I’m having some weird sensations in my feet which seems to be related to the BISOPROLOL- I’m on 5mg in am and 2.5 (now reduced to 1.25) in the pm. My main side effect symptoms are, leg cramps , cold hands and feet (noticeable much more now the weather is inclement) and a strange hot/cold/cramp sensation in both my feet, under the forefoot - almost like the feeling just before pins and needles.
It’s been suggested that I change to Verapamil and I’d like some feedback as to how others have experienced the change. I don’t mind the BB as it’s keeping me in a nice state of balance but the EP seems concerned by the ‘neuropathy’ ?
I’m concerned about the side effects of Verapamil as they include constipation and I don’t fancy that!
I’m in persistent AF and have my first CV in December at Barts hospital .
Thanks for any feedback
Mary
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Bodydoctor12
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I’m afraid I can’t offer any advice on switching from bisop to Verapimil ( I’m on 1.25 mg of bisop a day) and I haven’t experienced the issues you have, though have had other symptoms. I know your cardiologist has suggested switching and you sound like you are both absolutely certain that it is the Bisoprolol causing the issues. I suppose the only way of knowing if it will help, is by switching. I have read on here many times that people switch successfully from Bisoprolol to a calcium channel blocker and you really won’t know how or if the side effects affect you, unless you try it as we are all so very different when it comes to these heart meds.
Thank you - and yes, you’re so right. I’m loathe to change as the BBs are doing their job and I’m pretty much asymptomatic. Hate to upset the apple cart!
They do act very differently I believe…and might not lower your HR as much I gather. I can see your predicament….did he not suggest trying a different beta blocker? Some on here change to Nebivalol for example, which they can tolerate better. It seems a shame, like you say, to upset the applecart - I’d feel the same. Have you been taking bisop a long time?
almost 6 months - and its Done what it needs to do - reduce the heart rate. I’m due a CV on December 20th (though now the nurses are striking) so might just stay on it until then.
I’ll ask about another Beta blocker and see What feedback I get.
Do you have Raynaud’s? I developed Raynaud’s in my peri menopause phase and it seemed to get better except for very minor episodes affecting one or two fingertips on occasion. I started Bisoprolol without knowing that Raynaud’s is a contra indication, but for me it’s still just one or two fingertips and typically after being in contact with something cold. I also feel a bit “weak” in the arms and legs but it’s really just “perceived weakness” but it doesn’t feel that good. Like you, I’m happy with the rate control aspect, but I also have very low BP and can dip below 90/60. I’m also going to raise all this at my forthcoming appointment because it’s difficult to know what I’m doing and why as it’s been impossible to get appointments or any kind of meaningful advice on this kind of problem.
Just as a sideline too, my HR is strangely much the same as it was, taking 2.5mg as it is on 1.25 but some of the side effects I had, have been less. Only a thought to suggest to your EP, but a reduction in your morning bisoprolol perhaps might help alleviate your symptom. Something else to add to your list of queries perhaps? 😊
Simply to add: I eventually came off Bisoprolol because of very bad neuropathic pains and breathlessness. I have tried other medications (including verapamil) to bring the heart rate down, but have always had side-effects. Haven’t found an answer so far. Sorry this is no help to you!
(I do think you are wise to avoid a situation where you have to take pills for constipation caused by a medication! This wasn’t the side-effect I had with verapamil by the way.)
I was originally on 2.5mg of Bisoprolol together with other meds but was told the cold hands and feet was down to Isosorbide Mononitrate as it dilates the blood vessels. The cramps I thought was down to the statin as it always happened at night after taking the statin. I was advised to drop to 1.25mg due to brachicardia being to low ir something like that. However suffered chest pain later (nothing to do with Bisoprolol) and had to have another stent in my right coronary artery. The doctor then increased my Bisoprolol to 5mg, one tablet with other meds in the morning, it made me dizzy at first and a bit of an upset stomach but after a while this settled down which I have been told is quite common with Bisoprolol.
No so I went the other way as I take, thyroxin (ca thyroidectomy) bisoprolol diltiazem (ccb which I think Ver.... is as well), PRADAXA, B12 under the tongue
and I can be constipated.
But apparently I have, because of a longer squashed up colon, is the reason.
So I dont eat a lot of cheese. I'm one who likes raw celery, apple, carrot etc lots of roughage but not to overdo it.
Hi, I'm om 5mg of bisoprolol and I get very cold feet especially at night. Don't know what to do about it except wear socks in bed. Its worse if I spend too much time sitting before going to bed
I hadn’t made the connection but been on bisoprolol since June and have cold hands, feet and nose which has got much worse now the weather is cold, and takes forever to rectify. I constantly sit with a blanket on my feet in the evening.
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