Coping with Beta Blocker Fatigue-Part II - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

famnd · 09-19-2007, 09:52 PM

Here are my 3 plans depending what I am doing at the moment:

Plan A When I first started taking pure beta blockers I took them every two-3 hrs. I had thyroiditis at the time so I was tired anyhow so more tireness didn't make any difference as I couldn't exercise (was hyperthyriod) & in severe pain. I switched to Lebetalol (an alpha/beta blocker just as I was getting over my thyroiditis. I took labetalol every 2-3 hrs after titrating the dose. I didn't get the degree of fatigue that twice a day dosing gives.

Plan B:
I use this plan when I visit my grandchildren so that I can follow their routine & we can nap at the same time. I eat a light breakfast (egg, slice of cheese, no bread or cereal, juice, 1 tsp margarine) which decreases stomach emptying time & allows the med to slowly get into the blood stream. Fat & fiber (usually have mushrooms, gr peper & onion, Brocollie with egg). I find bread, cereal group cause more fatigue so I have that later in the day. Exercise before breaksfast & drink water or tea. Don't get stomach too full is the idea especially if you have a sliding hiatal hernia ( stomach will rise up into chest & cause breathing problems.)

So three meals with two snacks. Light meals in the day but make sure to have at least one fat serving & fiber to decrease stomach emptying.

Take beta blocker three times a day instead of two which will also decrease any nausea according to my package insert.

Will finish this tomorrow & edit

Fam

flowergirl2day · 09-19-2007, 10:53 PM

Hi,

Thank you for posting your tips. I will try to squeeze in 15 minutes of resistance exercises or maybe the bike before shower each day. I will have to keep eating my oats so that also takes a bit of time to cook & eat. No more skipped breakfasts for me. My beta blocker is supposed to be taken once a day only. I am not sure if it would be OK to split the dose in 1/2. I'll have to check my books and see if that might affect the results somehow. I'll have to re-invent good, healthy lunches and brown bag. Carrot sticks, veggies, nuts & fruit for snacking, etc. I talked to a friend (the health-care worker) today who also has a hiatal hernia & acid reflux. She named all the things I should not eat and I was pretty shocked. Basically, everything everyone says I should be eating. Fresh veggies, fruits etc. I guess the best solution would be not to eat at all. I do have to read up on it, at least a little bit. I'd hate to be changing my carefully researched diet in any way at this point. I figure if these foods have not bothered me greatly to date, they are not going to start doing so now. So I will keep on eating...

flowergirl