carissalovesbooks Posted May 12, 2021 Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 I've heard a lot about certain beta blockers being a no no for pots patients and a lot about certain ones being off limits for asthmatics. I know it's all trial and error, but any info/experience would be appreciated. I'm also a bit nervous about trying one (I have severe asthma that is not well controlled). Anybody who was also nervous about trying them sharing their experience would be helpful to me as well. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RecipeForDisaster Posted May 12, 2021 Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 I have really bad asthma and have done well on metoprolol for years. I was very scared of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizbiz Posted May 13, 2021 Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 I've also taken metoprolol for years and never had a problem with it. It was the first med they tried for me while I was in hospital after my POTS came on (after childbirth). At the time I had no hesitation or fear of trying new meds so I quite happily took it and didn't even read up on any side effects. I take my dose every morning, but if I'm having a particularly bad day or a bad episode, I may take another dose in the afternoon / evening. Again, no issues with two doses. Unfortunately, I've since developed a fear of taking any new meds (I think this comes from not wanting to make a POTS flareup any worse than it currently is). It's hard, as I have been prescribed Midodrine a couple of times and have never had the nerve to take it, even though it could very well help. So I totally understand your apprehension with new drugs. I don't suffer from asthma, so cannot comment on that aspect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carissalovesbooks Posted May 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 14 hours ago, RecipeForDisaster said: I have really bad asthma and have done well on metoprolol for years. I was very scared of it! Thanks! That's good to hear you did well on one despite the asthma. Hopefully I have the same experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carissalovesbooks Posted May 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 13 minutes ago, bizbiz said: I've also taken metoprolol for years and never had a problem with it. It was the first med they tried for me while I was in hospital after my POTS came on (after childbirth). At the time I had no hesitation or fear of trying new meds so I quite happily took it and didn't even read up on any side effects. I take my dose every morning, but if I'm having a particularly bad day or a bad episode, I may take another dose in the afternoon / evening. Again, no issues with two doses. Unfortunately, I've since developed a fear of taking any new meds (I think this comes from not wanting to make a POTS flareup any worse than it currently is). It's hard, as I have been prescribed Midodrine a couple of times and have never had the nerve to take it, even though it could very well help. So I totally understand your apprehension with new drugs. I don't suffer from asthma, so cannot comment on that aspect. My pots came on after a childbirth too! Did you have any complications with delivery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizbiz Posted May 13, 2021 Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 1 hour ago, carissalovesbooks said: My pots came on after a childbirth too! Did you have any complications with delivery? No - labour and deliver were quite straightforward, albeit very long. I hadn't realised I had POTS at that stage, although I had symptoms for a year or two prior, just not enough to interfere with daily life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistol Posted May 13, 2021 Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 6 hours ago, bizbiz said: Unfortunately, I've since developed a fear of taking any new meds (I think this comes from not wanting to make a POTS flareup any worse than it currently is). It's hard, as I have been prescribed Midodrine a couple of times and have never had the nerve to take it, even though it could very well help. I have HPOTS and many drugs commonly ordered for POTS make my symptoms worse. However - I took Midodrine ( which did not help for my symptoms at all ) but had no negative side effects from it. It does cause a strange tingly feeling on the scalp but no otherwise unpleasant side effects. It is very short-acting, therefore it is safe to take even if you don;t benefit from it. I would not hesitate to give it a try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizbiz Posted May 13, 2021 Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 1 hour ago, Pistol said: I have HPOTS and many drugs commonly ordered for POTS make my symptoms worse. However - I took Midodrine ( which did not help for my symptoms at all ) but had no negative side effects from it. It does cause a strange tingly feeling on the scalp but no otherwise unpleasant side effects. It is very short-acting, therefore it is safe to take even if you don;t benefit from it. I would not hesitate to give it a try! Thank you! Slowly building up my courage one positive post / story at a time! 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RecipeForDisaster Posted May 17, 2021 Report Share Posted May 17, 2021 I use midodrine as well. I can only tolerate so much due to the chills and tingles it causes , but it does help with no "real" side effects. Try a little dose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Elaine Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 I have had several asthma-like attacks (though not officially diagnosed with it yet) and, yes, some types of B-blockers can be very bad for that. The non-selective (such as propranolol, which I was on until just recently) are the worst, as they can constrict the bronchial tubes. I was just switched to metoprolol, which is cardiac-selective, and have had none of the airway constriction with it. I've only noticed minor side effects (drowsiness, etc.) and am only on a tiny dose, but it works really well to keep my HR down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knellie Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 I have exercise-induced asthma and I was on propranolol for a while and had no problem with it. It just did not help my POTS at all so I got off of it after about a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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