r/cfs•
DreamSoarer

Beta Blockers Worsen ME/CFS?

Treatments

Greetings everyone. I hope today is a “better” day in some way for each of you.

TLDR: Have beta blockers caused your ME/CFS malaise, fatigue, weakness, cognitive confusion/brain fog, memory issues, volition to do small tasks you are capable of without causing PEM, and possibly depression or emotional muteness to become worse over time once your HR/BP are under better control?

——

I’m trying to get a feeling for how much the beta blocker I am on may be worsening my brain fog, malaise, fatigue, lack of volition to do anything (even on “better@ days), cognitive confusion, short term memory loss, and increasing headaches/migraines.

I remember feeling this way about 15 years ago when put on a beta blocker and a statin - when I became extremely severe bed ridden for 4+ years. I stopped both meds when I found out statins caused weakness and malaise in soft tissues, and beta blockers could increase fatigue and cognitive issues. I remember feeling so much better within two to three weeks, but really thought it was more the statin than the beta blocker at the time.

I gave this metoprolol succinate a chance due to how badly covid worsened my POTS symptoms, and the cardiologist stating it had much lower side effect profile. I’m wondering if the beta blocker class of meds is just not great for ME/CFS, or maybe just not great for me. My recently deceased parent who had ME/CFS also felt awful on beta blockers, and I watched their cognitive function decline rapidly once the med was no longer optional.

I’m frustrated, as I know stopping the beta blockers will likely cause my tachycardia to worsen, but I feel so… zombie like at this point. I do plan to speak to my cardiologist at my next appt, to ask about alternatives. Unfortunately, my health insurance is not great. Getting coverage for newer, more effective, less side effects meds is not ever easy and never guaranteed.

Thanks for any insight or experience you may have and be up to sharing. Best wishes 🙏🦋

Posted Jun 8, 2026, 4:34 PM UTC

623
Loading comments…