Has anyone been put on a beta blocker to help with their headaches following their PSC? I was started out on a low dose of nortriptyline a couple of months ago and didn't like the side effects, so yesterday my neuro put me on propanolol. I have naturally low blood pressure and a pulse, so I am a little worried about how this is going to work, but at this point if I could just get my headaches under control...I am also having another MRI/MRA/MVA next week to make sure there haven't been any changes. Keep your fingers crossed...

sheds,

Do you have a blood pressure monitor systems to keep track of your blood pressure? I would suggest trying to track whether you blood pressure is a part of your headache issue.

Has your doc tried amitriptyline? Some find it helps at a low dose.

Mark,

I was on nortriptyline for about 6 weeks, but did not like the side effects that I got with that. So, he decided to try this and said if I have too many problems with dizziness, light headedness, etc. he would try something else.

I do have a blood pressure machine and I have a heart rate monitor to keep track of my pulse.

sheds,

So have you noted any correlation between your blood pressure and your head aches?

A good doctor would listen to your findings. If you already have low blood pressure, I would wonder about whether BP is a cause of your headaches.

Low BP could antagonize other PCS symptoms by reducing cerebral blood flow. I have had bouts with low BP and it seriously increased my PCS symptoms.

I get headaches routinely without any change in BP. Mine is usually 116 to 122/74 to 86. I've had it drop to 80-98/50-60. Could hardly stand up.

hi my GP is SLOWLY WANING me of my beta blockers due to side effects they undoubtedly save lives so NO ONE should STOP taking them with out there doctor being involved

the below abstract is of concern to me, as it suggest,s a reduction in CSF production as a side effect ?????? the CSF system is so important in brain health ???

ARTICLES
The nocturnal increase in human cerebrospinal fluid production is inhibited by a beta 1-receptor antagonist

C. Nilsson, F. Stahlberg, P. Gideon, C. Thomsen and O. Henriksen
Department of Medical Cell Research, University of Lund, Sweden.

A circadian variation in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production has recently been demonstrated using magnetic resonance phase imaging. A nightly peak in CSF production was found at approximately 0200, when production is approximately twice the daytime values. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of a beta 1-receptor antagonist, atenolol, on the production of CSF, specifically the nocturnal production peak. CSF production was measured in fourteen healthy volunteers of both sexes in the time interval 1500-1800, with or without drug administration (100 mg orally) at 1800, and a second measurement was made in the time interval 2300-0200. In the absence of drug administration, all nine volunteers showed a significant increase in CSF production at night, from 0.34 +/- 0.06 ml/min in the time interval 1500-1800 to 0.61 +/- 0.05 (SE) ml/min (P < 0.005), confirming the presence of a circadian variation in these individuals. One week later, the experiment was repeated in five of these volunteers, plus an additional five volunteers, but with the administration of 100 mg atenolol orally immediately after the first measurement (at 1800). In five of the volunteers a decrease in CSF production was seen at midnight compared with daytime production values; in two volunteers CSF production remained unchanged, while three volunteers showed increased production. The average CSF production was 32% lower at night (0.27 +/- 0.10 ml/min) compared with the afternoon (0.40 +/- 0.07 ml/min), after administration of atenolol (P = 0.37).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS

link http://ajpregu.physiology.org/cgi/co...ct/267/6/R1445

Since my last accident on the odd occasion I have had terrible headaches (different to PCS headaches) which were caused by extremely high blood pressure - admitted to hospital described as hypertensive crisis.

I am now taking medication for thisl 7.5gm Hyzaar - I note that this contains potassium. I had never had high blood pressure before, PCS- over exercising causes the same type of headache.

Lynlee

When I was at the neuro last week, my blood pressure was 133/65 and that was high for me. I must have been nervous or something, because my blood pressure is usually around 104/58 and my pulse is in the low 50's. One thing I wanted to ask is when you are on beta blockers, is it harder to get your heart rate up? When I work out, it seems like I am going to die, but my heart rate still is not in the cardio range. I hate to sound stupid, but this is all new to me.