Previous posts regarding withdrawing from Atenol? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

jr2212 · 09-27-2007, 08:46 AM

I have read infomation in previous posts indicating that suddeningly withdrawing from Beta blockers can increase BP.

Bethsheba responded to a post saying she had read material indicating this. Bethsheba, if you read this post I would be very interested in knowing where I can access this material so I can read it?

I had posted earlier indicating that I had quit Atenol last Wed. and had fairly reasonable BP for two days without meds., then suddenly BP jumped 25 pts. on top and 15 on the bottom (from 135/85 to 160/100) the morning before I started taking Avapro. Had attributed this to possible large sodium intake, but after 4 days of less than 500mg/day of sodium I am discounting this. I started Avapro Sat. BP remained high, but settled some yesterday 145/92 with 92 pulse (pulse very high for me) but this morning BP 160/100 pulse 97. I read that Avapro can take a couple of weeks to be fully effective but after 1 1/2 yrs. on Atenol I'm wondering if I'm having a withdrawl problem from it since I never had BPs near this high even before I was on any meds.

Would appreciate any information that might be out there!

flowergirl2day · 09-27-2007, 09:43 AM

Hi,

I'll mention my withdrawal symptoms. I was on a combination of alpha/beta blockers-Labetalol, maximum dose, for about 6 months. While getting an OK but not great blood pressure control (5BP meds in all), I developed a nasty shortness of breath, so the beta blockers had to go. I cut my dose to 1/2 for about a week, then was told by the GP to stop altogether. I developed a headache, very irregular heart beat (fast, slow, or a combo of the two) and chest pain. What was even worse, my shortness of breath returned within a week and a half. The headache was constant, 24/7, and lasted 6 weeks. Those were my withdrawal symptoms. I would recommend taking longer in getting off the medication. Decrease the dosage very gradually for best results, especially if your dose was a high one.

PS. The antihypertensives take anywhere from one to several weeks to work. You have to give yourself time. Do not panic because your blood pressure control is not optimal at the moment. Discuss you concerns with your doctor. Sometimes it takes months to get the medications just right. It's like cooking with seasonings, trying to achieve just the right taste. A lot of trial and error. The main thing is that you and your doctor are working on blood pressure control right now.

flowergirl

bethsheba · 09-27-2007, 01:14 PM

Hello jr,

I learned about rebound hypertension originally from Famnd, who, I believe, experienced it firsthand. The info was of interest to me because I abruptly stopped taking Atenolol (due to serious falls and drug-induced suicidal tendencies) without medical supervision. My experience with atenolol scared me so much that I stayed med free for about 4 weeks, during which time I bought a home monitor. Without looking at my notes, I would say it was about week 2 or 3 that my bp shot up to the highest it had been...from what i've read, rebound hypertension explains my situation. I have read that rebound hypertension is a known occurrance with beta blockers and centrally-acting antihypertensive agents, like clonidine.

I'm sure you'll find the info you need if you read about rebound hypertension.

Good luck!

Bethsheba

jr2212 · 09-27-2007, 02:29 PM

Bethsheba - Thanx for all your (and everyones) assistance I spent the morning researching Beta Blocker withdrawl and found that most or perhaps all the symptoms I am experienceing on Atenol withdrawl could be very common (if not expected)! I want to share the information I found but I need to review the sites posting rules before I attempt it. There is very important information out there that everyone on Beta Blockers should know before attempting withdrawl! I feel certain my physican was not aware of the proper meathods for withdrawing patients, I have made copies of the relavent studies I reviewed for him and his associates.

famnd · 09-27-2007, 09:12 PM

Hi JR,

I developed a thick red rash from Inderal after being on it for three months so I had to get off of it quick. My Dr. switched, me to Clonidine a powerful drug which did little or nothing. Luckily, my flight or fight instinct kicked in (otherwise know as anxiety to Doc's) & I called my endocrinologist (experienced Dr for 30 yrs). He ordered Lebatalol (an alphabeta blocker) which calmed things down cause it had the beta blocker element.

My husband experienced the full rebound hypertension etc cause he dropped his beta blocker after being on it about 8 days. It was a rough two wks with his heart pounding etc. He wouldn't even take his b/p. Given that he had just had a heart attack & bypass surgery (4), he was very lucky.

It took my two months to get off Clonidine & I was on the lowest possible dose. Pretty scary with my b/p going up in the 200 range.

Read an article by an ER Doc who said beta blocker withdrawal is one of the main reasons patients present in the 'ER with hypertension.

The best defense is a good offense. Before you agree to take a drug or buy the drug (once I bought an expensive drug & found out I couldn't take it)
ask for the package insert that comes with the drug. You might have to go to several pharmacies to find one as they routinely throw them away. Don't get overly scared when you read all the awful side effects-that's just the reality of taking any drug. Everybody's body is different in some ways so our
reaction to drugs takes many different routes.

Don't be surprised if your Dr. brushes off your concerns with a smile

. Fam