Help Can't take Atenolol - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

BiBi57 · 01-31-2005, 08:33 PM

I am desparate for someone to recommend a drug that keeps a high pulse down and control high blood pressure. Atenolol does both very well, but I can't live on this drug. I say live, because it makes you so apathetic and lethargic that you don't want to get out of bed in the morning. Plus, I have been having deep muscle aches in my shoulder and left arm since starting this drug. I don't think it's related to the heart because I don't have any pain in the chest. Also, does atenolol cause you to flush easily? I seem to flush at the slightest level of excitement or stir of emotion!!! I also have episodes of itchiness all over, especially head and face!!??

What other drugs are good for keeping high pulse under control AND keep blood pressure stable? I am only 47 and feel like I'm 97 on this drug.

CASSIEBEL · 02-01-2005, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiBi57

I am desparate for someone to recommend a drug that keeps a high pulse down and control high blood pressure. Atenolol does both very well, but I can't live on this drug. I say live, because it makes you so apathetic and lethargic that you don't want to get out of bed in the morning. Plus, I have been having deep muscle aches in my shoulder and left arm since starting this drug. I don't think it's related to the heart because I don't have any pain in the chest. Also, does atenolol cause you to flush easily? I seem to flush at the slightest level of excitement or stir of emotion!!! I also have episodes of itchiness all over, especially head and face!!??

What other drugs are good for keeping high pulse under control AND keep blood pressure stable? I am only 47 and feel like I'm 97 on this drug.

A couple of the calcium channel blockers ( verapamil and diltiazem) help slow the pulse but not as well as a beta blocker. Do you have palpatations also? If you do the beta blockers are about the only thing that will help that.
All folks react differently but I got used to atenolol after a while and don't feel so tired anymore.
What dose are you on and was your pulse very high? I have read here that most BP meds work to slow the heart some.
Cass

mgraylorn · 02-02-2005, 10:22 AM

I was going to suggest the two calcium channel blockers Cassiebel recommended. Clonidine also lowers pulse and helps with palpatations. Clonidine can make you sleepy, and it only lasts 12-16 hours at most, so you have to take it more than once a day if you take it in pill form. It also comes in a weekly applied skin patch called Catapres.

I think my normal resting pulse rate was in the high 70s or low to mid 80s. I take Tiazac (ditliazem) and clonidine and my resting pulse rate mostly stays in the 60s. I sometimes have palpatations where my pulse rate goes up, but I think I am starting to experience menopause. Clonidine is sometimes also used to ease menopausal symptoms, in addition to regulating bp.

Random2 · 02-04-2005, 08:13 AM

BiBi,

I take Atenolol & noticed the flushing as well. There were many other side effects on the drug as well. I am taking 100 MGS, so it is a high dosage, but I can't wait to get off of the drug. It brings my pulse down to the low 50's & I notice red marks on my face at times as well. It gives me GI problems at times, lethargy a lot, flushing, memory loss & etc. I am going to see a specialist on 2/10 to try & get off of Atenolol.

lady olive · 02-05-2005, 04:35 PM

i sympathize with you. I was taking atenolol, i had freezing cold spells when I just couldn't feel warm, it made me tired and lethargic. I heard that you can't get off it.
I did. I stopped cold turkey. My doctor gave me cardizem instead.. BUT now i have fluid retention....so go figure. Atenolol is a strong drug. tell your doctor you want to know WHY you have tachycardia and to put you on something else. THe killer with these drugs is that it makes you tired....hence weight gain....and that's not healthy either.
HOpe it goes ok. Be adamant...it's your life...
lady olive.