I switched to atenolol from propranolol and a few other meds two months ago.

I had thinning hair, cold hands and feet and nightmares on propranolol, but not unbearable. I've had no side effects at all on atenolol because it's cardio-specific and doesn't cross the blood/brain barrier. The first week my legs got tired easily from walking and my arms ached, but that's completely gone now. Because atenolol acts throughout the day, I don't have rebound panic attacks like I did on propranolol. My resting heart rate is down to 65bpm from 130bpm and anxiety has completely eased. So much so that I'm weaning off all my other medication.

Like all beta-blockers, they either suit you or they don't. And then they either beta-block, or they don't... so dosages may need to be increased gradually until you feel the desired effect. They shouldn't be used as first line treatment for high blood pressure anymore, but they work pretty well for anxiety and panic disorders for most people if used correctly.

I had really bad shakes first thing in the morning when I first started atenolol and my pulse was around 110 again until they kicked in 2-3 hours after taking them. Switched to taking them at night and it's stopped that completely.

Hope they work for you as well as they have for me! Let us know how you get on