Beta blockers

[Ladyone1]

Hi I have suffered with Migraines for years they would normally happen once or twice a month around the time of my monthly cycle which I coped with I used to take sumatriptan 100mg and that would do the trick until last year, last July I had to have a total hysterectomy due to removal of 2 masses it turned out I had borderline ovarian cancer stage 2c but I was very lucky just surgery for me but, it has thrown me into early menopause which has made the migraines worse, I was getting at least 2 a week and the old tablets didn't help much,, the doctor has put me on slow release Propranolol 80mg once a day, they have helped I still get headache but not as severe and normal paracetamol clears it up quickly most of the time, I have been on them now for 6 months and must admit bit worried what will happen when I stop taking them. Sorry bit long winded. X

[Monty123]

Sorry to hear that you've been suffering . Is there any reason you would need to stop them ?

[teadrinker]

I think when I started taking atenolol (couldn't have propanolol as it can cause nightmares and I've suffered similar side effects before on other drugs) about 5 months ago I was told it was normal to try without after about 6 months to see if you could manage. Although on my repeat prescription it says I need to be reviewed by the GP about 8 months after starting. I have a friend who took propanolol and was fine when she came off them.

I'm not convinced the atenolol is helping me because I have still had migraines. I had botox a couple of months ago which has reduced the pain from the headaches dramatically so really life is a lot better. It's going to be interesting to see what happens over the next few weeks as the botox starts wearing off.

I started taking beta-blockers because my migraines got really bad when the clocks changed last autumn, even though I'd had botox just before that. So maybe I should stay on the medication and see what happens this autumn? It's a bit of a dilemma.

[1stgls]

Do not suddenly stop taking them! They are a drug you need to be weaned off.

You can take them forever, the people who have heart problems take them long term.

[teadrinker in reply to 1stgls]

No, don't worry, I won't stop abruptly! did that once before with pregabalin and went all funny. I have learned my lesson!

[Ladyone1]

Thanks for all replies, I won't stop immediately I will discuss with doctor first. I still have to take normal pain killers when headaches start but because of beta blockers never gets severe which is great.