What beta-blockers do you take?

[Nathalie]

Hey everyone...for those of you taking a beta blocker to control your tachycardia, which one are you taking?

I had a significant relapse in symptoms recently, with a big increase in what I usually see for a fast heart rate, and I was started on a beta blocker called propranolol. I know that according to the literature, propranolol is known to work well. But it is definitely aggravating my lungs (asthma).

Is anyone else taking a different beta blocker?

I have to admit...I think the propranolol is also helping with the frequent voiding. I can't find anything written about it working for this but anecdotally, are your beta blockers helping your other POTS symptoms too?

[jklass44]

Propranolol isn’t really a great one to take if you have breathing problems such as asthma. Does your doctor know about these issues? 

Have you tried Metoprolol?

[Pistol]

I took Metoprolol, Bystolic and Carvelidol (which works the best for me). If Propanolol is making you short-of-breath you must let your doctor know since he will want to change it. Good luck!!!

[RecipeForDisaster]

I have bad asthma so there are only a few BBs I could try-and I was afraid of even the specific ones. I have had good results with long acting metoprolol. It helps me to sleep because it reduces the intense pounding palpitations and fast HR. I do take it at night... it makes me more comfortable but I can't think of other benefits. 

[StayAtHomeMom]

Propranolol caused my breathing symptom to be worse (no asthma). My pulmonologist suggested metoperlol because it is cardiac specific. So I told my cardiologist and he started me on it.

I take the 25mg metoperlol tartrate 2X a day with an occasional extra if my heart palpitations are really bad (had to add the occasional one for the past 6 months). I tried the succinate for a month (it is a once a day) but right now I like the more control. 

My specialist tried to put me back on the propranolol but I refused. He says it would work better but my breathing issue is my 1st and number one issue so I don't want more issues. 

My hubby was given a list of beta blockers to stop taking before an echo/stress test and there were over 50 of them, so I am sure there are multiples that shouldn't effect your breathing. 

My metoperlol helps my tachycardia and heart palpitations. When I first started it helped my other symptoms to an extent but my midodrine helps my other symptoms more. 

[Nathalie]

Thanks for the replies everyone ☺️  I will ask about trying metoprolol instead.

As much as I dislike the tight chest that comes with propranolol, I have to admit, I like it. As a non-selective beta blocker, I find it helps with several of my POTS symptoms, especially the mental clouding and the polyuria. Both are great reliefs, but I've been especially stoked to find my head clears up quite a bit on propranolol.

I worry that a cardioselective beta blocker like metoprolol will only help with the tachycardia and not the brain fog 😶.

What have your experiences been?

[TCP]

I tried Propranolol and Ivabradine. Not great. I'm on Nebivolol lowest dose really helps. 

[Clb75]

I’m on acebutolol. I tried atenolol and betaxolol but this one seems to be the best for me so far. It really is a guessing game trying to find what works and what doesn’t. 

[StayAtHomeMom]

8 hours ago, Nathalie said:

Thanks for the replies everyone ☺️  I will ask about trying metoprolol instead.

As much as I dislike the tight chest that comes with propranolol, I have to admit, I like it. As a non-selective beta blocker, I find it helps with several of my POTS symptoms, especially the mental clouding and the polyuria. Both are great reliefs, but I've been especially stoked to find my head clears up quite a bit on propranolol.

I worry that a cardioselective beta blocker like metoprolol will only help with the tachycardia and not the brain fog 😶.

What have your experiences been?

I have not had major brain fog issues while on it. When I first started I noticed it was like a veil being lifted. That being said I still have some disconnect moments. Like not being able to find a word or name. But even then it is so much better then it used to be. 

[Nathalie]

Yes, I noticed it has cleared my head up too. At least it did yesterday! Today, not so much. But I've also come down with a head cold so I'm going to blame it on being sick today 😛

It is interesting to read that so many people have different experiences with different beta blockers!

[peachychou123]

I was on propranolol for 4 years and it helped a lot. I came off it and felt fine for about 6 months, then relapsed last month. I have tried the propranolol again and while it lowers my high HR, it isn't doing anything for my dizziness anymore. In fact, I've heard that when you use beta blockers long term, the body tries as hard as it can to 'unblock' these blocked signals. Usually by increasing adrenaline production. So now I feel that my body has become extremely sensitive to adrenaline and thus much more symptomatic. Don't get me wrong, it worked great all those years, but I'm going to explore other meds with my doctor before going back on BBs I think. I seem to be experiencing rebound effects. But that said, many people take BBs for decades without any adverse effects. Maybe I just shouldn't have come off them...

[Pistol]

@peachychou123 - I have been on Carvelidol for over 5 years and it is still working for me but only in combination with Diltiazem.