Beta Blocker Discontinuation - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

zekat · 03-28-2006, 09:28 AM

I truly believe that along with prescribing information, discontinuation information should be included w/ our prescriptions. My doctor took me off my beta-blocker (labetalol) last friday and switched me to hctz. I'm nursing, so ARBS & ACES are out, but the rest are pretty much open. I hated the foggy feeling I got w/ Labetalol & was not getting good control. I was on a pretty low dose (200mg in the morning & 200mg in the evening... you can take it all the way up to 1200mg in the morning & 1200 in the evening!!). Anyhow - I was fine the first three days, but suddenly I'm just very, very anxious. Do you think this is from stopping the beta blocker or starting the diuretic or is it just underlying anxiety? I'm terrified of checking my BP because I'm sure it's going to be high & I just couldn't handle the cycle of anxiety that goes with it.

I"m just curious if any others experienced anxiety (or increased fuzzy headedness) when going off beta blockers and if so, does it go away?

brionylou · 03-29-2006, 11:18 AM

hello. i think it is just anxiety, that probably came with changing medication. stop worrying about it, because its only the adrenilin that makes you feel foggy.
i know its a vicious circle, but you will be fine. just walk right through it coz the dizzy/ fogginess will disappear much quicker if you do.

sarahxx

Lenin · 03-29-2006, 11:50 AM

zekat,

Stopping the beta blocker will DEFINITELY cause anxiety, tremors even.

"Fuzzy headedness" sounds different from anxiety though. But putting what we feel into words can often be tough...and the words will differ from person to person.

Often discontinuation of beta blockade will come with nervousness, apprehenion, increased heartrate (and pressure) and irregular heartbeats.

Wait it out, it will pass soon.

masterpiece · 04-02-2006, 02:17 PM

From what I have read, any time you stop a beta blocker you are going to experience some anxiety, and your BP will be a little unstable for a week.
I have been on 25mgs of Atenolol twice a day for about 7 years. A few years back my doctor switched medications and my blood pressure jumped to 180/120 pulse 120 for about a week, and I had to return to the medication. I have had all tests done to try to find a cause for my hypertension, but nothing has been found. I have been having side effects from the Atenolol for some time now and really want to taper off the medication all together. I guess what I would like is some feed back from people who have taken Atenolol, and have successfully tapered off of it. I have been on meds since I was 17 years old, and I am currently 30.

This is my first posting here, so go easy on me please.

zekat · 04-02-2006, 04:18 PM

Masterpiece - is your BP currently "under control"? Have you ever had the chance to monitor your BP at home for a while w/out meds? That would be a great starting point. I'm sure you could find a doc who would help you wean off the Beta Blocker & see what your BP would be like w/out meds. Like I mentioned, I was on Labetalol. I was only on it for a couple of months. I'm sooooooo thankful to be off of it now. I had no idea it was wearing me down so bad (I started it post-partem, so I didn't know if it was sleep deprivation or what). I must say that I had a few days where I thought I was going to crawl out of my skin... I was just very, very anxious. But it's A LOT better now!

I would suggest you post a new message to the forum & see if you can get more responses to your inquiry!
Good luck