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Bisoprolol problems

Corrie12 profile image
20 Replies

I'm sure I'm having real issues with Bisoprolol it doesn't control my af at all and causes my heart to go now go so low low I'm getting really worried it used to go down to 40bpm which was to low now it goes lower at times but now the lowest is 32bpm . I'm thinking of stopping it completely my gp has tried to contact the cardiologist but yet to get a response.

I've been having issues for a long time in and out of hospital. I've even been told maybe pacemaker will be fitted at some point. I'm waiting for the heart issues to be sorted to be listed for liver transplant. But all the issues is setting it back now the very low resting rate of 30's is causing problems I sure its Bisoprolol.

Edit.

I'm on a tiny dose which has been dropped 4 times from 5 to 1.25mg I take 1.25 once a day and another dise when my heart goes in fast af 180bpm which it's doesn't help at all but when I'm not in af the 1.25mg puts my resting heart ratexat between 40 bpm to 32 bpm

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Corrie12 profile image
Corrie12
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20 Replies
BenHall1 profile image
BenHall1

Hiya Corrie,

Sorry to read of your Bisoprolol dramas.

I've been on it for 13 years now - continuously - I had some initial problems, random, full flow nosebleeds in the beginning but these were solved by changing taking my 5mg dose from morning to bedtime.

It has done the job intended of holding my HR steady ( its now around 64 to 67 bpm daytime resting). Overnight when asleep it holds it around 50 to 55 bpm...... however on occasions it does drop overnight to around 44 to 46 bpm. But never as low as your experience. Frankly it isn't a problem for me ...... except now for at least the last 10 months I have been experiencing immense tiredness. also wobbly vision problems. Also a weird feeling/sensation of walking to my right while in fact walking in a straight line and finally, lightheadedness. Having had blood tests and eyesight tests and more or less eliminated various issues ( except one - which will be subject to more specific blood tests in a few weeks ), there is only Bisoprolol left.

My surgery employs a Pharmacist on its staff and I have an appointment with her on Thursday with the view to discussing changing my beta blocker from Bisoprolol to Nevibolol. If your surgery employs as Pharmacist why not get an appointment and discuss what you have written here, failing that .... find a store Pharmacist near where you live, make an appointment and have a chat. Sometimes when it comes to drugs GP's are not the best peeps to consult.

Just a warning though, if you are thinking of abandoning Bisoprolol do read the warnings on the paper in the packet. Good luck.

John

Jock68 profile image
Jock68 in reply to BenHall1

Had a similar experience with Amiodarone, how 3 Ablations and a Pacemaker later I am on 5mg of Bisoprolol while I wait for my endo-epicardial Ablation to reach parts they have been unable to reach during the first 3 Ablations. Sound like the pacemaker will be scheduled soon and that will fix the dizzy sensations and remove the chance of you passing out.

KMRobbo profile image
KMRobbo

What was your resting HR previously?I am not medically trained but bisoprolol reduced my resting HR from 70 to mid 40s. It caused me other problems including excessive tiredness . I went to my GP who took me off it as she said my HR would be into the 30s when asleep, which was too low as my normal hr was 70.

However I had no other comorbidities and was not taking any oher drugs

Corrie12 profile image
Corrie12 in reply to KMRobbo

Before Bisoprolol do you mean it was 60 them went down 40 now down to 30 at times

Corrie12 profile image
Corrie12 in reply to KMRobbo

When asleep its 50 and goes down to 30 now but down to 30 when awake also

Thomas45 profile image
Thomas45

There are both other beta blockers and other treatments for AF. I was never put on beta blockers because I have long-term asthma as well. I'm sure the medics will find what works for you.

Harrgem profile image
Harrgem

I'm sorry I can't help with the medical question but I hope you get sorted soon

Mickey16 profile image
Mickey16

I was prescribed Bisoprolol and it took my heart rate down too low too. I hope you can get this sorted soon. Bisoprolol does not suit everyone.

Vince1001 profile image
Vince1001

Corrie,

It turned me into a zombie. See link

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

I subsequently saw a private EP who prescribed Dronedarone, which improved my quality of life big time.

Vince

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156

Hi Corrie,

When you say that it isn’t controlling your AF at all, do you mean that it goes as low as 32 when you’re actually in AF? ( this can be fairly ‘normal if irregular and fast) Or low as 32 at rest, when you are in sinus rhythm and not in AF?

Are you in AF all the time, or paroxysmal?

What dose of Bisoprolol are you on and what are you using to monitor your heart rate - especially when in AF? When in AF too, how high does your HR go?

Corrie12 profile image
Corrie12 in reply to Teresa156

When in af my HR is 180 when at rest its between 40 to 32 not in af

Teresa156 profile image
Teresa156

Hi Connie,

I was reading some of your other posts and can see that you do suffer from bradycardia. I’m not a medic, but I don’t think Bisoprolol is ideal for someone who has that. Although, if your HR still goes to 180, even though you’re on bisoprolol, it would signify that your AF would go even higher without it.

What dose of Bisoprolol do you take? Do you take any additional bisop when in AF to bring down the HR?

As you are having such a lot of problems contacting your cardiologist regarding your meds, I know it’s not ideal, but are you in a position to see them privately? You could call his/her secretary and enquire….they wouldn’t then leave you waiting like this.

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49

Hi

Strange as we are different.

Bisoprolol for me only manages and controls my BP.

It did a little dropping my H/R by 30bpm from Metoprolol 187 to 157.

I then went to a Heart Specialist (Chinese are excellent Heart Dr Specialists) and put me on CCH Calcium Channel Blocker Diltiazem and I dropped a further 105bpm Day.

We dropped the Bisoprolol to 2.5mg at night as I have an avge H/R Night of 47 seen again and again over 3 x 24 heart monitors and Diltiazem 120mg AM which seems to cover me for 12 hours.

30s is too low and scary.

I would sort this out with your H/Specialist quickly and it sounds like you need a pacemaker urgently.

Do take care, JOY. 74. (NZ)

ObiDyer profile image
ObiDyer

Similar to me.. Went onto sotalol + digoxin and felt much better. Unfortunately GP's can only prescribe bisoprolol without cardiologist approval for alternatives so you need to kick some... bottoms!

Hippiechic63 profile image
Hippiechic63

Hi corrieYou haven't said what dose you are on. I have been on Bisoprolol for a year now 2.5 mg and only now am I getting completely exhausted. I have a nap for around 2 hours every afternoon and to be quite Frank, it is so upsetting as it's interfering with things I want to do. I have had blood tests which are ok apart from cholesterol, it has gone sky high and I note in the paperwork that comes with the drug that it can change cholesterol which is strange.

Like the others say, I'm no expert but 30s is too low I think. Can they lower the dose?

My resting pulse is around 55, the lowest it got to was 43.

Good idea to get some professional advice. Good luck x

Corrie12 profile image
Corrie12 in reply to Hippiechic63

1.25 and cardiology said can take another 1.25 when my heart if in fast af when my heart is in af it 180bpm but when nit my rest heart rate is between 40 down to 32

Hippiechic63 profile image
Hippiechic63 in reply to Corrie12

HiSeems such a low dose for your numbers to go so low.

That's just my opinion though.

I wish you luck xxx

Corrie12 profile image
Corrie12 in reply to Hippiechic63

Yes me to been having issues with it evever since it was started it takes to hospital

Hippiechic63 profile image
Hippiechic63 in reply to Corrie12

My is issue is exhaustion and sweating. Horrible!

Countrydweller2 profile image
Countrydweller2

Same here. With the agreement of the consultant I now use it as pill in the pocket. I only take one when it's needed to slow my heartbeat.

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