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jeanjeannie50 profile image
87 Replies

Hi lovely people.

I've had AF for 18 years, have had three ablations and numerous cardioversions so AF has been part of my life for a long time.

I started taking Bisoprolol last October when I was in hospital with Covid and pneumonia which caused my heart rate to go really high, before that I was on Metoprolol which was a potent drug for me so I only took 12.5mg - taking a larger dose could cause me to pass out and my AF nurse said it could kill me - dramatic isn't it! Around February time this year I started getting an ache in the lower area of my legs. This is something I've never experienced before and it starts when I'm sitting in the evening, or in bed. It feels like a bone ache. I'm seeing my cardiologist next Friday so will mention it to him, but just want to find out if anyone else has experienced the same thing?

Also I've noticed that when I take my evening dose of Bisoprolol, an hour or so later my heart rate shoots up for a while. I take 2.5mg twice per day.

Can you please let me know your experience with this drug?

Many thanks

Jean

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colourblue profile image
colourblue

Hello Jean, I take Bisoprolol 1.25mg each morning, but I am irritated by restless legs, especially in the evening when trying to relax. Just trying a course of Magnesium & B6, too early to say whether it will help, apparently advised to try for 3 months at least. As I have extensive Osteoarthritis pain anyway don't think this tablet has made any difference. Hope you get an answer to what is causing your pain. Best wishes. Ann

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to colourblue

Hi Ann

Thank you for your response.

It's a job isn't it, trying to find out what causes our aches and pains. I've done quite a bit of walking today, so will see whether my legs start hurting tonight I know that walking isn't the cause, but it may be the cure. I'm sorry to hear that you have osteoarthritis pain and restless leg syndrome - I've just looked up the symptoms of that and it's not what I have.

Take care.

Jean

George22 profile image
George22

hi Jean when I took bisop I too had leg pain and stiffness with one brand I found when I changed to Teva it went away .eventually changed to nebevilol because I felt to worn out on bisop. It didn’t cause my heart rate to increase.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to George22

That's interesting George. I too have found that certain brands of tablets suit me better. I've always asked for Accord/Almus - same company now. Do you know which brand of Bisoprolol didn't agree with you? It's odd how the different fillers used in tablets can have an effect on how we feel.

I spoke to my cardiologist about trying nebivolol and he laughed and said that's not for you. I'm now wondering why not and may well ask when I see him next week.

Thank you for your thoughtful response.

Jean

JaneFinn profile image
JaneFinn in reply to jeanjeannie50

I’d be interested to hear why nebivolol isn’t for you, if you do find out! My GP said no to nebivolol when I asked if I could try it (in one of my intermittent and futile attempts to try something other than Bisoprolol). But his reason was that I’d have the same issues as I do with bisoprolol. I know that’s not necessarily true, so it made me wonder if it’s just a more expensive drug! 😆 Jx

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to JaneFinn

A more expensive drug - ah yes that's an interesting point!

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply to jeanjeannie50

I swapped from Bisop. to Nebivolol some time ago. I wanted to see if the stinging, burning leg and foot pain was caused by it. Sadly it wasn't as I still have it and it's getting worse.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to FancyPants54

Such a nuisance isn't it!

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply to jeanjeannie50

It's beyond nuisance now Jean. It's crippling me. I have no idea what to try next.

Mrsvemb profile image
Mrsvemb in reply to jeanjeannie50

When I asked my cardiologist to change me over from Bisoprolol to Nebivolol he said that Nebivolol wouldn’t be any good for me. I told him that I wasn’t prepared to take Bisoprolol any more. He reluctantly agreed to the change.

Like you, I can only take certain brands. Glenmark, Milpharm and Noumed.

Now, three years later, he even says how well Nebivolol suits me . Almost as if it was his idea 🤣.

waveylines profile image
waveylines in reply to Mrsvemb

😊😅🤣Hopefully he's learnt to be more open minded from your experience. 🤞🤞

Mrsvemb profile image
Mrsvemb in reply to waveylines

To be fair to him, I am quite a difficult patient, in as much as I have so many intolerances. It was him that took me seriously about different brands not suiting me, probably 12 years ago and wrote to my GP.

I have been seeing him privately for 14 years, so we know each other well. If I don’t like the look of potential side effects of a drug then I refuse it. 🤣

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Mrsvemb

I think I'm very similar to you, I get my docs to write the brand of tablet I want on my prescription request. Fuss pots aren't we, but it keeps us happy. 😀

Mrsvemb profile image
Mrsvemb in reply to jeanjeannie50

In my case there is a filler used in a lot of brands called crospovidone or povidone. I spent a long time researching the ingredients of different brands, before proving the problem.

I have Boots well trained. They always check everything they dispense for me to make sure those ingredients aren't present.

For several months Nebivolol was difficult to get and sometimes I had to get my GP to prescribe double the amount of 1.25mg instead of the 2.5mg. I make sure that I have a few weeks in stock because of this. My GP requests Glenmark brand but I can’t always get them.

Good luck with your cardiologist. Put on your stern face 🤣

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Mrsvemb

Oh goodness, isn't it strange. Sometimes I wonder just how much these 'experts' really know. I'll ask again about Nebivolol when I see my cardiologist next week. Your last sentence made me laugh.

Thank you for responding.

Jean

pusillanimous profile image
pusillanimous in reply to jeanjeannie50

Have you tried Cardicor by Merck ?- granted I take a low dose 1.25mg per day but I do take just 5mg of statin per day as well, and have never had leg or bone pain, I do get tired some days ,usually when I've been busy overthinking the previous day, I am prescribed Alprazolam for anxiety and the combination of Biso and Alzam can cause tiredness as both drugs (Biso very slight) have a sedative effect, I have been taking Alzam for 15 years, and was diagnosed with familial AF 5 years ago, and no Cardiologist as objected to combining Alzam with Biso - maybe because anxiety and stress can be a trigger for AF and I have very few short events, I do of course take Eliquis.

Bunnyuk profile image
Bunnyuk in reply to jeanjeannie50

I wonder why your cardiologist dismissed nebivolol. When I talked to my afib nurse about sideceffects with bisoprolol she switched me to nebivolol saying it was more cardio selective . I found it better. So may be worth pursuing. Good luck.🤞❤

Goosebumps profile image
Goosebumps in reply to Bunnyuk

reverse echo on the nebivolol. I asked to switch from Bisoprolol and a very young GP said that Bisoprolol was more heart specific, just turned me down, deflated me. We simply don’t know who to believe do we?

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Bunnyuk

Yes, I'll definitely remember to ask my cardiologist next week.

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156

Hi Jean,

I’m sorry to hear about your leg issues. It’s horrible when you get something and wonder what’s causing it….it might not be related directly to the bisoprolol of course and you might find it just goes away on its own? I had what I would call a ‘bone pain’ in my arm for a few weeks earlier this year, but one day, it just went…and I’ve felt nothing there since so hopefully it might just go one day 🤞 Perhaps you could just see your GP though and mention it, they might send you for a scan or x Ray, just to check?

Back to the bisoprolol, I’ve been taking it for 18 months now and take 1.25mg every morning, but my heart rate never shoots up. When you say it shoots up, how high does it go? Has it always done this from Day 1 of taking the 2nd dose? Never the first? The brand I have is Sandoz by the way & I find it’s best for me and doesn’t aggravate the tinnitus as much ( bisoprolol gave me that 🙄) Different brands certainly do vary and I’ve managed to stay on sandoz for about a year now, so as George22 says, perhaps try a different brand?

Teresa

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Teresa156

Hi Teresa

Yes, I agree I may be blaming the Bisoprolol unfairly. Though I find it good to blame something, then there's hope that stopping that drug will make me feel better. I need to have hope of being pain free again, though I just have aches in the evening and nights.

I guess I should stop whinging and be grateful that l don't have far worse ailments.

Thank you so much for your response, your bone pain disappearing has given me hope.

Jean

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Hi Anne

Thank you for your reply. I'm not taking a statin but do know of someone that did and had awful pain. At times I do wonder if my pain is caused by lack of exercise over the winter. I do take magnesium but just mornings, will try taking it evenings too.

Jean

Tantaanna profile image
Tantaanna in reply to jeanjeannie50

Hi! I had the pain in my legs in 2020- after too much inactivity due to Covid. I remember telling my Chiropractor what’s wrong with me. After getting back to e exercise classes it got better

Today I’m having more difficulty with legs since my regular exercise routine has changed due to my recent concerns with focal atrial tachycardia. Making myself do my at home yoga routine these next three days before I have my ablation.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Tantaanna

Good luck with your ablation and yes a good idea to do your exercises to build yourself up for the short period of inactivity afterwards.

Jean

VeeWat profile image
VeeWat in reply to Tantaanna

is Natale doing it? I had one done with him in 2015.

Tantaanna profile image
Tantaanna in reply to VeeWat

yes he is , pray for him to find these “culprits “ causing this craziness. He did my fourth ablation in 2020, fifth touch up and watchman in 2021

VeeWat profile image
VeeWat in reply to Tantaanna

I pray he does. Let us know.

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156

Hi Jean,

I know exactly how you feel, thinking the bisoprolol is causing the pain…and it could well be, but hopefully it might just go soon. I was going to ask too about your heart shooting up in the evening…does it do it after the morning dose? I presume it doesn’t as you only mentioned the evening one…do you take any other medication around that time?

Teresa

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Teresa156

My heart rate doesn't go up in the mornings when I take Bisoprolol, just evenings and I really have no idea why that is. I do my best to ignore and not check what what rate my heart is, so have no idea of how high it goes - if I checked and it was a fast beat it would cause me great anxiety. It only lasts about 15 mins and sometimes has another little session when I get into bed.

Jean

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156 in reply to jeanjeannie50

Hi Jean,

I understand your anxiety, I really do. I think it’s strange though, that your HR goes high in the evenings after bisoprolol, but not the mornings, which also suggests it’s probably not the bisoprolol. You could be having a run of some ectopics perhaps, but only a monitor could of course tell you. It’s very strange. I think you might need to check what exactly is going on at some point, if you can bear to do it though, as you might worry more eventually, not knowing.

Hopefully this will stop soon. Try to forget they happen when they do, as you might even be expecting them now and if you’re anything like me, just worrying or thinking something bad will happen can raise my HR quickly. Try and do something an hour after you take the bisoprolol to take your mind off it and see what happens.

I hope they go.

Teresa

Singwell profile image
Singwell in reply to jeanjeannie50

Just a thought reading this part. (And I'd feel worried about it too, as it's clearly not normal for you. )Maybe discuss with your GP that lowering your evening dose might be a good idea? You could explore a 1.25 in the evening or just cut that pill in half if you want to try it that way?

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Singwell

Yes, I've thought of that too. Mornings I have my pill before food but evenings it's an hour or two after dinner. I will mention it to my cardiologist as you have advised. Thank you.

Jean

LindyMc profile image
LindyMc in reply to Teresa156

I must admit I have blamed bisoprolol for a whole clutch of debilitating side effects to AF until I had an echo. The technician took one look and her first real question was When did you have Covid? In answer to that I said the week before AF started. Why did you ask that question? Apparently preCovid 19 out of 20 patients had some effects of metabolic disease. However since then there are many more folks without co- morbidities and nearly all of them developed AF following covid! I then checked the symptoms of long covid and lo! they matched my situation better than the bisoprolol side effects list. Then I had Covid again in February and several of the more egregious symptoms receded! So for months I had blamed bisoprolol and I am still on it but without the downside.

Gumbie_Cat profile image
Gumbie_Cat in reply to LindyMc

I suspect that my bout of Covid in early October has exacerbated my AFib. It was paroxysmal, but the episode just after Covid just settled right in there.

I don’t exactly get leg pain with Bisoprolol, but I do get lack of energy in my legs - especially on hills and stairs. Just like the oxygen isn’t getting through. I have to pause then resume the walk. It’s difficult to tell what is caused by the AFib, or the medication or even possibly Covid. I wasn’t poorly with it at the time, and my heart was remarkably well-behaved until after the infection!

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to LindyMc

That's an interesting reply Lindy and one I must give some thought to.

Jean

George22 profile image
George22

hi Jean Jeanie 50 I’m so sorry I can’t recall which brand of bisop caused leg pains . Which I could have helped you .

etheral profile image
etheral

Worth having your electrolytes checked, especially potassium if you had not them checked lately. Best, etheral

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to etheral

I must admit I don't think I've ever been aware of having my electrolytes checked. I drink a glass of coconut water daily, also eat a banana without fail. So hopefully I'd be ok, but who knows!

Thank you for your suggestion.

Jean

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156 in reply to jeanjeannie50

Hi again Jean

Etheral has a really good point about electrolytes. One thing about Bisoprolol too is it actually can raise potassium levels. If you are also drinking daily coconut water and also eating a banana, it’s really worth checking your potassium levels. Mine used to be on the low side of normal for example, but since taking just 1.25 mg a day, they’ve increased to above half way on the scale now and I don’t tend to eat foods high in potassium and haven’t changed my diet.

It’s really worth checking.

Staffsgirl profile image
Staffsgirl

Briefly to say that I found Bisoprolol intolerable, partly because it made me tired and breathless, but mostly because of the excruciating leg pains. My GP was understanding, and initially halved the original dose I’d been on for a few months, but eventually I came off the Bisoprolol altogether, with GP’s agreement. The change was a relief, with vastly decreased intensity and length of pain. I have taken magnesium for many years…usually take in the evenings. I also apply magnesium oil topically before bed: I’m pretty sure this helps.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Staffsgirl

Hmm thanks for the tip off. I don't know whether to try the lower dose now or wait until I see my cardiologist.

JaneFinn profile image
JaneFinn

Sorry to hear this, Jean- I do hope you get to the bottom of it, and/or the symptoms go of their own accord. Do keep us posted on it, won’t you? x

I do have lower leg pain that I’ve described to the GP as feeling like bone pain - it started many years ago and I remember the doctor dismissing my idea it could be Bisoprolol or any of my other meds. (But he was one to dismiss anything he hadn’t suggested, so I wouldn’t set any store by that!)

I hadn’t thought about seeing if it correlates with different brands- that’s interesting. It’s currently particularly bad in bed, when lying on my side, and it feels very different from the osteoarthritis I also have. I’ve never had any explanation for it and it keeps getting lost in the midst of more serious sounding ailments!

Jx

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to JaneFinn

I have a lovely lady doctor that I make sure I see at my surgery. The men there seem to poo poo anything I say. I get days when all my joints feel sore and have no idea what that is, I must ask about it. Just don't fancy having yet another ailment tag added against my name.

I didn't have the bone pain last night and I wonder if that's because I walked quite a bit yesterday. Will be walking again today, so will see. Could yours be due to inactivity?

I believe that tablet fillers have a lot to answer for. Here in the UK there are some brands of Warfarin 1mg that have E123 in them, which is banned in the US as it's suspected of causing cancer.

Take care.

Jean

JaneFinn profile image
JaneFinn in reply to jeanjeannie50

I’m the same with a lovely lady doctor! She only works 2 days a week at our surgery and doesn’t have any pre booked appointments, and you can practically hear the hordes of people fighting tooth and nail to get an appointment with her when the phone lines open at 8am!

I’m glad you didn’t have the bone pain last night - that would be wonderful if you’ve cracked it. I think you may have a point with activity/inactivity, it may have a part to play. My specific lower leg pain has been a little better lately and I’ve also been doing more exercise and stretches. But also I’ve just remembered that my last blood test showed low vitamin D so I’ve been taking a prescribed mega dose to boost it. Are your vitamin D levels ok? Xx

Yes to all the joints pains and body aches…and not wanting another ailment tag. (I’ve been resisting a tag of fibromyalgia for the last 10 years for the same reason!) xx

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to JaneFinn

You sound just like me, as I guess fibro is what I have. I've taken a fairly high dose of vitamin D for years, have been on 3,000IU, but going to go up to 4,000IU soon. Also take vitamin K at the same time despite being on Warfarin. I take so many vitamin supplements it costs me a fortune! Every so often I think about stopping all of them!

Jean

Singwell profile image
Singwell

Hi Jeanie, I was on Bisoprolol for about 4 months when I started my AF journey. Aching legs was the first thing I noticed - even walking up a flight of household stairs! I hated that. As it happened when I switched to Flecainide that all stopped. See what other long term Bisoprolol users say.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Singwell

Thank you, it's nice to know that I'm not alone with the leg pain alongside Bisoprolol. My legs only ache when I'm still, but must have been worse for you when moving.

Don't laugh but I cleaned all the filters in my vacuum last week. I looked on YouTube for guidance and found another filter I didn't know was there. From then on my machine became harder to push and because of that I now also have pain in my hand. Honestly you cant win!!

Jean

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply to jeanjeannie50

Vaccuuming gives me pain in my right shoulder! When I was first diagnosed with afib I was put on 5mg Bisoprolol and a vit K antagonist called Préviscan. I got horrible pains in my legs - thighs and calves znd I was never sure which one caused them . I reduced the Bisoprolol to 1.25mg and my cardiologist said I could come off the anticoagulant ( I was under 65 then) and the pains gradually went away. I would ask to reduce your dose and see if that improves the situation. Male doctors can be very dismissive toweards female patients especially older ones.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Auriculaire

Yes, I think that reducing the dose might be a good idea. You're certainly right about male doctors being dismissive. When I told my male GP that Levothyroxine made the nerves above my ears (where my reading glasses go) sore, his answer was that in all his years he'd never heard of that before!!! Grrr.

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply to jeanjeannie50

He probably hadn't but a politer reply would have been to qualify that by saying that everybody was different and drugs affected people differently. Part of the problem with drug side effects being dismissed by doctors is I think due to a sort of cognitive dissonance. They are trained to believe that prescribing these drugs is in their patient's interest to put right whatever problem they are suffering from. The fact that all drugs have effects on the body other than the ones correcting ( or in many cases simply masking symptoms of) the illness and that many of these effects are undesirable and sometimes dangerous outweighing any good they are doing is unwelcome, as they might have to acknowledge to themselves that they are harming rather than helping patients. This might make them feel uncomfortable or even unable to continue being doctors so they deal with it by pretending to themselves and the patients that the drugs are not causing these side effects. Sometimes when these very side effects are listed by the manufacturers. Then they say "Oh but that's very rare" as if you could not possibly be the rare person afflicted!

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Auriculaire

Very, very true.

He once said to me I don't understand why you haven't been offered a pacemaker. My answer to him was they're generally given to people whose hearts drop to a low beat and mine doesn't. If I had trusted every GP then goodness knows where I'd be now. I don't mean to be, but I'm one of those people who think I know better than anyone else what is and isn't good for me.

Jean

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply to jeanjeannie50

I'm the same! My ex GP in Brum said she had never met a patient who was as tuned to their body as I was. Maybe that's why I have such a hard time with meds. I am lucky with my GP here - he is the best GP I have ever had , great diagnostic abilities on the whole and he really listens. But I have no trust in the weapons in his cupboard so to speak. However he still managed to misdiagnose a side symptom of diverticulitis as a urinary infection and poison me with an FQ antibiotic! I knew I didn't have a UTI - I had had many when I was younger and I just didn't have the symptoms and right enough when the urine analysis came back no UTI present. He has changed his mind about the usefulness of FQs though and I am pretty sure that was due to reading the stuff I showed him about how dangerous they could be. Unfortunately he is looking to retire soon .

Tellingfibs profile image
Tellingfibs

Hi Jean, I’ve been on Bisoprolol from being diagnosed 5 years ago, but the dose has increased to 5 mgs twice daily. I haven’t noticed the symptoms you describe, although I do get cramp in my legs and feet anyway. Apparently my mineral levels are ok and the GP says not necessary to take sopplements. However, I am pretty sure my cramp is caused by the fact that I wear slipper socks when indoors, and so after I have been out and about in shoes, that’s when I get cramp at night. As for the ‘bone ache’, I have had it long ago, and years before taking Bisoprolol so it was obviously nothing to do with that, but I don’t remember getting it checked so I can’t be of help to you. It might indicate however, that it could be nothing to do with your Bisoprolol. It does strike me as unusual that your symptoms, if caused by Bisoprolol, did not start earlier - as you know, any reaction to drugs is pretty immediate, unless they are the kind that build up in the body over time, which of course Bisoprolol doesn’t. The upsurge in your heart rate is a real mystery, especially as it only follows your evening dose. What a good thing you are about to see your cardiologist - arm yourself with a list of questions ! All the best.

Annie.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Tellingfibs

Thank you for you response Annie. Our bodies become a great mystery as we grow older don't they and we never know quite what causes the aches and pains. I'm really wondering now if the bone ache is because of my being more inactive lately, but the sunshine is out here in Devon and I'm going to walk down the town and pick up my new glasses. I do hope they suit me. I've copied a pair my daughter has. Tried hers on and thought they really suited me, but when in the opticians trying them I wasn't sure!

Strange about your cramp, have you Googled it to see what may help naturally. I have a vague recollection of a drink that helped, may be one that contained iodine - don't take that as the truth it's just a vague memory. I wear soft suede moccasin slippers indoors and they have little foot support like your slipper socks, but I don't get cramp.

Take care

Jean

Shcldavies profile image
Shcldavies

I have been on Bisoprolol for many years and various doses, started at 2.5mg for 5 years or so then, when my condition deteriorated the doc asked for me to increase and ended on 7.5 which made my arrhythmia worst and far more symptomatic. I know a too high does was not good for me and too low dose may not have the effect needed. Since my ablation 2019 I started on no drugs at all but the doc advised to continue with 1.25 mg of Bisoprolol as a safeguard is it would limit any return/effect of the arrhythmia.

Not had pain in legs, many things can cause this and only the doc will be able to provide advice. It could be something as simple as sitting on different furniture differently from what your used to.

The evening effect of heart rate increasing for a while again could be many things and yes it could be an effect of the bisoprolol but I would guess its your heart compensating too much for a low heart rate when your relaxed - pure guess based on a period I suffered long covid where I had ectopics at night when my heart rate dropped to low 50s, for around a month (3 months after I had recovered from Covid). Thought my heart condition was deteriorating again, but doc diagnosed long Covid and was right! Not come back since.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Shcldavies

Some interesting comments from you, especially about my heart rate going too low in the evenings and kicking off AF. I will monitor my BP and pulse when I take my evening pill tonight.

Jean

Hilianna profile image
Hilianna

Hi I started with atrial flutter, which progressed to afib, some 4 to 5 years ago. Initially I was given bisopropol but after causing me to faint moved on to try other beta blockers. None of them worked for me - no effect and/or caused extreme tiredness, not welcome when I was already suffering from chronic fatigue. Flecanide has no effect and I only take an anti-coagulant to manage the situation. I did not notice any effect on my legs from the beta blockers. "Restless legs" which I have had in the past, is very annoying particularly as often there is no obvious cause. I hope it clears up for you soon. x

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Hilianna

Thank you for you kind response.

Jean

Electricblu profile image
Electricblu

Hello Jean, sorry to hear you’re having problems. The first time I was on Bisoprolol my dose was only 1.25 mg once daily. The pain deep in my legs was excruciating and I have a high pain threshold. I used to wake up almost screaming with pain every single night. It got so bad that in the end I couldn’t even walk from the bed to the bathroom, I had to crawl on my hands and knees and I had all the other horrible side effects with them too. That was about 4 years ago. As soon as I stopped talking Bisoprolol and was switched to Digoxin the pain went. I was given the same dose of Bisoprolol again a year ago, but only take them as a PIP once or twice a week and can manage that without pain. Also the brand was changed to Teva where previously it was a generic. (Digoxin was stopped 2 years ago as it slowed my rate too much - again only 1.25 mg) I hope you get sorted soon.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Electricblu

Digoxin put me in a daze and made me feel as if I were going mad. I would never voluntarily take it again. It's so strange how different meds can cause problems for some, but not others!

Thank you for your kind response.

Jean

BeeBee79 profile image
BeeBee79

I’m similar to you I think - permanent AF, 1 cardioversion and 4 ablations. I was 2.5mg once a day of Bisoprolol and it’s did cause a slight ache in my limbs but as my dose increased ( a few weeks ago I was 10mg in morning , 10 in the evening and I couldn’t get up the stairs. Asked my cardiologist about a different type and it’s worked a treat!

It may be that particular type is not for you 🤞

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to BeeBee79

My goodness that was a lot of Bisoprolol they wanted you to take. When I was in hospital with covid, pneumonia and a racing heart last October they wanted to put me on that dose, but I showed my shock and we agreed on 7.5mg morning and night. Thank goodness I'm now on twice daily 2.5 and perhaps that needs reducing too.

What do you take now?

Jean

BeeBee79 profile image
BeeBee79 in reply to jeanjeannie50

I’m now on Nebivolol - it’s so much better for me and I’m not on such a high dose.

riverside22 profile image
riverside22

Sorry for your leg pain, my side effects of Bisoprolol don't seem the same, I was moved to bisoprolol from Metroprolol about 18 months ago (metroprolol seemed to cause dry coughing when lying down, couldn't sleep) all seemed fine until last October had huge water buildup and the put me on furosimide, since then I've been having drug induced Raynaud's, toes and fingers are affected, (I think bisoprolol can have this side affect) they just go white and dead looking, even with not that low temperatures.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to riverside22

I took Metoprolol before being put on Bisoprolol. Honestly, sometimes I feel like just not taking anything and seeing if my heart finds it's own happy level.

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply to jeanjeannie50

You have to withdraw from beta blockers very slowly. My GP said I could just reduce over a short period of time. My heart went all over the place and I gave up and had to go back on them. I'd say if you want to try, go very, very slowly. Snail's pace. Over a few months.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to FancyPants54

Thank you, I will do that if that if I reduce my dose.

Jock68 profile image
Jock68

Hi I am back on Bisoprolol again, waiting for another Ablation. 2.5 each morning and the noticed straight away that when I went out walking I feel that something has sucked all the energy out of my legs and they then ache for a while, not quite the same symptoms as other users but I have only been back on it for a a few weeks.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Jock68

If it's the Bisoprolol causing the ache in my lower legs, then it's taken 5 months to kick off.

Such a job to know what to do for the best isn't it.

Jean

Hello Jean, it's happened with me too, I'm on 2.50mg of Bisoprolol (SANDOZ). I stared to split the dose to morning and evening as I thought it might help with the side effects. I get bone pain in my legs, I liken it to an on and off toothache. Effects my femur and each side of knees and ankles. I don't experience the racing heart but it makes me feel ectopics more.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to

Yes, your symptoms sound just like mine, some days I don't get the ache and I just wish I knew why that is. Will let you know if I find out.

Jean

Redders profile image
Redders

Hi Jean, sorry to hear about your problems. You say you’re seeing your cardiologist, wow how did you get one of those. Is he/she very good, if so I’ll try and get an appointment.

I’m on 1.25 bisoprolol daily which doesn’t seem to cause much side effects, but after my last blood test it showed I have high calcium in my blood, which is worrying me immensely. Not heard anything from my gp as too what they are going to do about it . It can be very serious I’ve read on Google

Do hope you get sorted very soon Jean xx

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Redders

Will send you a private message Val as I don't think we're allowed to mention names of our consultants on here.

Jean

Bodydoctor12 profile image
Bodydoctor12

hello Jean,

I’ve been plagued with this from around 4 months after starting BISOPROLOL starting with a sense of cold heat pain in feet which then progressed up my legs occasionally and same in my hands. It became so intense at times (never at night in bed) that I finally asked to come off. I reduced from 7.5 to 6.25 to 5 mg per day without any change in symptoms.

I switched to VERAPAMIL which helped leg pains slightly but the side effects from that drug were so bad I came off it again and decided Biso was more tolerable - I started back on it with 2.5 then 3.75. I realised too that at that higher dose of 7.5, even when I reduced to 5 mg/day I had been suffering a definite depressive feeling which lifted at the much lower doses. That was quite extraordinary to acknowledge- I thought I had winter SAD and/or was feeling low after the breakup of my longterm relationship.

Since my Cardioversion on Feb 15th I have stayed on BISOPROLOL and the pains have definitely decreased but I still get them. I’ve remained on 1.25mg to help bed in the NSR ( recommended by Dr Ohtsuka in Japan) as I might well be having the mini maze when my Afib symptoms restart. I’m quite happy to say I’m still in NSR and hoping it stays that way as long as possible.

I was cheered in one way to hear that other people had the same side effects from the BISO as mme other my GP or my EP at Barts both said they’d never heard of it. I was so worried that I might have developed a peripheral polyneuropathy.

I wonder if women are more prone to this side effect than men? My brother takes 2x5mg each day and doesn’t seem to have this problem. His health issues are very different to mine as he has concomitant high BP and high cholesterol where I don’t.

Best wishes Jean and thanks for highlighting this.

Mary

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Bodydoctor12

Hi Mary, thank you for your response, it's good to hear from someone who has the same symptoms as me. I really don't think medics know what side effects we poor pill swallowers have to put up with!

Tudee profile image
Tudee

hi Jeannie50 I take only Bisoprolol 3.75 mg daily each morning for persistent AF and hypertension, my only adverse effect is feeling tired some days. I hope you are soon feeling better ,you have had a rough time of it.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Tudee

Thank you Tudee.

MWIC profile image
MWIC

Good luck with your appt Jean and getting to the bottom of the aches - all I can add as a relative newbie is that Bisoprolol definitely works to bring your HR down - unfortunately for me by too much as HR fairly low anyway so I’m off it - feel better than I did off it but I know this is a very personal thing with many many people who thrive on it

Quilter43 profile image
Quilter43

Never had that with toprul...cept once.takig it fot years now..do wonder about pauses..

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Quilter43

Thank you.

mav7 profile image
mav7

Hi jean

Not familiar with Bisoprolol, so can offer no advice.

The fact this thread has garnered 65 replies is indicative of the respect the forum has for you.

It is not often you express a personal concern (often give sage advice to others) so we hope the issue is alleviated. Best to you in managing your health.

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to mav7

Thank you for your kind words mav7.

Bagarabe profile image
Bagarabe

I had my ablation in Dec 2013 at the Newcastle Freeman Hospital and so far no issues. Prior to that I was on bisoprolol and it always managed to slow down the formula 1 of my heart😆 never experienced any side effects. May be you need to tell your EP about it.

Peteh55 profile image
Peteh55

nebivolol is unique in that at doses of less than 10 it doesn’t reduce heart rate during exercise. It is very expensive in the uk I believe at 2.5 mg doses for some reason, which is why most people on 2.5 or 1.25 get prescribed 5 and cut the tablets which are scored and easy to manage. It IS prescribed for AF just not as well known. I switched from Bisiprolol after a couple of weeks and all I did was ask the gp resident pharmacist. No idea why other people are being told it’s not for them, but if it isn’t they are entitled to know why!

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49

Hi Jean

I started with Metroprolol but I said no and they still gave it to me.

It caused breathlessness and fatigue on exertion. On 24hr monitor it showed 2 pauses @ 2 secs at night. H/R avge day 187. No control.

Saw a specialist DHB who changed me to Bisoprolol. Low dose but increased to 5mg x twice. 24 monitor showed no pauses at night. But uncontrolled at avge 156 H/R Day.

It was the increase in statin Avorstatin from 10mg to 20mg which made my big toe on left foot throb.

There is a writeup that states in some people at 3 years a gent could not walk! Also cholesterol is required for nerves and body functions. People are different and have different needs.

As BBs couldn't control H/R Day it was suggested that I go to the well respected Dr Wong privately. I did.

He made a clear history from the stroke, AF and Thyroid Cancer.

He introduced CCB Diltiazem but 180mg too high a dose although 1/2 full dose.

Twinked with Diltiazem 120mg AM and BB Bisoprolol 2.5mg PM.

Now controlled and heaps happier with my lot, Jean.

I would check your statin intake. Take care.

cheers JOY. 74. (NZ)

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49

I don't take a statin, my cholesterol is fine. I know that statins can cause extreme body pain as I knew someone who had problems with it.

Quite a few members here say they get on well with Diltiazem . That's quite a low dose of Bisoprolol for you, I take twice that. I may ask if I can reduce mine. At the moment all I take are Bisoprolol and Warfarin.

Jean

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to jeanjeannie50

Hi

The CCB Diltiazem acts dramatically on H/R, a little on BP and on Rhythmn.

As my H/R now stays low from avge all night 47 to 60s until midday, my GP was away so I tried back on Bisoprolol only.

My ECGs were bad and when the GP came back I returned to the doses I had prior and included CCB back AM.

It is what I need.

BB Bisoprolol did little for H/R 187 down to 156 only.

CCB was 105 drop from Bisoprolol . Bisoprolol does well on BP as my systolic was high.

With the combination of both CCB wearing off and BB I get the right combination.

It was NZ Heart Foundation who told me to reduce BB and have it at PM. CCB and BB is a no go together.

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

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