My Thoughts On Atenolol - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

jdchablis · 04-03-2007, 10:14 PM

After quitting Atenolol last year, I decided to go back on it again for another trial run to see how I reacted to it. I was having strange headaches;almost like a "brain freeze" pain in the back of my skull, plus ear problems. I went to a neuroligist and was told I had disc problems in my neck, and I received epidural shots, which did help somewhat. I began to feel better, so I decided to go back on the Atenolol. I have been on it for about 5 months now. Once again, I am having ear problems, tingling and numbness in hands, and occasional headaches. And, this time around, the back of my legs ache, and I have developed a terrible ache in my right side, which has been there for about 3 weeks and won't go away. My doctor said I have a "pulled muscle", and he sent me to therapy. Usually if I over tax my body and get sore, the ache goes away in a few days. My point is, it seems that whatever else may be going on in my body, as to the neck problem, the side ache problem, I really think the Atenolol intensifies the condition. I am not sure if the Atenolol causes my problems, but I think by taking it, it makes certain conditions that I might have had and never was bothered by, all of a sudden become more noticible and painful. Does anyone think this might be true?

I am once again going to wean off the Atenolol and see what happens with my neck and side. Perhaps the symptoms will either go away or at least ease up. Or, does anyone here think these things I mentioned could be caused by the Atenolol? I have heard this med can cause muscle problems.

I just wanted to give a few thoughts for you good people to ponder, and I am really interested on hearing your opinions and suggestions. My doctor is no help, and doesn't give me much input when I talk about this to him. I have weaned down to 12.5 mgs. a day, and am going to start taking that every other day for another week or so, and then stop once again and see if I feel better.

Thanks for listening, and sorry for the long post. Any input will be greatly appreciated. I have faith in your experiences with Atenolol!

famnd · 04-03-2007, 11:22 PM

Hi,
Have you seen your routine bloodwork re: liver function especially? You should obtain a copy for your records to make sure nothing is overlooked.
Muscle pain etc seems to be comnon with these drugs. My muscles get weak & heavy after taking Lebetalol (alpha/beta blocker). The feeling passes though after about 3-4hrs. Since I can't take most b/p drugs, I have to put up with it. One factor may be that I am taking almost the max dose. Fam

bethsheba · 04-04-2007, 11:59 AM

I was only on atenolol for a few weeks but experienced pain in my little fingers which I had never experienced before (despite the many aches and pains I had while on other bp meds.) The little finger pain disappeared after a week or two but then I experienced severe mood problems so I disco'd the drug immediately.

I had mild to severe muscle, joint, and bone pain while on ALL of the 5 different bp meds (one at a time) I've been on...please note that prior to being on bp meds I have never had muscle, joint, or bone pain except for an injury 40 years prior. I didn't attribute my aches and pains to bp meds (neither did my doctors, and as in your experience my docs precribed pt) but my symptoms lessened when I forgot to take my med or disappeared completely when I stopped taking the med.

You might want to check the drug info sheet that your pharmacist sent along with your rx and compare your symptoms to what it has listed for side effects and overdose. Pharmacists have alot of info and knowledge as to what people have experienced on a particular drug. Keep in mind that not all side effects are listed on those sheets.

Bethsheba

Lenin · 04-04-2007, 03:30 PM

I don't know if I can shed much light but what I have found after being on 3 beta-blockers, each for a reasonable length of time...several years in fact for propranolol.
They all caused periods of extreme weakness of the large muscles of the body like my thighs and buttocks. I'm an active guy but there were times that I thought my legs would give out before I reached the top of a a long flight of stairs. I am self-aware enough to KNOW this was more than the effect attributable to just a weakened heartbeat and slow pulse (for the BP effect I was seeking.) It's something MORE. Perhaps our muscles need adrenaline just for normal functioning, not just for fight or flight response.

All that said, it would not surprise me if some people like jd found actual PAIN from beta blocker use.

flowergirl2day · 04-04-2007, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by famnd

Hi,
Have you seen your routine bloodwork re: liver function especially? You should obtain a copy for your records to make sure nothing is overlooked.
Muscle pain etc seems to be comnon with these drugs. My muscles get weak & heavy after taking Lebetalol (alpha/beta blocker). The feeling passes though after about 3-4hrs. Since I can't take most b/p drugs, I have to put up with it. One factor may be that I am taking almost the max dose. Fam

I have been on Labetalol 800mg/day for over 4 months now. There are 3 other meds I take for BP. I experience breathlessness with any exertion; nausea, lightheadedness, cough, dry mouth, insomnia...Not being able to
get enough oxygen to function properly is really tough. (I am an active person by nature-those days are gone, I fear). I just started having problems similar to yours, muscle aches, leg weakness and pain, joint aches...I thought Lipitor was responsible for these-was started on it 1 1/2 months ago> I did not know beta blockers could have these side effects also.
Why can't you take BP meds? I have severe hypertension and have just started using supplements to bring my BP to a lower(safer) level, even while taking my meds, BP was quite high. Better now.