvcs per day, but I have tried Toperal, Inderal, and the last one was Atenolol.
Both the Toperal and Atenolol (one half a 25mg tablet), put me on my butt. They made me feel like I was walking under water with one of those old fashioned dive suits, you know with the big helmut. lol.
None of the beta-blockers have touched the frequency of the pvcs, but I had the fewest side-effects with the inderal. It dropped my blood pressure and pulse rate, but it didn't make me feel fatigued and lightheaded as the other two did. Atenolol made me feel quite dizzy, and that's the symptom I'm trying to get rid of from the high pvcs. So I don't want to take that one again.
Everyone is unique, and others have found some relief with the beta-blockers. If your biggest obstacle is being free of the fear because of the sensation of them, taking a beta-blocker might help because it will lower the contraction force of your heart. That might help you to feel the pvcs less. However, with a slower heart-rate, I found I could feel the pvcs more. Go figure.
I'd say if your doctor prescribed Atenolol, it won't hurt to try it. I keep inderal on hand and take on an as needed basis because it's also known as the "stage-fright" drug. It helps to lessen some anxiety. I think that breaks a terrible cycle of pvc, fear, pvc, fear. Although at 20,000/day I'm not so much afraid of them, as I just sometimes feel plain sorry for myself. Those days I just have to give myself a boot to get out of the pity party I sometimes get sucked into attending. Hope you get some relief soon.
Both the Toperal and Atenolol (one half a 25mg tablet), put me on my butt. They made me feel like I was walking under water with one of those old fashioned dive suits, you know with the big helmut. lol.
None of the beta-blockers have touched the frequency of the pvcs, but I had the fewest side-effects with the inderal. It dropped my blood pressure and pulse rate, but it didn't make me feel fatigued and lightheaded as the other two did. Atenolol made me feel quite dizzy, and that's the symptom I'm trying to get rid of from the high pvcs. So I don't want to take that one again.
Everyone is unique, and others have found some relief with the beta-blockers. If your biggest obstacle is being free of the fear because of the sensation of them, taking a beta-blocker might help because it will lower the contraction force of your heart. That might help you to feel the pvcs less. However, with a slower heart-rate, I found I could feel the pvcs more. Go figure.
I'd say if your doctor prescribed Atenolol, it won't hurt to try it. I keep inderal on hand and take on an as needed basis because it's also known as the "stage-fright" drug. It helps to lessen some anxiety. I think that breaks a terrible cycle of pvc, fear, pvc, fear. Although at 20,000/day I'm not so much afraid of them, as I just sometimes feel plain sorry for myself. Those days I just have to give myself a boot to get out of the pity party I sometimes get sucked into attending. Hope you get some relief soon.
Hi, I also have problems really bad with PAC's and PVC's and my BP runs really low most of the time even before the Atenolol. I have over 10's of thousands a day, I hate them. I will try anything to make it better and like you I rarely ever took a Tylenol before I had these. I had ablation but after 6 years ago and they returned with a vengence. I take 200 mgs of Atenolol a day, WOW!!!!! Also I take Xanax 6 or more mgs. a day. I now have been put on Prozac. I shake when I walk. LOL.I am now wearing a Loop event monitor. I can't seem to get better. My heart rate is normally 50 all the time. My BP is usually 95/52. I feel tired alot but anything to help the annoying beats. I feel like this disorder has taken the biggest part of my life away and I have let it. Some people are lucky and never worry with it, But I am a very anxious person who feels every single one. I drive my family bananas. Oh well they have me for better or for worse. LOL. Don't be afraid to try what the doc prescribes. He knows what will help. They are not really that bad. I started on 25mgs. now up to 200. Oh well if it makes me feel free from the heart hiccups I am game. It does help to some degree.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
Karen aka Sunshine
Good luck in whatever you decide.
Karen aka Sunshine
Hi Steph,
I understand your concerns about the meds. I too have a normal low bp and also a pulse of about 60 bpm. I have both PVC's and PACs and have opted to not take any meds after discussing it with my cardiologist.
I'm not sure how many I had on 24 hour holter, my doc didn't give the number ( he's a wise man) LOL so I am trying to learn to just deal with them.
I wish you good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I understand your concerns about the meds. I too have a normal low bp and also a pulse of about 60 bpm. I have both PVC's and PACs and have opted to not take any meds after discussing it with my cardiologist.
I'm not sure how many I had on 24 hour holter, my doc didn't give the number ( he's a wise man) LOL so I am trying to learn to just deal with them.
I wish you good luck with whatever you decide to do.
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