Is there any kind of medication that can be taken instead of...

Is there any kind of medication that can be taken instead of Tenenol? the loss of libido is really terrible.

I presume the drug you're meaning is atenolol.

This is one of the family of beta blockers.

It is used to lower the stress on the heart by slowing its pumping (you'll have noticed a decreased heart rate). I would presume that you are taking other meds that lower your blood pressure that also help reduce stress on the heart.

If you're like many people taking beta blockers, by the time you reach the middle of the evening, physical tiredness sets in and that alone can certainly squash libido never mind any direct side effects.

There are other beta blockers that your doctor might consider, but because the action is similar, in terms of physical tiredness, you may not have a choice and have to deal with libido issues in other ways.

First, talk to your cardiologist or whoever is managing your heart issues. Tell them it's severely impacting your libido. See if they might consider a lower dose or a different beta blocker (although changing may not improve things). There are plenty of reasons that may not be possible ... that is if you want your heart to give you a good long life!

If the doctor can't do anything with the meds, then look at changing your sexual schedule to times when you aren't so fatigued for example.

Don't be embarrassed ... talk with your doctor.

Don't stop the atenolol on your own ... you can potentially trigger a heart attack!

Thank you for that answer. I would never stop medication on my own. I will talk to my doctor about it. As it is now, at no time during the day do I have much inclination towards sex, so I am not sure it has to do with fatigue.

Any beta blocker and other BP lowering medication will certainly lower your drive.

It's also worth considering that there can be a psychological component from "fear of the exertion". We've all heard stories of people dropping dead during sex from heart attacks. From all accounts it's a really rare thing, but the trouble is it's the kind of thing that might get to you subconsciously rather than consciously ... so while one part of you may want sex, another is saying "I don't want to in case I have a heart attack!" The fear of a heart attack would probably win, stifling your libido!

I take a similar beta blocker without a significant problem other than the fatigue I mentioned.

So, explore these issues with your doctor. If your condition is now stable, there should be no worries about sex causing a heart attack! I know it's easy to worry though. Even though I've been assured that I'm nearly as good as new, over a year out and I'm still a little concerned about exertion activity. (It's easy to say "Hey you're good now" when a few days earlier you said "You're gonna die tonight"!!! But the reality is, based on what they needed to do, they're absolutely right ...)

I hope a year after my incident, I will feel as well as you sound

Thanks ... My recovery from my CABG surgery was quite remarkable but it was a few silly things that have taken a long time, like my leg where they took out the graft, and the "loose" feeling inside my chest and discomfort in the chest wall (rib cage). Nothing ever "hurt" from the surgery, just uncomfortable and the discomfort diminshes with time. Most people I know who've been through heart surgery say the same thing. THey feel quite good even at 3 months, but it takes 12 until they're feeling like their old self again.

Good luck!

Stay healthy!

Stuart that is actually very encouraging information you placed here about the painless but discomfort (mainly for people having to undergo the same surgery). Thank you for that and I would like to underscribe 'guest's' wish: Stay healthy