need to now if this is ok

[radtec01]

hello i have been feeling lightheaded lately even more than usual. i went to cardiologist and assures me it is not Cardio related because of all the tests i have had come back normal(stree,ekg,ecg blood wrk). i told him about tingling in left arm and weakness i am an xray tech so it could be pinch nerve cause i aslo feel it in elbow too. so he is referring me to neurologist and also a sleep study because i am reall tired and snorring really bad at night..anyway here comes my question he wants me to hold off on taking my atenolo. i only take 25 mg a day usually around 800pm. i have been on it since 11/07 so not that long. i actually was put onm Atenolo by family practice doctor but not cardiolgist. dont think he was a fan of that medicine.anyway he wants me to stop because atenolo could possibly be the reason why i have these symptoms.i guess he is trying to rule it out. I am Scared because i thought you could not just stop taking the Atenolo abruptly. because there could be a spike in BP and induce heart attack and other withdrawl symptoms. i have always folloe drs advice but not to sure about this one.What should i do? Also i just started  slowly getting back into excercising.  want to beat this and get my life back. i hate feeling like ****...i stopped smoking 5 mos  now so i am trying to take control of this hbp and overweight. if i can quit smoking cold turkey i can do anything

Please Help..thank you

[radtec01]

Thank you so much for your response..just a couple of quick questions and i will give it all to GOD:

1.How long will it take for Atenolo to leave my body completely and the possibility of side effects end.
2. before i asked you i had stopped taking now for 2 days going on third per Cardiologists request. i feel ok lightheadedness not as bad. i am wondering if i will be ok because i havent been diagnosed with any cardio vascular disease just have a lot of risk factors.(so i am trying to nip in the bud now with diet and exercise).
3. so is the risk stopping Atneolo greater for people with know Cardio vasc disease or problems with heart. Because i was nt give a supplmental medicine  to take for my pressure. that is my concern. so i guess it is up to me to monitor my BP and lose weight so it can regulater itself.Whay do u think?

[Douglas Bogart, MD]

Atenolol is not the best beta blocker and you are on a low dose and it is unlikely you will have any problems stopping it.  However to be on the safe side you could take 1/2 tablet for 5 days and then 1/2 every other day for 5 days and then stop.