I don’t know what to do anymore :(

[BlossomTiger]

Hello, I’ve been given a blue and brown inhaler from my GP to take because it feels like it’s difficult to breathe. I can hardly breathe through my nose and my chest feels tight. I’m worried because my pharmacist told me that it’s not really recommended when I’m taking Bisoprolol.

[Hidden]

Hello BlossomTiger, if you have, or have had asthma you probably ought not to be taking Bisoprolol especially if you are on a fairly high dose. I remember this was made quite clear on the leaflet when I was taking Bisoprolol around 4 years ago. It does have a reputation for causing breathlessness in some people so I would ask your doctor for an alternative of which there are many. This may require you being referred to a cardiologist but do not be fobbed off, use your tiger instinct to get that referral! 🐯

[BlossomTiger in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the reply! I’ve been on Propranolol and then Bisoprolol (7.5mg) since December last year. I was first given propranolol when I had a trip to A&E because my heart rate was 140bpm just resting. I used to have Asthma when I was younger too but my GP just gave me two inhalers and I don’t know if I should be taking them I guess I’ll just have to have a cardiologist referral again, thank you anyway

[Hidden in reply to BlossomTiger]

Check your leaflet and if it still refers to asthma, show it to your GP. 7.5 mgs is quite a high dose.

[BlossomTiger in reply to Hidden]

It does but my GP knows that I have a history of asthma and hasn’t suggested any changes :/

I’m curious, how would you ween off Bisoprolol, if you have already?

[Hidden in reply to BlossomTiger]

As far as I know, Bisoprolol is the only betablocker a GP is allowed to prescribe. Anything else has first to be requested first by a specialist ie a cardiologist. You must not change your Bisoprolol dose without the agreement of your doctor and until an alternative has been prescribed. You should then be advised on how to make the change.

[KMRobbo in reply to Hidden]

Not true or not followed, my GP moved me from bisoprolol to Atenolol, and then when that was also proved a bad idea from that to verapamil.

Cheer

Mark

[cassie46]

Ask your GP to change you to Nebivolol - it is prescribed for people with asthma. I was on Bisolprolol 5mg for 4 years and it was causing me breathing problems which were getting worse I have COPD and permanent AF. I asked on many occasions to be changed to another beta blocker at the cardiac clinic but that fell on deaf ears. Eventually my GP said she would prescribe it and it has made such a difference. I found out about it on this forum, there are a few of us that have changed to Nebivolol with good results. As Flapjack says there are other alternatives as well. Hope you get it sorted but donn't be fobbed off.

Cassie

[cassie46]

Hi again - regarding your inhalers. I have been given only the blue inhaler, I have had two stays in hospital with chest problems in the last 18 months. It was only on the last one in September that I was sent home with the inhaler and added to my repeat prescription list. On the leaflet it does mention the problems with AF sufferers and to talk to you medical advisors. It can/does increase your heart rate so you have to be careful. I do not use mine daily and have not had any problems (it was mentioned in hospital that if it did cause problems to contact my GP, they were fully aware of my AF problems and medications. One thing mentioned in the leaflet is feeling shaky or feint and weak, I had this problem when I had to have nebulizers in hospital. The lady next to me was a asthma sufferer and saw I was not feeling well, she gave me a banana and said you feel better if you eat it!!!!!! Apparently the nebulizer knocks your potassium levels for six, same applies if you use inhalers regularly, so keep up your potassium levels, plenty of banana's lol

Cassie

[Buffafly in reply to cassie46]

Explains why I have a craving for bananas 😀

[CDreamer in reply to cassie46]

Coconut water is also a good standby if you don’t want the carbs. Avacados, sweet potato, spinach, baked potato (as long as you eat the skin) - lots of other foods such as some types of beans & dried fruits (avoid the sulphurised ones though). If you ensure you include these foods in your eating plan - it should help.

PS - really push your GP to change you from Biso - many people can not tolerate this drug.

[Grandma78]

I take 5mg of Bisoprolol and I can’t use inhalers. The one time I did I had similar problems to you. Hope you get it sorted. X

[GrannyE]

About 4 years ago a lung function man prescribed 2 inhalers for me, although I have no history of asthma, and I knew I did not have it BUT he insisted that I did because I became out of breath when I tried to do things. I studied my blood tests, which he had ordered, and which my surgery had put up on the web, and worked out that I was anaemic. The GP agreed with MY diagnosis and I have been on iron pills ever since although I now only take 1 or 2 a week on an empty stomach together with Vit C to aid absorption.

The anaemia came on through taking Omeprazole to put a lining on the stomach when I was taking prescribed Naproxin twice a week. Omeprazole lowers stomach acid, hence lack of iron, because with lowered stomach acid iron and other minerals are not metabolised effectively. I became extremely ill, had very high bp and my heart has been permanently affected.

I know many people do genuinely have asthma and very nasty it can be but one can become breathless and be diagnosed with asthma when it is not the cause of breathlessness on exertion. I just thought people should be aware. It can do no harm to have a blood test for iron. I gather that as one becomes older one’s stomach acid can become lower. The Omeprazole tipped me over the top. I am sure that for many people Omeprazole is good but not for everyone.

[cycleman75]

Hi Blossom Tiger,

Watch my lips, B I S O P R O L O L is the root cause of your breathing issues; and

potentially many more besides !! Get yourself off it quick and enjoy life.

Best wishes.

[AIW58]

I'm stunned that your GP issued you with two inhalers without giving you any info. Go back and talk to them. For one thing if you do need them you need instruction on how to use it. People often use them incorrectly. The brown is a regular preventive, the blue a as and when to relieve an episode. But as has been suggested it may be the meds bisoprolol. You need to get some proper info from GP or if you have a nurse prescriber/practitioner at the surgery see them. Not good to enough to be sent away with 2 inhalers and no assessment/review of meds and history.

Good luck.