Re: Pregnancy and Beta-Blockers

[Guest guest]

Hi Deanna,

I was on a fairly massive dose of Atenolol (100 mg) at the beginning of my

pregnancy and was freaked out about possibly hurting the baby until I could wean

myself off of them. Both my OB and my endo reassured me that beta blockers

are prescribed all the time to pregnant women and would not hurt the baby.

However, my pharmacist said that not much research had been done and it was best

to be on the lowest possible dose. I was able to get down to 25mg/day, but it

was rough and wasn't able to reduce it further. I had terrible boughts of

anxiety, felt short of breath, had palpitations and a racing heart. I stayed on

the beta blockers for the duration of the pregnancy and have recently had to

increase the dosage again although I continue to breastfeed my nine week old,

who is perfectly healthy. You're really not on that high of a dose. Why

don't you get a second opinion? Of course, if you can wean yourself off, that

would be best, but you may not be at that point. Personally, I'd try not to

sweat it too much. The added pressure of trying to wean yourself off Atenolol

completely will just add to the panicky feelings that come with it.

Take care,

Tori

In a message dated 9/5/2003 11:26:51 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

olsendea@... writes:

My husband and I are considering trying to start a family soon. I

currently take 50mg of PTU a day and 25mg of Atenolol a day. My

doctor says that I should ween off the Atenolol, but I have tried and

it doesnt seem to work. When I do I honestly loose my breath all the

time and my heart will race after doing the simpliest things. I

explained this and he continues to say that I need to get off the

beta blocker in order to carry a child. Anyone have any experience

with this?

Thanks in advance!

Deanna

[Guest guest]

Thanks Tori

My endo told me that I really should be off before getting pregnant

and I never really heard that before from anyone so it freaked me out

a little. You breast feed? That is also great to know. I was told

that that would not be possible also. I feel like there is always so

much confusion regarding Graves.

Thanks again

Deanna

> Hi Deanna,

>

> I was on a fairly massive dose of Atenolol (100 mg) at the

beginning of my

> pregnancy and was freaked out about possibly hurting the baby until

I could wean

> myself off of them. Both my OB and my endo reassured me that beta

blockers

> are prescribed all the time to pregnant women and would not hurt

the baby.

> However, my pharmacist said that not much research had been done

and it was best

> to be on the lowest possible dose. I was able to get down to

25mg/day, but it

> was rough and wasn't able to reduce it further. I had terrible

boughts of

> anxiety, felt short of breath, had palpitations and a racing

heart. I stayed on

> the beta blockers for the duration of the pregnancy and have

recently had to

> increase the dosage again although I continue to breastfeed my nine

week old,

> who is perfectly healthy. You're really not on that high of a

dose. Why

> don't you get a second opinion? Of course, if you can wean

yourself off, that

> would be best, but you may not be at that point. Personally, I'd

try not to

> sweat it too much. The added pressure of trying to wean yourself

off Atenolol

> completely will just add to the panicky feelings that come with it.

>

> Take care,

> Tori

>

> In a message dated 9/5/2003 11:26:51 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

> olsendea@f... writes:

> My husband and I are considering trying to start a family soon. I

> currently take 50mg of PTU a day and 25mg of Atenolol a day. My

> doctor says that I should ween off the Atenolol, but I have tried

and

> it doesnt seem to work. When I do I honestly loose my breath all

the

> time and my heart will race after doing the simpliest things. I

> explained this and he continues to say that I need to get off the

> beta blocker in order to carry a child. Anyone have any experience

> with this?

>

> Thanks in advance!

> Deanna

>

>

>