New poster here. My husband (early 50s) went to A&E with strong palpitations two weeks ago. Admitted for 18h, diagnosed as AF and discharged after a "successful" cardioversion with little information. No previous history of AF although he has not felt fully well for a few years (tired, occasionally dizzy) and we wonder about a link... anyway.
He's been put on Bisopralol 2.5mg and to say he is wiped out is an understatement. He rests frequently in the day and household tasks are not possible. Walking even 50m is problematic. There is no sign yet of the consultant follow-up and the GP just said "yes, you will feel tired on these meds, wait for the consultant" and set up a repeat prescription. It felt like we were wasting his time. Is this just something to accept for now? Despite chasing, the consultant's office has not been able to give an indication of the timescale for follow up. I realise it will vary from place to place but does anyone have recent experience to share?
I'm worried about the effect on his mental health and also family life (we have a primary age child, no other family nearby to help). Easter will be spent at home and we're not making any summer plans. The idea of this stretching on for weeks is distressing, if I am honest. What's the path back to a normal life from here?
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sidestep70
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Sorry to hear how your husband is struggling. It's fair to say that Bisoprolol does give rise to the symptoms your husband describes.
Sometimes it takes a while for these to subside. If he continues to feel wiped out I would suggest that your husband approaches his GP about the possibility of reducing his dosage. I found 1.25mg much more tolerable even though it is a tiny dose. Do not be fobbed off!! Many of us on this forum find this drug intolerable.
In the meantime have you considered a private consultation with the consultant ? If you can afford it , it will be money well spent(£200/250?) but of course in these challenging times this is understandably not always possible. The alternative here I'm afraid is to keep pestering the consultants office, stressing how it's affecting his mental health etc.
AF is not a life sentence even though it may feel like it at times. Things will get better. I'm not medically trained but have had AF first diagnosed at the age of 48 ( same as you, children at primary school and no family nearby) and am now 77 so have had a great deal of experience with 4 ablations and 22 dc cardioversions under my belt . I feel that if you can get this Bisoprolol business sorted then your husband will regain alot of his energy. Keep fighting your corner .
What the others have said is true, Bisoprolol does crater your energy. He will probably get used to it. I don't know what dosages are available less than 2.5ml, but patently if there is no improvement the GP should put him on something else. Bisoprolol is a rate control drug and should be seen as such (was described to me by my GP as a cure, it isn't).However - and I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but just in case no one else has said this... the AF may come back, often a Cardioversion is not forever. But neither is AF a death sentence as everyone here will testify. Best of luck, Gary
Good morning sidestep70, sorry to hear your hubby is not feeling up to normal life. I developed AF after dislocating my hip and underwent tablets and ablations for 18 months or so, i was on Bisoprolol and Apixaban and felt very much like your husband feels. Eventually I had a pacemaker fitted with an AV node ablation and after a couple of weeks came off Bisoprolol. Stayed on Apixaban which is basically a blood thinner and helps to avoid strokes.
If you went private to see a Consultant it would not cost much more than £200, quicker and you would be having advice from a top person. Not sure where you live but I am in the South West and have been under a fantastic Cardiologist. If you go onto a Spire site you can view the Cardiologist and ask for a quote for a consultation
I am 77 and feel so much better, no breathless episodes and back playing golf 3 times per week
Took me a month to recover from my first ablation. Later when I used beta blockers they made me feel worn out all the time. I should ask to be referred to an electrocardiologist too. Good luck x
Lots of people have challenges with bisoprolol. Lots others don't.I couldn't tolerate it at all. Even a low dose.
I'm late 40s but have had AF since late 20s. As people have said, it need not stop you or your husband living your lives. I have had a full on career, have kept fit and active and social, and only now am having to undergo surgical procedures, none of which are as scary as they may sound or put a stop to living life. Though some changes may be useful and indeed welcomed. Time, and good medical advice, will tell.
The tiredness, dizziness is very familiar. I would recommend reading up on AF but not getting bogged down by facts and figures or doom and gloom. But it's also important to have your worries and concerns heard and validated. They are real, and understandable.
Get in touch if you want to discuss.
And keep in touch with the forum. Let us know how you get on.
It may be that the dose of bisoprolol has reduced his heart rate too far and his body is taking a while to adjust to the new situation. Usually GPs are well used to dealing with AF and understand the side effects of beta blockers well. There's another drug called nebivolol, for example, which others have reported can be easier to tolerate. Another possibility is to have a private echo-cardiogram done, or even M]stress MRI, and see a cardiologist privately? The consultation will be about £200, but the echo a few hundred and the MRI nearer the £1000. Both tests will give the doctor a lot more information to understand your husband's problem.
It is a stressful time for you all, and anxiety is, I found for myself, even if sometimes largely hidden by other physical feelings, the single worst aspect of this often frightening condition. My own experience is that once your husband understands more about his AF and gets reassurance from a specialist, he should soon start to feel better.
As others have said it may be the bisopropol. I was on the smallest dose of 1.25mg and couldn’t tolerate it at all. Felt like I was walking in mud and tired all the time. Big ask in today’s financial nightmare, but try to see a cardiologist (or electrophysiologist ….they specialise in AFib). Also as others suggest, take the tablet at night. Best wishes to you both.
Thanks to everyone who has replied, it's good to get some experienced views and tips. Will definitely try shifting the meds to the evening, although not expecting miracles. If nothing from NHS consultant by Easter then will look into private, much as it pains me!
If you can stretch to it,get a private appointment with an Electrophysiologist ( EP) this should be 175-200 approx. These are specialist cardiologists and the best for AF etc. He will be seen very quickly,often within days like me.Then a transfer to their NHS lists for continuing treatment.
Bisoprolol had that effect on me too and many others. I'm now on 1.25.
Have him ask the Dr, why a beta blocker and not a channel blocker. I suffered the same response to a beta blocker, they switched me to a channel blocker, and the positive effect was immediate and lasting. No side effects.Everyone is different and they may have explained why, but worth the asking.
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