Want to cut out atenolol

[zagnuttt4]

Hey guys, I am 30, male, never had any PVC issues until about 3 years ago.  Doc put me on atenolol 50mg about 7 months ago.  It helps a 'little' for PVC , but I fear it's causing other problems.  I get tired very easily and am always tired, lightheaded, and just foggy headed and out of it.  My feet seem to always be cold, and my hands and feet go numb and asleep very easily now. My resting heart rate is very low and I feel this is contributing.  I want to taper off this drug, but have been on for 7 months.  What is the beat way?  

[DeltaDawn23]

I have taken Atenolol for years, in 1/4 doses (of a 25 mg. tablet, up to 2 tablets) and monitoring my bp and heart rate at home.  If my bp goes down too far, I  delay the next dose.  I have Afib and runs of tachycardia. Atenolol is much better for me than the Toprol XR I was on originally.  My cardio says Atenolol does not pass the blood brain barrier, so it would produce fewer symptoms.I cannot imagine being on the higher doses you're talking about.  My blood pressure and heart rate would drop like a stone.  All the things mentioned earlier, more sleep, less stress, no caffeine, etc. should help.  Good luck  

[zagnuttt4]

Mzak69:

it's actually funny that you mention that!  the other day, just for kicks, I tried upping my sodium intake by mixing salt into water a few times through the day and drinking it like that.  I did feel a bit better by the time evening came around.

[curmudgen]

I agree with you that keeping hydrated and adding a dab of salt works...my PVC's seem to have disappeared as well after increasing my water/salt intake.  There is no question that for some of us our PVC's are due to subtle electrolyte imbalances and electrically sensitive heart cells...

[mzak69]

Here's something you haven't heard of; The water cure and Celtic sea salt. Google it.

I too am dealing with PVCs and I am drinking more water along with a dab of sea salt a few times a day. I can't tell you for sure if it's working, but I do feel better and have had less PVCs.

Another thing I noticed when I have bouts of PVCs; drinking a glass of orange juice seems to help. It could be the potassium.

I sincerely think the source of these PVCs is an imbalance of electrolytes (potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium). You may have to experiment with some supplements (ask your dr first) and see if it makes a difference for you. Good luck.  

[Cgd1]

Great! Glad to hear that things are going well for you. Blood pressure looks like it is keeping pretty stable. Please keep me posted. Sorry for the delay in my response. I have been out of sorts for a week or two. I have been having some bad runs with my pvc's. The doctor has referred me to an EP because I am having what could be runs of v-tach. They just haven't caught any on a monitor yet. This is totally unrelated to weaning off of the atenolol...btw. I was having these runs before I ever started weaning off of the atenolol. Keep up the fight. I look forward to hearing from you.

[zagnuttt4]

Finally got a home BP monitor!  Resting pulse is 51.  BP average is 122/90. Still on approximately 40MG per day (right now) of atenolol.  Starting tomorrow AM I'm going to cut down to 25 mg / day for 1 week.  Will post BP statistics along the way as a form of log for weaning off.