Beta blockers side effects related to sleep.

At the precise moment I woke up from a fairly vivid dream this morning I heard a female voice speaking a few words for a couple of seconds (can’t remember what they were, something quite bland) and the room seemed to be spinning around too when I looked at the lampshade above- this lasted for about a minute. Seemed to me that this was some sort of sleep disturbance. However, I have heard that beta blockers (I’m on Sotalol) can cause this sort of thing and wondered if anyone had had anything similar.

[BobD Volunteer]

Sotalol is not just a beta blocker and is not NICE recommended for AF here in UK as we have said before. It has some rhythm control functions as well as just slowing the heart down but is considered a "dirty " drug and only seems to be used by a very few EPs..

That said vivid dreams are a common reported side effect of a lot of AF related drugs. Personally I don't need drugs to give me vivid dreams and often wake from nightmares about being back at work despite retiring 20 odd years ago ! lol

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Thanks. I have an appointment with a consultant in October, so I will raise your point about Sotalol with him then. I think Flecainide is the main alternative to Sotalol. I have stuck with the Sotalol in general because it seems to successfully have suppressed the PAF, for the time being at least.

[Hidden]

I had acute onset vertigo, which I think is what you are describing, for 5 days. This was attributed to inner ear disease. I also took Sotalol for 8 years without difficulty.

I would be surprised if your Sotalol was the cause unless you have only recently started it.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. Did the vertigo persist when you got up, ie, throughout the day?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes. It lasted all day every day for a total of 5 days, before going away permanently. It was associated with nausea. Moving made the vertigo worse. The GP said she had a diagnostic test. Following her finger with my eyes would make me vomit. Itt did and she seemed rather pleased with her.clinical skills.

The ENT chap called it acute vestibular neuritis. He said it was usually due to a virus but occasionally to a micro embolus.

[jeanjeannie50]

I think the words you heard and the room spinning may well still have been part of your dream Sam. Was your room light when you woke up for you to have seen the lampshade spinning? I've had similar when I think I've heard the phone or doorbell ring and have even thought I've seen people. Somehow it's like our dream continues for a few seconds after we awake.

Did you feel like you were gasping for breath at all? If so that could well point to it being sleep apnoea.

I would just ignore it at this stage and see if it happens again. I find I may have a few episodes like you for a few days and then none for years.

Please let us know how you get on.

Jean

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for your reply. I wasn’t breathless, so I dont have any reason to suppose it was sleep apnoea. The spinning stopped as soon as I stood up, but I still feel slightly “heavy -headed”. The female voice seemed to be literally at the moment I woke, so I suppose it could have been something to do with the dream (which wasn’t particularly dramatic- it was just about an astronaut showing a female television presenter around some sort of futuristic building).

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Hidden]

Dreams can be so wild! I love hearing about them.

We've discussed this on here before, but one of my recurring dreams is desperately needing to go to the toilet and it's sited in a odd place like in the corner of someones kitchen completely open to view and everyone's around, or I open the door to a public toilet and find it overflowing as are all the others there. Or you have to suspend yourself over a bar to go! Last time I mentioned it here so many people said that they had the same dream.

Hmm not had your futuristic one - yet, but there's still time. Why do we dream I wonder?

On about two occasions, and many years ago, I've felt dizzy when waking. Both times it wore off after 15-30 minutes. I was told it was vertigo, but I would have thought if it was the episode would have lasted longer.

Hope you soon feel better.

Jean

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Many years ago, I used to have car dreams. I had one a few months ago; I was in an Uber with a dastardly driver who wouldn't take me to my destination. It was quite vivid and struck me as being about not feeling in control. Not being "in the driver's seat." Decided to start doing things differently, especially in relation to doctors and health. Those vivid ones are unforgettable!

I've also had strange occurrences at night that I'm sure are related to medication. Not really dreams, but I'll suddenly wake up and see some kind of moving shape, color or pattern, like a hallucination. Startles me and scares me and then I connect the dots that it's not real. But for a moment, it really gets me.

[BobD Volunteer]

My dreams often involve being lost in a new city, eventually finding the office I am supposed to be working at which often has one or two of my old staff and being given really menial tasks to do. The funny thing is in my dream I know I am retired and keep asking why I am there! Jean's toilet dream is very common as well . Large buildings apparently represent your life and the rooms are parts of that life and I sometimes know my way round . sometimes find new rooms etc . And all without the need for any mind altering drugs. Now at any rate. lol

[Kaz747 in reply to BobD]

I’ve had Jean’s toilet dream too. I’ve also had a reoccurring dream for years about watching a plane crash. I’m never on the plane but I see it go down and often burst into flames. I’m overwhelmed with a feeling of helplessness. Perhaps I’m now living this dream (or nightmare) - I feel like I don’t have control over my life at the moment - many things have come crashing down. Note to self: You are an optimist ... you can beat this ..... tomorrow is another day 😜🤪😳

[jeanjeannie50]

How are you feeling now Sam?

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Well, I went to see a doctor who said it was probably labyrinthitis brought on by a cold which I am recovering from. I might get a recurrence for a week or so- if it gets worse then she would prescribe something.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Hidden]

Do you agree with that diagnosis?

[Hidden in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I think it’s probably correct- I think it’s just the aftermath of a heavy cold. I haven’t had any “spinning” today but still feel very slightly unsteady.

[Hidden]

Oh yes yes yes! When I was on Sotalol I had terrible nightmares and feelings of dying and it was not much better on bisprolol however now I have changed to Nebivolol the difference is incredible and also l can now feel my feet and am less breathless and have a happier outlook on life than I used to have. 😀😀

[Ticktoc]

I've only been on beta blockers for 4 weeks 1 X 2..5 beta blockers Bisoprolol fumerate feel aweful have weird dreams when I do sleep wake up in panic hot n cold dizzy also on 1 X5 mg Apixiban have nausea loss of appetite aches But also been on Atorvastatin and Amlodipine for about 6 yrs but apart from itchy skin on and off think the mix of meds is not working for me waiting for blood test and hoping to get some answers and change of meds