Just some advice please I have been on 5 mg since af event.
Heart rate mainly mid 50s however most early afternoons it dips to 46 which I think is the reason for the headaches I get.
Is this normal for bisopolol or should I mention this to my gp as I often feel like a zombie.
Thank you in advance Deb
I no longer take bisoprolol but it turned me into a zombie too - so you are not alone. You only have to read many of the threads about bisoprolol on this Forum to see that it doesn't suit everyone. I would certainly mention this to your GP as there are alternative medications that can be tried. I suspect bisoprolol is the 'default' medication here in the UK because I think it is cheaper than other drugs, but you are quite entitled to point out what the side effects are and that your quality of life is adversely affected - and to ask for something else.
Hi Deb,
Sounds pretty normal for Bisoprolol to me. Ask for a change of beta blocker.
I am on this dose and just have no problem with it. I did have problems when I first went on it in 2010, lots of nose bleeds, sudden and random occurrence but I was taking it in the morning as originally prescribed. My GP solved the problem by telling me to take it at night. No problem since, my normal HR is around 62 to 65 although occasionally it drops to 46 and I experience extreme coldness in hands and feet and feel crap. I overcome this by going to bed, hugging a hot water bottle to my chest and drinking a mug of hot, sweet coffee and sleeping for a few hours. That brings my HR back up and I'm fine.
John
Thank you for your response I did wonder whether taking 2.5 in the morning and 2.5 in the evening would be better but I am scared to rock the boat. As I have only had minor problems although I do suffer with Svts and ectopics.
I will mention it go my gp but they seem reluctant to change anything prescribed by the hospital.
I can understand you being scared about making changes, in my view rightly so - I regard bisoprolol as a bit of a 'dirty drug' but still a good one. When I went to my GP I did one hell of alot of table thumping and was so angry I demanded to come off it..... I ranted and ranted and raved. She then got out a book, ( which I laughingly refer to as her Book of Witches Potions and Brews) and looked it up and then simply said, take it at night. Her logic is that the power of the drug works into the blood stream at night while you are asleep and then when you wake and swing into daytime living it is in your system, busily working away. I'm sure there is a more scientific explanation but that's how she put it to me. So I take my 5 mg in one hit about 8 pm and that's it. Definately worth talking to your GP about. Also have a read of the bit of paper in the packet too, that may help you get armed with questions to ask your GP.
John
Feeling like a Zombie sounds pretty normal. IT took me weeks to get used to 10mg coupled with 50mg Flecanide. There are alternatives, I even tried taking it at night but found this to be worse.
On a similar dose and similar HR and thankfully have no significant side effects. Definately check with GP and perhaps a brisk walk might help?
Good luck.
Hi Deb. Had similar problems with Bisoprolol. G.P. suggested halfing the dose. I now take 1.25 in the morning and the same at night and it's working well for me. Feel much better.
Hope you get sorted.
Best wishes.
Thank you I think I will ask if I can try this
I was put on to bisoprolol 1.25mgs when I first noticed irregular heart beat. Heart rate decreased to 38 at one point and was often in the 40’s. My GP said....oh don’t worry about that, lots of athletes have a low HR! Saw a cardiologist and said I felt rotten and as if walking and living in mud. Ho stopped the bisoprolol immediately.
I have been on 10 mg a day for 4years now no problem
Hi Deb, you have similar problems to Me, SVT, ectopics. I take bisoprolol 5mg at about 4pm ish. It makes no difference to my ectopics to be honest. Cardiologist wanted to up me to 10mg which I told the dr No! It makes me very tired as it is. I think blood sugar might have an effect as my ectopics get worse when I haven't eaten or have just ate?
Hi Paul thank you for responding it’s great to hear from someone with same problems.
I don’t think I could take an increase in bisopolol and you are right it has no affect on my svt or ectopics.
I haven’t really thought about the connection with blood sugar before so will have to take note. although I am very aware of it at night.
Thanks Debs
Hi Deb, I am going to ask dr for a blood sugar test to rule that out! I wonder if veparamil a chanel blocker would be better for ectopics? I have tried 2 beta blockers and non really working now
Hi Paul unfortunately I no nothing about beta blockers so I have no idea if there is better suited medication. I will have a chat with my gp but as I said I find them to be reluctant to change anything
Yes it is normal in my experience, bisoprolol is tricky and can make you quite tired anyway....it is a bit of a roller coaster getting the drugs right and feeling safe!
I can’t say anything wise...just difficult as it is what you are experiencing is normal if not ideal. Docs can maybe monitor bisoprolol dose... I think we patients feel a bit like guinea pigs sometimes...good luck
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