Re: ALLISON - TAKE YOUR BETA BLOCKER PLEASE...

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Yet another perspective on the beta blockers: I couldn't take them, I too

had low bp, usually 90/60 or thereabouts. I think that's why I was dizzy and

spaced out on them. I was NOT capable of normal life on beta blockers,

almost drove the car right thru the garage (which would have knocked the

house for a loop, as the garage is under it) and forgot to pick up kids and

groceries and felt just awful. I just toughed it out for a bit until the

tapazole kicked in, which didn't take too long--a few weeks with the heart

rate flying, and it certainly had already been flying for long enough before

I was diagnosed.

Not, mind you, that I think Alegra's advice is anything but sound! You

probably should take them if you can take them, but I don't quite think, if

you are started on an ATD, that unless your pulse rate is dangerously high

it's quite that dire. 'course I'm not a doctor...

Terry

>

> Reply-To: graves_support

> Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2003 19:53:11 -0000

> To: graves_support

> Subject: ALLISON - TAKE YOUR BETA BLOCKER PLEASE...

>

> ,

>

> The Beta-Blocker is not for your blood pressure. Its for your

> Palpitations. If you were prescribed a beta-blocker it must have

> been for your heart palpitations. That is why most of us take the

> Beta-blockers for the first 3 months or so until the PTU kicks in

> then once the PTU kicks in we don't need the Beta blockers that

> much. (some do some don't) Please take your beta bocker until you

> are stable on the PTU. You don't want to risk Thyroid Storm. NO

> the Beta-blocker will NOT make you Pass out. It shouldn't anyway

> I'm no doctor but I really think you should reconsider and take

> your beta-blocker as prescribed it will help with the anxiety as

> well.

>

> As far as the 2 times a day dosing with PTU yes that is wrong you

> need to take it 3- 4 times a day.

>

> The reason I have done so well is because I have been informed

> properly through this board and the Mediboard and I did my own

> reading in books and I am lucky to have a good Endo as well.

>

> If you live in Manhattan you will find a good Endo. Look for the

> Top Thyroid docs I will send you the link if I can find it I think

> I still have it.

>

> Again please I cannot stress enough that you should take your

> beta-blocker its not prescribed for high blood pressure I mean they

> are sometimes prescribed for that but for graves patients they are

> prescribed to keep our hearts in a normal rhythem. Its only temporary

> until you are stable on PTU. You could be in great danger of Thyroid

> storm if you don't take your beta blocker.

>

> Please reconsider that I just know from experience I have been through

> all this.

>

> Alegra

>

>

>

>

>

> -------------------------------------

> The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not

> intended to replace expert medical care.

> Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

> ----------------------------------------

> DISCLAIMER

>

> Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list do not have the endorsement of

> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

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>

[Guest guest]

I'm jumping into this late - not sure what the issue really is - but wanted

to tell you that if you would rather a natural option instead of the

beta-blockers, you could take Hawthorn Berry - I take the extract and it

doesn't lower my blood pressure but keeps my heart in sync - even though my

numbers are normal now, I still take it for it's healing effects - and on

the off chance I eat something that gives me palps - it keeps that to a

minimum.

You can get the liquid/extract form and put it in tea, or you can get it

dried in capsules.

That said, I did take beta blockers in the beginning (for almost a year) and

it was a mixed blessing - they probably saved my life as no doc would put me

on ATDs for months, but I was on them for way too long and they did lower my

blood pressure too much and it was really hard to get off of them - I think

I was addicted. Some forms are also known for causing drug induced lupus

(reversible) and can be very very dangerous if you just stop taking them

cold-turkey.

Pam B.

[Guest guest]

Dear Pam,

Thanks for the suggestion of Hawthorn Berry extract. I will keep it in

mind. I'm not too familiar with herbal remedies; I just looked up some

info, and one site says that it shouldn't be used if pregnant. I don't

think I'm pregnant, but not completely sure. I am planning a pregnancy

soon, when I get normal labs. (Incidentally, this is how I found out about

the Graves' -- wanted to get my hormone levels checked, due to long and

irregular cycles. My cycles have been that way since I was 14, but it never

mattered till now.)

Regards,

[Guest guest]

Wow Terry,

I'm glad you mentioned all this because this wasn't my experience

and its good for to watch out incase she does have these

extreme reactions to the beta-blockers.

also your probably right maybe doesn't need the

beta-blockers I just thought since she was recently diagnosed it

might be a good idea to take them and was not warned about Thyroid

Storm but like you said, she needs to watch for the signs that they

may not be a good thing for her to take even in the short term if they

make her forget to pick up kids and drive in to the garage door.

Right I'm no doctor either all we can do is offer her support and

share our experiences so at least she sees more than ONE side of the

story with bad endo's and different experiences from each of us.

Alegra

[Guest guest]

Hi Alegra,

That's what makes this such a great group, our diverse experiences that we

can share with each other. I figure, no matter what someone comes in with

there will be Someone who's had that experience or knows about that question

or where to find the answer. And often more than one answer, so we all learn

something by reading the posts.

I think, in the balance, that this group has saved a lot of people a lot of

pain in their lives.

Terry

>

> Reply-To: graves_support

> Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2003 00:08:22 -0000

> To: graves_support

> Subject: Re: ALLISON - TAKE YOUR BETA BLOCKER PLEASE...

>

> Wow Terry,

>

> I'm glad you mentioned all this because this wasn't my experience

> and its good for to watch out incase she does have these

> extreme reactions to the beta-blockers.

>

> also your probably right maybe doesn't need the

> beta-blockers I just thought since she was recently diagnosed it

> might be a good idea to take them and was not warned about Thyroid

> Storm but like you said, she needs to watch for the signs that they

> may not be a good thing for her to take even in the short term if they

> make her forget to pick up kids and drive in to the garage door.

>

> Right I'm no doctor either all we can do is offer her support and

> share our experiences so at least she sees more than ONE side of the

> story with bad endo's and different experiences from each of us.

>

> Alegra

>

>

>

>

>

> -------------------------------------

> The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not

> intended to replace expert medical care.

> Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

> ----------------------------------------

> DISCLAIMER

>

> Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list do not have the endorsement of

> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

> --------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Right Terry,

I agree totally.

Alegra