Previous posts regarding withdrawing from Atenol?

[jr2212]

I had mentioned yesterday that on this thread that I had researched and found a number of sources and research studies relating to the withdrawal from Beta Blockers (specifically atenol, in my case). In reviewing the board rules there are limitations that restrict the meathods by which we share information. After some thought I think the best I can do as far as sharing most of the info that I came upon would be to encourage anyone considering withdrawl from these products to reseach them via the internet before begining withdrawl. There is a wealth of information and warnings regarding rebound hypertension from the withdrawal from Beta Blockers, some of it is conflicting, but at least you'll have what is current prior to taking any action.

In my case such information would have proved very helpful. My doc changed my script. to Lisinopril with zero withdrawal from Atenol, I had an immediate reaction to Lisinopril and after two days without meds (which my BP stayed mid 130s over mid to low 80s) I went on Avapro. Just before I received my Avapro I checked my BP, it had jumped to 168/107 with high heart rate and stayed in that range for for five days before it gradually began tapering off along with my heart beat. After nine days since my withdrawl from Atenol with the last five on Avapro I still find myself with BPs ranging from 145/89 to 150/100 with a heart beat range from 78 to 87 (heart rate topped out on day 6 at 97).

I now have taken some comfort by reviewing articals and studies which showed people and research study participants with similar reactions after sudden withdrawal from Atenol which subsided after a couple of weeks or less in some cases (have to remember were all different). As a matter of fact my heart rate has been nearly identical to the particapants in a study published by the British Heart Journal on atenol withdrawal.

In summary, I would implore anyone considering withdrawal to reasearch it and discuss proper means of withdrawal with their physican before beginning (most sources reccomend a two week withdrawal of reduced dosages). I have suffered an untold amount of anxiety over the last week not understanding what was happening to me! Two weeks ago my BP (on 50mg of Atenol) was 110/72 with a heart rate of 60 and I was only mildly hypertensive 1 1/2 yrs. ago when I started meds. I guarantee that if you wake up one morning and you've gone from 110/72 to 168/107 with a heart rate of nearly 100 it will get you're attention - and not in a pleasent way either! Which is what happened to me!

[flowergirl2day]

Thanks for sharing that. There are many other medications that, like the beta blockers, have to be discontinued gradually. Within the antihypertensive drug classes, calcium channel blockers are potentially very dangerous if stopped abruptly. One gets not only the tachycardia and irregular, erratic heart beat, but also angina pains, which can lead to a heart attack. I stopped taking mine suddenly and suffered the consequences. I think someone should educate our doctors in these matters. My GP does not seem to have a clue. Doing one's research before starting or stopping ANY drug is absolutely essential. I don't follow this doctor's orders, unless I have checked first. (I have complete trust in my other doctors.) I am glad you got over the withdrawal symptoms. I agree that there's much information available on this and other subjects. One should always get information from a reliable and unbiased source.

flowergirl