What Do You Know About This Med?

[tednlou2]

Some of you may have heard me talk about being on the beta-blocker, Atenolol.  It was prescribed about 1 year ago for elevated blood pressure and a resting pulse around 100--but mainly for the panic attacks I was having.  It has really worked for all those things.  My bp is usually around 100/60 with pulse in the 60's.  However, some of you may recall me talking about having huge, hard stools that cause me to bleed that began after starting the med.  They are so bad that I have to use lube, but even that doesn't work.  That is the only thing I can point to for the reason.  My diet hasn't changed except I now eat Activia Light on a regular basis--which I thought was suppose to make ya regular.

Anyway, I was doing research tonight--again.  I'm coming across many negative things about Atenolol.  Many are saying they developed diabetes, asthma, neuropathy, kidney dysfunction, weakened heart muscles, mental fogginess, depression, and many other things from this med.  They all were saying they were afraid to come off the med due to so many warnings that you shouldn't just stop the med, but taper off.

While my bp and anxiety attacks have gotten much better with this med, I have noticed that I feel more depressed now than I did last year-- not too long after diagnosis.  I've noticed I will read things incorrectly--that mental fogginess.  I had just decided this was HIV taking its toll.  Last summer after a bout with pneumonia and my diagnosis, I was up and at it very early in the morning.  We remodeled our kitchen last summer and I felt pretty good considering.  This summer when we worked on other things around the house, I haven't participated nearly as much, leaving my partner to do most of the work.

So, I believe this med may be to blame.  I know many of you seem to know so much about regular meds and not just HIV meds.  I'm wondering what any of you know.  How dangerous is getting off this med as I've read?  I've read many reports where people experienced a bad return of high bp and anxiety attacks after they stopped.  Many acted like this drug is addictive.  I suppose I would need to take other measures to control bp and anxiety such as more exercise, depression med increase, and therapy. 

Is this med really that bad?  Or, would we find many similar stories to just about every drug on the market?  In either event, I do feel like this med has caused me to be more tired, depressed, and mentally foggy, so I think getting off would be good.  It would be interesting to see if I've been blaming all this on HIV when it was this drug.  Plus, many of these potential long-term side-effects are the same as what HIV can cause.  It would seem like I would be increasing my chances of getting them. 

[Grasshopper]

And what does the doctor(s) who prescribed you this medicine has to say about your complaints ?

[BT65]

I used to take Atenolol because of some faulty valves in my heart (causing it to beat erratically).  I didn't have any problems with it, other than low BP, which of course can be caused with every heart med.

I try not to read too much into what other people have experienced on meds I may have to go on.  Even percetages, I don't take them into account much.  I try to have my "own" experience with the med, if that makes any sense. 

But, if you're having problems you believe are directly related to the Atenolol, talk to your doctor.

[Inchlingblue]

I'm not familiar with the med but as far as the stools you describe it's not just about probiotics when it comes to digestion, you also need a decent amount of fiber.

There are so many products now with added fiber. I just had this instant oatmeal that was really good, not too sugary, that had 10 grams of fiber per serving, which is excellent. There are all sorts of bread products with lots of fiber and some in which they add extra fiber on top of what it naturally has.

Fruits, vegetables and whole grains should be part of your diet but if they aren't in good enough quantities you can supplement the fiber in all sorts of ways. Konsyl is a very good fiber supplement and in some health food stores you can by fiber in bulk (psyllium husks).

[Hellraiser]

Drink a lot of water too.

[JAdkinsPD]

My partner is on Atenolol 100mg, which is a large dose, and has no similar problems. Atenolol is not a "bad" drug by no means. The beta blocker's are an old but proven class of blood pressure drugs with few side effects as compared to other classes.  Atenolol may help with anxiety.  My choice for anxiety (I've used it many times) is propranolol used as needed either under the tongue (taste like #*!@) or swallowed.  It's used for stage fright, headaches, and blood pressure.

Also try a stool softener and daily fiber like benefiber.

[northernguy]

I've been on Atenolol for @ 8 years and haven't experienced the problems you mentioned.  Keep in mind if you're reading a website with complaints, such as askapaptient.com you're getting a one-sided view.  What's your diet like?

The thing that concerns me personally about Atenolol is its link to psoriasis, an issue I know too well.

[tednlou2]

I've been on Atenolol for @ 8 years and haven't experienced the problems you mentioned.  Keep in mind if you're reading a website with complaints, such as askapaptient.com you're getting a one-sided view.  What's your diet like?

The thing that concerns me personally about Atenolol is its link to psoriasis, an issue I know too well.

Well, my diet isn't as good as it should be.  We do try to cook at home as much as we can.  I use to keep sweets here like Hershey's miniatures, hostess cupcakes, etc.  I stopped all that.  Now, the only thing I eat for a sweet treat is Activia Light yogurt and Raisin Brand Crunch cereal for something sweet and to get some fiber.  I drink about 5-6 bottles of water a day.  I try to stay away from white bread.  I know I don't get the fiber I need, because I don't like many veggies.

I do agree that if we read the side-effects and blogs on just about every med, we'd be afraid to take it. 

     

[Hellraiser]

Raisin Brand Crunch cereal     

This brought to mind some delightful mental imagery of that happy anthropomorphic sun off of the Raisin Bran cereal box wielding a brand in the shape of a raisin and chasing after some witless teenager.