Hello!

I was put on metoprolol 25mg 2x's a day in January for some stray episodes of afib. When I went for a checkup in May, I told my doc about some side effects I was having (mainly fatigue) and he said I could try cutting the dose in half. I evetually did and was doing fine for quite awhile. I NEVER had any episodes, but starting to be aware of my heart beat again and got back into that bad habit of taking my pulse. I decided to bump my meds back up (doc said this was okay if I wanted to). But, the side effects are back with a vengeance. I am so tired I can't think, and have been sleeping horribly. I think I want to go back DOWN to half the dose, because this is much worse than having palps every now and then.

Question is: is it going to make my heart go crazy with all these ups and downs with my meds? should I go down to 3/4 for awhile, then eventually down to 1/2?

I'd say just go down to half dosage and STOP feeling for your pulse :D.

I too have miserable sleep on any beta-blocker except a morning dose of a fast acting one like propranolol. Some people sleep well with them :confused: :confused:

Fatigue is a universal with this drug class.

Be grateful they are working so well for the a-fib.

Is that why I also have miserable sleep? I take atenolol - 50 mg once daily (in the morning). Can it affect your sleep so many hours later?

Hmmm - I guess I'm different - I take 25 mg toprol daily in the late evening about 1/2 hour before bedtime. I also take my lipitor then. I sleep like a baby, athough do wake up a little groggier than before. I take a menopause supplement with a vitamin and herbal blend in the morning which gets my engine running during the day, and that helps a lot with the fatigue. I hope you get it all straightened out soon.

aarlmon,

Atenolol can most definitely cause severe insomnia, even 20 hours later. I tried 50 mg,/day and I went nearly a month without any sleep except perhaps 3 hours per night.
It was an awful esperience.

You wouldn't think that a drug that caused fatigue could also cause insomnia (and tortured dreams) but it does.

Lenin - what med are you on now for your BP? With the 50 mg. of atenolol, I also take Micardis Plus (80mg). Honestly, I wish I didn't have to take anything!!!

Hello:

I'm on 75 mg of atenolol (@ bedtime).
I add 3 mg of melatonin and one glass of red wine.
I've had consistant, 7-9 hour deep sleep patterns for YEARS!

Doc says..."it works, then keep it up..."

I take 40 mg. Lasix and 50 mg losartan (Cozaar) in the morning and then again in the early evening.
I am extremely salt sensitive and thus a diuretic is the perfect drug for me.
It gives me control to 120/75.

Timberman - isn't it unusual to take a BP med at bedtime? I always thought it was best to take it in the morning, but if it works for you, that's good.
Lenin - your BP is really good! My Mom also takes Lasix and Cozaar along with all her other meds. I don't think I know one person who doesn't take any medication !!

Hi there all:
I have been on a beta blocker since I was 13 I am now 33. I was on 40 mg once a day for years and years.... Just the other day my Cardiologist cut my dose in 1/2, now I am on 20 mg once a day, and am doing great. I asked her why I seemed to be getting light headed and dizzy off and on through out the day... well come to find out, she thought it was because my dose was to high for my weight. You see.... I lost 15 lbs from last year..... and that was too much... it was bringing my BP down to 89/58 and lower at times. I was soooo tired at times. I managed to muddle through my work days, but let me tell ya.... as soon as I got home, my bed was just a calling my name.... That sucked.... I mean I have a great family, and wasn't getting to spend the time with them that I should. Anyway, my point is... I was on 40 mg for many years, and just cut it down to 1/2 just like that, and I am doing great.... God has his eyes on us, so no fear.... Think positive and all will be good.
God Bless and keep smiling :angel:

I started on atenolol in 96 they had me on 75 man did I get side affects from cold feet always wearing socks even in summer. Then my blood pressure was real low and my heart rate. They just cut me down to 25 mg now I dont feel so bad and I also noticed something I was getting more pelps when I was at 75mg every day now I get them every other day some times not at all. The only side effect I have now is I can never get my heart rate over 100 beats. You think over time your heart gets weaker over time on atenolol.