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Beta blockers and stopping taking them ?

Rocket1974 profile image
15 Replies

Hi all

Just looking for comments please. I have been taking the above with flecanide for suspected AF but I know my heart doesn't race it's just misses beats every so often or regularly if my stomach is playing up. I take laprozole for my stomach also.

I have recently stopped the beta blockers and feel massively better and less bloated and happier in all.

Has any one else done this and found same results.

I found the beta blockers were making me worse and causing my stomach to be upset that set off my missed beats. Vicious circle and all that.

So i am now feeling loads better. How do other people find it ??

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Rocket1974 profile image
Rocket1974
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15 Replies
doodle68 profile image
doodle68

Hi Rocket :-) I take the BB Nebivolol and haven't experienced the same side effects as yourself . I feel calmer/fitter more relaxed (maybe due to adrenaline activity being reduced)

The only problems I am experiencing (and they may be due the the anticoagulant not the BB ) are hot flushes /tinnitus is worse/ a funny headache so my head feels as though it is in a vice and being crushed. However, my Blood Pressure is down to a reasonable level as is my pulse rate and the PAF seemingly under control and I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardise that . So am prepared to tolerate all of the above in exchange for no lengthy episodes of PAF.

After a month my headache has felt a bit better over the last couple of day, is it coincidence I wonder that I have started taking Magnesium Taurate this week.

Vanna-C profile image
Vanna-C

A few weeks ago, with GP and Cardio agreement, I stopped taking Bisoprolol. Even though I was only taking 1.25g, it was still causing breathlessness and eye problems. (I suffer from dry eyes as well)

Since stopping taking them regularly, I am feeling much more energetic, which is good - school holidays means taking care of various youngsters several days a week!

However, after a few days, I do find that my heart rate gets more and more erratic, (Apple Watch recording HR of between 35 and 155 in a couple of hours - but not AF) and have found that if I take just one tablet every week or so, it keeps everything ticking over smoothly. Haven't mentioned this to GP yet, waiting for my next lot of NOAC blood tests before attempting to get an appointment!

Hadn't thought about the bloating, but that has improved since I'm not taking Bisoprolol regularly.

Pollywaffle10 profile image
Pollywaffle10 in reply toVanna-C

Very surprised to read that you are having NOAC blood tests.....are you new to them....I understood that not monitoring blood was was one of the benefits of NOAC's over Warfarin.

terryw profile image
terryw in reply toPollywaffle10

Hi, I am on Apixaban and one of the early requirements was a quarterly blood test on the kidneys. After about a year I had this test extended to every 12 months.Terry

Vanna-C profile image
Vanna-C in reply toPollywaffle10

At the moment, 6 monthly checks - not too bad!

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

Exactly as you did, felt MUCH better without Beta-blockers.

Rocket1974 profile image
Rocket1974 in reply toCDreamer

It's strange how it changes you and being off them is far better

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat

I was told to stop beta blockers as it dropped my heart rate too much. I am on Flecainide and warfarin only. Beta blocker tried again when I got a few runs of regular tachycardia but again had to stop and gradually reduced flecainide to 50mg twice a day

Rocket1974 profile image
Rocket1974

Thanks.

I had one episode where heart raced and A&E reset my heart.

Since I have had 24 hour monitor and no missed beats. Also heart scan EKG ?!and all good there.

The only time I have missed beats is when my stomach flares up and I have reflux but not avid just regurgitating my food. Not nice I know sorry

Jhcoop55 profile image
Jhcoop55

Agree with other post. Flec is typically not prescribed or taken on its own and is usually prescribed with a rate control drug. Talk to your cardiologist or EP but my EP indicated to me that Flec should not be taken on its own when I asked him the same question a few months ago.

Pollywaffle10 profile image
Pollywaffle10

Jhcoop55 I do agree with you, Flecainide is not without its problems. Rate control first, and the occasional Flec if AF starts.

avrambaer profile image
avrambaer

Stopping beta blockers will raise pulse rates so one will feel better. But it should be done gradually otherwise there could be a dangerous rebound.

nikonBlue profile image
nikonBlue

Read all these comments with some interest and confusion. I apparently have PAF and am on Flecainide (150x2) daily plus I take Perindipril and Bisipolol. I am constantly exhausted and can barely cope with my part time job most days. I am off to bed most evenings by 9pm and that's only because it's unfair on my dog for me to go to bed any earlier, though many a time I fall asleep on the sofa.

Is it the meds that are making me so tired? I am also on Exemastane (breast cancer drug) though this tiredness has been an issue long before my cancer diagnosis.

I recently had another 5 day monitor which just beeped randomly all the time. I haven't heard anything back about it so am assuming there's nothing showed up.

Tis all very confusing for a girl!!!!

Stay well everyone

Blue :-) x

Polski profile image
Polski in reply tonikonBlue

How much bisoprolol do you take? It is known to produce tiredness, so a decrease in this (with your doctor's agreement) might make a lot of difference.

I take mine at night don't feel as lethargic

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