A few months ago i suggested to my gp that i might enjoy a better ‘quality of life’ if i were to substitute an alternative beta blocker to the Bisoprolol that i was taking. He said - No! ‘It’s the best for your circumstances’ type response.
A while later, empowered somewhat by the contributors to this site, i outlined the many and varied adverse effects ie cant walk and talk, cant climb stairs, cant exercise or carry out anything that requires a bit of effort, weight gain, breathlessness etc. and asked him again.
‘OK’, he said, ‘stop the Bisoprolol for a few weeks and lets see if the adverse effects get any better, if they do we can revue the situation’.
They got better.
Today he agreed to try me on Nebivolol, didn’t have to discuss or press my case, just agreed to try for a month and go back to report on how i have adapted.
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jonjub
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Hi jonjub I don't understand this thing doctors have for trying to make patients continue to take a medication which produces many of the same symptoms they are supposed to prevent.
I hope you do well on Nebivolol and that it keeps your heart rate down without any of the side effects you previously experienced, I seem to do well on it .
I too take Bisoprolol, 5mg and Disopyramide and have decided to try cutting back so for the past 7 days have cut the Bisoprolol to 2.5mg and so far so good, my next step is to reduce to 1.25mg in another week or so then I will look at the Disopyramide currently twice daily 250mg to once daily but taking it steady to see any results good or otherwise. I wear a pacemaker and that paces my heart however it doesn't stop me going into PAF but since having it fitted plus taking the drugs I have been PAF free almost 3 years but I want to reduce intake especially as my pharmacist has had trouble getting my drugs the last two months.
Good luck! With the usual proviso of it works for me, I feel so much better now, so much less breathless, on Nevidolol. My poor husband was having to push me around in a wheel chair even for comparatively short distances, now I'm getting back to walking again. And I hate that phrase "Quality of Life." It can sound so smug coming from someone who is not suffering the side effects you are. Anyone for gout caused by Furosemide? No, I don't think so.
Yes. And it was this high volume of discussion that gave me the confidence to persist in asking my gp to make the change away from Bisoprolol, because if he had still refused i would have a considerable amount of info and dissatisfaction to refer to, from like users to help push my argument. As it happened i didn’t need to.
I really think some of us need to raise this issue with MPs as they do have the clout to make GPs across the country listen. A simple question in Parliament to the un-health secretary might raise awareness that nebivolol is a better drug than bisoprolol for many (most?) people.
Well done!!! It's not easy to stand up to the Drs. I've seen two locum GPs in last few weeks as the side effects from the Bisoprolol are so debilitating. No luck as yet in having it changed. It's making me feel very unwell but you start to feel as if you must be imagining it!!! Good luck with the new meds
Yes, that’s how I started to think too - perhaps I was over-reacting. It might help you to emphasise the quality of life angle when you next talk to your GP. That was when my GP suggested a change might help - his words - ‘sometimes trial and error is needed with these drugs’. Best wishes.
Well done! It's a completely different ball game with most GPs now compared to yesteryear. The well informed patient (includes all regulars here) has to take a much more active role and be prepared to challenge their GPs more and hopefully develop a new understanding with them. You can expect some resistance initially but persevere using a few concessions. My GP is young and exceptionally good but is in no way one of the new functional medicine doctors and he understands now (but I don't think accepts) that I am part of the medical team and I also have to see Alternative Practitioners as well to get the full picture.
I saw a Naturopath who said he treats many AF patients with Magnesium (he gave me Nutri MegaMag Muscleze, a Mg compound) and CoQ10 200mgs/day. I also consulted a herbalist/dietician to get my digestion improved and do a few yoga/Qigong exercises. All of this I have done for 4 years and intend to keep it up as feeling much better generally and no AF. Good luck.
My brother in law was breathless and tired all the time on Bisoprolol and his QOL was really low. I suggested asking his dr for Nebivolol and he has just sanded and revarnished his kitchen floor. Result. He tells me Nebivolol is 18 times dearer than Bisoprolol
Perhaps the cost factor may well become a future problem. With what i perceive to be an increasing number of AFib sufferers and they all request better drugs it is possible the authorities stipulate that the cheaper options are imposed.
Well done jonjub, I too asked my go about my taken biso, but he immediately said well your only taking a mall dose 2.5mg, as much to say it’s alright, but I feel just like you do my QOL seem zilch at the moment. Sann
Alas for me i haven’t been able to see an EP, that is an ongoing fail. I have seen a cardiologist many times and it was he who prescribed my medication. Perhaps my gp would not have been bold enough to have made the change had it been an EP who prescribed the Bisoprolol.
I should add, having just remembered, my cardiologist has signed me back to the care of the gp, so perhaps that’s why the gp agreed to making the change.
I think I’m going to take your post to my doctor when I see him. I am just the same as you jonjub. It will save me explaining. Thanks, and glad you’re feeling better.
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I don't understand this thing doctors have for trying to make patients continue to take a medication which produces many of the same symptoms they are supposed to prevent. 
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