Atenolol

Cher2005 · 04-22-2005, 02:18 AM

I have been on Diovan twice a day, the morning pill has the water pill added to it. My pressure is still high (systolic 170 today) so the doc put me on atenolol in addition to the Diovan. Now I'm reading all the stuff on this board and am afraid to take it. I don't like the way it will lower my heart rate. My heart rate is fine, it's usually below 80.
I've been having some heart palpitations (skipping). Now I read here that it causes palpitations.
I'm so confused and scared to take this.
Any help?

Lenin · 04-22-2005, 08:23 AM

Cher,
Nobody here likes atenolol much but to give the devil his due, it WILL help with palpitations rather than exacerbate them. Unfortunately it WILL lover your heart rate and your energy level.
I would judge whether to take it or not on how annoying the palpitations are now.

You can find a happy medium with a pill splitter.

THe main reason I hated atenolol were the lack of pep (of which I have little ENOUGH) and the endless INSOMNIA! But we're all different.

Do you have a home tester? Sometimes those readings in a doctors office are unduly inflated.

Paxilhead · 04-22-2005, 10:32 AM

Everyone is different, I've been taking Atenolol since 2001 with no problems, starting on 25, and now I'm on 50. Atenolol was one of the first BP med's to come out back in 1976. It's still extremely popular.

Paxilhead · 04-22-2005, 11:20 AM

In order to avoid the most popular side effect (Fatigue). I wonder if it would be better to 1/2 the pills and take 25 in the morning & 25 in the evening. Instead of taking 1 big dose? (If 50 is considered big)...

Cher2005 · 04-22-2005, 01:16 PM

Thanks all! I decided to split the 50mg pill and just take 25mg. last night. So far, OK, though I thought I was a bit wobbly this morning.
My pressure was good until the doc. took away my diazide (not good for diabetics, she says) So the pressure went up soon after and she added the Diovan with the water pill added. I don't think it works as well as the dyazide as it's only half the amount.
I definitely am a salt retainer although I never use any added salt and avoid salty foods. But I noticed last night that my right ankle was swollen, a sure sign of water retention.
Now that my diabetes is under very good control with glucotrol, maybe I should ask her to give me back the diazide. I was on it for 20 years! I think I am having a rebound effect without it.