Beta Blockers, Melatonin, and Sleep

[southerndoc]

Why are you on metoprolol instead of atenolol or one of the other beta blockers? Metoprolol is notorious for causing extreme fatigue and even depression.

[WearyOne]

Why are you on metoprolol instead of atenolol or one of the other beta blockers? Metoprolol is notorious for causing extreme fatigue and even depression.

I was put on it 11 years ago to combat tachycardia due to hyperthyroid caused from Graves' Disease. Once all that was taken care of, I stayed on it for BP. Under doctor's suggestion due my 45-pound-weight loss and lower pulse and BP, earlier this year I tried reducing the drug for the specific reason of seeing if it would reduce my fatigue. But within three days I started having major problems with PVCs. I'm well aware that that can be a side effect of reducing a beta blocker, but I wasn't ready to tackle it just yet so went back to regular dose.. I might have another go at it in a couple of months. I'm also aware that ANY beta blocker can cause fatigue, as well as sleep problems, including atenolol. From the reports I read, all beta blockers are pretty much the same when it comes to tiredness. And I have no other noticeable side effects from metoprolol ER other than the tiredness (50 mg) and the possibility of messing with my sleep (no depression). But, as you probably know, one cannot just suddenly stop taking a beta blocker. They're hard to get off of due to the heart kind of revolting against the change, to put it simply. It can be done, but it's difficult. And if I had known then what I know now, I would not have stayed on it after the thyroid issue was taken care of (but it was a miracle for that). The longer one is on it, the harder it is to get off. I don't see the point it trying to switch to another beta blocker which might cause even worse fatigue or give me additional side effects I don't have with this one. And for the past month, the fatigue has been a whole lot worse w/o any change in medication or dosage, so my thinking is that it's something else as far as things getting worse.