Bisoprolol coming off. : in September I... - Atrial Fibrillati...

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Bisoprolol coming off.

Mjltazz profile image
25 Replies

in September I went to my gp who told me to return the next day for a seven day monitor as my bp was a little high. 160/100. Anyway I did but monitor was broken so another GP did a test and BP was 175/105. Put immediately onto linsinopril and given antibiotics for a urine infection. After three days I was rushed to A and E with bp 187/156 heart bp of 150. I swore it was the linisinpril but nope gp said anixety. I was prescribed Bisoprolol at A&E. At first 2.5mg. Week later 5mg then up to 10mg (couldn’t breath on this dose at all) then down to 7.5 mg, A few days later 5mg. Told to stop at this point as felt really bad on this meds everything from cramps to higher anixety levels. But couldn’t seem to do it. So tried two days on half a 2.5 then told by locum gp go back up 2.5. Stuck there for week now and pain in legs and hands have got worse. I seem to have every side effect to this meds that is listed. Anyway GP said stop now. But I’m worried about doing this. Bp was 142/92. She didn’t tell me my Pulse. GP said she’s not concerned. When I asked about nerve pains especially in arms and legs she said the usual “anixety”.

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Mjltazz
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Mjltazz profile image
Mjltazz

Should also add in between all the changes. They keep swapping meds to propanolol and an another ARB. I had to cut down for two nights as I was away with the fairies by this point.

I assume someone has told you that you have AF. If this is the case, you need to have your condition properly assessed by a specialist in arrhythmias. Unless you are able to have a private consultation, you need to insist that your GP refers you to a Cardiologist (preferably an Electrophysiologist). Some of the numbers you are quoting are very high and you really should be seeking a treatment plan specific to your condition. You may have to be quite firm, but also polite.

Mjltazz profile image
Mjltazz in reply to

What is Af? As far as I know it just was as described no problems before and walked in gp that one day to be told come back tomorrow. I have had two heart monitors and all came back good readings. Including that first a and e visit. 24 hr BP monitor three weeks ago came back as no concerns For gp and night time bp was great.

in reply to Mjltazz

Unless you have been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) I am afraid we are not able to help you. AF is a heart condition which is either an exceptionally rapid or slow but irregular heartbeat beat which can be detected by feeling your pulse but can only be confirmed with an ECG (Electrocardiography).

in reply to Mjltazz

AF is atrial fibrillation. Bisoprolol is usually prescribed for AF by GPs to control heart rate. I think the confusion here has arisen because most members of the forum have a cardiac rhythm disorder, and most commonly AF.

Were you started on Bisoprolol for your hypertension or have you been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation?

Mjltazz profile image
Mjltazz

It’s become a little confusing originally as described doctor put me on first BP one after two high readings. No monitor or other test Then three days later rushed to a and e. They put me on Bisprololol. BP was high.

in reply to Mjltazz

So you haven’t been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation?

Mjltazz profile image
Mjltazz

No.

OK so the problem really is that like so many of us, you have not been able to tolerate the Bisoprolol. Many here recommend Nebivolol in place of Bisoprolol. Beta blockers can be quite helpful in low dose for anxiety.

Hi again Mjltazz, I see you have found and posted in the High Blood Pressure support community so hopefully they will be better able to provide you with the help you need. I hope you are able to resolve you blood pressure problems soon and that you get the help you need.....best wishes.

Hi Mjltazz,

Good comments from Flapjack and Oyster.

I was diagnosed with AF ( when my heart rate hit 160 bpm) in Jan 2010. In those days my BP was around 136/80 with a normal resting heart rate of 88/90 bpm). Among other things I was prescribed Bisoprolol. BUT ..... Bisoprolol is a drug preferred by many Cardiologists for the control of HR. It does also have some properties which assist in the control of blood pressure, but usually it is not the first line of attack for BP. If you are coming off it you should do so very carefully, and not just stop dead in one hit.

For some years prior to AF I did have BP issues and was prescribed Ramipril(10 mg), and much later and after AF was diagnosed, I had Felodopine (2.5 mg) prescribed and added to my party bag of drugs.

All that said, BP can be a symptom or forerunner of other cardiac issues which also include AF. Certainly looking at general guidelines your BP does need investigating ... it's generally accepted that anything above around 140/90 is a tad high.

If my healthcare professionals played guessing games like yours seem to be doing I'd be looking for another team.

Why not investigate further by getting onto the Heart Foundation website and seeking some advice.

I have found a look at diet helps with blood pressure as does a review of lifestyle and weight. I've had no added salt in my diet for over 20 years now, and as I have aged I've found my BP will increase immediately with added sugar in my diet. In other words the only sugar and salt in my diet now, aged 74, is that which is put into the product I'm eating by the manufacturer. My current BP is 126/70 and my heart rate 65 bpm.

Hope this helps.

May the force be with you.

John

142/92 is ok (ish) . I would suggest buying an Omron sleeve BP monitor (about £40 from Boots), then you could monitor your own BP at regular intervals. I find that mine often fluctuates a lot during a day. Monitoring BP (say three times daily) would provide you with reassurance and if there was a problem you would be alerted to it early. It would also help determine whether the elevated readings occurred when you were under stress.

Just to clarify my early reply-

Some of th readings you have provided are high, but would not be too concerning if they are responses to stress/anxiety and are short lived. If, say, you were anxious about a visit to a doctor this might push your BP very high until some hours after the visit. BP is of concern if the readings are consistently high.

Dickydon profile image
Dickydon

If you don’t already, you may want your own blood pressure monitor, they are quite cheap these days and reliable. You can get a good quality one for 30 bucks/pounds. it helped me and helped in me getting dealt with my problems very quickly because I kept records of time of day; BP/HR; how I was feeling etc... good luck with Bisoprolol.

Mjltazz profile image
Mjltazz

I’ve to stop the bisoprolol this is why the post. And I’m worried in doing so immediately (as off today. )

in reply to Mjltazz

You should taper off slowly if you have been on it awhile (months).

Mjltazz profile image
Mjltazz in reply to

Been on 8 weeks

Mjltazz profile image
Mjltazz

Just took bp after 20 mins rest. 176/129 pulse 119.

Mjltazz profile image
Mjltazz

Sorry 193/129 pulse 119

Crash88 profile image
Crash88 in reply to Mjltazz

incredible BP how you are alive is beyond me my friend, have you been doing better?

bisop profile image
bisop

Hi Mjltazz, I hear you and I empathize with you. I find bisoprolol a very difficult drug to take....legs like cement, etc. etc. etc. Just had my 2nd ablation 2 weeks ago and am hoping to be off bisoprolol if all goes well...that drug has been causing havoc in my life for 7 1/2 years and I can hardly wait to get off it.

eileenmog4 profile image
eileenmog4 in reply to bisop

I’m just off bisoprol and like you bisop had a terrible 7 months of taking it! I was on 2.5 mags and just told to stop!

Mjltazz profile image
Mjltazz

Taper. It’s the only way to stop this nasty drug. I tried it immediately and couldn’t do it. So I took advice. And cut the 2.5 in half. Then took that for a week. Then cut that in half and took that for a week. Then I cut it into quarters and took them for a week until I was so small a dose i managed to go without. I taper down and within a month I was off completely. It’s tough but does get easier. You can do this and will eventually be free of this nasty drug hun. Always remember it’s Bisoprolol not you

Ticktoc profile image
Ticktoc

I've only been on this for 5/6 weeks no energy ,nausea loss of appetite ,dizzy panic attacks not sleeping had water inf and itchy skin ,heart burn only on 2.5 daily and 2 X 5 Apixaban really want to get off these meds feel worse than I was prior to taking them also on Atorvastatin and Amlodipine just had blood test want to know if it is A fib or panic attack as I have copd

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