Weaning off atenolol

Hello fatimab164...130/80 is not high at all. Yes, your heart rate would be considered high-normal here in Canada. Were you nervous while at the Dr.? If so, this certainly can elevate the heart rate. I'm a little surprised the Dr. didn't do a 'wait & see" approach rather than prescribing a beta blocker.

12.5mg of atenolol isn't a lot, so please don't be worried about that.The Atenolol will help reduce the bp (not that it really needs reducing, but it will also slow the heart.

By the way....you must not suddenly stop the Atenolol. It must be weaned.

 I’m not sure how long you been taking the medication but I would be very careful stopping any of these type of medications cold turkey I had to go through our extended tapering  process but in the end it really matter that I did it the right way 

I kept logs weekly and faxed it to my doctor every Friday until the taper of the medication was completed

I think there are a few minor things I still have issues with because of it but for the most part the worst part is over but I definitely went through pure hell getting off the medication in my opinion it was pure poison but I was taking 

She did place me on HCTZ 25 mg but I was only using 12.5 I didn’t have any issues with that particular medication  except you really have to be careful you don’t deplete your potassium using it  but I just wanted to do things on my own by changing habits and diet and so forth

I wish you well. Please be careful since cold turkey stopped the medication and notify your doctor soon as possible

Hello Tee19!!!!!  I'm so glad you finished the taper. It was a long haul but in the end, worth it for you to feel better. Some people have a bad time with certain medications. I've been taking Atenolol 50mg/day for about 3 years now..no problems. You did it the right way. Some people would quit cold turkey which is just asking for trouble. One should never ever quit this medication without weaning. Sometimes the pharmacists don't advise patients, but in all honesty, I put that responsibility on the doctors. We can always consult a pharmacist about weaning. After all, they are the experts when it comes to medications. 

I totally agree with your advice to julie19752018. Certainly, I am not a physician but I'm very medical saavy. I fail to understand just why any doctor would prescribe a beta blocker for someone who had a bp reading of 140/90. Most would simply monitor things for a bit. In Canada, it's quite ok for someone over the age of 60 to have a 140/90 reading, but not higher. 

You were prescribed HCTZ 25mg..but you're taking just 12.5. This is a diuretic. Of course it helps flush excess salts from the body, & it can lower bp. Yes, diuretic can lower potassium levels., but most doctors will do a routine blood test to monitor that after a little while. No worries, 12.5mg is not a high level. Some bp medications can deplete potassium as well, as can medicines taken for heartburn. 

I'm glad to know you're doing better. These forums are very helpful. It's good to share our experiences & knowledge with others. 

dee91189...I've been taking Atenolol 50mg/day for the past 3 years, & don't have any problems, at least nothing I could blame on the Atenolol. You're taking 12.5mg but you say 'cut in half'. Is the tablet 50mg, but you're cutting it in half??? As you know, Atenolol is a beta blocker which lowers heart rate., & because of that, bp is lowered. I will say one thing thoough, Atenolol is FAR better than that nasty drug Metropolol. Some people say both are beta blockers, which they are, but Atenolol is water soluable, whereas the Metropolol is fat soluable. I got this valuable info from a Pharmacist friend of mine, & because they differ in that way, it can have a different affect on the body. I had one helluva time on Metropolol 3 1/2 yrs ago. Headaches so bad they scared me.When I came off the Metropolol, I was fine. 

You've been taking the Atenolol for 2.5 weeks...so you shouldn't have much difficulty in weaning off. 

I agree totally with what you said..."you should never feel pressured to take any ddruge if it makes you feel lousy". Sometimes I think medications can make us feel sicker than the ailment.

Hi Mike, I'm new to these forums so I'm not sure how you got my response. I was responding to someone else on this forum and it created 2 responses. My sincere apologies. Glad to hear though that you're having good results from atenolol. Of all the ones I've read about on other boards weren't so lucky. I did well lastnight but not much sleep, my eye is still painful from atenolol though. I still don't want to be on it at all. I appreciate the info on Metropolol just in case my doc suggests something new. That's one of the reasons I got on this forum to become aware of what's appropriate for me. So thanks. Take care now.

Hello again dee91189. When following a thread in the forum, we are alerted that someone has commented & this is how I got your response. I do find these forums to be extremely helpful, because it gives us the opportunity to find out how anyone else is doing with meds that are driving us bonkers. 

People do offer valuable suggestions, & it's a relief knowing that what you(generally speaking) are not alone. 

I don't know why your eye is painful. Have you had a good optical exam??? 

I totally agree with your belief that if a medication isn't right for you..you ask for something else. We most certainly do have to be our own advocates when it comes to our health. I'm so appreciative of having a wonderful GP. I did have another doctor when I moved to this city..but it turned out he was a young, cocky-know-it-all, & we bumped heads over me having bad side-effects of the medications he was prescribing. Even after 2 weeks, I was feeling sick all the time, but he insisted that I persist with the medication for at least a month. This went on..& next thing I knew it felt as though it was my fault whatever meds he prescribed wasn't working for me properly; at least somehow he made me feel that way & I'd like to think it wasn't intentional. It got to the point where I was apprehensive on the way to his office, waiting my turn, & in his presence. He'd walk into the examining room, barely acknowledge me..then straight to the computer. I didn't know if he was listening to me half the time. Even when I had badly swollen ankles, he was going to prescribe something even after I'd told him I'd sat on a bus for over 6hrs one-way on a trip with a group. I had to repeat the info to him. Finally I got fed up...& asked if my former Dr. would take me back. He did! I can speak at ease with him, ask questions, even joke with him., ask about medications. All these things I could not do with the younger doctor. To share with you a friend has the younger doctor also. She's 75yrs of age...been a patient for 6 yrs now. It was just over 8 months ago he discovered he'd never done a blood test on her.!!! Also, he has prescribed this/that because she has trouble with bowel movements. She told me there's a label for her difficulty in that people simply have problems that way. He hasn't even suggested she have a colonsocopy!!!!!!!! Mind you, she's quite thick when it comes to medical things, & "doesn't want to know". When I mentioned to her about having a colonoscopy & had the Dr. suggested it, she said..."No, & I'm not going to mention it to him either". Stupid is as stupid does.

I'm so glad we all have each other here in the forum to help, make suggestions, share our woes. People who don't experience what we do have no idea what we're dealing with. 

Enjoy your day!!!

You're funny! I can relate to the colonoscopy story bc my mom wouldn't have one either. Needed a laugh bc today I'm a little crabby. Not sure if it's bc I didn't take the atenolol lastnight. Also, lots of other people were complaining about eye problems when using atenolol. Still very blurry today but a little less pain so far. You seem to be having the same problems with doctors that I'm having. I've been thru so many I've lost count. Today's doctors don't qualify as doctors in my opinion. At times I am telling them how to treat my symptoms. I do a lot of research and I always research my meds before taking them. You have to do that or doctors will give you meds that conflict with your other meds. My doctors have done that. That's why I say they don't qualify as doctors sometimes. You say sometimes others don't know what we're experiencing and that applies to doctors as well. Ok Mike, its nice chatting with you, take care and have a great day. Later...

Dee

suzanne70725...You must NOT stop cold turkey. Beta blockers must be weaned. How long have you been taking this medication??? I have two friends who are Pharmacists, & both have said that beta blockers must be weaned. 

If your Dr. told you to stop the medication, start weaning...You can start with 3/4 tablet for about a week, then down the 1/2 tablet for a week, 1/4 tab for a week, etc.etc. This will depend of course how long you've been on the medication. It should be quite easy for you if you've only been taking it for a short period.

Let us know how you get on...but do NOT stop cold turkey!!!!

Hi Mike, my gp has told me to completely stop. I've been on these tablets for a few year's. I even made a point of ringing the surgery back to make sure that I shouldn't be weaned down. But phoned me back and said completely stop taking them. What should I do?

suzanne70725...Perhaps you may have missed what I wrote in a previous post. I know two people very well who are Pharmacists. Both have told me (I just asked out of curiosity one time) about the stoppage of beta blockes. I was told that if a person say was on them for a week...it would be ok just to stop. HOWEVER in a case such as yours when you've been on them a few years...you MUST WEAN. If you suddenly stop, you may experience all sorts of heart issues..fast beating..irregular beats, or even heart attack. 

Are you taking any other meds??? 

You have to do what you have to do, but if it were me, I'd wean...not stop suddenly. Sorry love, but the choice is yours.

When I did my taper  I faxed a paper every week to my doctor showing her my tape reschedule some blood pressure readings and any symptoms I was having kept her in the loop I even extended my taper an additional I believe 3 to 6 weeks and it was still hard once it was out of my system even with a taper but nowhere near as bad had I just stop the medication instantly I’m quite sure I would’ve ended up in dire straits 

Best wishes ♥️

Hi Mike

I spoke to my local pharmacist today as my heart beat has been low and BP has been low. It's OK to completely stop it.

Of course proceed how you will but I suspect you’re going to end up in the emergency room following the advice of these two people who clearly haven’t a clue about beta blockers. I’m a Nurse But I always try to look at everything here from a patient point since I am one as well   again do what you must but sadly you’ve been given bad advice by two people that should know better (phycian and pharmacist). I would never return to see either one of them

I live in the uk, I've been suffering with the drunkness feeling due to either the tablets or low blood pressure. A few months ago they put me on a blood pressure monitor for 24 hours all normal readings. But due to loosing weight and taking up jogging my resting heart beat as been 49 at the lowest and 56. My blood pressure has never been low until now. So I'm only going off experts advice. So hopefully I won't end up in the emergency room. As I haven't taken the tablet today. My blood pressure has been of normal as of today as I monitor this at home.

Just very concerned for you and I wonder if they’re not missing something though symptoms could be something totally different then what would require a beta blocker but as you know there have been published reports where doctors are paid money to push these poisonous drugs it’s really scary and I wish you the best I’m just very concerned for you

Often times I’m low heart rate is pretty normal for people that do marathon running a running of any kind

 It’s good that your blood pressure numbers are good but that doesn’t mean you won’t feel some Ella fax stopping bees beta blockers but as I said I wish you well and please keep us posted on how you were doing everybody’s body is completely different so what may work for one may not work for another I just know that most people have become very ill stopping this medication instantly 

Best wishes ♥️♥️♥️

Thank for your reply, I was on ramipril all those years ago probably 15 years ago. I also suffer white coat syndrome too. I think my body got used to these tablets after a few year's. This is why my old gp changed it. The next lot of pills I can't remember the name of them gave me Cellulitis. So this was the next pill atenolol 50mg. So yes been on these 2+ years. No way means am I fit but I'm fitter than I was at the beginning of this year. No marathon runner not yet. I'm actually doing a app called couch to 5k. I'm on W8r3 my distance of jogging in 29 minutes is 2.18 of a mile. So no marathon runner more like a 🐌 runner. I've been checking it could take the symptoms up to 6 months to get out of my system. Like cold hands and feet etc... I'm hoping I don't end up in the emergency room. But I shall keep posted of coming of these pills.

Very reassuring to read all your stories.

I have anxiety/dep. and was put on BP meds in Feb. for high BP.  Changed to 50mg Atenolol in May.  Seemed to make anx/dep worse, so Dr told me to stop taking two weeks ago.  Had  lots of symptoms, racing heart, shakiness, much worsened anxiety etc.  Now two weeks later I am still feeling jittery and down.  I know now that cold turkey is not the best with this drug, and feel it was a particularly bad choice for me considering my anx-dep.  Is what I am feeling two weeks out?  I am playing head games with myself and could use some reassurance!

Hi Veronica, so sorry to hear that you are having a tough time with atenolol. I don't recall having any of the symptoms you are having. (Maybe) by taking Atenolol it has intensified your other sypmtoms. I had eye issues for several months but that problem still exists once in awhile now. I know I felt very weak, and at times like I would pass out if I didn't make it to a chair or bed. It made me feel really awful. Once I stopped taking it I only had the very painful eye issues where I couldn't see well and serious dry eye. I thought I was going to lose my eyesight. You should talk to your doctor immediately bc your sypmtoms don't sound normal. Good luck Veronica and I hope your health improves. Sorry that I couldn't be more helpful to you. Take care....

- Dee

Thanks for your wishes and good advice.

First of all I was put on this tablet for ramipril wasn't working for me. Body got used to it. It also says can treat anxiety atenolol can on the leaflet inside the box. Surely your gp should of put you on something else. Instead of beta blockers. Is that where your from uk? Unless you do suffer from blood pressure? Well my dizziness has settled since coming of these tablets. I've had no symptoms of cold turkey my resting heartbeat has returned to normal 59/60 resting heart beat. So it's all been good coming off atenolol for me... No more low blood pressure, I wonder if I'm classed as non high blood pressure as I don't need anything to control it.? Wish you all the best Veronica.

I am in Perth WA. Did have high BP in February when I first went on beta blockers.

I think Dr changed me to Atenolol because it also has anti-anxiety properties, but as it is a beta blocker it made the anx-dep worse.  Should not have been put on beta blocker.  I am now in a bit of a mess not knowing whether what I am feeling is withdrawal from the Atenolol or if my anx/dep meds are not working.  Don't feel particularly dep, but feel physical anxious symptoms.  Feel shaky, heart beats fast just by moving around. Reading around the net, seems these are symptoms of withdrawal, but I want to know if anybody else has gone through this and how long it lasts.  Makes sitting working very uncomfortable!

Hi Tee.  Cold turkeyed off Atenolol two weeks ago.  Was taking it for a couple of months, but was on beta blockers since Feb.  Still feeling tired, shaky, anxious.  As I have anx/depression as well, it gets complicated - don't know which condition to treat!  Was hoping that once the withdrawal from A resolves, my anti-depressants will do the job of helping me feel more normal.  Seems to be taking a very long time (two weeks) but reading other's experiences, this does not seem to be unusual.  

this is how i felt coming off propanolol ill be 5 weeks tomorrow and bearly starting to see some change.... how are you feeling?