AF Breathless.

[bigchrisf]

I was diagnosed with AF,always been fit and healthy. Over the last year I find myself breathless, any exertion wipes me out, im on Bisoprolol, no symptoms like racing heart, just breathless. Any suggestions?

[BobD Volunteer]

Bisoprolol can do that.

[Edm174 in reply to BobD]

Hi i take bisoprosol too and get breathless !!! Is there others tablets I could take ?? Seeing doctor on Monday will mention this to him !!

[jeanjeannie50]

I used to feel totally drained if I tried to do anything requiring effort and always put it down to my heart. However, it was my thyroid and now taking medication for that has given me energy again. I used to have to sleep afternoons, but not anymore.

It may be an idea to have a blood test and get yours checked.

Jean

[amyrosie in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Amiodarone has given me overactive thyroid and am also on bisoprolol, so no wonder I am breathless then.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to amyrosie]

Yes, it was Amiodarone that damaged my thyroid too. Mine is now underactive.

[millie123fairy]

Hi. I’ve been on bisoprolol (2.5mg) for nearly 5 years and have suffered with breathlessness throughout. Some days it wipes me out. Breathlessness is my biggest issue. I’ve has lung function tests and they are all fine. I’ve been told that breathing should not be something we think about doing and the more we think of it the more anxious we get andbthe worse the symptoms get. I also get it worse when I eat large meals. I’ve found mediation and yoga helps. Have you spoke to your dr and is there another medication they can give you? Talk to your doctor. There are other meds they can try. Good luck

[cassie46]

I have suffered form breathlessness with Biso, but I do also have mild COPD. I have been trying for the last 6 months to change to Nebivolol (it is often given to AFers with asthma ). Cardiac department refused but eventually go my GP to change it a month ago. So have now been on it a month and it has made a great difference. Far less breathlessness and chest feels freer . I think Nebivolol is a little more expensive than Biso. Nebivolol came to my attention on this forum six months ago, I would never had head of it if it had not been for the forum.

Cassie

[Jonathan_C]

has anyone tried/consider calcium channel blockers? Its an alternative...which I don't have experience with

[Hidden]

I take Felodipine as a calcium channel blocker and get on with it much better than Bisoprolol. I also take 2.5 of Nebivolol if I am really desperate

Di

[Polski]

If the AF is not properly controlled, then less oxygen gets round the body and that can lead to breathlessness and lack of energy. If the changes suggested above don't work, it might be time to consult a cardiologist or EP.

[bigchrisf]

Thank you all I will investigate your suggestions.

[Mike11]

Sounds like you may be slightly asthmatic so ask to try nebivolol or verapamil and see which has the least side effects for you. Both will be better than bisoprolol.

[KMRobbo]

I could not tolerate bisoprolol and was not good on Attenonol but better. My main problem was tiredness but had poor exercise tolerance . I was only 1 week on the former and 2 weeks on the latter, and my GP switched me to verapamil 120mg a calcium channel blocker . I am currently on diltiazem 200mg. (Another calcium channel blocker) For me both are better than bisoprolol. I was happier on the verapamil as it was less intrusive. Diltiazem 120 is better than 200mg but probably still worse than verapamil.

Your GP can change these drugs so I suggest an urgent discussion to see if it would be ok for you. (I am not a doctor)

Obviously (unfortunately) things that work for me may not work for you but if you do not try you will not know. A lot of people have problems with bisoprolol.

Cheers