4th day off of a beta blocker

[nenna71]

And I feel horrible! Yesterday all I did was sleep. I think I was actually only awake for about 6 hours yesterday. I have a constant headache. My resting heart rate is around 90 and just walking up a flight of stairs sends it over 100. The only reason for me coming off the beta blocker is that I am losing my hair and if this is how I am going to feel without it, I would rather be bald! My Dr has me on Micardis now and my BP is 114/64 so that is working but my heart rate is really bothering me. Is this normal? Will it go down?

Brenda

[mgraylorn]

How much beta blocker were you taking? Did you just quit or wean off? Generally weaning off is a better idea to avoid rebound hypertension, but it sounds like your bp is under control now. You may still be feeling withdrawal from the beta blocker though

[nenna71]

I was on 50mg of Atenolol and my Dr. didn't wean me off of it. Just had me stop taking it and replaced it with Micardis. Thank you.

[Stumper]

Originally Posted by nenna71

I was on 50mg of Atenolol and my Dr. didn't wean me off of it. Just had me stop taking it and replaced it with Micardis. Thank you.

Nenna,

I think that your heart rate may settle down after a few days. My guess is that you had gotten a headache from the increased rate and rebound affect. I took Atenolol and am now off of it.
I am not sure about Micardis but you may wish to try Verapamil a CCB. Why? Because it has a small amount of some sort of Beta blocker in it but not nearly as severe as Aenolol. It may help you plus it is cheap enough.

[Lenin]

nenna,

If you need some relief, why not take a LITTLE atenolol...maybe 25 mg every other day. Do this for a week or so and the quit again. It might make you feel better.
You can take this with the Micardis.

You're doctor did you a HUGE disservice and should KNOW better than to cold turkey someone from a beta blocker. He could KILL someone doing that! No, Micardis will NOT alleviate the shock of atenolol withdrawal one bit.