Trying to get off Atenolol

[Mountainwoman]

I was put on hctz 12.5 mg around 2006, but knowing I have severe "white coat syndrome", I never took it until I tore some muscles in my upper back and the Dr. insisted I start the med. in May of 07.
I have a B/P monitor which checks out against the ones at the Dr.s office, so I was pretty sure my home readings were accurate and they were OK. I was in a great deal of pain from my back injury and PT was making it worse. My personal trainer suggested a med that had helped with a back problem, and my physician sent in a perscription for it. After one dose, I ended up in the ER in the middle of the night with outrageously high B/P. They got that fixed, but it went way up again the next day and I saw another MD who immediately put me on 12.5 mg Atenolol. That was in July of 07. I am 5'2" tall, weigh 116# and have no cholesterol problems or any other (known) medical problems that simple blood tests would uncover. While on Atenolol I got very out of breath on my daily walks
and , being a SCUBA diver, I had a very scary out of breath episode under water that made me decide to try to get off the Beta blocker. My current MD had me take my regular dose every other day for a week and then stop. The first week after stopping, my energy level was off the charts, but this past week there has been a lot of heart-pounding, rapid heartbeats, soaring B/P from time to time, a rushing sound in my ears that makes me think my B/P is way up and my fears just make it much worse. She said I might have to double up on the hctz if there was a Beta blocker backlash,
but I really want to stop those, too. Is there any hope for that and is there anything I can do to help myself through this? I don't smoke, I seldom drink and never more than 1 glass of red wine or 1-2 beers. I exercise regularly, and have cut salt out of my life as much as possible and take vitamins regularly along with cutting out red meat.
There is a strong family history of heart problems which none of my Dr's seem to address - most don't even get up from the computer to listen to my heart.
I am going on a dive trip in March and I don't want to feel this rotten while out of the country.
A little advise would be much appreciated.
By the way, I am a 69 yr.old female.
Thank you.
  

[MAB22]

I have been on 25 mg Atenolol for 6 months.  Am 43 yo, male, 191 lbs, 5'8".  I was put on for rapid heart rate.  The atenolol does slow your resting heart rate and exercising heart rate.  I have been researching the atenolol ever since I started on it.  I have been very frustrated with it, as it does effect cardiac function.  The Atenolol blocks adrenaline receptors in your heart, lowering  the heart rate.  By being off of it, the heart is getting more adrenaling, increasing the heart rate.  Perhaps this will decrease over a period of time, as you get used to being off of the Atenolol.  Your MD should be aware that your are a physically active individual and Atenolol is not the best choice of BP medication for you.  In my opinion, I am not a medical professional, you would be better going on the hctz, Ace inhibitor or other medication that will lower your blood pressure, but not affect your heart.  Research other BP drugs on the web and ask your doctor for BP medication that will not affect your heart.  You are not overweight and don't smoke, just getting older.  Serum potassium can be corrected by taking potassium, ask your doctor.  You can also try the DASH diet, (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).  Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, consume lowfat milk products, eat some almonds (11 per day), and whole grains.  Exercise may also assist with lowering your blood pressure.  Use a heart rate monitor to monitor you heart rate (I have a Polar Heart Rate monitor).  Hope things get better.

[jd1943]

Due to a person's body chemistry, each one is affected differently by beta blockers. Weaning off of them is difficult - one every other day for a week and stop is not good, especially without some other form of medication. Taking hctz most likely lowered your potassium level which can cause muscle weakness, severe fatigue, and raise your BP. Taking a beta blocker on the heels of low potassium can make it feel like someone has pulled your plug - breathlessness, more fatigue, heaviness in legs, and slow heart rate (a pulse of 40 - 50). I would suggest that you not dive until you get the situation under control. Have your MD check your serum potassium level and your cellular potassium level. Also check your aldosterone level. There is no reason you can't stay active and enjoy your hobby if you get your BP under control. If your potassium is low you're prone to have a heart rhythm episode and if that happens under water - ? It may be a good idea to change MDs.

[Artaud]

Hi,

Life involves give and take. I see that many people attribute their problems to Beta Blockers, and I am sure that many of their concerns are valid. But I am also aware of studies where people take Placebo Medication (sugar pills) and are convinced that they are having profound effects from a pill that actually is not physically affecting them.

Myself, since I was in my 30's (at least) I have been on one form or another of a Beta Blocker. At one time I took 240 mg of Propranolol per day for Migraine Prophylaxis and PVC suppression. 240 mg is a fairly high dose, and yet I had more than enough energy. I have taken Nadolol, Atenolol, and a few others (not at the same time of course ;-)

12.5 mg Atenolol is a very small dose. Your age may have something to do with your tolerance of Atenolol, but your age may have something to do with your intolerance to specific activities, regardless of the medication. We all seek an easy solution, or in some cases just a solution regardless of the difficulty of achieving it, but as we age, things are going to change. If I were on 12.5 mg Atenolol and was breathless on a dive, I don't believe that I would attribute it to the medication. Even if the medication exacerbated another problem, the other problem would still exist in the absence of the Atenolol. Also, being in Industrial Safety, there has been a trend noted in the Industry where individuals required to use SCBAs (note: Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, not the Underwater variety (SCUBA) that you are addressing), even young individuals (20 year olds), are experiencing (or revealing) Heart Problems due to the extra stress imposed on the system due to the use of Breathing Air. Your SCUBA Gear would be no different. They are considering requiring Cardiac Stress Tests for individuals required to wear the SCBA and other versions of Breathing Air. Also, with the increase in Water Pressure, there likely is a change in the dynamics of your overall blood circulation due to compression of arteries and veins.

And you describe the effects of not being on the Atenolol, the pounding heart and other effects. You have decisions to make regarding your health and activities, needing to balance them against your age.

Be well.