Hi first post here for me

I have been on ATENELOL since the age of 14 - am now 36 -and am currently on 200mg!!!! yes 200mg a day! My blood pressure this week was 142/90 the doctors but as usual no concern was shown - I was told to try and cut down the ATENELOL to 150mg a day

sometimes my blood pressure is 100/70 and then other times 160/60 a few months ago it went to 192/112 but seems to settle at 130/80

When I have been to hospital for various tests and things most of the staff seem shocked I am on 200mg per day

Could this amount over 20 years be causing so many of my weird (too many to mention!) symptoms? and could atenelol be doing me more harm than good now?

I am at a loss as what to do - when I have tried to come off atenelol in the past have felt terrible

thanks

Mark

If you don't have one, get a home monitor and take your bp readings 3 or 4 times a day for a few weeks to get a picture of what your at home, resting bp is.

High numbers only in the doctor's office could indicate that you have "white coat syndrome" - meaning you get nervous at the doctor's and that pushes up your bp, but at home you are fine.

If your at home, resting numbers are high, then you may need an additional drug, or to change to a different drug. Why isn't your doctor concerned? You need to ask questions.

Atenolol is a beta blocker and they must be weaned off of. If you are on 200mg per day and need to cut down, then try reducing the amount by 25 mg and staying at 175mg for a couple weeks before reducing it any farther. Don't lower the amount if you feel bad.

Your post makes me weak in the knees.

I'm at a loss for words.

First, you must find someone who can diagnose the cause, not merely write out prescriptions.

Something BIZAARE is operating here.

Follow mgraylorn's advice and see what
you get at home over a month.

After seeing all of these people wean off of Atenolol and feel so much better, it makes me wonder why doctors prescribe this drug to people without heart problems. It seems to cause more side-effects than help with BP at all.

Marklondon,

When you were 14 and presented with high blood pressure, may I ask what tests were done to rule out underlying causes? I hope they were more than just a blood test and urinalysis.

It is incredibly rare to see primary hypertension at puberty, let alone in adolescence. At that age there is usually a secondary cause. Have these been ruled out?

You mention lots of "weird symptoms" and I'm wondering if they may be due to something other than the Atenolol, even though Atenolol comes with it's own set of side effects.

zuzu xx

WOW, I never heard of anyone on 200 mgs. What is your heart rate on this high dose?
I have been on 100mgs and have reduced it to 12.5. I feel so much better! Like, I'm back to being really alive.
Cass

Cass,

I am on 100 MGS and I am going to start weaning. Please tell me what your weaning schedule was. Atenolol does very little or nothing for B/P & I am still on the Lotrel 5/20. My pulse is 53, I feel lethargic all of the time, it messes with my stomach on some days. It is just a nasty drug for me. I would appreciate your weaning schedule. Can you cut these time release pills??? If not then I probably need to set an appointment with the doctor who is wishy-washy about me weaning. I have no idea why. My B/P has averaged 108/61-65 over the past month. I have cut my drinking down to 2 glasses of wine on the weekend on a nice dinner and I don't need the Atenolol. I have had 2 EKGS, an xray of my heart and everything is fine. I am only 34 and my blood pressure keeps going down, but I still don't feel like myself. I have been on this nasty beta-blocker for a year+ and I was on Toprol before, which was bad as well. I don't need to be on beta-blockers if I have no heart trouble and my b/p is at these levels. Eventually I want to get off of the Lotrel as well. The xanax helps keep my anxiety level down, which is what I needed.

Cass,
Are you cutting a 25mg in half to get the 12.5mg dose?
I am on 25mg and would like to go to 12.5mg but I heard Tenormin tablets should not be divided.

Cass,
Are you cutting a 25mg in half to get the 12.5mg dose?
I am on 25mg and would like to go to 12.5mg but I heard Tenormin tablets should not be divided.
Yes, I am cutting a 25mg in half. However, I take generic atenolol, not Tenormin. I think it's OK because my husband takes 50mgs and the pharmacy we have to use (he's retired military) ran out of the 50's so they gave him 100's and told him to half them.
The generic 100's and 50's are scored. The 25's aren't but I cut them anyway.
At the begining of March I was taking 50mgs and I was so tired I couldn't even clean my house in 1 day. I cut back to 25 and took that for a month. I felt better the first day and my BP stayed the same. At the begining of April I started taking 12.5. I can't believe the difference in how I feel. My systolic has remained the same. I do see a 5 or 10 point jump in my diastolic but it was too low anyway. I did have mild rebound hypertension and pretty bad anxiety a couple of days. My cardiologist said not to worry it will eventually stop. I didn't tell him I was cutting back till I had already done it.
If I were you I would ask the Pharmacist about splitting the Tenormin.
Best Of Luck.
Cass

hypertension can be hereditary I have had problems since I was ten years old I took meds for a while but quit, don't remember why, so there doesn't have to be a secondary reason for it, in fact if it was a tumor or something then it would be worse by now.

but it couldn't hurt to get a second opinion. I have had dozens over the years.

RR

Quote] Please tell me what your weaning schedule was.[/QUOTE]

I just started cutting thr dose in 1/2. I went from 50 to 25, stayed there a month, then went to 12.5. I have been on 12.5 for about 2 1/2 weeks. I had mild rebound hypertension and anxiety about a week after I started the 12.5 but it was only late in the day about 4 or 5 hours before my next dose and it went away about an hour after I took my meds. It has happened 2 times. My BP went up about 20 points and I was quite anxious. I wasn't enough to make me go back to the 25's though.
I will probably stay on the 12.5 for awhile and talk to my cardiologist about going all the way off. I feel fairly confident on this dose but I'm a little afraid to go all the way off alone.
This med is so addicting. It really plays on the mind. I wish this was more publicized so people would know what they were getting into before they started taking it.
Ask the pharmicist friend of yours about splitting the name brand "Tenormin" I take the generic.
Best Of Luck, ;)
Cass

Cass,
Thanks for the info!
I was on Tenormin 50mg for about eight years and became so tired I was barely able to do anything. Cardiologist told me to take 25mg. It was a struggle trying to make the change. I had to take Klonopin for the anxiety. I have been on the 25mg for about two years now and am getting very drowsy through the day so I tried to cut back to 12.5mg. Within two days of taking 12.5mg I started getting severe anxiety so I went back to the 25mg for now. Once my MD tried to switch me to Toprol XL and I couldn’t do it because of the anxiety. I just wish I was told how addictive this medication really is.

Hi thanks for the replys

I was in hospital at 14 with Juvenille artheritis (now called stills) and thats where they decided I had high blood pressure and the atenelol was started - I can remember they did quite a few tests ie stopped certain foods and a scan with this dye that made me hot to check kidneys etc etc

I have lots of symptoms ie headaches and faint feeling - stomach problems and unexplained rashes etc etc

resting heartbeat can go as low as 48 !! generally 60 though

have seen so MANY doctors and they really dont seem bothered - the occasional one does but then loses interest when on a good day the bp is 120/70 and then all I hear is 'its working'

I almost feel a fraud when I go to the doctors and specialists however my gp has left to have a baby and a new one has taken over so have booked for this week and going to see what he says - my bp recently hasnt dropped below 130/80 and generally 140/90 so am hoping he can help

I am having tests for Theo and have had 2 brain mri's and 1 neck mra recently
- they all seemed ok - though didnt have the dye injected ones

also have raised GGT and AST levels - consistent over 6 mths and a IGE raised at 560 !!!! white blood cells raised with a neutrophilia on occasion and a low sodium level

also an enlarged heart showing on an xray and a raised something or other on an ECG

I kid you not when I say no doctor is that concerned !!! I had to push for the theo test

they do say however that my sinus's are blocked!!!!!!!!!!

thanks for replying

Mark

1st off thanks Cass. I am worried about the rebound anxiety and B/P, which I was never told about, but I will ask him. I will see the pharmacist on Friday. You have been of great help.


[QUOTE=MARKLONDON]Hi thanks for the replys

I have lots of symptoms ie headaches and faint feeling - stomach problems and unexplained rashes etc etc

Stomach problems and fatigue are bad with Atenolol. It also doesn't do much for B/P if anything. I am worried about the rebound effects that I was never told about.

resting heartbeat can go as low as 48 !! generally 60 though

Mine can get to 53... normal is 66-70

have seen so MANY doctors and they really dont seem bothered - the occasional one does but then loses interest when on a good day the bp is 120/70 and then all I hear is 'its working

Ditto. Have heard that from 3 different doctors. If I have had 2 EKGS and 1 chest XRAY and everything is perfect, why am I am on this drug that causes all of these side effects??? Toprol wasn't much better. My B/P is running 108/61-65. The line of doctor #1 and doctor #3.... it is working. You are healthier on the inside than 90% of people that are 34. Well it causes me a million side-effects, can I wean off of it. He said no, because my b/p was 127/74 in his office, because of white-coat. It makes me feel lethargic and causes stomach problems at times. The doc. said that he has stomach problems on some days as well and that it is stress. Stress at 7 in the morning???? I don't think so. The stomach problems have been much better, but I still need a cup of coffee after lunch and a soda with caffeine after lunch. I hate that answer..... it's working. Yeah it works really well when it makes me feel 94 and not 34. I have had 2 EKGS. He wanted to give me another one after the last one was perfect 3 months after I had one. This is ridiculous. I told him that he just gave me one and he said oh yeah. Atenolol is the worst imo.

thanks for that - I am reallys cared of the rebound effects and the fact I was 14 when started taking them and now they are not reccomended for children!!

at least your blood pressure is good - mine still 140/90 most of the time

MARK

Mark when you said "Theo" did you mean to say pheo (for pheochrmomocytoma?)

Have you thought of going to 100 mg (or 50 mg) atenolol and judging the effect on your blood pressure taken RELAXED and AT HOME? I think if you can gget a consistent average below 135/85 that is good enough...and that's AVERAGE!

I think that I can afford to wean off of Atenolol. My B/P was 108/64 again today. If I went off of Atenolol and Lotrel, I imagine that it would be 130/75 at most in 2 months and then I wouldn't have to worry about side-effects. 108/64.... I think that I can wean now. It has averaged that for almost 2 months.

Hi yes mean Pheo etc!!! have done 2 24 hr tests and both came back with high results but surprise surprise the docs said this could just be me!!!!!! and have just taken another 24hr test in

I think it must be British doctors but they seem very reluctant to admit you have anything ESPECIALLY when they tell you theres nothing wrong and then tests start to come back positive - they cant stand to admit they are wrong - I have lost faith in most doctors!!

Should get results early next week and also going to my new GP tmrw to discuss ATENELOL - will let you know how get on

I still feel cheated that have been on ATENELOL for 20 years since childhood and no doctor seems to care

Also still worried about the enlarged heart and the high IGE results and liver funtion results - even though as always no - one else is!!!!!!!

They don't seem to have read the recent studies on Atenolol. There are alternatives. I know that my doctor doesn't seem to have read them.

Lillians Axe

where would I find these reports? I am going to print them off and take to my doctor!!!!!

Thanks

Mark

Wow. A couple of months ago someone posted a study that showed that Atenolol did very little to reduce blood pressure and many more things. I know that someone can bring it up. I don't remember who posted it in the 1st place. It basically made it sound like Atenolol had no major benefits at all.... even for people with heart problems, which I don't have. I weaned down from 100 MGS to 50 MGS of Atenolol and my B/P is still 108/64. My pulse has increased from 53 to 67 and I feel much much better.

Mark,

Lillian's Axe is referring to a couple of threads posted a while back that may help:
12/02/04 thread started by Palamedes: Efficacy of Atenolol Questioned:

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?p=1359322


And in March/05 by myself:Attention disgruntled Atenolol users!:

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=263703&highlight=spokesman

Both address the same articles.

zuzu xx

Thank You Zuzu. I tapered down to 50 MGS and I feel much more energetic, my stomach problems are gone and I feel a lot more positive. My B/P was in the 108/61-65 range with a pulse of 53. It was time. My B/P hasn't really changed. I am convinced that my HBP was all caused by anxiety as this tapering is going on.......

Axe!
Land o' Goshen, my oh my, I never thought I'd live to see the day you'd start to wean on your own!!
And feeling better already!
How long have you been @ 50 mgs?

zuzu xx

Thanks so much for that

I have printed it off and will be taking it to my doctor tomorrow

thanks Mark

Cass,
Thanks for the info!
I was on Tenormin 50mg for about eight years and became so tired I was barely able to do anything. Cardiologist told me to take 25mg. It was a struggle trying to make the change. I had to take Klonopin for the anxiety. I have been on the 25mg for about two years now and am getting very drowsy through the day so I tried to cut back to 12.5mg. Within two days of taking 12.5mg I started getting severe anxiety so I went back to the 25mg for now. Once my MD tried to switch me to Toprol XL and I couldn’t do it because of the anxiety. I just wish I was told how addictive this medication really is.

donsabi,

I am new to this board. When I tried to cut my dosage of TOPROL in half, I also experienced anxiety, nervousness, skipped heart beats etc... These are symptoms that will pass in aproximately 7 - 10 days, (if you can hang in there). Only Beta blockers tend to have this effect.... Great pill's, what do you think???

Ace28,
Thanks for the info. I started tapering down last week and today was the first day on the 12.5mg. I had a bad night with anxiety but today was fine. Much more energy and generally felt much better. I meet with a new cardiologist tomorrow and I am anxious to see what he has to say. IMO, medical professionals should disclose any info that a medication may cause dependence or cause any kind of discomfort upon cessation. If I were advised of Tenormin in the beginning I would have never started it.

Same Here!!!

took the info to my new GP - he seemed genuinely concerned and actually took the info I had printed off - he is taking my notes home and wants me to go back next week when he has had time to look through everything and see what he thinks the best way forward is - HURRAH - someone who seems to care!!!

He did agree that ATENELOL does very little to prevent anything happening!!

took my BP 120/70 in both arms


last night was 223/112 on my home BP machine!!! - well thought it was - it was a new one and hadnt read the instructions correctly so was placing the monitor the wrong way around - after shrieking to my partner to come and see they read the instructions correctly and did it again - it was 150/89 - still high but considering the state I was in thinking it was 223/112 wasnt too bad - I was surprised that having it the wrong way around would make such a difference - can anyone confirm it would make such a difference????

Will let you know what happens next week

Mark

Thanks Zuzu, it's been 3 days or so. I will keep you posted. No stomach problems, no more depression, no more lethargy..... My life is back. I will keep you posted. Thank you so much for always bringing your great insight to this board.

Mark-

Your new GP sounds like a winner.
I am really impressed (can you spell M-I-N-D-B-O-G-G-L-E-D?) that he took your print-out seriously and wants to takes your notes home to re-evaluate everything.

Not sure exactly how you were using your cuff but if the "wrong way around" means that it wasn't positioned correctly over the brachial artery, or whatever you did it inflated too loosely or too tight, yes you could get nutsy readings.

120/70 at the doc's office is awesome and cause for celebration! (And it makes me wonder if your higher home readings are accurate!!???)

zuzu xx

Hi ZuZu

Yes I was surprised as well!!! and impressed - we will see!!!

used home BP thing last night - was 160/94 then relented to 132/85

wish it was the same as as the docs

am trying to keep off the home one!!!!

will elt you know what happens with Gp

Mark

Mark-

When you take your BP @ home, do you just take one reading?

A good protocol is to take it 3 times (with about a 2 minute interval in between each inflation), throw out the first reading and average the last 2.

And make sure you're seated with back supported, feet on floor (no crossed legs!) and of course cuff at heart level, arm relaxed on a table, palm up.

zuzu xx

Hi

always used to take one - unless was high and then panicked and of course it would always be higher the next time I took it!!

am taking your advice re the taking of blood pressure at home and last night got 117/69 !!!!!!!!!! today 124/78 so am pleased!!!

Thanks zuzu and Lilliansaxe for ypur support

mark xx

YAY!!! Numbers looking really good!

zuzu xx