Problems with medication.

[Joanne4_2]

Hi newbie to all this. Only diagnosed a  month ago with Afib.  I also suffer with asthma I have tried Amiodarone which I could not tolerate, Bisporol made me wheeze so that was stopped.  I'm now on Diltiazem and  my asthma started to play up!! Anyone else have these problems and how was they sorted. My anxiety is through the roof with all this.  Thank you.😃

[countrygirl1]

Hi Joanne,

I have mild asthma and am taking Dronedarone (an anti-arrhythmic similar to Amiodarone but with less severe side effects).

I have no problems with asthma, just tiredness which seems to go with most drugs. I'm sorry to hear you are suffering such anxiety, if you can manage to keep calm then it may help your breathing and the AF.

Hope things improve for you soon,

Best Wishes, Jane

[BobD Volunteer]

Hi Joanne and welcome to the mad world of AF.

As you found, beta blockers such as Bisoprolol should not be prescribed to people with asthma. Diltiazem did not suit me either . With AF it is often a long  trudge to find a drug which helps without making life even more unbearable so always feel free to go back to your doctor and explain what is happening.

Anxiety is a given with this mongrel condition but as I always say, knowledge is power so go to AF Association main website and read till you drop so that you start to understand  and can deal with this  thing. It won't kill you although it may feel that way some times. Remember that!

[Mike11]

Bisoprolol and asthma are heavily contra-indicated.  The most likely successful candidates are either Nebivolol, which is a much more highly cardio-specific beta blocker, or Verapamil which is a calcium channel blocker.

The problem is many cardiologists do not like calcium channel blockers despite an Italian trial proving it had a positive effect on AF and so I suspect they will try to go to the Nebivolol first.

[Huffnpuffer]

Hi Joanne,

I have severe asthma and bronchiectasis, and also have AF, and beta blockers have always been a no no with my breathing problems. However, after my last hospital admission with very high heart rate , I was prescribed a low dose of nebivolol daily, to keep the apixaban company, and although i was very reluctant and anxious about taking it, I have had no nasty side effects, no upset tum, extra wheezing or breathlessness, so if your cardiologists suggest this, it is well worth trying.

I totally understand your worries, but do tell your doctor about your anxieties, and ask for a different betablocker till you find one you are comfortable with.

Best wishes. xx