Anyone taking beta blockers? - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

spongebob_mom · 11-18-2003, 08:17 AM

I have decided to go and see my doctor this Thursday about my headaches which have been driving me crazy lately. I am so tired of waking up in the middle of the night or the morning with a headache.

I am 32 years old, but when I was 16, I went on Inderol for about a year and I do remember it helping, but not dramatically. I am desparate, though. I am willing to try it again. I am somewhat worried about having "exercise intolerance" with them. I don't remember having that before, but I was only 16 at the time. I also have low blood pressure, so I do remember blacking out every now and then when sitting up too fast.

Anyone taking calcium channel blockers? Have they worked for you? What have your side effects been?

The one thing I don't want to try are tricyclics - only because I was on Zoloft (although I know this is in a different class of anti-depressants) twice after the birth of both of my children, and I had wicked side effects for the first 2 weeks I was on it and then had NO sexual libido whatsoever the whole time I took it...not so good for my husband!

But I am going to have to do something.

Any ideas would be helpful, thanks!
Jane

Karla · 11-18-2003, 10:09 AM

They also could prescribe an antisiezure medicine such as neurontin, topamax, or tegretol to prevent your headaches. Amitriptaline is the only ssri I have heard of being used with any great sucess to prevent migraines. However I have tried several just to see if it would help. There are also a lot of different beta blockers and calcium channel blockers that you could try. The names escape me right now other than verapamil. Good luck in finding something that works!

zavey · 11-20-2003, 02:00 AM

i've been on probably over 30 "preventatives" of different types, none have worked for me. be careful with the beta blockers if you have asthma. if you go into a state of asphyxiation you may not respond to epinephrine.

duke611 · 11-20-2003, 08:14 PM

I have been on two different beta blockers for migraines ( atenolol,inderal) and both seemed to work ok for awhile but then I would have a few side effects like always tired and low sex drive.Tried pamelor and was about the same.Now for the good news apprx. 2 months ago I started taking atacand which is for high blood pressure as well.The results have been great with only a couple of minor headaches and NO side effects. I hope this helps you some.

spongebob_mom · 11-21-2003, 09:52 AM

Thanks for the help on beta blockers, but Dr. said my blood pressure was too low. I'm on Pamelor now...see above post.

Thanks!
Jane