Blood Pressure Drugs (Atenolol) and lethargy

hiriaeth · Post by **hiriaeth** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 6:11 pm

Hi all,

I just wanted to share something with everyone about my experiences with atenolol a drug used to treat hypertension.

I have recently been taken off this medication by my doctor as I was having a side effect of numbness in the hands and feet. I withdrew the drug over a period of three weeks and have now been clear for three weeks.

During this time I have noticed that I have become massively less lethargic than I was when taking atenolol, indeed lethargy is indicated as a side effect but I hadn't really linked it to my condition. Rather I had been putting my lethargy down to the sleep apnea. When I say lethargy I really mean it , I had got to the stage where it was lucky if I could get up for an hour before having to go back to sleep for the rest of the day. I was not functioning at all and my whole life was suffering, relationships everything.

Without the Atenolol I feel like a new person, I have not felt this well and awake for at least 4 years. Some of the change will be down to the cpap but I have been on this for 6 months now and it is only once I gave up Atenolol that I have really felt a change. My Doctor agrees that Atenolol can have this effect on people.

Interestingly since giving up this drug designed to lower my blood pressure, my blood pressure has actually dropped to the lowest it has been in years. Double Whammy!

Something for others to consider who may be taking this drug and suffering side effects without knowing it.

However remember DO NOT stop taking this medication without discussing and agreeing with your doctor that this may be worth trying, and then only by withdrawing gradually from it over some time as sudden withdrawal can be very dangerous.

Now happy and Awake:-)

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 6:18 pm

Glad you found the answer hopefully.

Thank you for sharing!!

sleepngo · Post by **sleepngo** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:03 am

I took it for one day..don't know how you were able to stay on it for so long a period of time. I called my Dr. the next day and said no way was I going to continue Atenolol...felt so bad and couldn't move for almost two hours after taking it. Now on 5mg of Norvasc plus Bipap and plenty of exercise, keep my B/P under control and I have plenty of energy. I never want to experience that feeling again, worst feeling I have ever experience in my life.

Dan

guest vintage67 · Post by **guest vintage67** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:26 am

Yes, atenelol and all the beta blockers will make you tired. They affect some people worse than others.

I have taken them for 10 years, and blame them at least partially for my
weight gain over that time period. Slowing the heart rate also slows the
metabolism.

I have experimented with my cardiologist in trying other drugs, but unfortunately, I seem to require a beta blocker to keep my heart rate under
control. Without a beta blocker, my pulse "purrs" along at around 170 bbm.

So, I deal with the tiredness and fatigue. Between depression, beta blockers, and hypopneas during REM, I'm just a real fireball of energy! NOT!

joecubjr · Post by **joecubjr** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:42 am

I have been taking this drug for about a year now and been on CPAP for about a month. I didn't notice a difference by taking this drug. It sounds like it affects people very differently. I take it every morning along with all my other medications and don't notice anything. I will tell you only recently did I go seek help for my anxiety disorder and my ocd. It seems to have gotten worst over the last 6 months or so. Maybe there is a link?