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1490386 tn?1301378586

Does anyone on here take propanolol?

Does anyone take propanolol? If so, did it work for your fast heartrate and high blood pressure? I have been prescribed that until my lab results come in next week. I have also been referred to a cardiologist. just wondering if anyone else has been through this.
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Avatar universal
Definitely, get your antibodies checked.  Make sure they check TPOab, TGab and TSI.  Both the first two have to be tested to rule out Hashi's.  The third is the test for Graves'.  Hopefully, they ran some of those last week and you'll be getting results.  Don't forget to get a copy of all lab results for your records!
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1490386 tn?1301378586
Thank you! It is very encouraging to hear that it does get better! I have my doctors appt. Monday I will let you all know how it goes.
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Avatar universal
Don't give up girl! Your body is telling you something is wrong! If it helps, I've gone through something similar, with drs trying to diagnose me with anxiety, premenopause, and probably some sort of psych issue because I'd start to get mad when they blew me off. Finally, I went to a Naturopath who found the Hashi's and the low vitamin D. Puh. Now I am doing much better. The muscle pain is almost completely gone, my joints don't swell, the insomnia is less, and rarely do I have palpitations any longer. I can only hope you find your relief soon...don't give up...~MM
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1490386 tn?1301378586
When I went to the ER in September they ran a Free T3 and Free T4, but those were in range. The TSH was borderline at 4.22, but I think you are right I think they should test my antibodies. I feel like crap most days with an occassional good day or two every now and then. I get shaky especially in the morning times, feel nauseaus alot, shortness of breath, fast heartrate especially when I stand up. I tried do just warm up exercise and almost passed out heartrate was at 160. My muscles are almost always sore and weak. I am tired all of the time, sometimes my joints ache. I get hot flashes sometimes, but most the time I am cold. I usually have the heating pad on me almost all of the time. I have off and on high blood pressure. If my thyroid isn't the cause then I am at a loss. I am pretty sure everyone is really tired of hearing me complain, I am tired of hearing me! Most days I just try to not say anything. Thank you for the tips and the blessings, Lord knows I can sure use them.
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Avatar universal
Hi! I agree with goolara and danie!!
My TSH was always normal, but when I finally got free T3, T4 checked they were below normal- This was a fight to have done even though I had a thyroid lobectomy for nodules.and was on no thryoid meds. I would  recommend having antibodies checked too! All these symptoms are classic for Hashimotos disease.
I too was put on zoloft,  ativan,ect... but it did NOT help. I am now on thyroid meds and atenolol...they work much better than the AD, other drugs which I am happy to be off!
I  also watch my diet-  try to journal what you eat/drink -see if any  affects  your symptoms. It takes some time to do but well worth the effort! Blessings to you all!
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Avatar universal
You're absolutely right..."I think it doesn't help because it's not in your head."  The "standard" treatments for panic/anxiety often don't work for thyroid patients because they don't address the root cause of the attacks.

Good luck with your diagnosis and treatment.
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215461 tn?1331862765
I am not on anything for the panic, just atenolol.  I use it as my xanax (truthfully they gave me xanax and ativan in the beginning and it didn't help at all).  I think it doesn't help because it's not in your head.  My thyroid was hyper and making my heart race, so xanax wasn't going to stop that.  Now though I am so used to having panic attacks that I am sure they would say I have panic disorder.  I have them ALL of the time.  I feel your pain.  I just turned 32 and I can barely play with my son at the moment due to constant heart racing and shortness of breath.  He is only 5!  The whole thyroid thing can be a long road.  I'm still looking for answers.  I too doubt if I will ever be normal.  By the way, my pth and calcium were both elevated in my last test so I'm waiting for the endo's to tell me if I have hyperparathyroidism.  It's definitely something to check out.  I hope you feel better!
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1490386 tn?1301378586
No, I have never had that checked! I have yet to be even diagnosed with a thyroid problem. When I went to the ER in September my labs showed my TSH was borderline for hypothyroidism. Maybe if my labs come back this monday I could mention that to my doctor. Thank you!
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Avatar universal
Just curious, have you had you blood calcium levels and PTH level (parathyroid hormone) levels checked? If you calcium levels are too high that can give you these symptoms. Most doctors don't think to test for hyperparathyroidism...~MM
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1490386 tn?1301378586
Thank you! I really hope the doctor finds something in my bloodwork and can give me some kind of medicine. I have been having a really bad week this week and I am really tired of feeling this way. I have no energy, chest hurts most of the time, dizzy, short of breath, muscle soreness, muscle aches  and the worst part of it all is not being able to be active with my 15 month old. Sorry just needing to vent a little! I am beginning to doubt whether or not I will ever feel good again!
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Avatar universal
I too take atenolol. It has really helped me .  I too had very high resting pulse, and sudden  bursts of high heart rate which was determined to be PSVT. All heart issues started with my thyroid problems..hmmm..
I tried calcium channel blockers ( did not help) , flecanide ( to risky drug dr decided), toprol XL( hated it- BAD headache, nausea for weeks). I have never taken propanolol, but a friend takes it for heart valve and loves it.
  I find I  fatigue more easily, some short of breath when working out, and my BP is now very low ( but it was never high).But...it  works  great  for my heart rate and was the answer to a prayer!
There are many drugs out there to help you- we all respond differently to meds., so find a dr who will work with you.  It is  also important to have cardiac workup too! Good luck!
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1490386 tn?1301378586
Thank you, I will!
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Avatar universal
Thyroid problems have no age requirements!  Children, teenagers and young adults develop thyroid problems, although more often it's middle-aged or older people.

As far as your racing heart and high BP are concerned, they are both most likely directly related to thyroid.  

When you see your doctor, be sure to get a copy of all your lab results.  You should keep them for your records.  Also, the printed copy will have reference ranges along with results.  When you get those, post them  (with ranges)  if you'd like, and members can help you interpret them.

Let us know how your doctor's appointment goes...  
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Avatar universal
I took it when I had thyroiditis and was very hyperthyroid. I had two thyroid storms -horrible feeling -and I was put on propanolol to slow things down. Before taking it, my resting heart rate was 120, and during the storms it was somewhere around 160. I had a bad headache, chest pain, I was short of breath, had high blood pressure, and my temp had shot up to 102' F. The beta blockers were a God-send. I felt so much better on them. I was tired and had to sit up slowly, and it took about 5 days to reach a level where it didn't wear off in between doses. I'd already felt spacy and light-headed prior to the meds, so it was difficult to say if it continued as a side-effect.
I was only on it for 3 months, and then had to slowly taper it off. If you suddenly stop it, your heart rate and blood pressure may zoom upwards again. ~MM
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1490386 tn?1301378586
The only symptom I felt today was at first I felt a little loopy and spacey, then I just felt tired most of the day. it seems like it has worn off now because I am getting the heart racing again and blood pressure is climbing back up. I have had 2 doctors tell me I am too young to be having these kind of problems. I am only 28 and I am really tired of feeling like I am 80. When I was 22 I was diagnosed with panic disorder, I know what the panic feeling feels like. They are horrible and I am sorry you are having panic episodes! Do they have you on anything for the panic?
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215461 tn?1331862765
I take atenolol too.  The propanolol made me feel horrible, and it didn't control my heart racing and bp like atenolol.  I love the atenolol.  I have episodes of thyroid "panic" (whatever they are) and the atenolol just slows everything down.  They both work however so if you don't have symptoms propanolol is supposed to be a better drug I think.  
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1490386 tn?1301378586
Thank you! Today was the first day I have taken it. I really didn't care for the loopy feeling, but it did do what it was supposed to do. I haven't been officially diagnosed with a thyroid problem yet. I went to the ER in september and was told thyroid was on the high end of normal, meaning hypo. I was just now able to get into the doctor for fast heart rate and high blood pressure. I have to wait a week for them to get my results back and I am scheduled to come in again after they have received my results. It may sound crazy, but I am hopeing they do find something wrong with my thyroid levels. I would be so glad to have an explaination for the weird things that have been going on with my body!
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Avatar universal
I take atenolol, which is another beta blocker, similar to propanolol.  It really worked for me.  I've been taking it for a couple of years now.  When I first started it, I did notice a little slowness...like I was one beat behind, but I've either gotten used to that feeling, or it's gone away.

Do you think you might be overmedicated?
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Avatar universal
I just took my last dose day before yesterday.  I was overmedicated on my thyroid medicine.  The worst part of propanolol for me was causing severe fatigue and mental depression that was unbelievable.  I hated every moment of taking it but some people do just fine.  And, it was a necessity that I take it because of too much thyroid hormone.  My blood pressure was 162/106 and my heartrate was 120 bpm.  It certainly did what it was supposed to do but I hated the side effects.
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