Taking Atenelol since mid-october - dose too high - Heart Disorders Message Board

wxKathy2 · 12-14-2005, 04:37 AM

Hello,
My resting pulse had gotten up to 120s and my BP was 140s/90s or higher, so doc gave me atenelol: 25mg/day at first and then 50 mg/day later. (I also take lasix 80 mg/day) I am feeling so much better - I am not really having any side effects to speak of and I no longer feel like my head is going to explode or my heart is going to pound out of my chest. I am so glad. My only concern is if my dose is too high - I am not dizzy - although maybe a little on standing - my pulse is down in the 70s now generally (resting) and my BP is running 110/70s or so. I also have thyroid problems....do these numbers sound ok (I will be 41 next month, have history of long term diet pill use, am currently overweight - but losing, high cholesterol, EF 66%). Thanks for your help....
Kathy

PS Do I need anti-biotics at the dentist?

camtorres15 · 12-14-2005, 08:43 AM

Hi~
That does not sound too high to me at all. I am taking 25mg of metprolol and my resting heart rate is usually in the low 60s. My doctor told me as long as it's not below like 55 then I should be fine. 70s sounds great!! Especially if you aren't feeling any other side effects. Sometimes I get that feeling of dizziness when I stand up, but I think that is just from the change in blood pressure. I would say you are doing just fine!! I'm glad it is helping you.

wxKathy2 · 12-14-2005, 09:47 AM

Thank you for your reply - it helps the BP and heart rate to be able to relax about having the dose right if you know what I mean - I am an anxious person - so every little bit of reassurance is healthy - thanks very much!
Kathy

wxKathy2 · 12-15-2005, 01:39 PM

Hi Jack,
I am on 50 mg/day....I did not know about the warning so thank you for telling me - it's amazing how many meds I've been given without the doctor telling me specifically what the warnings are - but I don't plan to quit any time soon - I have a thyroid problem and must take synthroid so I have to balance that with my heart rate and BP and these meds...it's taken me two years to figure that out and get to this point - thanks for the feedback - I'm glad to hear I'm finally at a good place.....
Best wishes,
kathy

wxKathy2 · 12-16-2005, 08:14 AM

Hi Jack,
I thought the lasix was high too - I was getting terrible muscle cramps and starting taking 550 mg of potassium glocunate and drinking gatorade out of desparation - it's been a lot better....I didn't know how serious a medicine it was (once again) thanks for telling me....I do retain fluid - I do not know why - I thought it was the HBP or the thyroid - part of that started with my hypothyroidism

As for the weight - I weighed 117 my whole adult life then wham at age 37....I always exercised and then I gained 60 lbs in one year - then they found thyroid nodules and thing have been downhill ever since - it's all connected.....I do check my weight, body temp, BP and pulse every day and keep a record as well as number of hours slept and my meds and food each day.

I do feel like I'm standing at a fork in the road health-wise. I wonder if I can take less lasix? I know it takes water off the heart too and my endocrinologist just had to raise my synthroid dose two days ago so I don't want to mess up my good heart and BP readings right now.....I am losing weight - 13 lbs so far.....

Thanks for your words of encouragement - I do want to turn this train around....I do feel like my this age is the time to do it....I am hopeful....

Best wishes to you,
Kathy