Does the effectiveness of beta-blockers for migraine correlate with how much they reduce blood pressure?
For example, if 80mg Propranlol or 50mg Atenolol give the same migraine benefit as each other then would each one lower blood pressure the same?
I have no idea, however I take a beta blocker (metoprolol) and it hasn’t had any impact on my blood pressure at all - just the migraine symptoms
— Begin quote from “lorcalon”
I have no idea, however I take a beta blocker (metoprolol) and it hasn’t had any impact on my blood pressure at all - just the migraine symptoms
— End quote
I have been on metoprolol for about 15 years to keep my blood pressure in check. I’ve tried a few other meds back in the beginning and none of them helped with my BP. I wonder how much control of my VM’s I’ve had just by luck that I was already taking a beta blocker. It wasn’t until the last couple of years that the dizziness and hearing loss really kicked up a few notches. Perhaps without the Toprol I would have been in trouble a decade ago.
that is a great question i am just starting atenolol. my primary care dr. said if my bp is normal then taking atenolol at migraine doses shouldnt lower it really…what r u taking and how long have u been on it?
— Begin quote from “sarahd”
that is a great question i am just starting atenolol. my primary care dr. said if my bp is normal then taking atenolol at migraine doses shouldnt lower it really…what r u taking and how long have u been on it?
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Hello Sarah. I started on 25mg atenolol and am now on 75mg. I’m about to go to 100mg. My BP doesn’t seem very different but, as expected, maximum exertion is not so easy.
how long have u been on it for? do u notice any improvement?
— Begin quote from “sarahd”
how long have u been on it for? do u notice any improvement?
— End quote
Hiya Sarah. I get chronic-continuous daily migraine. It waxes and wanes and this means I was able to see my beta blocker work very quickly. The beta blocker doesn’t work 100% but it gives real relief.
I suspect that over time of perhaps a few weeks it may become more effective. I haven’t been able to check that because I have such continuous difficulties that I want them to stop as soon as possible, so I updosed my beta blocker (atenolol now) too quickly to give it time to reach its maximum effect.
By the way I came across this very useful fact sheet on beta blockers which helped me better understand the side effects http://www.bhsoc.org/pdfs/therapeutics/Beta-adrenoceptor%20Antagonists%20(Beta-Blockers).pdf
are you saying u have continuous headaches or dizziness? did it help with dizziness?
— Begin quote from “sarahd”
are you saying u have continuous headaches or dizziness? did it help with dizziness?
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Hello Sarah. My headaches are continuous. The wax and wane all day long and are always nearby. The beta blockers are one of the very few things which really helped but even they are not perfect.