Blood Pressure meds (Beta blockers in particular)

After about six months and two different blood pressure meds, I am on the path to getting off them altogether. I was on Lisinopril for awhile and it didn't seem to manage my blood pressure. I had alot of issues with eye discomfort but that were conflated with sinus issues at the time. Doc took me off Lisinopril and put me on Atenolol Chlorthalidone. (50mg/25mg) which seemed to get BP under control.

I felt like Shhhhh for the longest time but I though it was my OSA. Started reading up about Beta Blockers and side effects. I've been exercising a ton the last two months and I decided to ask my new primary out here in Oregon about getting off the beta blockers. I stepped down 25% every 3-4 days and doc started me on Amlodipine - I believe is a calcium channel blocker. I still need to lose a ton of weight, but with that weight off my shoulders I know that I will have a much easier time functioning without the side effects I was experiencing. Lately I'm testing at 120/72 or so, which is right where I need it to be.

In a few days I feel like a new person. It is now very clear to me that the brain fog, the cognitive and concentration issues were not really my OSA - they were side effects of the Atenolol. I am still establishing with a new Sleep Doc. I am still going to ask about my throat issues, which persist, I feel like this is going a long way to getting me on the right path. I need my brain for work. I hope you folks will consider my experience when choosing BP meds. For me, it is a lesson on being careful about attribution when it comes to symptoms. Also about challenging doctors soon enough to manage my quality of life.

Jenk2k wrote:After about six months and two different blood pressure meds, I am on the path to getting off them altogether. I was on Lisinopril for awhile and it didn't seem to manage my blood pressure. I had alot of issues with eye discomfort but that were conflated with sinus issues at the time. Doc took me off Lisinopril and put me on Atenolol Chlorthalidone. (50mg/25mg) which seemed to get BP under control.

I felt like Shhhhh for the longest time but I though it was my OSA. Started reading up about Beta Blockers and side effects. I've been exercising a ton the last two months and I decided to ask my new primary out here in Oregon about getting off the beta blockers. I stepped down 25% every 3-4 days and doc started me on Amlodipine - I believe is a calcium channel blocker. I still need to lose a ton of weight, but with that weight off my shoulders I know that I will have a much easier time functioning without the side effects I was experiencing. Lately I'm testing at 120/72 or so, which is right where I need it to be.

In a few days I feel like a new person. It is now very clear to me that the brain fog, the cognitive and concentration issues were not really my OSA - they were side effects of the Atenolol. I am still establishing with a new Sleep Doc. I am still going to ask about my throat issues, which persist, I feel like this is going a long way to getting me on the right path. I need my brain for work. I hope you folks will consider my experience when choosing BP meds. For me, it is a lesson on being careful about attribution when it comes to symptoms. Also about challenging doctors soon enough to manage my quality of life.

BINGO! CHECK YOUR MeDS.

I am thrilled for you. Every pill is not for everybody - it is so important to find a good GP or internist and talk about what you experience and need.

I was on Lisinopril which did nothing for my HBP, made me cough and I could not get my doctors to change it. I am convinced I had medicine resistant HBP. After the stent, I'm on carvedilol (Coreg) which is also been shown to reduce central apnea events. I've been feeling much more alert and my BP is actually great!

BINGO! CHECK YOUR MeDS.

I am thrilled for you. Every pill is not for everybody - it is so important to find a good GP or internist and talk about what you experience and need.

I was on Lisinopril which did nothing for my HBP, made me cough and I could not get my doctors to change it. I am convinced I had medicine resistant HBP. After the stent, I'm on carvedilol (Coreg) which is also been shown to reduce central apnea events. I've been feeling much more alert and my BP is actually great![/quote]

That's such a well known thing, if the BP med causes a cough, it needs discontinued. Weird that your doc gave you any problem about switching, and scary, coming from a doc.

Beta blockers, while effective, can significantly lower your heart rate when you are lying down, which results in overall less oxygen getting to your brain. This is often not caught because the doctor's office only checks your heart rate sitting up. Also, be aware that the most effective glaucoma medications contain beta blockers and studies indicate about 1 in 10 will have lowered heart rates from those.

Michelle-OH wrote:
That's such a well known thing, if the BP med causes a cough, it needs discontinued. Weird that your doc gave you any problem about switching, and scary, coming from a doc.

I never saw the Dr - only his PA, which I had to really wrangle with. I've changed doctors since and I'm very happy.

GettingBetter wrote:

Michelle-OH wrote:
That's such a well known thing, if the BP med causes a cough, it needs discontinued. Weird that your doc gave you any problem about switching, and scary, coming from a doc.

I never saw the Dr - only his PA, which I had to really wrangle with. I've changed doctors since and I'm very happy.

Good to hear that you switched and are happy!

Happy to read this thread. I am also on Atenolol and it controls BP nicely. But after 5 months I have been somewhat disappointed with My CPAP therapy. Although it immediately and thoroughly eliminated morning headaches and night sweats, I am still waiting for increase in energy and ambition and happy thoughts!
Read some side effects of Atenolol like cold hands and feet, some depression and fatigue and to low heartbeat. That is me to a tee. I will talk with the Doc about a slow change to maybe a calcium channel blocker. Maybe loads of garlic if that would help!

I am taking garlic now as a supplement, I have no idea if it's helping or not. I'm pretty sure it doesn't hurt anything =)

I am now 62 and have been on BP medicine since I was 19. For about 35 years things went fine with only using 1 pill of Diovan. However, in the last few years that one pill did not work and they have been using an assortment of two different medicines for BP. Since that time I have been fighting bad side effects from beta blockers, calcium blockers and cholesterol meds. They make you tired, no energy, your legs leave you and in the cold you will find your hands and feet get numb. In the last 6 months things got so back I stopped taking everything just to make sure what was doing this. I know its not smart but you could not live with the side effects. I meet with the Dr. in a week or so to try something different. But my point is, medicines while needed can have side effects that are subtle and can change over time. One good example for a year I had real trouble with the cold in my hands and feet. Finally I complained to the Dr. and he said, Oh, I forgot to tell you one of the meds you are on slows your heart rate down and you will be colder! Duh that would have been nice to know So when you think it might be something wrong with you, check the medicine side effect data. Everything is not sleep apnea.