Beta blocker sensitivity?

[Matt40]

Hi all and many thanks to all who have helped me out with my various worries and woes etc in the last few years.

I wonder if I can pick your brains and see if I can gauge consensus here or see if anyone has had similar issues. I’m 6/7 weeks since RF ablation (second one) and despite some phrenic nerve issues and odd pangs and pings in the chest ( kind people here have helped immensely) it’s been ok - a little AF for 30 secs weekend following ablation. Ablation was just lower right pulmonary vein isolation as rest were tight and no AF or tachycardia could be stimulated in the other areas. I was originally 2 years ago admitted for focal tachycardia driven AF.

Now the EP wants me to stop the Atenolol 25mg and keep on with the Apixaban for a little longer. My concern is that shouldn’t I wean off? And is this not a little soon? I’ve noticed a real change a few hours after taking the Atenolol now in the last few weeks in as much as it makes me feel very odd, It used to make me tired and a little off balance but now it’s making me feel a bit fainty and very off balance but i’m fine before taking it in the morning. Could this be my body saying that I don’t need it? (I wish!!) also I noticed that I get more noticeable ectopics when the meds kick in an hour or so after I take the meds - almost like a bump start. Resting HR is normally 70/75 and that falls to around 58/59 maximum. BP is a little high around 135/75 but that falls now to 110/60ish - any advice or experiences of the same gratefully received.

Matt

[BobD Volunteer]

We are all different but for me 135/75 is quite a healthy level. and my GP accepts that it is right for me. At 110/60 I fall over if I stand up! Drug companies have driven BP numbers down over the last fifteen years or so but I don't play that game. Once you have cured people you convince them they are ill so you can keep selling.

To your main question I think that if your doctor has said stop then do so. You may wish to wean off slowly by reducing dose and see what happens. Not the Apixaban of course as ablation does not remove stroke risk and may increase it short term.

[Matt40 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob - it me a tough one and I’m pretty scared as the last time they told me to stop I ended up in A and E with 140bpm and high BP. It’s a tough one. I will wean off and see how I get on. Cheers again

[Kaz747]

As Bob says we’re all different. I’m 4 months post ablation (my 4th) and I’m on 50mg Atenolol a day plus Digoxin. I’ll be interested to see what my EP says when I see him next month.

[Matt40 in reply to Kaz747]

Thanks Kaz - our of interest do you have any bad side effects from the Atenolol? As I said in my first paragraph, mine seem to be a lot stronger recently - or my body isn’t liking it

[Kaz747 in reply to Matt40]

No, I’ve never had any dramas on Atenolol

[Matt40 in reply to Kaz747]

Thanks - interesting how I have pretty much every side effect. Thanks for sharing

[Kaz747 in reply to Matt40]

I’ve had side effects from other drugs - Apixiban, Amiodarone, Flecainide

[jeanjeannie50]

Yep, stop taking the Atenolol as your EP has advised. Just do it, you may find your heart protests a little for a few days, but it will soon settle down. I'm a great believer in tablets making some symptoms worse or causing new ones. Can you you please let us know how you feel after you've stopped them and if you believe it was this drug making you feel odd.

Jean

[avrambaer]

One ought to taper withdrawals from beta blockers. I don't know the frequency of dosage you're taking but if it's daily cut down the first week to every other day and the second week to every third day and cease the third week.