Has anyone experienced weight gain on beta-blockers?

(Empress of the Unexpected) #1

I’ve heard beta-blockers can cause weight gain. I’ve been taking them for around ten years, which was the point at which I started gaining weight. Would love to hear anyone’s thoughts on this subject.

(Marta Loftfield) #2

I was put on a Beta Blocker Feb 2017. That plus Tamoxifen I gained 25 lbs in a year. Keto with fasting is the only thing that counteracts them. So happy to be on the right track now.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #3

I’m only four weeks in but I am thinking ahead to fasting. For me it was not a huge weight gain but definitely noticeable. So many drugs affect everyone differently. I’m on propranolol for palpitations, not high blood pressure, and doctor says they are optional. We’ll see…

(Marta Loftfield) #4

@Regina I usually do 3 x 42s a week. This week I am doing a 72 then 4 x 18:6. Love the flexibility of fasting. We are on vacation during those 4 days. You’ll do great.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #5

I hope so - a lot on this site says no EF until fat adaptation, if I understand it correctly. I am however, at this point, done eating for the day around four at the latest, and eat breakfast at eight, so that is at least an eight hour eating window. And the closer I move to fat adaptation, the less hungry I will be. So maybe I will work up the courage. (I don’t think I have gone a day in my life without eating - even when sick!!!)

(Rob) #6

So ive taken beta blockers for 10 years (Propranolol 40mg 3 times daily or as and when required) i no longer take this. Ive always stuggled with my weight infact ive never been a “Normal” weight. However i did notice my weight increasing faster than usual to the point where once i was put on Propranolol my weight was increasing a stone every year. I did some research on beta blockers causing weight gain and there are some evidence to suggest that they can cause some weight gain and theres people online who have written about there storys to but when i approached my Dr to tell him of my concerns he shrugged it off telling me that weight gain is not a side affect. Personally though i beleive it is. Im no expert but the beta blockers generally slow things down ie the heart rate so that in tern must have a direct affect on metabolism?? Thats how i see it anyway and on someone who had already a very slow metabolism it was bound to slow mine down even further. So to conclude i think they do contribute to weight gain. To what degree i think falls down to each person individually. :v:

(Empress of the Unexpected) #7

That makes perfect sense with the slowing of the metabolism.

(Marta Loftfield) #8

@Regina, take your time. You will know when you are fat adapted. Doing IF with a defined feeding window is a great way to start.

(Rob) #9

Just to note. Propranolol is and all over body beta blocker. If its just the palpitations that bother you and your not taking the propranolol to ease anxiety etc i would speak to your Dr about Bisoprolol. That drug is used to treat symptoms of just the heart. You might have read in my original post that i take bisoprolol for palpitations and irregular heart beat. Bisoprolol can be used to treat high blood pressure as well as other heart conditions however my cardiologist put me on the lowest dose instead of the 3x 40mg daily of propranolol and it works a spot on. So i take just 2.5mg bisoprolol. :v:

(Empress of the Unexpected) #10

I was going to ask about that. At one point they did switch me to a heart-only beta blocker. Long story: I was having horrible panic attacks before mitral valve prolapse was diagnosed. The doctor said that panic attacks seem to occur in conjunction with MVP. I was fine panic-wise on the propranolol, but then when they switched me to the other, it didn’t work for the anxiety. Given a choice between panic and a few palpitations. I will take the palpitations anyday. Considering lowering the dosage to see how I feel.

(Rob) #11

Oh and if you live in america and pay for your medication its my understanding that bisoprolol is a cheap affective treatment. I take only the 1 small dose by the way compared to the 3 daily high doses that at times dropped my heart rate as low as 40bpm which just increases my anxiety

(Empress of the Unexpected) #12

Thanks - I will bring this up with my doctor.

(Rob) #13

Im no Dr and i can only speak from my experiance but its worth having a look at. I also take 400mg of magnesium citrate (citrate being the best absorbing type for the body) theres alot of evidence showing magnesium helps regulate the heart as well as Potassium. Ill stop preaching now haha :v:

(Empress of the Unexpected) #14

Hey preaching is good. That’s what we’re all here for. No obligation to accept everything as Gospel Truth!!! But I am considering magnesium.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #15

Ok, now you really have me thinking. Occasionally I get a “woozy” feeling which may be a drop in blood pressure. And on Keto blood pressure sometimes naturally lowers (and mine is not high to begin with). So I do need to talk to the doc, even if just to experiment with lowering my dose. I had never thought about the woozy feeling relating to my blood pressure until now!

(Ashley) #16

Thank you, I’m getting put on beta blockers for palpitations from my POTS disease. Good to know since I have otherwise no anxiety.