Replacement for bisoprolol but big dilemma

[Profound15]

I’ve been having really itchy skin without a rash as well as just recently diagnosed with lichen planus (still waiting on appt to confirm if that is the case).

I’m on flecainide 50mg twice a day and bisoprolol 1.25mg once a day. I’ve been suffering from fairly acute itchy skin (nipples and my back which seemed to start about two to three months after starting my maintenance dosage). This coincided with me getting my first vaccine and then when I got my second Pfizer jab the itchiness spread from my nipples to my back. Got my third Pfizer in October last year and weeks later my itchiness got worse and suffered from a really painful tongue and mouth.

Now I’ve put two and two together and maybe got five as I assumed the vaccines probably caused the reaction. However my skin doesn’t have a rash. My doctor prescribed fexofenadine anti histamines which I’m still on but finish the course in 7 days. They have helped quite a bit but I still use anti itch cream as well. I’ve got to go back to him and hence the reason for me posting.

I’ve read today that bisoprolol can cause pruritis (skin itching). Now if that is the case I have an option to change to another beta blocker or indeed move to a calcium channel blocker. However my af symptoms have been fine for around 15 months and ectopics are minimal compared to what they were before. Has anyone experienced what I’m going through and if so what did they do please

I don’t want to upset the apple cart but equally the itchiness is really tough to handle. It also seems daft to be on another medication (anti histamine) to counteract the side effects of bisoprolol.

Any ideas or suggestions would be very welcome

[jeanjeannie50]

I find my skin getting more dry at this time of year with the heating on. It can sometimes get a bit itchy if I've forgotten to moisturise it. I've found Garnier Intensive 7 days ultra replenishing lotion for very dry skin the best. Its the one in the pale green plastic bottle and is often on offer in some shops. Have tried lots of other lotions but find this one the best.

[Profound15 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean. I use aveeno shower cream for dry skin for my shower every morning and top up with emollients as needed. With the fexofenadine that reduces the histamine a bit which makes it more comfortable. Really not sure what’s causing it but fits rare side effect of bisoprolol and maybe the vaccines causing an over action with my immune system. Wish I could determine what’s causing it though

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Profound15]

I've tried just about every moisturiser made. I still have tubes of Aveeno and CeraVe which people have recommended, but for me the only thing that makes a real difference is the Garnier one I mentioned. I've just put it down to getting older.

I use a special organic soap that I buy from my local independent health store

[Profound15 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Are you on flecainide and bisoprolol pls

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Profound15]

Am on Flecainide and Metoprolol.

[Profound15 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean

[Auriculaire in reply to Profound15]

This is going to sound radical. Take a deep breath. Stop showering every day. Showering using detergents of any kind strips away the skin's microbiome. We have been brainwashed into believing that all over washing every day is essential. It is not. If you cannot bear not to shower then only use soap ( old fashioned olive oil soap) under your arms and just use water for the rest. Try it for a week and see if it makes a difference.

[Threecats in reply to Auriculaire]

That’s exactly what I was going to say Auriculaire! Profound - this is purely anecdotal but I knew someone who used Aveeno for years and developed very itchy skin. It eventually worked out to be an allergy to the oat based bathing products she was using. Not saying that’s the case here but might be worth trying Auriculaire’s suggestion before changing your meds?

[Profound15 in reply to Threecats]

Thanks Threecats. I only started using aveeno after getting the really itchy skin. It’s particularly itchy on my back. At the moment I don’t know whether it’s the medication (I’m on lowest dose of bisoprolol and flecainide) or the vaccines. For the first three months of my medication I had no problems. Got my first vaccine in February last year and the itching started around March. Got second vaccine in April and itching got worse a few weeks later. Got third vaccine (and flu one) in October and the itching got worse. In November also developed lichen planus (although still be be medically confirmed). All of this seems to be down to an auto immune issue so hopefully you see my dilemma.

[Threecats in reply to Profound15]

I do feel for you. My husband was driven mad with itchy skin , it transpired in his case that he had undiagnosed diabetes and that was causing it but, whatever the cause, it’s a miserable thing to live with. He used to use a body wash called Hopes Relief. It was expensive as I recall but used to soothe things down. I also understand your reluctance to change meds, having found a combination that works for you. I’ve recently started Bisoprolol 1.25mg too and am finding it very helpful. I would similarly be reluctant to change. I think you said in your earlier post that you were seeing your doctor again today. Hopefully that has been helpful. It just occurs to me that , if there is some link between the itching and the vaccines, maybe this will settle in time and the anti-histamines will help in the meantime. For the record, as a child I was on daily anti-histamines for years and I’m still here😊

I do hope you’re able to find an answer to your problem soon.

[Profound15 in reply to Threecats]

Thanks Threecats that’s really helpful. I’ll have a look at that body wash. Phoned the surgery today and got an appointment for Friday with the doctor. Even then it’s a phone call. I would have thought as it was a second appt he would have seen me but that’s the NHS for you currently. I know they’re busy but ……

[Threecats in reply to Profound15]

It’s bad isn’t it. One of my elderly neighbours was rushed to hospital with severe breathing difficulties today. She’s been having trouble for a little while, so eventually called the doctor last week who prescribed an inhaler saying she had asthma, based purely on a phone consultation, even though she’s 80 with no history of asthma. Transpires she’s got a blood clot on her lung! Good luck for Friday, do let me know how you get on.

[Profound15 in reply to Threecats]

Will do Threecats. Shocking about your neighbour

[Crystalbowl]

I have itchiness in various parts of my body but not to the extent you mention. I have put it down to meds probably but I take such a lot nowadays I don’t know how anyone would know what might cause it. I don’t take either of the ones you take although I was on Bisoprolol in the past, I am now on Nebivolol and Entresto plus Digoxin, Riveroxaban, Fuorsemide, Spironolactone, Amatriptilyne (for chronic pain from shingles) and ADCAL for osteoporosis! I also take some supplements i.e. vitamins, minerals and Omega. Also, as JeanJeanie says, being inside in central heating probably doesn’t help. Hope you find some help to relieve your itchiness.

[Profound15 in reply to Crystalbowl]

Thanks Crystalbowl. I’ve bought Eurax cream for ‘instant’ itch relief but haven’t tried it yet. I’ve bought that many creams and emollients that my wife thinks I should start a shop. I’ve got to contact the doctor tomorrow as my fexofenadine runs out in a week. We will see what he suggests. I’m loath to change my medication though as it seems to be working well at the moment for the main issues (afib/ectopics). I’m probably going to have to use anti histamines long term perhaps topped up with anti itch cream. Not sure if you be on anti histamines long term. Wonder if anyone knows

[Crystalbowl]

No. I don’t take antihistamines. I have used Eurax cream though for years on the small outbreaks of shingles I have had over many years which has been quite effective though not on the massive outbreak I had in January 2019 which left me with PHN (post herpetic neuralgia) pain. Nothing so far has worked for that. However, I finally got the shingles vaccine last week so 🤞🤞I hope that new shingles outbreaks will be a thing of the past for me now.

[ETHEL103]

Hi I have skin inches too and I'm on verapimil. I got myself a back scratcher lol.

[Profound15]

Thanks EthelYes I’ve got a back scratcher too but pre anti histamines when I used it it created a massive wave of itchiness. Hence the reason I’m looking for alternatives