AF

[sdgb]

Hello, I was diagnosed with Paroxysmal AFib in 2009 and after trying several different meds and not tolerating them, I had an ablation. I’ve had very few problems since may be 2-3 episodes up until late last year when I started having them again. I have now had several in the past few months heart rate of up to 170 in AFib for several hours. My normal resting heart rate is 58-62 and I would describe myself as physically fit. I was still under a cardiologist but had several cancelled appointments last year and then heard nothing since. Obviously we now have COVID-19 so no appointments.

My GP has written to them and they have advised that I start on BISOPROLOL. I haven’t spoken to the GP yet only the admin person who telephoned me today to let me know.

I had an episode for 4.5 hours early this morning, my heart goes back into rhythm if it’s own accord. I’m let feeling very tired and shaky. My heart was between 130-160bpm during this episode.

I went to the GP as I was feeling tired still three weeks

after a bad episode of 13+ hours at over 169bpm, where I went to hospital. My heart rate was as low as 43 and rarely got above 60 in the weeks after the hospital visit and I was exhausted, GP ruled out heart block, all blood tests normal. I’m a 50 year old male, physically fit, overweight by BMI but have quite a high muscle mass. GP happy with my weight.

The original cardiologist thought it was triggered by over training in 2009, I was training hard when it started again but not now.

Sorry for the long post but I’m getting a bit worried about things now. Any views or experiences of BISOPROLOL, like us say I don’t tolerate a lot of meds.

Thanks

*****update*****

I have had a long chat with my GP this morning, she agrees that I stay off any meds and monitor things and suggested I keep a diary to see if I can confirm any triggers. Thanks for everyone’s comments. Stay safe🙏

[Padayn01]

So sorry to hear that your AF has come back it's dreadful when it comes back especially after an ablation, can i ask when you had your abalation?

[sdgb in reply to Padayn01]

December 2009

[BobD Volunteer]

Over training is such a well know reason for AF I'm afraid especially amongst older people. Bisoprolol will prevent you from doing much exercise I'm sure as it tends to slow everybody down . Try taking it at night.

[sdgb in reply to BobD]

Thanks, will I still be able to exercise though?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to sdgb]

AF demands life changes. Listen to your body. If you can't exercise and talk then slow down.

[sdgb in reply to BobD]

Thanks 👍

[sdgb]

👍thanks

[Leechg]

Hi, I found it took me about 6 to 8 weeks to get used to it. I felt a bit faint and lacked energy. I take 2.5mg per day. I do have low blood pressure and it seemed to make it lower. I still lack energy for a few hours after I take it but feel better as day goes on. Havent switched to taking it at night as i sometimes feel my heart might rev up just before the next dose is due and didnt want that happening during the evening. Some friends who take it feel no side effects at all. You may well be one of the lucky ones. All the best.

[sdgb in reply to Leechg]

Thanks 🙏

[AncientHouse]

Bisoprolol worked well for me at first, then I stopped it because of leg cramps. I started on Magnesium for my leg cramps and re started bisoprolol. Since then I have had lots of arrhythmias mostly towards the end of the day but also after eating and doing exercise. I am there fore weaning myself off bisoprolol by halving the dose. basically I don't think it helps arrhythmias. I have managed to see a cardiologist last week who agrees, aspirin is not recommended for me and instead of statins he suggests losing weight and cutting out dairy food. AF is difficult to reverse and ablation only seems to work temporarily in most people.

[sdgb in reply to AncientHouse]

Thanks 🙏

[Swimsyroke]

If your normal heart rate is low surely bisopropol will take it down too low thus making you feel tired. I only use bisopropol as a PIP with flecanaide when I go into Afib.

[sdgb in reply to Swimsyroke]

Thanks, that’s my concern. I’m seeing the Doctor on Thursday to discuss options, I’d rather just take something as and when needed then take something daily if possible

[AncientHouse in reply to sdgb]

I agree with an as and when med.It was suggested on my first admission but not recommended since. My pulse is permanently low on Bisoprolol. I want something to soothe the periods of arrhythmias. I will be having a 7 day ECG shortly and I hope to take the discussion from there.

[KMRobbo]

Bisoprolol is a rate control drug. It does not put your heart in rhythm it merely caps the rate your afib will run at. I could not tolerate 1.25mg even. Put me to sleep in 40 mins every pill I took. Had other side effects also . I stopped it after a week or so and went on Atenolol another beta blocker which was also bad but not as bad as bisoprolol. Afterc2 weeks of that i switched to verapamil a calcium channel blocker which was fine for 20 months. My GP said I probably did not tolerate beta blockers. However we are all different . I am sure many people can take bisoprolol happily.

[sdgb in reply to KMRobbo]

Thanks for that, when I was first diagnosed in 2009 they did put me beta blockers, I can’t remember what, but I know they made me unwell and very tired and I had more AFib episodes. That’s how I ended up having the ablation. Hopefully my chat with the Doc tomorrow will help.

[Hammerboy]

Hi, I have paroxysmal AF and had an ablation in December which seems to have shortened the duration of episodes, from a few minutes to a couple of hours, but the frequency has increased from often months, apart to fortnightly now like clockwork. They always come on without warning and while I'm at rest and I take 2.5mg of Bisoprolol as a PIP which seems to have an effect. I get the impression from both GP's and various cardiologists I've seen over the last 2 years that this is the standard medication offered once AF is diagnosed. For me personally taking it daily at 1.25 mg drained me and left my HR very low at around 45 BPM but taking 2.5 mg during an episode does seem to help. I'm now under a cardiologist who has seen me through my Ablation and is reviewing my progress and is quite happy for me to only take it as necessary. There is no blanket answer for sufferers of AF and we have to find both medication and lifestyle regimes that eventually will give us each the best quality of life as we live with this unpredictable and life changing condition. The very best of luck to you on your journey 👍

[sdgb in reply to Hammerboy]

Thanks 🙏

[Ticktoc]

I was diagnosed afib in Dec put on low dose 2.5 Bisoprolol And Apixiban 5mg x2 daily didn't like how it made me feel at start nausea weird dreams not sleeping well. Tired but gp asked me to stick with it after 6 weeks side effects eased have had side effects off most meds have other meds I take Atorvastatin amlodipine Prednisone antibiotics salbutamol tiotropium was due to have tests before covid as gp thinks it's combination of meds giving other side effects have had a blood test repeat last week so waiting to see what that shows as had petechia rash and trapped wind /heartburn raised liver enzymes and altered immune system but thinks it's one of my other meds reacting with a fib meds feel OK most of time but food triggers lot of my a fib my brother been on Bisoprolol and Apixiban for 2 years no side effects at all oh due to diet changes I've lost 1st+ I havent had any bad copd flare ups Strange how we are reaction to meds hope you get on ok with yours take care

[sdgb]

Thanks 🙏

[Roto]

over training at the gym caused my Paf..thought I was doing the right thing but that was not the case..

[sdgb in reply to Roto]

I used to train hard and regularly, I was under the misconception that if I trained at the highest level of my heart for longer it would make it stronger. Sadly I now know this is not the case. I’ve reduced my training and even stopped a lot of the intensive stuff. Seems that I just need to do lower level stuff but maybe increase the time. Thanks for the reply

[15sunbe]

If your AF is not persistent, then, in my opinion, it would be best to take any meds as and when needed, rather than burden your body with ongoing medication. And when your heart rights itself, as you say it does, after a few hours, then your rate will be too slow - as the med will still be working in your system. I've had 3 ablations, the last 2 for tachycardia. Bisoprolol has never worked for me - but we are all different.

[sdgb in reply to 15sunbe]

Thanks 🙏 that’s where my thoughts are at the moment if I can not take them I’d rather not.

[Patsy10]

I found Bisop. to be an exhaustive medication, I was so lethargic but persevered for a few years. However I was then informed of Nebivolol, it does the 'same job' but costs more so is not the first option offered. It was my cardiologist who prescribed it for me and not my gp, probably for this reason. I have been on it a couple of years now and the difference has been amazing. Good Luck whatever you decide.

[sdgb in reply to Patsy10]

Thanks 🙏

[EngMac]

I often tell people who exercise a lot that they could be doing something to their spine. I know mine puts my heart into AF. I have many episodes but don't take drugs. AF drugs are pretty severe medications. On drugs it may be hard to notice if a feeling in your spine happens just before AF. Without the drugs, you may become sensitive to this if indeed this is the cause. You may notice the AF starts when you are in a certain position. Many have it start while in bed. Heart doctors will not consider this possibility. Doctors look at nerve impingement in the spine as causes of headaches and lots to other issues but for some reason never consider this a possibility related to the heart. You may wish to see a chiropractor and you may be lucky and find one who will consider this possibility and be able to eliminate this one possible cause. I have seen chiropractors but have not had success eliminating AF.

[sdgb in reply to EngMac]

Thanks 🙏

[David1958]

I know what my triggers are: dehydration and exhaustion. If I avoid those two things, I avoid AF. I had ablation back in February 2011. On my 9th year since the operation with no AF. My older brother had to have his second ablation done 10 years to the day of his first one. When it comes to exercise, I do it every other day. Whether I swim laps in the pool or 15 miles on my bike in an hour I always take the next day off. I weigh the same as the day I graduated from High School. Heart rate at rest 56. Max heart rate I have ever seen is 145. I am too chicken to go for higher. Why push it? I am not trying to prove anything.

[sdgb in reply to David1958]

Thanks for that, 🙏

[David1958]

BTW, I was on Metoprolol for years but weaned myself off a couple of years ago because it lowered and already low heart rate, reduced my blood pressure to 110/56 (good), but limited its rise during exercise. Without Metoprolol, blood pressure 120/60.