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Bisoprolol and tiredness.

Purpletara profile image
113 Replies

Have just tried to walk around town after being on bisoprolol 1.25 twice a day and I’m absolutely wiped out. Couldn’t wait to get back to the car. Can’t live my life like this I’m 66 not 86! Is this normal? Before getting AF I used to walk my dog at a brisk rate for 2 hours and that’s just about 3 weeks ago! Is it the bisoprolol? Should I ask my doctor about another beta blocker?

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Purpletara profile image
Purpletara
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113 Replies

I have the same issue amongst other things. I really hate the drug. I've been on it about 8 weeks now. I'm on 3.75mg all in one dose

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Are you able to check that your blood pressure isn't going down too low? Your dose of Bisoprolol is not high, perhaps give your body more time to get used to it.

Mind you with this hot weather I think we're all feeling extremely worn out. I certainly am.

Jean

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to jeanjeannie50

Hi jeanjeannie. You could be right about my blood pressure. Have just taken it and it is quite low - will mention it when I see the cardiologist. Thank you for everyone for your replies. I'm not a very patient patient! I feel another learning curve coming on!! A few people have mentioned it took a few weeks to get used to it - here's hoping!

in reply to Purpletara

The one thing that AF will teach you is to be patient, especially with yourself. So, get used to it, the quicker you can do this the better it will be for you.

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to

Wise words! I can see the logic in that. Think the universe is teaching me a lesson here. I've never been a patient person - always on the go and needing things done yesterday. Time to try and change i think.

in reply to Purpletara

Exactly me too...let the universe take over ... you might as well 😂😂😂

catwoman2015 profile image
catwoman2015 in reply to Purpletara

Just to say I been taking mine over 2 year so always been tired

Dangerousdriver profile image
Dangerousdriver in reply to jeanjeannie50

I am finding the hot weather very tough and I can feel my pulse raising just by being warm. I have never been bothered by hot weather, but I hate it at the moment. Never realised it had such an impact on us AF sufferers!

bennie06 profile image
bennie06

When i first started Bisoporol i suffered with fatigue but after a week or so it certainly eased. Now no significant side effects and back to normal dog walking.

Takes your body time to adjust. Good luck.

Finvola profile image
Finvola

I started taking Bisoprolol 2.5mg over four years ago. At first I could barely function at all but with perseverance could manage to wade about gasping. After six months, it was reduced to 1.25mg but I finally got fed up feeling breathless and worn out and was switched to Nebivolol a month ago.

It may be that you will get accustomed to it, many people do but I wasn’t one of them.

Chrisdave profile image
Chrisdave in reply to Finvola

Yes that sounds very much like me. I was put on Bisoprolol 2.5 once a day initially in A & E till I saw the cardiologist. He changed it to 1.25 and whilst I feel better I am still to some extent a little lethargic and slow in most things do. I also take it at night now which I feel has helped. I'm not convinced it's for me long-term though and may semi reluctantly try the cardiologists alternative Diltiazem. Time will only tell. I'm relatively new to all this only having been diagnosed with A F in January

Fifelassieo profile image
Fifelassieo in reply to Chrisdave

I am on the same dose, l am extremely tired after doing anything physical, l also get out of breath, maybe should take it a night also.

IanMK profile image
IanMK

I’m 63 and on 2.5mg in the morning and 5mg in the evening. It took some time to get up to this level and I find the first part of a walk to be more difficult, but once over this hurdle I’m fine. Otherwise, I find that some days I’m more exhausted than others. If I don’t make the effort to be active I seem to suffer more. The present hot weather is certainly not helping.

Vonnieruth profile image
Vonnieruth

I'm on 2.5mg in a morning At first it was like I was dragging a weight to me all time Have been on them about 6weeks now and feeling a little better I have also changed my BP tablets from ramipril to losartan a week ago

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to Vonnieruth

Hi. That's how I feel. Felt as if I had lead weights on my feet! After being a very fit dog walker less than a month ago I'm not very happy. Pleased you are feeling a bit better. I've only been on them for 2 weeks so I suppose it's early days.

I thought these drugs should make us feel better not worse!

Vonnieruth profile image
Vonnieruth in reply to Purpletara

Think it's getting accustomed to changes in our body also

IanMK profile image
IanMK in reply to Purpletara

Try and keep with it. Two weeks is no time at all. I’ve been on bisoprolol for 6 months now. It took a few months to get up to my ‘tolerable’ dose.

I eventually took an option for private treatment to speed-up my treatment and I have had an ablation this week. Unfortunately, I already know that a further procedure is required in my case but I know that this is necessary to get back to my previous level of fitness. (Perhaps even better 😉).

catwoman2015 profile image
catwoman2015 in reply to Vonnieruth

Hi I’m also on 2 mg perindopril And find that my bp is low in morning where I feel weak regards Holly

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

I couldn’t bear Bisoprolol - it’s hard to know until you stop the drug but I felt much, much better without it.

foxglove profile image
foxglove in reply to CDreamer

Did you have an alternative to bisoprolol? or did you just stop?

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply to foxglove

I have an underlying condition which is exacerbated by Beta Blockers so I don’t have anything now but I stopped long before that was discovered because of the side effects.

foxglove profile image
foxglove in reply to CDreamer

Thanks I have Raynaud's which I wasn't told affected by bisoprolol so i stopped. feel much better off but still have to fess. to doc.!

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply to foxglove

When we have these conditions we often know more than many doctors and often have to educate them & certainly check everything.

foxglove profile image
foxglove in reply to CDreamer

Absolutely! but I often slip up and maybe, just maybe, hope that docs. are at least being interested1 Will I ever learn???

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara

Hi. I actually feel ok on it - perhaps a little light headed - until I try to go for a walk! Hopefully this will wear off because I've been an avid dog walker for 40 years and don't want to be stuck in the house!

mbheart profile image
mbheart

Hmmm, I take 10 mg. each morning and I don't have any side effects. I just got home from a brisk walk, in fact. So it seems I'm on a high dose compared to everyone here so I wonder about that too. The one drug I can't stand is Lisinopril due to the coughing side effects. I take 5 mg. of that each day. I need to talk to my cardiologist about the amount of drugs I am taking.

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to mbheart

Hi mbheart. I am so used to doing brisk walks. Have walked dobermanns for 40 years. Luckily my dog is old now and has arthritis in her legs so this couldn't have come at a better time. Have you always been able to walk well on the Bisoprolol?

mbheart profile image
mbheart in reply to Purpletara

Hi there, I hope that perhaps you are just adjusting to the drug and you'll feel better soon. As for me, I am in permanent AF (diagnosed less than a year ago) and I really have been asymptomatic. I am fine when I do brisk walks so it's all strange to me as I was diagnosed by accident - went in for an appt. and by chance, I was told my heart beat was high and irregular which led to more tests. I have always felt fine which I guess is good but it also makes me a little worried in a way. I take Bisoprolol, Lisinopril, and Pradaxa (2X a day). I don't like taking so many drugs but it is only the Lisinopril that really bothers me. Sadly, I think I will be on these drugs for life :-(

smn100 profile image
smn100 in reply to mbheart

I'm on 10 as well have been for 8 years

Vonnieruth profile image
Vonnieruth in reply to mbheart

I came off ramipril due to the cough it caused Put on Losartan which also apparently can cause a cough No win situation I think

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper in reply to mbheart

I'm also on 10mg of bisoprolol taken each morning. I also feel fine with zero side effects.

mbheart profile image
mbheart in reply to djbgatekeeper

Good to know - thanks for sharing.

I started bisoprolol at 12.5 mg a day, yes, twelve point five.

To say I was a zombie is an understatement.

I managed to reduce it to 1.25 mg after an ablation, but even this dose caused me to feel tired and like I was walking through treacle.

I'm off them again now, due to HR going in to the low 30s at night.

Lots of palpitations for a few weeks when I started stopped taking them, and HR was in the high 80s most of the day.

A month or so since stopping them, my HR is in the mid 50s when I wake up and mid 70s during the day.

I feel like a weight has been lifted.

My cardiac nurse told me that 1.25 was such a small dose for someone of my size I shouldn't be feeling so tired, well, she was wrong

Vonnieruth profile image
Vonnieruth in reply to

Hi can I ask how you found out your HR was going so low on a night As in night do you when in bed or early night time when relaxing

Drummerswidow profile image
Drummerswidow in reply to

Mikee69. I’m glad I read your post! I had an ablation at the end of May. Been told to continue to take my Bisoprolol and Flecainide and I’m really struggling out of breath and so so tired. My heart rate is slow in the morning. Feel there’s hope if the ablation has been successful and can come off some of the medication. Your right about wading through treacle! A good description.

in reply to Drummerswidow

Glad that I have helped in some small way.

The idea behind my ablation was to get me off the drugs as I didn't tolerate them well.

I was gutted that I was still on bisoprolol a year after the ablation, but as you can see, there is hope.

Speak to your GP / EP before stopping though!!

Drummerswidow profile image
Drummerswidow in reply to

I’m going to St Thomas’ in September to see if the ablation has been successful and hopefully to come off some tablets. Fingers crossed!

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to

Yes. I agree with everyone - wading through treacle describes it perfectly!

When sleeping. I had a 24 hour monitor that picked up the issue.

My HR in the day time was in the low 50s . I was wiped out all the time

Vonnieruth profile image
Vonnieruth in reply to

Mine never dropped through the night according to my 24 monitor It remained high Goes to show everyone is so different in how their body works

KMRobbo profile image
KMRobbo

I could not tolerate even 1.25mg. I tried for a week. Every time I took one I was asleep 40 minutes ish later I was so tired. When I woke up I had pain in my arms and upper chest and felt dreadful. I had no exercise tolerance. I tried atenonol for two weeks after this. Was better but still bad. My GP decided i was not tolerating beta blockers changed me to 120mg of verapamil a calcium channel blocker

Felt almost normal on this.

The important point is your GP can change these drugs. Much quicker and easier than seeing a cardiologist.

NooNoo14 profile image
NooNoo14

I was transferred to Bisopropol from a calcium channel blocker and my mental and physical health deteriorated so much that I had exactly the same thoughts as you - was life worth living. It also gave me asthmatic symptoms. I was then swapped to a low dose of Atenalol and all symptoms disappeared. I have started to feel human again and am building up my exercise by walking.

Good luck.

Netty

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to NooNoo14

Sounds like a light at the end of the tunnel. Bisoprolol is the first drug i have been put on. Sounds as if trial and error is the way forward. Have been in them 2 weeks. Will give it another week to see if it settled down. Am ok in the house. Have no other problems with it now just can't walk and I love walking. Thank you Netty.

bennie06 profile image
bennie06 in reply to Purpletara

Persevere and you should get there. Took me about a month to get to walk a mile (distance not time!!). Now, 4 months later, back to 4 miles plus. Target setting helped me, though don't be too ambitious initially.

Good luck.

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to bennie06

Hi bennie. Have taken another members advice and become an enthusiastic plodder! Pleased to hear you are doing so well. Hopefully it'll be the same for me soon.

It may be worth while sticking with the Bisoprolol for a little longer, and let your body get used to it. I commenced on 2.5 in hospital around a year ago and quickly realised that I had to just sit still for a half hour or so and let the effects drift over me. I assume this was the lowering of blood pressure. Since then I have been up as high as 10 mg daily, taking these at one time was debilitating but splitting them to 5 morning and evening was OK.

I can now play 18 holes of golf 2 or 3 times a week without too much trouble, and feel almost normal again!

lindat15 profile image
lindat15

Been on Bisoprolol now for 18 months. Felt very sluggish on it for first few months - started on 5 mg and couple of months later increased to 7.5. Took about a month for side effects to settle. Some mornings feel very tired particularly if not doing anything. Push myself to go for a walk and within 10 minutes start to feel normal again-presumably as this increases my heart rate. Find it difficult to walk up steep inclines though- like pushing against a brick wall! Always been active and walk most days.

catwoman2015 profile image
catwoman2015

Hi funny you should say this I’m on same dose and I’m always tired I’m 66 just also and feel a lot older will ask my Gp when I see him regards Holly

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to catwoman2015

Let me know how you get on please. Best wishes Ruth.

Mike11 profile image
Mike11

This has been covered numerous times recently. If you are tired on bisoprolil, ask your GP to change to Nebivolol urgently as you may have undiagnosed asthma. They can do this without asking the consultant.

SuzieA profile image
SuzieA

Bisoprolol just exhausted me too.

angell1950 profile image
angell1950

Hi I’m on bisoprolol too : I have good days and others where I want to sit and rest: it’s so infuriating because I was so active : I’ve lead an active life working as a postal person: I don’t want to be a couch potato but take each day as it comes : give the bisoprolol time to work and settle down :

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara

This sounds just like my rant of yesterday. Thank you for your reply. Best wishes Ruth.

Petrified profile image
Petrified

I'm on 7.5mgm Bisoprolol. Started on 2.5 & gradually increased. Been on it now for a few months. I'm still feeling very tired and my chest feels as if there's an elephant sitting on it - not pain just'heaviness'. Was always active before but so breathless that it's not possible to exercise. Have tried to keep going and 'breaking through' the discomfort but it doesn't work. Cardiologist says to 'give it time'. Saw EP this week and on waiting list for ablation (probably November).

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara

Hi. I hope you feel better soon. I'm so sorry you sound so stuck - makes my rant about not being able to walk in perspective. From what people have replied to me it might be a good idea to have a word with your G.P. about a change of tablets. I think it was Mike11 who wrote about possible undiagnosed asthma. It's worth a try. Hope your ablation goes well and you feel better soon.

choccydeb profile image
choccydeb

Hi I had the same problem with Bisoprolol so I switched to taking before I go to bed now I am fine, I asked the doctor and she this was ok.

Chrisdave profile image
Chrisdave in reply to choccydeb

Yes I did the same and it has helped a little but still not sure overall

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara

Sounds like a plan. Will get a telephone appointment and ask about this. That's quite an easy solution. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

bigbearatthecave profile image
bigbearatthecave

Since I started with Bisoprolol it does take time to settle down, and yes when I sit my heart rate drops to around 50 , however on exercising it does zoom up, but, beta blockers do 'cap' your rate a bit so you have to become an enthusiastic plodder rather than an Olympian. My dose is 1.25mg could not take 2.5mg I stopped, You may need a different medication if you cannot tolerate 1.25mg . It took me about 6 weeks to get used to it. Best idea though don't think about it !! And don't keep looking at your watch to see if you are alive, you will soon know if you are not !

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to bigbearatthecave

I like the idea of an enthusiastic plodder! Sounds good to me!

JA1631 profile image
JA1631 in reply to bigbearatthecave

Good morning . Just joined here. Just been described 125mg of Bisoprolol for palpitations but nervous about starting due to so many negative comments .

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to JA1631

Hi. I wasput on 5mg Bisoprolol 2 weeks ago because of suspected AT and palpitations. Had digestive problems with this dose so was reduced to 1.25. The same night on the reduced dose i had the worst palpitations I've ever had. Was up all night and even considered calling an ambulance. Back to GP and prescribed 1.25 morning and night. I only have my opinion and I'm so new at this that that's all it is - even though I feel tired on this drug would i stop taking it and have another episode - no way!! I haven't had any symptoms on this dose.

I'm sorry no one can make the decision for you but this is what happened to me.

It's like every drug - some people are great on it others not so much. For me, at the moment, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

Am seeing a cardiologist in 2 weeks time so will see what he says.

Best wishes and take care.

SilverLady60 profile image
SilverLady60

Hi I started taking Bisoprolol and had to come off them I too was totally wiped out and as I'm still working full time was finding it almost impossible to function at work, I have now been put on Half Securon and boy what a difference, I feel so much better.

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to SilverLady60

Pleased you got sorted silver lady. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Chico1954 profile image
Chico1954

Hi - I had the same experience on 2.5mg Bisop once a day. I started to split the tablet myself to reduce to 1.25mg. The improvement was instant - back to normal tiredness levels etc. I told my EP at next appointment and he agreed to the lower dosage of 1.25mg. I think we may all have differing tolerances to drugs- so it’s probably all about getting your doseage correct for you. Obviously you should experiment in conjunction with your medical advisers. Good luck going forward.

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara

Thank you Chico.

IanMK profile image
IanMK

These replies illustrate really well how everyone is different and there is no one medication that works for everyone. I consider myself fortunate that the side effects of 7.5mg of bisoprol (plus my other drugs) are acceptable although I do find that some days are better than others. Also I do what I can to keep my stress levels low. Finding the right drug regime really is largely a case of trial and error.

doodle68 profile image
doodle68

I do feel dreadful for all those on Bisoprolol and experiencing tiredness :-( in that situation I would certainly ask to try another medication.

I think I have been very fortunate to have been prescribed Nebivolol from the moment I was diagnosed with P-AF and have minimal side effects.

cycleman73 profile image
cycleman73

You are correct in your assumption it's Bisoprolol. This is a nasty evil drug.

Get a pill cutter from your Chemist and carefully cut the pill in half. Now just

take half a pill in the evening (do not take any in the morning) and you will find

your life returns to normal. Good luck !

djbgatekeeper profile image
djbgatekeeper

I think it depends on the individual.. I'm on 10mg of bisoprolol taken each day am. It was 5mg until Tuesday this week but my gp doubled the dosage as I was having many ectopic / missed beats after an AF attack last week. Since the dosage increase I have had virtually zero miss beats and I feel fine, no fatigue. So it may not be the drug for you or some others but for me and others works a treat. I hope you get a resolution soon and have a good weekend.

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to djbgatekeeper

Thank you for taking the time to reply and hope you have a good weekend too.

Casapino5 profile image
Casapino5

Hi Purpletara, I know exactly what you are going through, I was on Bisoprolol and was out of breath just walking up any slight incline, I was permanently tired and it was taking my heart rate down in the mid 40 so after reading about other people's experiences with this medication I decided to stop taking it and immediately felt better, rang my cardiologist and he said if I was feeling better to leave it off, I am on Amiodarone until I have an Ablation so that keeps me well, I wouldn't advise you to stop without speaking to your doctor about an alternative, take care

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to Casapino5

Thank you for your input. This is exactly how I am feeling. Have a doctor's appointment next week so going to discuss this with her. Hope you are keeping well.

Jacqlihe profile image
Jacqlihe

Was on 1.5 , horrible side effects and very tired can say the same of Sotalol, etc etc, calcium channel inhibitors swell my ankles outrageusly but with me the bottom line is ; they do nothing to improve anything g and give me every side effect in the book i m just triying to worl on disposing of my last beta blocking drug entirely as I don t think it s doing much either and cerainly is giving me all Listed side effects

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara

Sometimes the drugs they give us to help seem to make us worse! I'm very new to this and finding the whole situation quite frightening at the moment. Am going to plod on with the Bisoprolol until I see my doctor next week for advice.

Look after yourself jacqlihe and take care. Thank you for replying.

Icenae profile image
Icenae

You get used to it to be honest. Its not a big dose. Probably the af making you tired. Blood flow to legs etc not so good. But keep doing what you can. Try getting af improved by taking magnesium citrate and a good multi vit with minerals. Avoid alcohol, caffeine etc and try mindfulness to relax.

Keep well hydrated too.

bennie06 profile image
bennie06

You are bound to miss the dog walking that you had. I expect that you feel frustrated by ýour speed of pace and distance travelled but it will come back. From personal experience i have found that treating the walk as a chore and not a pleasure helps. You mentioned 1.25 which assuming this is miles, equates to approximately 25,000 steps. I have all the digital toys but i found that step counting added focus and achieved the purpose. Slowly slowly the pace will increase and before you know it you are walking for pleasure, no need to count

steps any more. Mind over matter can work but please do not over-exert yourself. Enjoy the sun and Good Luck.

Sorry just realised that 1.25 was reference to dosage not distance.

Blame the meds....

Im in the USA, 65 yr old and been on a low dose beta blocker Metoprolol for 3 mo now. My walk to our mail box is 1/2 mile roundtrip which I used to walk easily. After starting meds, I had to stop and slow my heart rate down and catch my breath 3-4 times. Happy to say now Im doing it easily but not walking briskly. Ive found if the humidity is high, my breathing is affected.

Aprilbday profile image
Aprilbday in reply to

Hi Hoski,

Similiar issue here— I just bought a Drive brand rollator (walker) from QVC with back support, and I

can go for a walk and literally sit down whenever I get too breathless.

It’s a sturdy one! Just ordered a drink holder for it and I find that I am more mobile now. I have also found a clip-on umbrella that I can attach to it. I sure will look funny but it works!!! The weather is very hot in the Virginia-MD-DC area today so I went out before 7 this AM. I still had issues because the humidity is high. Been tv’ing and resting -little coughing from high pollen and very bad UV index. I should not have gone out as the last thing I need is weather-allergy issues.

in reply to Aprilbday

What a great idea! We are in the country on gravel, so not sure that a walker and I would get far🤣. Love your unbrella and drink holder. Im learning too that a wet tea towel to wipe my face/ neck makes it seem less hot, might be my imagination.

Aprilbday profile image
Aprilbday in reply to

I’m going to add that wet tea towel to my ensemble 🤣

IanMK profile image
IanMK

For those of us in the UK, my medication regime was determined by a specialist heart failure nurse in the local hospital cardiology department, not by my GP. This entailed several visits to her over a period of some months where the drugs and dosage were varied by trial and error to reach an optimum beneficial point. I assumed that this was routine throughout the NHS. Am I mistaken?

Coral39 profile image
Coral39

Ivebennonmone since January and now I’m on top dose of 10mg in 2 doses a day 5mg in morn and same at night and well you can imagine how I feel I get the same as you do but 10 times worse and in between since January I’ve lowered my dose cause of these feelings but I was getting skipping again so now last few days I’m back up on top dose again and yep back come the feelings

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to Coral39

Hi coral39. Can you not be tried on a different beta blocker? I'm very new to this situation and don't really know how things work but I thought the whole idea was to feel better not worse! Other people on this forum have changed with success so maybe it's time to speak to your health care provider and tell them how you feel or am I just being naive about this?

Take care and best wishes.

Coral39 profile image
Coral39 in reply to Purpletara

I have to wait TIL I see a cardiologist which I now been told I’m not seeing I’ve been pushed into the nurses queue and even that I’ve been told I can be waiting TIL November for an appointment it takes the mickey as nothing nobody can do TIL I see this dam nurse

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to Coral39

So sorry - you do seem to be stuck.

Is this time frame normal?

Hope your appointment comes sooner rather than later.

Coral39 profile image
Coral39 in reply to Purpletara

My own doc got hold of cardiologist after I left she got an immediate response from him and agreed I can have a pip and also being fast tracked now to see him and also being put forward now for an abalation

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to Coral39

So pleased you are finally getting some help.

Take care.

Coral39 profile image
Coral39 in reply to Purpletara

Thank you it’s only been diagnosed since January but it’s been a hell of a ride for me it’s affecting my everyday life stuff with effects from tablets and skips of heart

knitted-bunting profile image
knitted-bunting

It's helpful to read everyone's comments. I've been on 2.5mg bisoprolol for 7 months now but still getting the breathlessness going uphill and feeling more tired. Think I will try splitting the dose to see if that helps. Thanks people!

Vonnieruth profile image
Vonnieruth

I'm on 2.5mg and at first I was very tired with no energy I am 62 It's like you know your heart should be beating faster but you haven't got the energy for it to Walking up the stairs was like a mile walk Thing is at present I have no palpitations so it's doing its job I guess

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to Vonnieruth

Think it's helping me too. Still feel tired but I have no heart symptoms so it's obviously doing what it should.

Doctor suggested taking 1.25 in the morning and again at night and this has helped a lot.

Vonnieruth profile image
Vonnieruth in reply to Purpletara

I believe there are some who take it that way I just take mine once a day

knitted-bunting profile image
knitted-bunting in reply to Purpletara

Don't you find it hard to break in half? It's so tiny?

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara

Don't have to break it in half. Doctor has given me 1.25 tablets and I take one in the morning and one at night.

swiftarrow profile image
swiftarrow

it is not the bisoprolol I take that, it is most likely your Atrial Fibrillation but you can live with that you must not overdo it try taking things a little easier you don't have to rush.

Sherrill profile image
Sherrill

I have been suffering from acute tiredness for a few years now. I am on multiple medications for my heart and pain relief for severe back pain. Bisoprolol, Olmesartin (recently stopped) Lansoprazole, Tramadol, Gabapentin, Simvastatin, Anthihistamin, and Antidepressant it’s difficult to work out if it is caused by my Meds or something else. I have recently had to reduce my Bisopralol due to low blood pressure. Unfortunately it has. Not helped my tiredness.

cam5961 profile image
cam5961

Hi I had the same issues being on Bisoprolol. I started on 1.25mg and over about 6 years was slowly increased to 10mg.I thought I was going to have to give up work as I felt so drained of energy and so weak. I had to convince my cardiologist to give me another drug. I am now on 120mg Verapamil once a day. I can say I felt instantly an improvement. I felt a hundred times better and I could walk longer and more briskly too. Still not fit enough though.I have persistent AF and told it will probably worsen. Not sure yet what his plan is for me. I wish you well. I know some people can be on Bisoprolol with no ill effects but everybody's reaction to any drug on the market can be different as you will see with your replies but for me it changed my quality of life in a bad way and I know I'm not the only one.

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to cam5961

Hi cam. Thank you for replying.

I am still on the Bisoprolol and my doctor wants to increase it. Am standing my ground because i don't feel well on this drug.

Have a cardiologist appointment soon - hoping he will change it.

Best wishes and hoping you are keeping as well as possible.

cam5961 profile image
cam5961 in reply to Purpletara

Thank you very much and hope you get a med change and like me I hope it works. All the best from me.

Kellyjelly profile image
Kellyjelly

I was put on bisoprolol 1.25mg twice a day in December, I lasted 3 weeks before I had to stop taking it. I halved the dose and started taking it at night to see if that would help but it didn’t. I couldn’t walk to the end of my drive,I felt like I had a weight on my chest and body. I had terrible nightmares and it affected my mood and I had lots of palpitations. It did stop my heart from racing but it felt so chemically suppressed I couldn’t function. I’m 46 so I completely understand where you are coming from.

I believe from what I’ve learned here over the last few days that there are lots of other beta blockers to try so maybe a good idea to talk to your doctor about trying another one? A cardio nurse told me recently that if you have a naturally low resting heart rate it can sometimes take a bit of time to find a beta blocker that suits you because they can take the rate a bit too low.

Hope you feel better soon 😊

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara

Hi.

Thank you for your reply.

I have an appointment on the 20th of this month and hope to discuss this with the cardiologist.

I didn’t know about a low heart rate and beta blockers because I do normally have a low heart rate - I’ve told the doctors I thought it was going too low but, honestly, the last doctor I saw I could have been talking to a brick wall for all the notice he took! I felt very aggrieved after after seeing this man. I hope I don’t see him again! Fingers crossed for the 20th!!

Supernerogirl profile image
Supernerogirl

I feel the same so so tired I almost feel like I’m going to have to give up work I feel that bad. Only been on them 1 week ! As it’s a low dose can you just stop at this level ?

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara in reply to Supernerogirl

Hi. Wouldn’t advise you to stop taking them.

Have been told it can take a while to get used to them.

I am better on them now than when I first started taking them but not as good as before but is this the AF or the medication? There’s no way of telling.

All I can suggest is talk to your doctor if things don’t get better.

I’ve been on Bisoprolol for a few months now and still don’t feel right so am going to ask if I can try another beta-blocker.

Hope all goes well for you.

Cutie1 profile image
Cutie1

I am on my Firth day taking half a tablet and usually very active I tried to climb some stairs and my heart rate went up and felt tired so I am connecting it to medication

Purpletara profile image
Purpletara

Hi cutie, this is how I felt at the start of taking Bisoprolol.

Quite a shock after being a very active dog walker.

Am better on them now but nowhere as good as before I started taking them.

Other people on this forum have managed to change their beta-blockers so am going to ask if I can too.

Just hope I am not jumping out of the fat into the fire!

Best wishes.

I am exactly the same, go to town have to do what I have to do quickly then back to car, my leg begin to feel like lead.... anxiety then kicks in...

seasider18 profile image
seasider18

A very late reply. My GP when prescribing 1.25 called it an almost Homeopathic dosage.

Like you I was wiped out by it and also had hot flushes. I have a form of neuropathy caused by Cipro/Fluoroquinolones and it worsened my walking.

D194 profile image
D194 in reply to seasider18

I have hot flushes too for a while. I am 74. I didn't think that it may be due to the Bisoprolol. Thanks for that

D194 profile image
D194

I take 1.25 at night. This is how the doctor advised me, Probably because I take Vector 160 mg in the morning. My blood pressure was extremely high - sometimes as much as 212/115. I tried several drugs and nothing helped. All the Amplodypine ones were a tragedy as my legs were like elephant's feet. The Vector has at last succeeded to get me right back to normal. Even a bit too low sometimes. My heart rate had been very low - even reached 49 at one point so my doctor gave me Cardiloc 1.25. I can't understand that because it says everywhere that cardiloc (bisoprolol) lowers heart rate and he insists I take it. The problem is that I am exhausted. I can hardly walk and it has ruined my life. I ran out of pills on Friday (5 days ago) and have decided to stop on my own accord and see what happens. I shall let you know. I shall give it a month. I know one shouldn't do it by oneself but I have had a bad feeling about this med for a long time and my doctor won't listen. He told me to take half but that hasn't changed anything

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply to D194

If you are in the UK and your BP is so high and very variable you are entitled to be referred to a " hypertension referral centre " Your GP may not have even heard of them :-) They are part of the kidney units at major hospitals and they understand BP more than GP's or cardiologists.

If you google it a list will come up.

D194 profile image
D194

Unfortunately although I am British I don't live in the UK. My BP has been regulated now with the Vector 160. I am 74 and never suffered from BP until I had a shoulder operation 18 months ago and that is when it began immediately after

Hi - I used to take 5mg (twice a day- am +pm) . Became very tired- up about 10am. looked forward to bedtime- usually about 20-30 hrs. Now reduced to 2.5mg (twice daily- am. +pm) Still easily wearied- but about 10 weeks after being on the meds. seem to becoming more adjusted to em. I still feel tired as the day wears on. Do know a couple of folk who are not effected at all, and on a much higher dose.

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