[WWWI2]

#1059632

I know beta blockers are used for some once a Graves’ diagnosis has been made. I have seen it suggested that many go off of it after the symptoms abate and are under control.

Is there anyone here who has been on a beta blocker for a lengthy period of time? Have you ever reached a level of tolerance to the drug and been prescribed more?

Some of my Graves’ symptomology has improved but the tachycardia has not. In fact my doctor just increased the dose based on my BP. Is this a drug people stay on for life? If you stopped it, did you have any problems stopping it and how long were you on it?

Any information you could provide would be really helpful.

Thank you!

WWWI2

[gatorgirly]

#1176306

Me! I have been on beta blockers (propranolol) for two years and 11 months. February 7 will be my three-year anniversary with Graves’ and propranolol, even though I had RAI almost two years ago. My levels remain unstable and I am constantly adjusting my Synthroid dosage, but for some reason, I cannot go without the beta blocker. I went to a cardiologist this past summer and had a full workup, including a 48-hour Holter monitor, and everything was normal. However, when I forget to take my beta blocker, by lunchtime I am a tachycardia mess and need to go home to get it. I started out at 10mg 4x a day at diagnosis and for a short while after RAI, and am down to 10mg once a day (before breakfast). My cardiologist and endocrinologist both said it’s safe for me to be on it long-term, but my primary care doctor wants me off it as it is doubled my LDL cholesterol without any dietary or exercise changes. I want off it as Synthroid and omeprazole (for severe GERD) for the rest of my life is enough.

As for my BP, it was low before Graves’ and has remained normal-to-low since diagnosis and subsequent treatment. I wonder what would happen to my BP were I to wean off beta blockers. I have a fairly stressful job (PR) and am definitely Type A.

I would do anything to stop taking beta blockers, and my cardiologist is willing to explore something other than propranolol, but I don’t ever want to feel hyperthyroid again.

How long have you been on them? Which one(s)?

[StacyA]

#1176307

Is an increase in cholesterol definitely from the propanolol though? Because thyroid issues can mess with your levels..I had never heard of.propanolol doing that…

[gatorgirly]

#1176308

It is definitely the propranolol. My endo, cardiologist, and PCP all confirmed this. I don’t know if other beta blockers can cause this or if it’s just propranolol. My LDL was low (and my HDL was high) when I had full labs at the time of my Graves’ diagnosis (I was hospitalized due to a resting heart rate of 150+ hence every test under the sun). My cholesterol was normal/healthy in years prior to developing Graves’ as well. One year later, my LDL had doubled. My endo told me not to worry about it because it was due to the propranolol, not my diet or lifestyle. I haven’t had it checked since because I was without health insurance for a period of time last year. I’m having it checked next month at my annual physical and will certainly report back.

[WWWI2]

#1176309

Gatorgirly,

I’m on Atenelol. Was put on a little over a year ago for unspecified tachychardia. Didn’t know the cause. Do now lol. I’m sorry you are in this, but I’m glad not to be alone

So you were able to lower the dose after a time? That’s really good and gives me hope.

My concern, which is that while I appear to need them now, some of us can become dependant on them (not like addicted to heroin lol, but that our bodies adapt to using them, where we are unable to get off of them)? From the searching I’ve done online, there is some information about withdrawing from them, but not the amount I would expect to see if they were hugely problematic for most people.

You are correct, The bad cholesterol can go up and the good down. It can also mess with blood sugar levels

[Bobbi]

#1176310

The thing about beta blockers is that we have to wean ourselves when we quit them — if we quit them all at once, there is a rebound of all of the symptoms that they’ve been suppressing. So, if you have tried going off them all at once, with no success, that might be the reason.

Also, beta blockers are prescribed for a lot of folks who do not have Graves. And having Graves does not mean that we might not have the condition for which these medications are prescribed for others….It may not seem “fair” but the reality is that we can get other problems in addition to the Graves.

[snelsen]

#1176311

There are lots of beta blocker choices, so I suggest checking with your doc for another one out of that family. All beta blockers, or any other hypertensive drug, should not be discontinued abruptly, there should be a taper and a gradual weaning, as Bobbi said.
I have read on the boards and also looked it up, but never experienced, the relationship between lipid levels and metoprolol. The beta blocker I take is Coreg, or carvedilol. There are so many of them, so work with your docs to get the right one for you.
Might be a good idea to have one cardiology work up too. Have you considered that?
Were you told by a doc that there is a relationship between a beta blocker and glucose levels? I find that hard to believe. Maybe ask that question again, get clarification.
I don’t think we get addicted or dependent on beta blockers. We are far better off without a fast heart rate and high blood pressure. So many people are on them for years, for that reason.
Shirley

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