Inderal LA

[annamc Atria Find all posts View Profile Close annamc]

Hi, anyone take Inderal LA for HOCM? I do and have been since age 6. I take Warfarin Sodium as well b/c I have an Artificial Valve. I take 80mg of Inderal LA twice a day! I take 2mg of Warfarin, which varies from 2 to 1mg.

Is it normal to have low blood pressure with HOCM? What should it be?

Is loss of appetite a symptom from either of my medications or HOCM?

Embarrassing to me to mention . . . but is diarrhea a side effect from my medications?

I know that it is not good for HCM patients to lose body fluid and I had major diarrhea for years without help. I was just dismissed by the doctors. Come to find out that I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome and take Equalactin for that which relieves the terrible pain in the intestine and stops the diarrhea most of the time.


- Anna

[Lisa Salberg HCMA CEO and Founder Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa Salberg]

I would suspect the weight loss is from the IBS not the HCM.
Inderal is a rather common drug and actually a very old drug in terms of how long it has been on the market. It can have some side effects that some newer drugs so not have. Low B/P is common in HCM and can be aggrivated by some medications.
I would suggest a long talk with your cardiologist and a consult with am HCM specialist to get things straightened out.
Best wishes,
Lisa

[Glen Beamish Super Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Glen Beamish]

I took Inderal for 30 years until I switched to Atenolol last year.
Diarrhea was a big problem for me for those 30 years.
I had stomach cramps often and had to take days off work because of it.
My family doctor thought I was lactose intolarant.
Since I switched to Atenolol last year the diarrhea has completly disappeared and so has my supposed lactose intolarance.
I know it's not a pleasant subject to talk about, but don't ever be embarrased.
Your embarrasment could just turn a light on for someone else.

[Dee Atria Find all posts View Profile Close Dee]

My son has been taking this since 6 weeks of age and has always had very loose stools. I've always attributed it to the medicine. He normally drinks TONS of fluids tho also, so I wonder sometimes if that isn't part of it also.

Dee

[Lisa Salberg HCMA CEO and Founder Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa Salberg]

There are some great insights...
Thanks for sharing everyone!
Lisa

[annamc Atria Find all posts View Profile Close annamc]

Thanks everyone for your reply. I appreciate it!

[kathyn2 Ventricle Find all posts View Profile Close kathyn2]

Inderal gave me diahrea also and upset stomach. I can't take it. Not worth those side effects. I would beg for a change in medicine if I were you! You may not even have IBS if you get off of this drug.

[annamc Atria Find all posts View Profile Close annamc]

Is it safe?

If I switched from Inderal LA to another drug, is it safe? I might end up with more side effects or a change in my heart. Is there another drug that is long acting that I could take in this class of beta blockers?

[Lisa Salberg HCMA CEO and Founder Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa Salberg]

PLease read my post under DI - we really need to work on getting your care up to 2003... call the office we can chat.
Lisa

[Sarah Brave Heart Find all posts View Profile Close Sarah]

oh yeah...

Inderal is the very first beta-blocker and I highly recommend getting off of it pronto.

Toprol XL is a newer, long-acting beta-blocker worth trying. I was on it quite side effect-free (except for the unavoidable slight sluggishness from time to time).

I don't know how many other beta-blockers are long acting, but almost anything is better than Inderal.

jeez!

S

[Lisa Salberg HCMA CEO and Founder Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa Salberg]

Sarah... not so fast... many people do fair well on it and for long periods of time. While there are some issues here that may suggest a new drug may help...it is not a BAD drug, simply an older one.
Lisa

[Sarah Brave Heart Find all posts View Profile Close Sarah]

yeah yeah

Yeah, Lisa is right. As moderator, it is my duty to give every drug their due and I know some people do just fine on it and I know kids should be on it so they can get blood levels, BUT BUT BUT the number of people who do well on it are vastly outnumbered by those who don't and when there are scads of other options (unless you need a blood level) I just don't see the point of bothering with it AND in many (over-generalizing alert here) cases, a doctor who is prescribing Inderal is not on the ball with current treatment protocols for HCM.

And I'm biased. Plain and simple. Sorry.

later,

S

[Lisa Salberg HCMA CEO and Founder Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa Salberg]

A little bias ..yes my dear I think so.
I can not agree with your last post 100% - I know many who are doing just fine on inderal and have for 30+ years in some cases...

I do think many other drugs work better in many cases..but as always..remember we are all a little different (OK some of you saw that coming)
Lisa

[annamc Atria Find all posts View Profile Close annamc]

Inderal LA

Just wanted to let you all know that I have decided to remain taking Inderal LA b/c it has worked so well for my heart. Aside from the diarrhea, which may or may not be the medication. IBS runs in my family and I'm assuming this is the case.

One more question, since HCM is genetic, and my parents haven't ever been diagnosed with it, could they have it or just carry the gene? Also, does this mean my brother will get HCM? He is 18 now and has never been diagnosed. He doesn't appear to have any of the symptoms.


Thank you all, Annamc

[Lisa Salberg HCMA CEO and Founder Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa Salberg]

YOur parents can carry the gene and may not HAVE HCM... When was the last time your parents were screened? Has your brother ever been screened?
Has anyone in your family ever had heart problems (grandparents, aunts, uncles??)
WHile HCM is genetic it is possible that you are the 1st in your family to have the gene.
Lisa