Posted by Mark H. on March 12, 2002, at 19:44:43
In reply to beta-blocker for adderall-induced tachycardia?, posted by Peter on March 12, 2002, at 1:39:45
Peter,
Beta-blockers are unpleasant and dosage has to be regulated carefully, but they are used to protect your heart, not to put it into a tug-of-war with your Adderall.
I was originally put on 5mg of Pindolol, but had to cut the pill in two and take half in the morning and half at night, because *it* gave me tachycardia (my heart would stop and then jump around for a couple of minutes or so in the middle of the night).
Also, if you didn't have high blood pressure before taking a beta-blocker (mine was always almost clinically low), you may after taking it for awhile. The rebound effect from beta-blockers is quite strong. Sometimes, the wrong food (or something?) will bind with the Pindolol, and it will be as though I haven't taken any. I get a headache and intense pounding in my chest and ears. Note that this is *caused* by taking a beta-blocker, in my case.
Also, you can expect sexual side-effects from taking a beta-blocker; however, Viagra really does help, at least with the mechanical aspects if not the underlying motivation.
Beta-blockers limit your heart rate, so they also limit how hard you can exercise. Early on, I made the mistake of pushing a little too hard on a bicycle ride, and I wound up needing to lie on the side of the road for about 15 minutes to recover.
However, it was only when I tried to discontinue the beta-blocker when I was feeling exceptionally good last year that I realized how much it was doing for me, both in terms of allowing me to sleep peacefully at night, and in terms of potentiating the Effexor I take for depression.
On balance, for me the Pindolol is worth it. But beta-blockers are definitely heavy medicine and should be taken very carefully.
Best wishes,
Mark H.
poster:Mark H.
thread:97553
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97685.html