My Propranolol Nightmare

[stelfox]

Hello all,

This is going to sound crazy but please consider all the information.

I was prescribed Propranolol in 2007. My dosage was 40mg three times daily and it was prescribed for panic attacks.

Anyway, shortly after taking the medication, I noticed my heart was beating slow so I attended A&E where they confirmed ‘sinus bradycardia’ was a reaction to the medicine.

Anyway, since discontinuing Propranolol, I still experience symptoms I can only describe as feeling ‘beta-blocked’ still and my endless search for answers is still going on.

I’ve had tons of ECG’s, which still show sinus bradycardia at rates of as low as 38bpm (this could be nocturnal though) and as low as 48bpm when waking / resting. Now I have been to A&E numerous times, been to my GP (who have been helpful). I’ve seen a cardiologist and they all say the Propranolol is out of my system but from doing my own research, the only way I can still be ‘beta-blocked’ is if I overdosed!!!

I really don’t understand what is going on tbh but I’ve researched medical cases of toxicity and my ECG’s surprisingly match up to a rare case from 1988. But still! Nobody will treat me I guess because of the length of time!

My symptoms are feeling light-headed permanently, weakness, feeling strange (like there’s no adrenaline), dizziness, sometimes confusion. As I said, my ECG’s show ‘sinus bradycardia’ with incomplete bundle branch block. They think it’s because I’m young, fit and healthy but I know my problems were drug-induced but I’m at the point where I don’t know who to turn to!

I currently have a loop recorder implanted in my body to monitor my heart rate 24/7 but at present I’m still not convinced it will yield a diagnosis. Because the clinical picture is overshadowed by the fact I’m not on the medication anymore and you expect it to be out of the system. But what damage has the drug left behind?

I’ve been reading through the stories about Propranolol on here and I can honestly say, it still feels as though I’m on the medication with the lethargy and tiredness I experience along with my other symptoms on a daily basis!

As I’ve said, I’ve tried letters to doctors, different A&E departments, doing my own research etc but nothing. I have a feeling I may be stuck ‘beta-blocked’ until something bad happens! Which it did in November 2020 when I started having non-epileptic seizures!

Can anyone help? Suggest something… I don’t know. It’s driving me crazy a bit!

[Wooodsie]

Hi stelfox, my sympathies. 2007 is a long time ago, I can only think if it is the propranolol, it may have caused a physical change to your heart muscle which may never go back to 'normal'. I can only suggest in your future quest for a resolution, that you don't mention the propranolol. If you lead a Dr to drugs, they can only think about the drugs, they are a bit blinkered in my opinion (as we all are when given a hint of what to look for, like looking for what you think is a pink glove when actually it is brown and you just don't see it). Also, stop telling them you are young, fit and healthy - they will believe you.

Good luck.

[stelfox in reply to Wooodsie]

Oh no, I don’t tell them I’m fit, young and healthy. That’s what they tell me is the reason for my heart rate being so low! Whereas I know it was drug induced!

[Wooodsie in reply to stelfox]

👍

[SteveSeddon]

Do you run? My resting heart rate is about 40 because I run. Any endurance exercise will slow your heart rate and in general a slow heart rate is a sign of fitness.

[stelfox in reply to SteveSeddon]

I have exercised all my life yes. But I don’t remember having a slow heart rate until I took this medication if I’m honest. Maybe I did but I do believe the medication is contraindicated in patients with slow heart rates, so could do more harm than good?

It’s sort of the symptoms it’s caused since I took it. I always remember having a racing heart.

[Jeaniebeans in reply to stelfox]

I was on propranolol for 36 years. I have only recently switched to Bisoprolol( not my choice). Propranslol can lower the heart rate but it usually more likely stops it from rising too high during activity. I do not think that after all this time that Propranolol is the cause of your bradycardia. It's more likely caused by the sinus node in your heart.

Have you had your thyroid checked as that can be a cause. As you are symptomatic your GP should be referring you to a cardiologist.

The level of propranalol you were taking was not a high level and is not cardioselective in the same way that Bisoprolol is. My advice is to go back to your GP snd ask for a referral.

[stelfox in reply to Jeaniebeans]

Hi,

I’ve had my thyroid checked etc and I have a referral to cardiology. I have a loop recorder implanted currently which is monitoring my heart 24/7.

When you say Propranolol stops the heart from rising during activity. Do you mean exercise and walking? etc

I just find it odd. My body has never felt the same since taking that medication. It is like I am still beta-blocked. I’ve been having this complaint since the day I stopped taking it. Searching for answers and a reversal has been difficult

[Jeaniebeans in reply to stelfox]

Hi. I took Propranalol to stop my migraines. It's very effective. I have never heard of it causing long term problems after it's out of your system. Propranalol keeps the heart rate low during activity and helps keep the heart rate steady. It's often given for an irregular heart rate. It also has a calming effect and can help during anxiety attacks. The side effects can include feeling tired and out of breath. A low heart rate would create the same symptoms which is why I think you still feel like you are taking the tablets. A cardiologist will do specialist tests to diagnose the problem. Your tape will monitor your heart rate and will will maybe suggest why it's happening. Have you had an echocardiogram yet? That will show how your heart is working and show if your valves etc are working well.

Some people have bradycardia without symptoms and exist quite well this way. Because you do have symptoms your cardiologists have lots of treatments that can help your heart behave in a better way.

[stelfox in reply to Jeaniebeans]

Hi,

I’ve had an echo which was structurally normal with an ejection fraction of 57%. Other than that my Cardiac MRI scan was also normal too. They have done holter monitors and see my sinus bradycardia with incomplete bundle branch block and ST elevation benign early repol. At the minute, unless there’s any profound bradycardia or tachycardia they don’t seem too concerned at all. My heart rate goes from 50-125bpm on the holter monitor recently but I know it’s been lower than 50 with documented evidence, hence the need for the loop recorder they said.

I’m not so sure it’s not Propranolol.

[Rawbar]

I feel he same way now I’m off Propanlol thank god!

[stelfox in reply to Rawbar]

You feel like you’re still beta-blocked? Or have you felt better since stopping Propranolol

[Rawbar in reply to stelfox]

I feel so much better because I stopped the Propranlol