Bisoprolol and Verapamil

[Pinky100]

I’m in persistent Afib since 28th feb waiting for a cardioversion I’m on bisoprolol which is making me breathless my chest is tight and I’m exhausted all the time my consultant said he will change me to Verapamil but don’t want to do it over the phone he wants me to stay in hospital for the change over night has anyone change from bisoprolol to Verapamil I’m scared about the change over I still have to wait because of COVID 19

[Octaviascout]

Don’t be anxious ... I was on a high dose of Bisoprolol for 6 months after being diagnosed with PAF last June. Similar side effects to you, felt very fatigued and “weighed” down. My EP switched me to Veramapil .. my GP advised on slowly reducing the dose over a period of a week, no dose for 48 hours to “wash” the drug from my system. Started on a low dose of verapamil, 120mg for a week, increased to 240 and now the 360 daily dosage. I’m generally OK with a HR of 80ish. Can drop to low 50’s at night when I’m asleep. You will need to keep an eye on your BP as verapamil is primarily a BP reducing drug. My BP was normal when I started taking it, now averages 100/70. My HR is permanently irregular but the rate is under control. I’ve had 2 cardioversions to no avail. My EP didn’t want to put me through an ablation as I have little in the way of life changing symptoms and there is only a 55% success rate. Hope this helps ?

[Pinky100 in reply to Octaviascout]

Thank you for your reply did your HR go high when you was weaned off bisoprolol that’s what I worry about because I’m in afib it most prob go high 😫

Do you get shortness of breath with your irregular?

Ablation for me is 50/50 so not keen on having that done

[Octaviascout in reply to Pinky100]

My AF was diagnosed due to my ending up in A&E with a resting HR of 190. Nearly a year ago now .. thankfully due to the Bisoprolol now the veramapil I’ve never had a reoccurrence of this unpleasant experience. To answer your question other than feeling a little anxious I didn’t suffer any ill effect during the transition from one drug to the other, although I did feel lethargic for a couple of weeks. Initially I did feel more stable on the Bisoprolol, took a bit of time for the body to adjust to veramapil and get the dosage right. Your GP should wean you off and start the veramapil initially on a low dose.

My heart rate is permanently irregular but the veramapil keeps the rate under control. At no time have I been breathless, I get a good forest walk everyday with the dog. The EP I saw was not in favour of rhythm control drugs as he told my they were toxic.

[Jajarunner]

Sorry to be a naysayer, but my doc switched me from bisoprolol/flecainide to verapamil and i ended up being rushed to hospital in an ambulance with low BP/pulse after briefly going unconscious (and nearly giving my husband a heart attack!). I wouldnt try it out of a medical setting. I think it was the overlap of the two drugs that did it, but better safe than sorry.

[Pinky100 in reply to Jajarunner]

Oh that’s scary I will go in hospital for the Change over It’s best to

[Jajarunner in reply to Pinky100]

Sorry to be such a downer, but better safe eh,? I thinks it's rare. I reckon I was weaned off the other drug enough.

It wasn't scary for me, I thought I was asleep dreaming! I couldn't understand while my poor hubby was shouting at me and then kept asking me if I knew what day it was and my date of birth? I thought HE'D list the plot until he told me I'd flaked out. Funny in hindsight, gotta laugh at these things otherwise you'd go barmy 😆😆😆😆

[kizzie105 in reply to Jajarunner]

Hi, I realise you posted this a year ago but I’ve just read it and I think I am likely to be in a similar position. What happened after your stay in hospital. I’ve been weaning off biso and EP wants me to go on either verapamil or diltiszem but I’ve read biso can take much longer to leave your system than the 3 weeks I’ve been weaning for. Many thanks ,

[Pinky100 in reply to kizzie105]

Hi The change over was fine the verapamil has helped me so much with my shortness of breath but didn’t keep my heart rate down so my Consultation added 1.25 Bisoprolol back to help the heart rate and luckily enough the combination works great for me

Are you in permanent afib ?

[kizzie105 in reply to Pinky100]

Hi Pinky, thank you for replying, so sorry I messed up, my post was for Jarjarrunner, But I’m really glad to hear everything went ok for you! Very best wis he’s Kizzie

[Jajarunner in reply to kizzie105]

I was taken off bisoprolol and put on verapamil, collapsed and rushed to hospital. All while in afib. They then tried a load of combos of drugs before realising what I had told them all alone and doing a dccv. Then I was discharged on amiadarone later changed to flecainide/bisoprolol. I was on that for six months until my next bout and back in hospital for another eight days, and released on amiadarone still in symptomatic afib. Eventually, via private ep, got dccv and ablation in April and may 2020 respectively. Second ablation two months ago. Hope this helps

[kizzie105 in reply to Jajarunner]

Thank you so much for replying, sounds like you’ve had quite an ordeal! Really glad things are on the up for you. Very best wishes Kizzie

[kizzie105 in reply to Jajarunner]

Hi, JajarrunnetI posted this to the wrong person, please could you read my post below to Pinky, I’m interested to know how you fared with the changeover from biso to verapamil although I know it was a year ago. Thank you so much .Kizzie

[Jajarunner in reply to Pinky100]

Meant wasn't

[cuore]

Scared is a strong word, and in the case of AF, it's about not having enough knowledge about the condition and the meds to control it. Bisoprolol is a beta blocker. There is so much written on this site about bisoprolol and its effects with many similar to yours. You might want to do some reading which may help calm you.

In my early AF journey, I was switched from a similar beta blocker to Verapamil without an overnight stay in the hospital. However, I did start the Verapamil when the beta blocker was out of my system first. Verapamil is a member of the non-dihydropyridine class of calcium channel blockers. So, it is prescribed to lower the heart rate, but it does have some blood pressure lowering properties.

You will be well taken care of in the hospital so that the transition should go smoothly.

[Pinky100 in reply to cuore]

thanks for your reply was you in afib when you had the change over

How do you get on with verapamil