Atenelol and sleep disturbance

[dcgarrison777]

Hi,
I recently started taking Atenelol for high blood pressure. I have always been very healthy and have never had problems with my blood pressure. (I'm 48) I started having tension headaches and my brother in law suggested I take my blood pressure. It was 213/118. The doctor immediatly started me on the Atenelol. My blood pressure has stayed under control but I am now waking up 2 or 3 times a night feeling like my heart is racing. My husband has listened to my heart and I have checked my pulse which seems to be normal. I don't know if I'm having some sort of tremor or if it has to do with my nervous system or my heart. It is really hard to describe. It is extremly annoying and the only thing I can do is get up and move around. I have looked up everything under the sun and can't find anything that describes what I am feeling. If anyone has any suggestions as to what might be causing this I would appreciate it.

[dcgarrison777]

Thanks, I'm not taking any other meds. I do occasionaly have a glass or two of red wine. I have tried to pay attention to see if it's worse when I drink alchohol, but I really can't tell. It still does it either way.

[BobRBob]

I think I know the feeling - very weird and unpleasant pulsating crawly feelings in your heart. My doc put me on Celexa in early January for anxiety which was feeding my insomnia. I had horrible side effects including the sensation you describe and I stopped the Celexa after only 10 days. The withdrawal from that awful drug is taking weeks and I still have the pulsating feeling although it is slowly subsiding. If you are taking an SSRI anti-depressant medication like Celexa, that may be what's causing your issues, not the Atenolol. If you aren't, then I can't make any other suggestions.

[dcgarrison777]

Thanks. My main concern is the way I feel when I wake up. It is really hard to describe and I'm wondering if it's from the Atenelol or if something else is causing it. I feel like my heart is racing but my heart rate is normal. It almost feels like my insides are pulsating. Is it something that my nervous system is doing or is it my heart? I guess I'm just frustrated because I can't figure out what is going on. Thanks for the help!

[BobRBob]

Sleep disturbances and trouble sleeping are both side-effects of beta blockers in general. I know I have had issues with sleeping since starting Sotalol back in July last year. I would suspect that your problems are related to the Atenelol. If it doesn't improve there are other beta blockers and you could ask your GP to switch you to a  different one.

[debbier]

My dosage is 25mg.  When I told my dr I was having issues sleeping he told me its not a side effect.  I did find some sites that people do complain of not being able to sleep.    I hope I adjust and start sleeping better soon!

[dcgarrison777]

Thanks for letting me know. I usually do take mine in the morning and have since I started taking it. Did your doctor happen to say if this was a side effect? I couldn't find anything about it on line and really didn't even know how to describe what I was feeling. Is your dosage 50/25?

[debbier]

I started Atenolol about a month ago, I have not had a great sleep since starting it.   In the beginning I would wake up feeling like my heart was racing and my heart rate was normal.  I wake up frequently at night.  I have switched to taking Atenolo in the morning, that has helped some,  Good Luck!