Atenolol efficacy vs PVCs

[stlcard1521]

Hi, I'm a healthy 21 y/o male who was recently prescribed atenolol for PVCs. I've been taking half a 12.5mg tablet for 3 days now; I think the tablets are making them worse. I'm getting about 10 or so a minute since I've been on the atenolol. I have some minor regurgitation in my pulmonary and tricuspid valves. I took atenolol for 1 day last month when my doctor first prescribed it (took a 25mg dose) and my PVCs were really bad that day so I quit taking it. I went back for a 30 day follow up, told him it made them worse and he said I just needed to take it for 4 or 5 days atleast to get a steady state blood level (He told me to maybe try going to 12.5mg when I restart, which is what I'm now doing). I restarted taking it again this week, it's been 3 days now and my PVCs have been more frequent than normal. Just wondering if the medication should be working, or if I need to take it longer. Otherwise excercise and good nights sleep seem to minimize them, I'll just drop the atenolol and go back to dealing with them. Thanks

[madgeOwens]

I agree, the most important thing is that the drug works, and as far as weight gain I figure if you eat to much well you gain weight.  That is if you do not burn it off and at my age thats a bit difficult but I do my best. Take care!

[upbeat63]

I do have symptoms occassionally. Sometimes SOB, dizziness, sense of having the flu, being fatigued, lots of anxiety. It's those times that I try to slow down a bit, but not for long.

Since I have PVCs all day, and only symptoms on occassion, I'm not sure whether it's the PVCs or related to high anxiety. I've opted to believe it's high anxiety and try to do whatever I can to stop that, being active helps the most. And being active helps to distract me from, and may even decrease the PVCs.

It's the catch 22 with taking beta-blockers. I seem to get pretty fatigued on only 12.5mg of toperol xl, but it did help stop my bigeminy. I'm glad you've had some pretty fast relief of your PVCs with starting the inderal. Who cares if you get a little weight gain (which I haven't read to be true) if you get relief of the PVCs. Really, which is worse!  I will hope that your relief lasts and lasts, and for anybody whose beta-blocker isn't working, I would suggest trying another. Tickertock had mentioned a newer one higher in this post. It's worth talking to your doctor about.

[tickertock]

I was given beta blockers first years ago when I was 18, in a couple weeks I'll be 41 , I was first presribed beta blockers because of a sinus tachycardia 90-110 at rest, 120-150 bpm when anxious, even though I have always had the occasional PVC , i did notice a slight increase PVCs when my sinus tach and pounding got under control but only a very slight increase frequency. The beta blocker made the living easier.

Most persons that have a fast heartrate and pounding heart in their younger years I am told that as they age they tend to develop adult onset episodes of PVCs, I was told this just recently by my cardiologist, usually it has to do with minor changes in our heart , body and hormones as we age, usually from the ages of 20-45 this happens or so I've been told. Too bad only some are aware of them, though most people have them in the same pattern , they just don't notice them. You were probably going to develop them anyhow, that's not to say the slower rate from the beta blocker didn't help trigger them, to be honest I prefer the occasional PVCs to the constant fast heartrate and pounding heart.Take care.

[Momto3]

Why were you prescribed a beta blocker in the first place?  They are often prescribed to reduce the number/frequency of ectopics (ie: pvcs, pacs).  Were you having pacs?  

[Gary-Fisher]

hello.

i too am on atenolol. i take 25mg once a day. i first started out on toprol xl then got this cause it was cheaper.

i was given them to control my heart palpitations. i never..EVER had a pvc until i started taking beta blockers.

so, my question, could my pvcs be a side effect of the medication im on? as i have no history of them..and i didnt get them until i started beta blockers about 3 years ago.

[madgeOwens]

You have that many pvc per hour and you are asymptomatic?
Every single pvc I get I get a wave of light headedness....
Someone told me they didnt gain weight with inderol.....I hope not.
So far they are helping me....I am down to a pvc here and there....yahoo................