Fatique on Bisoprolol and bleeding on Warfarin.

[mastiff22]

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum find all the information on here very helpful and reassuring .

I am a 70 year old woman who until recently was very fit, having completed most of the major treks in the world, including Kilimanjaro, Inca Trail, Everest Base camp and the London Marathon to name just a few. These have all been completed in the last 10 years. In October of last year on return from White Water Rafting down the Colorado river I happened to take my own pulse and was shocked to find it racing and irregular. After ECG GP diagnosed AF and prescribed Warfarin and Bisoprolol ............... From that moment on my life has changed completely. Bisoprolol has been gradually increased to 10mg and I feel awful. Just climbing my stairs leaves me exhausted. Bearing in mind I had no obvious symptoms before I took my pulse. As we'll as this fatigue, I have had two serious bleeds, one from my bladder which was very scary but after investigations, including Cystoscopy nothing was found. The Urologist felt that it was the Warfarin that had caused it but was unable to explain why. Has anyone else experienced bleeds with no obvious reason for them.

[CTG99]

Hi there,

I was on 2.5mg Bisoprolol twice daily and felt like a zombie, so hate to think what you're feeling! The good news is that there are alternatives to Bisoprolol that you could try. My electrophysiologist (EP) switched me onto Tildiem Retard (a brand name for Diltiazem) and it's made a huge difference to me. Bisoprolol seems to be the starting point but if it doesn't work, try something else.

Incidentally, one message you will see coming across many times in the forum is to get yourself seen by an EP - they specialise in the electrical workings of the heart. Your GP may be able to refer you, or you can pay to see one privately (my first appointment was £275 and the follow-up about £125).

Lastly, if you have any ECGs done, ask them for a copy - you're entitled to it and it will save delays (and potentially cost) down the line.

Don't give up - it should be possible to get a lot of your life back!

Caroline

[shirlygirly]

HI, I was in 2.5 mg and felt exactly the same as you I thought it was the

af and then passed out in town. I then after an ECG it was found my

heartrate had dropped way too low, my dose if Bisop was halved and

that solved the problem. I did wonder what made you take your pulse

in the first place, if you and no inkling anything was wrong. I take

Rivaroxaban so couldnt comment on your other problem. There is no

doubt af has changed my life completely Im a few years older than you

but would have a go at most things within reason, but feel my age most

of the time these days. Hope things improve for you very soon, but do

see a EP as soon as possible.

[Dave1961]

Bisoprolol is similar to metoprolol which I take and basically it slows down your heart which in turn means you not able to exert yourself or exercise as much . You will also fell tireder because your heart is simply not pumping as much as it should which in turn means your body is depleted of oxygen more easily.

My heart rate is around 60 bpm which is wonderful if I was an athlete but leaves me tired as a couch potato.

If you are in a high risk group for bleeding you maybe better to use something like simple aspirin - as I do - to thin your blood - on your dr's advice obviously.

As a side not I am a magnesium FAN big time and it is vital to maintaining normal rhythm of your heart - it has reduced my AF's significantly and I always suggest people look into it as it seems generally that dr's and cardiologists rarely look at supplements for assistance.

[MarkS]

Frankly your GP is not the right person to see. They have no detailed knowledge of AF. If bisoprolol makes you feel worse then it's the wrong drug for you. As suggested above, you need to see an EP and get a proper diagnosis.

Also consider getting a Coaguchek monitor. It will help you ensure you remain in the right INR range of 2-3. Your INR could have been too high and caused the bleeding.

[Pdotg]

I halved my dose of bisoprolol, from 2.5 to 1.25mg, and life improved immediately. When I told the EP he said it was the right thing to do. I feel fine now.