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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by spirlhelix on November 26, 2003, at 13:17:32
Hi!
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!
I hope someone can help me get some insight or perspectives on my medication problem. I have found in three years of being treated for hypertension that beta blockers make me suicidal.
Labetalol made me weep inconsolably and I could not stop obsessing about how to kill myself. This was within an hour and a half of the first dose.
Nadolol dropped my heart rate to 34 bpm, within a day, and again I was suicidally depressed.
Some genius of a doctor started me on 100 mg of Atenolol, and I went into a state of being barely conscious and could not even recognize what day it was. After a week, I became suicidal on that one, too.
I do deal with a good deal of depression, but I don't get to this point when I'm not on a beta blocker.
Recently, I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and Stage D heart failure. I have discussed this with several doctors, and they all try to get me on beta blockers. My pharmacy won't even fill a prescription for Coreg (a beta that is supposed to be good for heart failure) for me because of my past history with beta blockers. The doctors come back with a dismal prognosis that I have a 50% chance of surviving the year without beta blockers.
I wish these guys understood that a medication that makes you want to throw yourself in front of a fast train is not going to extend your life. Am I wrong here? How do I deal with this pressure from doctors who don't understand what they are asking me to live with? Does anyone have any statistics or research on beta blockers
and suicide attempts, or sucessful suicides?Thank you for your help.
Warmly,
Pam
Posted by Caleb96 on November 27, 2003, at 0:46:50
In reply to Intolerance to Beta Blockers, Heart Failure, posted by spirlhelix on November 26, 2003, at 13:17:32
Dear Pam:
I'm sorry to hear about you situation. Have the doctors confirmed that your heart problem is due to the beta blockers? I've been taking atenolol for 12 years (100 mg/d) and I'm still very healthy at 45 years old. I can run several miles with no problem, and bike all day. If you have an intolerance to beta blockers, then you shouldn't be taking them. The are other excellent options--ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme)inhibitors are excellent for controlling high blood pressure. They also have positive effects on organs like kidneys.
If you're taking beta blockers for anxiety, then you need to discuss alternatives with your MD. It is well known that beta blockers can triggers depression in cetain people. If your one of those people then you should consider an ACE inhibitor and an alternative drug for anxiety and depression. Best wishes for your treatment.
Regards and Good Mental Health,
Caleb
This is the end of the thread.
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