New to a fib

[Spinbiker]

Went doctor complaining of lethargy - had ecg and was diagnosed - trouble is bisoprolo and blood thinners make me feel even more tired- visit in 10 days for echocardiogram usually very active but now all I want to do is sleep

[BobD Volunteer]

AF is a long journey so best sit back and "watch the flowers grow" . It may take some time to balance drugs against side effects/AF so try to be patient. The anticoagulant is for stroke prevention and I doubt that is causing fatigue but bisoprolol often does till you get the dose right.

Go to AF Association website and read till you drop, Knowledge is power and will enable you to have meaningful discussions with those treating you. Ask any questions and we will try to help.

Bob

[Spinbiker in reply to BobD]

Many thanks for these comments BobD I will do as you suggest

[R1100S1]

Top advice from Bob. Long road to travel try not to worry to much.

I myself can’t stand beta blockers but lots of alternatives

This site full of good advice

[bigbearatthecave]

How much Bisoprolol are you on ?

5mg and 2.5 mg made me less active than my dog.

I am on 1.25mg now and have been great for 12 months

[Patsy10]

I suffered much like yourself when I was on Bisop.

Last November after reading lots of articles on this site I asked my new EP if I could change to Nebivolol and I now feel like my old self again.

Still get AF but it's so much easier to cope with if you have energy.

Eventually they will sort out what works for you.

[Spinbiker in reply to Patsy10]

Thanks I am on 1.25. bishop and 2x 5 mg apixaban so early days for me - will have echocardiogram in 10 days time so I just have to see how things go

[Dodie117]

Ask for referral to EP (electrophysiologist) as they specialise in heart arrhythmias. They will help you explore your options to get appropriate treatment. The worst part of AF us the early stages but it does get easier. Good luck 🍀

[momist]

What the big bear said. I also couldn't handle the 2.5mg of Bisoprolol, but found I can manage well on 1.25mg. The beta blocker is to slow down your racing heart when you go into AF, but the side effect is to slow it down all over the place. I find it responds more slowly, so that if for example I try to walk up a steep hill, the bottom bit is hard. Once I get going though, the heart rate does rise sufficiently to let me get to the top.

Also, I believe the body acclimatises to it over time, so it hits hardest when you first start taking it, but then it gets gradually a bit better the longer you are on it.

Don't take this as gospel, I'm not a doctor and I don't know how bad your AF is or any other influencing factors. Listen to the doctors, but inform yourself about why they are doing what they do. They are all under pressure these days, and do take short cuts or get things wrong sometimes.

[Mari4325]

Same...I was diagnosed 6 weeks ago and bisoprolol has me in a fog, and the blood thinners make me deathly ill...I have been reading on this site and trying natural holistic things, including diet, and dosage. I though am shopping for another Dr. for a second opinion also as the Dr. I have now is not easy to talk to and has tried to put me on a couple of things that were black boxed they were so toxic. He then tried to put me on something that had been pulled so you have to research your options a lot.

[Spinbiker in reply to Mari4325]

Thanks for reply- I am in a similar time frame it seems - am on 1.25 bishop and 2 x 5mg apixaban - take a nap in the afternoon and will have echocardiogram in one weeks time - feel foggy as you describe as well

[Hidden in reply to Spinbiker]

I couldn’t tolerate Bisoprolol at all. Cardiologist opted for rhythm control with Flecainide 50mg x2 day. Also on Apixaban 5mg x2 & am fine.

Pat x

[Spinbiker in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the info

[Hidden]

I had trouble with Bisoprolol but am fine with Nebivolol.

Di

[Spinbiker in reply to Hidden]

Thanks will keep this in mind