Despite 2 ablations my AFib episodes returned a year ago.
Bisoprolol and flecainide seem to control it well, but I really struggled this winter with cold extremities.
Despite plenty of layers, woollen socks, thick long skiing gloves I still have very cold fingers and toes.
I tried switching to a calcium beta blocker (Adizem) which solved the cold issues, but didn't seem to control the AFib. So I switched to a lower does of Bisoprolol (1.25mg at 7am and 7pm) but after 2 weeks I am still finding cold fingers/toes being particularly bad.
Even this morning walking the dog with 3 layers and a down coat insulated trousers, hat and skiing gloves with sheepskin inners I was still very cold.
So given the calcium beta blocker didn't work, are there any alternatives that people with similiar issues have had success with and that I can discuss with my GP/cardiologist?
Thanks,
Greg
Written by
kitenski
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Cold hands and feet are a known side effect of beta blockers, which may be why they did for a time switch you to Adizem which is a calcium channel blocker instead. It can sometimes be trial and error for doctors and patients to find the medication that is the most suitable.
Thanks, yes I am aware it's a known side affect, sadly the alternate listed in that PDF, the alternate atenolol also shows cold hands/toes as a side effect as well
I used to be the same a few years ago - always cold no matter what I did, then I discovered I had an underactive thyroid. Medication for that got rid of the cold feeling. Have you had your thyroid checked recently?
Strange isn't it. I keep getting overly hot. I look at other people outside all bundled up warm and snug, then there's me I'm sweltering with my coat off. I've been taking Bisoprolol since last October, but have recently been getting almost permanent mild headaches for the last few weeks. Have never had headaches before, so its really unusual. I'd hoped you would get more responses to your post as so many people take, or have tried, Bisoprolol.
I'm on bisoprolol twice a day, and I've started getting that much more lately, even sitting at 18/19 deg or so, and it seems to be different fingers or toes. I wish there was a working alternative.
I’m on metoprolol and no problems with cold fingers though my dose is low 12.5mg morning and night. Maybe ask the Doctor it’s a similar drug to Bisoprolol
You say 'woollen socks' but are you sure? I've found most commercial 'wool rich' or otherwise woollen socks are far from really wool. I've lately been knitting my own socks, no more than 20% nylon. i.e. 80% real wool from a known source. I've also found that many so called merino wool 'hiking socks' are only about 40% wool, which just isn't enough to count in my book. There are exceptions well worth seeking out, if you don't want to tackle knitting your own.
Gloves are another thing entirely. My 'wool lined' leather gloves are not very good insulators, although they do keep the wind off. Fleece gloves I've found to be pretty useless, only any good in heavy rain as they seem to absorb less than other materials. I have a pair of silk inner gloves of the kind worn by motorcyclists inside their gauntlets, that provide an extra layer and seem to help a bit. My warmest gloves are, again, wool, but They now have holes and I can't remember where they came from and haven't found any recently to replace them, as the more modern ones don't have the wool content. I'm considering knitting my own for next winter.
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