I am 23 and was prescribed Bisoprolol due to daily anxiety build up. This has been caused due to life complications and also getting nervous about what is going on with my heart as it is under investigation. I am getting checked for SVT in the next couple of weeks due to my heart going at a wild 180-220 beats per minute unexpectedly. This gives me no warning at all. I get a very hard beat in the chest and it just goes wild.
My Real Question!
I don't usually ever post on forums but I really intrude to see how well the 1.25mg has helped people with their anxiety? I am a little nervous to even take them after seeing some side effects. Although I was on 10mg a few years back and I was fine. I guess its just the nerves kicking in trying something new.
I would much appreciate some feedback
Written by
Jay437
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I was diagnosed with AF 6 years ago, and now have a permanently irregular heartbeat, so no longer those awful episodes where my heartbeat went sky high!
I have only been taking Bisoprolol for about 4 months because i was told metoprolol was no longer available (untrue!).
A lot of people don't seem to get on with Biso, but it really seems to suit me. I feel so much better and more "alive". Not so fatigued and snail like.
I am a very anxious person......believe me, and was SO reluctant to change from Metoprolol, but had no choice.
I've had difficulty getting a new supply of Metoprolol that doesn't have colourings added. Which make are you taking and are the pills coloured or white? I used to be able to reply on the Actavis make, but rang the company yesterday to be told they are not making anymore right now, but may start doing so again mid next year!!!
Coloured pills taken at night make me a bit hyperactive and stop me from sleeping. At the moment I'm using some that ran out of date in March.
Whoops just re read your post and see that you no longer take Metoprolol!
My last batch were pink. Funny thing, apart from feeling generally "better"...well, as good as you CAN feel with a permanently irregular heartbeat!!...I have been sleeping better too, since stopping Metoprolol.
I had the same problem as you, in as much as, it just wasn't available! I even phoned the factory in Devon, and they said they couldn't get it!
I was very reluctant and anxious about changing....you may find an old post of mine regarding this....if you have nothing better to do, and fancy a search ..ha ha!
I hope you can get it sorted. x
Lin (Wightbaby)
As I understand it Jay, betablockers are designed to slow down the heart and metabolism so it seems reasonable to assume they can help with anxiety too. At 1.25mgs you are talking about the lowest available dose so if you have tolerated 10 mgs in the past, the lower dose didn't ought to be a problem. However, we are not medically trained but I think you should put your trust in your doctor and follow his/her advice......
Hi Jay, I was given bisoprolol when I was diagnosed with persistant AF. This was probably caused by a lifetime of excessive exercise and recent stress at work. It reduced my heart rate and caused breathlessness worse tban the AF. What surprised me was that also worked to reduce the anxiety I did not even realise I had. The stress at work could have got worse, but it melted away. Talking to others, it seems betablockers are an effective anti-anxiety medication, even when there are no heart issues.
Bisoprolol is a potent beta blocker drug. I'm currently taking 1.25mg like you, having been on 10mg, then after my ablation for atrial flutter and an occurence of fibrillation, 2.5mg and now 1.25mg.
It's effect on anxiety, in my experience (and of other beta blockers I've taken before it, that is propanolol) has been... nil. It's effect on my heart rate however, has been dramatic. I had to drop to 1.25mg since on 2.5mg my heart rate was frequently dropping to well under 50bpm, with a low blood pressure, too. The effect was, among a range of weird chest related discomfort and other things, to make me breathless, quickly tired and uncomfortable / fearful.
So why do doctors give beta blockers for anxiety? Frankly, I don't know but for some people they do work. It might also be because UK doctors are reluctant to prescribe anti-anxiety medicines such as diazepam, in case of addiction. In the US, it seems, you are much more likely to be given an anti-anxiety medicine (most often alprazolam).
My theory about the anti-anxiety effect of beta blockers is that some people become extra anxious when they are aware that their heart is beating rapidly and more forcefully. The beta blocker stops this happening to some degree, and thus, in theory at least, calms their nerves. I've heard of musicians taking a beta blocker before a performance and saying it works brilliantly. Maybe this is a placebo effect? Who can know?
Interesting comments......I was actually prescribed a BB, years before i got diagnosed with AF, as i was very nervous of flying.....can't remember what it was..
They didn't really help.......just made my mouth dry!!
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