blackford

I have been on atenolol for 25 years and could not get by without it. I have hyperadrenergic dysautonomia, likely caused by ineffective reuptake of noradrenaline, particularly in my heart and brain. Before taking this beta blocker, I had a rapid heart beat and hypertension, and severe exhaustion after athletic activity and intense studying in school and other forms of stress. I was originally diagnosed as having mitral valve prolapse syndrome, and there may be a blood volume issue going on as well. Having read a variety of forums and sites about dysautonomia, I realize there are many different forms with different symptoms and causes. For example, those with hypotension symptoms are likely to feel worse with beta blockers and will need other meds. Sure enough, the atenolol often leaves me tired and fatigued due to a much slower heart rate, but the alternative was not tolerable. I am now in my fifties and know I will have medication issues going forward. Although I post here infrequently, I read regularly, and I am always impressed with how much grit and determination the folks here have.

Hey Primetime: Sorry for repeating your original message. I'm new at this. I joined the forum so I could reply to your message and others similar to it. For most of my life, I have had symptoms very much like yours. As a teenager and young adult (I'm now in my fifties), following vigorous exercise or athletic activity, my body would not return to normal. My cardiovascular system continued to act as if I was still exercising. It made sleep difficult for one or more nights, and eventually I would become exhausted from the constant overstimulation. From what I have read in recent years, I suspect that my adrenaline or noradrenaline receptors "hang on" to these hormones too long or that there is a way for the body to clear these hormones when they are no longer needed, but that system does not work properly for me. Because of this response, general anxiety is also a problem, a big one at times. I take different meds that basically slow my body down, but if overdo it with exercise, lack of sleep, or poor eating, the symptoms return, no matter how much the meds help. If anyone here knows the specifics of this type of dysautonomia, I would appreciate learning more about it. I know some work on this has been done at the Vanderbilt Dysautonomia Center, but other sources would be helpful as well. Thanks, Robert