Discussion Board

I am a 61 yr old woman with episodic atrial fib. I've been vegetarian for about 2 1/2 yrs for health reasons(I have two brothers that are "cardiac cripples" and everyone in the family has exceedingly high cholesterol, except when on statins) I have read the China Study, Dr Esselstyn's book, Dr Barnard's books, Dr Fuhrman's book, but most recently, I read The Starch Solution, and loved Dr. McDougall's message, but it doesn't seem to be working for me. I am(and have been since puberty) overweight (I can't even admit to the numbers on this board) and although i dropped some weight when first going veg, I leveled out again. Now even sticking to TSS religiously, and walking 40 minutes most days, my weight, after the first 4 lbs, is staying the same.
I am on a beta blocker, preventatively to try to reduce the episodes of AF. I was on 2 80 mg tablets of Sotolol (canadian name) a day at first but decided to cut back to one a day with my internist's okay, as it made me feel so lazy and made my heart rate too low. My question is, for anyone who feels qualified to answer it, do beta blockers make it more difficult to lose weight? I am a nurse so I do know that they slow down many bodily functions, that is their job after all, and I just wonder whether metabolism is one of them. Has anyone else had experience with being on beta blockers and the McDougall program at the same time? I am thinking some of the Star mcDougallers may be able to respond to this. Thanks in advance for your help.

I am 68. In the last 17 years, I have had three episodes of atrial fibrillation (accompanying rapid and irregular heart rate). I am now free of it (spontaneous remission) but I take Metoprolol, a 25 mg extended release tablet at breakfast daily, as a possible preventative.

My body mass index has dropped (from the time when I was taking 50 mg) to 17-18. (I am 6ft tall and weight about 125 lbs.) In other words, decreasing the dosage did result in some loss of weight. If that cause-and-effect relationship is correct, then I am not surprised. Metoprolol does cause me to sleep more and does slow me down.

However, I would be very surprised that a moderate dosage (perhaps 50 mg of Metoprolol) would stop weight loss in someone who is severely overweight but follows the McDougall Program with 100% compliance (strict diet and, I would suggest, moderate daily exercise).

How much exercise are you getting every day?

What are you eating and drinking? Please list what you typically eat and drink -- perhaps your last three or next three meals.

Here is what I eat, for special medical issues: http://anti-itisdiet.blogspot.com/2010/ ... i-eat.html

You might want to use Dr. McDougall's Maximum Weight Loss Plan. That book is in my library and you might find it in yours or with an interlibrary loan. This plan uses fewer starches per meal and more green and yellow vegetables (or salads).

Didi

I was on beta blockers for 18 years for high blood pressure and tachycardia. During those years, I watched my health get much worse. I had no energy, gained over 40 lbs, had chronic joint and muscle pain and was eventually diagnosed with Type II diabetes, with absolutely no family history of it. I do, however, have a family history of hypothyroidism and although I had nearly every clinical symptom of this disease, doctors refused to diagnose hypothyroidism because my labs said there was nothing wrong. For the last 10 years I was on the beta blocker, I ate what I believed to be, at the time, a healthy diet. No red meats, no fried foods, lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. I continued to gain weight and feel lousy. Since doctors could find no reason for me to feel so awful, I took my health into my own hands and decided it had to be medication related. Amazingly enough, I found an article about a clinical study on beta blockers on the American Heart Associations web site that clearly stated fully 1/3 of the people put on these poisons will develop Type II diabetes. With the help of my cardiologist, I got off the beta blocker. I also stopped taking the medication I was on for diabetes. 1 year and 4 months later, my blood sugars are normal, and have been for about the past 6 months. Another great thing that happened after getting off the beta blocker was my "true" labs began to come through. Apparently, beta blockers also mask certain lab tests, thyroid tests being one of them. Within just a few months of being off the beta blocker I was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism and am now being treated for it. I feel like a completely new person. So, yes, beta blockers do make it harder to lose weight. They also make it harder for your physicians to discover what is "really" wrong with you in some cases. I am an advocate of no beta blockers unless there just really isn't any other way, but after seeing Forks Over Knives, I believe this way of living can make it possible for all of us to be off of many, if not all of our medications. My hubby and I are starting this way of life, and I'll be very curious to see what happens with the thyroid. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and don't play one on tv. PLEASE DO NOT attempt to stop any medication without the help and advice of your physician. Stopping some medications "cold turkey" can cause an exacerbation of symptoms up to and including death.

I had an episode of AF (and one repeat 2months later)due to a stupid Dr overdosing my thyroid meds for low thyroid. I was put on beta blockers and aspirin. I did not feel good on the bb and also did research on the aspirin use. I weaned off both so that I was able to have the energy to walk and exercise and now keep both in my purse in case I go into AF again. I found afibbers.net and took their advice regarding supplements (magnesium is very important). Celebrating 2 years AF free although I know it can strike any time but glad I didn't waste those years on drugs for something that didn't happen anneh

What about starting a beta blocker? I took one for 2 or 3 years after my stent then the doctor took me off. Recently have developed angina and he wants me to take it again even though he supports a plant based nutrition effort to reverse the disease. he calls it the ornish plan and is not familiar with Dr E. But he says that in the ornish study, even those who had reversal were monitored and treated carefully the entire time with medications.

Any on eou tthere taking a beta blocker for angina? what dosage?

I was diagnosed with heart disease two months ago though I never did have angiography. I am trying to reverse my condition.

I am on 25 mg metopropol. On this WOE, my angina was almost gone after 4 weeks. After a great blood work, the doctor reduced it to half. But recently I started having some angina and have upped the dose to full 25 mg and it appears to help.

It is true that Dr Esselstyn's patients were on medications.