What are the side effects people are having? I have been taking it since Tuesday due to severe High blood pressure over several days and my BP has dropped from 190/116 and a pulse of 105 to 129/75 and a pulse of 70. I feel 100 times better than I did this time last weekend, no more headaches etc. I have felt sleepy at times, but yesterday and today I have been much better and no where near as tired as I was the first few days on the meds.

What effects do people have when using alcohol with it? My doctors think that my BP is due to an inflammation in the membrane lining of my kidneys due to a reaction I had with a combination of being on NSAID for a year, pain meds and antibiotics that I had to take for a month due to gallbladder issues. They believe that it might get better, but are not promising anything. They feel that as long as I control my BP I should not have any problems as my kidneys are performing perfectly other than the protein issues. I am off the NSAID, I am wanting to have a few drinks with the guys tonight. I do not plan on having 10 drinks, but I want to know what to expect should I do this. Any input would be appreciated.

You'll probaly feel a bit drunker than usual, and from my experience, your heart rate will decrease even more.

Go easy the first time and stop at 2 or 3 drinks til you see how you feel. Try not to drive on this "test run."

So, yes, you can still drink.

Thanks for the reply. What are the other side effects people are having besides from drinking? Like I said, I have been on this since Tuesday, and the first 4 days I felt like a zombie just so tired. One time I went to the break area and work and sat down to wait to pick up the checks for my department, and I ended up falling asleep for 20 minutes. Anyways, I have noticed over the past 2 days I am not nearly as tired.

I was on it for about two weeks and felt horrible. I was tired all the time no matter how much sleep I got. I felt like a walking zombie. I also couldn't exercise to my usual standard. I could barely run a quarter mile when I'm used to doing 3-5 miles. I'm on benicar now and feel and run much better.

I have to call in later this week, I might ask for something else before i am on this for two long. I am used to working out 5 times a week and running anywhere from 3 to 5 miles. I am not tired the last few days, but I do seem to get more tired when I am up and moving around.

How's your running been while you've been on atenolol? Mine was horrible. I saw a cardiologist last week and he told me that benicar is much better for anyone who does aerobic type exercise to even a moderate level. He just happened to be a cyclist and told me that he would never recommend a beta blocker to anyone who is a runner.

Hi there

I took it for a about three months and to say it destroyed my life (at that time) is an understatement.

To cut a long story short, I put on over 2.5 stone in weight, developed awful stretch marks down my inner thighs, I had to leave uni cos I couldn't get up in the morning, my head felt like cotton wool, I had no concentration but the worst one of all was the severe DEPRESSION it gave me. I just slept all day and lost all interest in anything. Went for days without even having a wash.

I have been off Atenolol for since early April and I feel great. Lost loads of weight and I am getting back to university in February but I hate that drug. I totally changed me (while taking it).

I don't take any antihypertensive drugs anymore, I have been receiving acupuncture and taking Chinese herbs and my BP comes out on average about 128/78.

I wish you good luck. I hope you do better than I did on it!!

XXX

I will have to remain on them for at least a year, if not longer. The damage the NSAIDs did was minimal, and they think it wont get worse but it might not get better either. I think I am going to call tomorrow and have them change me to an ACE inhibitor,which should be better for my kidneys.

As I said earlier, I have only ben on it since TUesday and my main thing is I am so TIRED. I am a big guy, and I do alot of lifting and aerobic workouts so I do not want to effect that. Oh, and I have not been able to workout since getting on it as my BP just started getting under control on Thursday. I was told to limit it until I got below 130/80. Today my BP was 124/78 with a pulse of 76 so I am pretty happy about that.

Drink up Dude. Just don't drink and drive..... I have taken Atenolol for 3 years, after a heart attack that caused me to start drinking due to fear...