bad reaction to atenolol?

[BrokenPunk]

hi all,

i finally started taking my atenolol.. and i keep getting mild chest pains and shortness of breath and dizzyness about 2-3 hrs after taking it.. i have only been taking it for 2 days and did not take my dose today because i am waiting to hear back from my DR about this..
i do not have any of these symptoms when i am not on the med.. so something isnt right.. i dont know if i am having a bad reaction to it or what but it sure isnt helping me if its doing that..
have any of you had to switch meds for this reason?

[Linda]

It's good to check in with your doctor. He may need to adjust the dose, you may just need to give your body time to get used to it, or you may need to change the med all together. Each person is different in how they react to meds. Talk to your doctor about stopping meds also. You've not been taking it very long, but have him explain to you about weaning off of heart meds. You generally want to decrease the dose first, not stop it abruptly.

I hope you get this worked out quickly and can feel better with the med and about taking it . Best wishes, please keep us posted. Linda

[eatwell]

As Linda says, every drug can be different in different people. I've been on atenolol for 15 years with good tolerance. After my myectomy, they decided to try lopressor instead. However, I did not tolerate it well, my heart rate ran high and I was dizzy. When back on the atenolol, my heart rate dropped back to normal within days.

What works for me, may not work for you. But, I agree beta blockers should not be stopped cold turkey, although I understand the worrisome side effects.

I'm sure your MD will work it out.

laura

[elmatt]

I have tried a number of different beta blockers (propranol, Toprol XL, and Atenolo). I feel the closets to normal when taking atenolo. The other meds gave me a cloudy/hazing feeling that I wouldn't quite characterize as dizzy, but some may get that feeling. Like everyone else said, I would talk to your doctor and try different meds until they find one that works well with your body.

[Sarah]

all of the above advice is good, however, you must know that it is VERY dangerous to stop taking any betablocker (the class of drugs atenolol belongs to) suddenly as it can worsen your symptoms.

please take your medication as directed and ask your doctor how to gradually decrease your doses for safety.

good luck,

s

[Burton Borrok]

Hi Punk,
(Geez, I wanted to do that for I don't know how long.)

To give you an appreciation of the situation, your doctors have a long list of different meds, and different combinations of meds, at varying strengths, from which he has to find the best ones or combination of ones for you personally. He first tries the most indicated ones in your case, and it's trial and error from there on in.

You can help in this process by looking up the drug, its use and effects and side effects - even the transient ones - and work with the poor guy to get you to the best solution as quickly as possible. Above all, do not lose heart if the process seems to drag on forever. Two heads are better then one, and working together, you will get to the right answer as quickly as it can be done.

Just imagine that you are an auto mechanic, trying to build the best reputation possible - your entire livelihood is dedicated to that aim. and every darn car that pulls into your garage is one you have never seen before, with drive-trains you never even imagined. Not such an easy job seen from that point of view is it? And if the solution to your problem can not be ameliorated - well then is the time to start considering other alternatives.

(And people choose to be doctors? I think not! They have to be driven to it by an inner motor, like a great artist who just has to paint, - even if it means living in a garret.)

Good luck my friend. Don't get burned up and make an ash of yourself.
Burt

[BrokenPunk]

well i talked to my DR and he said it was ok to just stop taking it since i had only been on it 2 days and it was only a 25mg dose... and we would try a different med. dont know what yet i guess we are going to talk about it at my next appt. i am also hearing that this med could be causing me a bad reaction because of the other meds i am on for MS..
so we will work it out sooner or later.. thanks everyone for the replys!

Burton Borrok: glad i could help you out in being able to use the Dirty Harry line.. as long as you dont stick a .44 in my face :) ;)

[Burton Borrok]

Don't worry my friend. I've switched my entire arsenal to nine MM's.

Geez, If I used Dirty Harry's gun it would tear my poor arthritic thumbs clear off.

But thanks for the chance at the line.
Burt

[Sarah]

yes, that is a tiny dose so you should be fine.

good luck with your medication issues.

s