Has anyone had problems with Bisoprolol ,recently started it for a new diagnosis of AF
GP has discontinued it because of increased palpitations and feeling completely washed out , have been given ditiazepam but have not taken any yet
Would appreciate any advice
A lot of people comment on problems with side effects from Bisoprolol. For some it is very effective and once their body has adapted to the drug, they are happy with the results. There are alternative beta blockers and Nebivolol gets good reports here on the forum. I suspect you mean Diltiazem which is a calcium channel blocker. I’ve been taking it for over six years with no real problems but some people complain about swelling feet and ankles......
Hello Millview, Although it probably seems concerning for you, it really sounds quite routine. A lot of us on here have had intolerance to meds & it’s often just a case of trying others to see what suits you. I am quite good with Bisoprolol but had a terrible time when switched to a different beta blocker (which a lot of people are fine with), now back on Bisoprolol. Hang in there, hopefully your new meds will suit you better. Stay strong 💪. Steve
It’s the Devil’s Spawn as far as I am concerned. I know some can tolerate it but many can’t. Unfortunately stopping it suddenly can also cause problems so take care.
Trouble is hindsight is a not a gift that doctors are blessed with and we only learn through experience.
Devils spawn is exactly right
totally right!!!
I agree
Evil stuff. Being weaned off it now, and the sunshine is finally coming back into my life (Despite the weather!!!)
Me too!
My wife has been on Bisoprolol forcdomdc3 years due to PAF. Just before Christmas she raised concerns with GP on her falling HR. GP cut it down from 3.75 to 1.25. HR improved slight but number of AF episodes has jumped from 0 last year to 5 so far this year. GP now increased dose back up to 2.5 and is monitoring her BP and HR for a week.
Horrendous drug, was put in it to control fast tachy when I suffered afib, literally sucks the life out of you, turns you into a monotone robot over time. And coming off it is like going on a roller-coaster when drunk and on fire..... Taper off it, get off it is best advice for anyone, there are better alternatives, it's just a very cheap drug that again fits the bill to lower rates to hell with the consequences or quality of life it ruins.
I was givenSotolol which may be the same. I took it for 4 days and got very ill . All of what you report and severe. Was worse each day. I never went past4 days on it.I am now on a pill inpocket aproach. 30mg when i feel a worsening attack. It took it before bed and whenever i woke in the night and any time when necessary during the day.
Can you tell me what pill in the pocket do you take. Thank you
Just to add. It is 30mg of Diltiazem i was given. Reason being i couldnt take 130mg in one hit of that one either.
1.25mg put me to sleep in 40 mins every time I took a tab. Woke up with pain I chest and upper arms and felt terrible. My max HR was restricted to approx 117 bpm from memory. I could only run a 100 yards. The week before I could run 6 x 8 min miles. I stopped after the 8th tablet.
I also tried Atenolol another beta blocker. This was better but still terrible. My GP then decided I probably could not tolerate beta blockers , and put me on Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker and that had no side effects for me.
Later I had diltiazem, I had problems with that too but nothing like the bisoprolol.
The fact I did not tolerate bisop, does not mean it is bad, maybe for me it was too effective, but I think 1.25mg is the min dose.
I couldn’t tolerate it either - made af worse and couldn’t even climb a flight of stairs- just horrible
I think that the replies you received illustrate - you are not alone in your experience of this drug. Go well.
I am a newbie to aFIB and on second beta-blocker (from Sotalol 40mg twice a day to Bisoprolol 1.25mg once a day). Sotalol floored me. The fatigue so immense I had to wean myself off it. Switched to Bisoprolol that in first 15 days caused headaches, joint pain, chest pain but had more energy. By day 18 all those symptoms disappeared! Hope it continues. I read a great article which of course I can’t find discussed how these drugs target calcium or potassium or both. I guess that’s why it’s trial and error in getting the right drug to suit our particular needs. I did find this article which is worth perusing : heartrhythmalliance.org/res...
I fully understand. I'm on Bisoprolol now and it does affect me. The problem is it does reduce my HR to an acceptable level.
Devil and the deep blue sea springs to mind.
Paul
I was taking daily dose 2.5 to prevent afib. Stopped after 3weeks. Felt I was walking through treacle. No energy and brain fog. Now I just take 1 at onset of afib for heart rate. Waiting now to see cardiologist. No way will I take a daily dose again . My quality of life nose dived.
hi lovely.bisoprolol is disgusting!thought i was dying but cdreamer gave me some good advice.as i was told by my gp to take 5mgs i have now cut it down to 2.5mgs and build it up slowly and to take it at night.and i feel a lot better.i am going to have a cardioversion in the near future and will be put on a low dose of amiodarone.but if you read the side affects on all of these meds they all seem to have setbacks.i wish you wellxxxx
Hi Millview,
Well my reply would seem to make me part of a beta blocker freak show .......... no problems. I have been on it since January 2010 and was prescribed to take it in the morning. The first 12 to 18 months were a bit of a problem, random nose bleeds. These stopped when I changed my 5 mg dose to be taken in the evening. No nose bleeds ever since. So, also freezing cold at the extremities, hands, fingers, feet and toes with a drop in HR to about 45 bpm. Usually went to bed with an electric blanket on, hugging a hot water bottle and having a mug of hot sweet coffee.
Would then sleep for about 4 hours and wake up as if nothing happened.
My HR pre AF was in high 90's daily. When AF hit it peaked at 156 bpm. Nowadays its rock steady at around 64 to 67 with drops every once in a while to around 55 ish.
No more going to bed to sleep things off. Just normal. In January 2021 my dose was upped to 7.5mg in an attempt to lower blood pressure. It hasn't, but treating osteoarthritic pain a different way seems to be dropping high blood pressure. If I can get my BP down to about Bobd's level then I may chat to GP about dropping back to 5 mg.
I'm a freak obviously 😂😂😂😂
John
I was actually quite happy with it, but cardiologist wants me to come off of it again to test if staying off caffeine is enough to help with palpitations. He says my ectopic beats are nothing unusual.... One thing though: I stopped taking them yesterday and tonight was the first night I slept well, instead of feeling lightheaded and as if I am going to pass out. I had horrible nights the past few weeks, so maybe my heart rate got too low after all. Let’s see how I fare without them, but the extra heartbeats are driving me nuts. But apparently I am young and healthy.....
Hello. I have new here. Was put on this drug 9 days ago. My legs cramps are awful and my hip joints hurt like hell. Also my back. I am reasonably ok when standing and walking but lying down and sitting are very uncomfortable. Sleep just isn’t happening at the moment.
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