Itchy back

[Hawkie147]

Ever since I have been taking Bisoprolol (6 months now) I have noticed I have an itchy back. I read with interest the person who complained of itchy legs but I don't think Bisoprolol was mentioned.

Has anyone out there suffered likewise while taking Bisoprolol.

I am taking 5 mg daily.

I would be interested to know.

Thanks, Jean

[PeterWh]

Jean. I responded to your previous poster itchy legs and I conciliatory that I am on Bisoprolol. Currently on 5mg but this has reduced from 7.5mg over the last 3.5 months.

[Hawkie147 in reply to PeterWh]

Hi Peter.

It was someone else complaining about itchy legs not me. I am getting itchy back and the only change in my drugs from past years has been Bisinopril so obviously I am blaming this. Just wondered if this has happened to anyone else.

Jean

[PeterWh in reply to Hawkie147]

Ok. It may or may not be the bisoprol. I was told that the fact that you have AF increases the chances of things like itchiness, dry skin, etc because of the fact that the body changes to focus on the condition and ensure circulation is best for key functions and therefore like skin get deprived so to speak. Obviously those in persistent AF will be affected more than this in paroxysmal AF.

[Hawkie147 in reply to PeterWh]

That's a very reasonable explanation. I have only had this itchy back since being put on Bisoprolol and that was because I had changed from paroxysmal AF to persistent. So which is to. Lame? Possibly both.

Thanks Peter,

Love Jean

[Jan-Wtrs]

Hello Jean,

I'm also on Bisoprolo - 2.5mg per day. Since starting the drug my face and neck started itching but over the past 6 months the itching has crept across my shoulders and down my back. There are now little lumps in the areas that itch so I went and spoke to my GP but because the consultant prescribed the drug my GP couldn't do anything except recommend that I take and antihistamine tablet at night. The itching has stopped but I don't get to see the consultant until May so I can tell him about the side effect. I want to come off the damn things but daren't just stop taking them. I find it a ridiculous scenario to have to take one drug to combat the side effects of another but it worked for me - give it a try.

[Hawkie147 in reply to Jan-Wtrs]

Thanks for that Jan. So it is obviously the Bisoprolol that's the culprit

It itches more or less all the time and unfortunately can keep me awake at night. Because the Bisoprolol already makes me pretty tired I can do withou sleepless nights.

Another thing that has happened since on Bisinoprolol is that I have a constantly runny nose. What a right moaner am I. One good thing about being on Bisinoprolol is that I no longer need to take blood pressure pills.

I will have a chat with my GP but can't get an appointment until 8 April.

Thanks for your suggestion to try antihistamine, but like you I am loathe to take yet another pill. Hey ho.

Jean

[PeterWh in reply to Hawkie147]

It can be a side effect of AF itself.  My GP prescribed Dermol wash / moisturiser for my legs and it works a treat.  Do not use ordinary soaps nor most things in the bath.  I was very pleasantly surprised about the improvement.

[Hawkie147 in reply to PeterWh]

I must admit PeterWh that I do like my very bubbly bath every night. So this probably isn't helping. Is this another 'pleasure in life' that I must forgo?

Jean

[PeterWh in reply to Hawkie147]

Well that maybe the case(sorry to say!!!).

 I have the bath (but not every night) but just water and no additives. I also only use dermol until the last few minutes. Try not having things for a couple of weeks (it will take AT LEAST that long, maybe a month, to settle down) and see if that makes a difference. If it does you could always try using a bubble bath designed for exma sufferers. I find that if I leave it for 4 or so days not applying the dermol then it beconmes very itchy again. 

[PeterWh in reply to Hawkie147]

Well that maybe the case(sorry to say!!!).

 I have the bath (but not every night) but just water and no additives. I also only use dermol until the last few minutes. Try not having things for a couple of weeks (it will take AT LEAST that long, maybe a month, to settle down) and see if that makes a difference. If it does your could always try using a bubble bath designed for exma sufferers. I find that if I leave it for 4 or so days not applying the dermol then it beconmes very itchy again. 

[PeterWh in reply to Jan-Wtrs]

See above.

[Thomas45]

I've been on Bisoprolol for 6 weeks, 2.5mg and just these last 3 days I've been itching. Currently my back, upper right arm and scalp, and back of left hand, but can be anywhere on my body. It's kept me awake for 2 nights. I get some sleep but not for any decent length of time. I have changed from Paroxysmal AF for 20 years to Persistent AF for 6 months. Put on Bisoprolol by a hospital doctor while in hospital with appendicitis. It's certainly reduced my heart rate but the itching is driving me mad.

[Betwix]

Hi. I have been on bisoprolol for weeks now and I do experience itchy back too. I have been worried about this experience but having read that you also experienced same side effect, am kinda relieved. Thanks for sharing. I hope u r better now.( your write up has been for 3years now) .Take care.