33, 5 '11 153 or so. Have had a CBC, Metabolic Panel, EKG, T4 test for thyroid, basically everything. At the doc. my B/P can be 158/80 even on meds. All of my tests are fine. 1 hr. after the doc. my b/p goes down to 125/75. It has averaged 120/70 for the past 16 months. I have a history of HBP on my mom's side. Currently on 100 MGs of Atenolol & 5/20 of Lotrel. This seems like waaay too much. B/P was 113/65 for instance after walking 1/2 mile.

Have been taking a combo of either Lotrel/Toprol or Atenolol for at least a year. Don't want to be graphic, but it either causes stomach upset, diahrrea, constipation & etc. I figure it has to be from so many meds. I just want to feel good. Any ideas? I also take 2 mgs of xanax for anxiety, but this is getting to be ridiculous. This has never happened before & 1 year later, I still don't know what to expect from day to day. Please advise.

Lillian,

Just curious, how many times a day do you take your BP? I have anxiety at the doctors, higher BP readings than at home or an hour later as you do, after I initally got the HBP diagnosis and put of meds, I obessed about it, take it at home few times a day, am, after exercise, etc., would be high if I was under anxiety having to travel outside my limits (panic disorder), that it literally prevented me from going anywhere. I first was put on a atenolol then month later, a diurectic, which I noticed it really lowered my BP at home, this week I took the diuretic for a full week before my doctors appointment for my follow up, since I figured it would be higher that morning before I left, it took them 8 times to find my BP! My husband was with me, they changed stethscopes, got a reading on him, tried both my arms, finally the doctor got a faint systolic of 98, and took me off the diurectic, and halved the atenolol. Im under guidelines watched by my husband to report to my doctor, if I take my BP more than once a day, the monitor goes. The doctor said me stressing about my BP was worse than having the HBP itself.

Once a day lately. Before it was 2 times or so a week. All I know is that it is consistently 120/70 or slightly lower or higher by 3 points. If I take my anxiety meds. it is usually lower.

Can atenolol as well as most beta blockers cause this stomach upset.... It's been almost a year & I have good days & days like today. I'm sick of it.

fatigue or confusion;
headache or dizziness;
weak pulse or mildly slow heart rate;
diarrhea, constipation, gas, nausea, or vomiting;
depression;
nightmares; or
impotence (difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection).
THESE ARE THE SIDES OF ATENOLOL (FROM WED MD)
I HAVE BEEN TAKING IT FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS - NO SIDES
GO FIGURE, I GUESS ALL OF US REACT DIFFERENTLY
TAKE CARE
CASSIEBEL

I despise atenolol (impotence and insomnia).
My experience shows that men tend to hate the drug more than women.

Yes 100 mg is a very high dose and medicating down to 120/70 is probably overdoing it.

The amlopidine (Norvasc) in the Lotrel is no trip to Disneyland either...another drug on my hate list!

Guess you are right about women. I've been on atenolol for 18 years with no problem. started on 100 now 50 possibly going to 25. Norvasc, now thats a different story! stuff nearly drove me crazy (crazyER) lol

I'm a 41 year old male and I've been on 50mg atenolol for over 10 years. BP and heart rate are excellent now - never any side effects thankfully.


Guess you are right about women. I've been on atenolol for 18 years with no problem. started on 100 now 50 possibly going to 25. Norvasc, now thats a different story! stuff nearly drove me crazy (crazyER) lol