Anxiety

[Gemini4444]

Hi I've just been started on bisoprolol 5mg daily for anxiety and just wondered if it has helped others with it and the side effects? Any help is appreciated.

[BobD Volunteer]

Bisoprolol is a beta blocker to slow your heart so you will feel tired. Not sure how it is to help anxiety as feeling fatigued may make that worse, CBT or mindfullness would seem better solutions.

[Gemini4444 in reply to BobD]

Hi yes I think they would be better, I didn't realise it slowed your heart down, perhaps it makes you less anxious because your tired.

[Gemini4444 in reply to BobD]

Hi BobD sorry for being late getting back to you. Thanks for explaining it so well. I feel tired and quiet sick but hopefully it will get better

[doodle68]

Hello Gemini I am on a different beta blocker for AF , as Bob says they can slow the heart down.

They also block the hormone nor adrenaline which we use in our 'fight and flight' response. I feel calmer and less anxious since I have been on BB's and that helps to keep my blood pressure and heart rate down.

We are all different , see how you get on. Learning some relaxation techniques may help with your anxiety too...

[Gemini4444 in reply to doodle68]

Hi doodle68 that was very interesting about the bb's blocking that hormone. If you don't get that noradrenaline that gets you in fight or flight then when you're in a stressful situation you wouldn't get the physical symptoms which are horrible and make you feel terrible. That makes sense and relaxation techniques would be really useful.

[CaroleF]

I take bisoprolol for AF and it does sometimes make me feel very tired. One of my daughter's friends takes a beta blocker for anxiety in stressful situations (eg important presentations to clients at work) but I don't think she takes it all the time. As far as I know she doesn't experience any adverse side effects, but she's not taking it every day.

I find taking bisoprolol twice a day (eg 2.5mg in the morning and 2.5mg at night in your case) rather than one dose of 5mg helps to lessen the adverse side effects. You could try asking your GP about that. Other people here have also said that helps.

[Gemini4444 in reply to CaroleF]

Hi thanks Carolef,that sounds like a good idea to take the tablet in two smaller doses to lessen the side affects. I feel the same as you very tired. If it doesn't improve I'll speak to my GP.

[Madgranny2]

I take 5 mg of Bisoprolol since my new valve and artery replacement almost 3 weeks ago as I have also had episodes of AF.

I find it makes me a little sickly and I am a little tired but it's early days after the op. I was thinking of trying it at night as I get very little sleep it may help that. Thanks for the comments, very helpful

[Gemini4444 in reply to Madgranny2]

Hi I hope you have a speedy recovery. I feel like you a bit sickly and tired. I take mine at night and I think that helps.

[seasider18]

Darts and snooker players evidently take it to steady their hands. Evidently no drug testing in such 'Sports'

[Gemini4444 in reply to seasider18]

Hi that's really interesting that they use them. It must keep them calm and steady.

[nikonBlue]

hello Gemini4444,

I too take this medication and have done so for almost 4 years now and yes it can make me a bit exhausted at times, however I am on several different medications that off course all have side effects including the cancer meds I take every day and one of that little pill's side effects is....Fatigue!!

So, all in all I'm not sure which one of the cocktail I take every morning causes the unrelenting tiredness. I'm going out to a live gig tonight and heaven knows how I'll stay awake !!!!

Like others have said though, we are all different so see how you go with it and all the best.

stay well

Blue x

[Gemini4444 in reply to nikonBlue]

Hi Blue you really are in a sticky dilemma not knowing which tablet is causing the fatigue but at least I know with not being on so much medication what it is so my plan is to see my doctor on Monday to see if I can try something else. Take care Gemini.

[Gemini4444 in reply to Gemini4444]

Thanks again x