Brain fog

[Swimsyroke]

Hi All

I have been on Bisopropol 1.25 twice daily for nearly 2 years.

During that time I notice the brain fog and short term memory loss has become worse.

I also have tight calves which cramp at times which is temporarily quite painful.

I wonder if other people have found this and if they have changed their medication, has another drug helped.

I did read that Verapimil can help with memory and have also read about Nebivolol being an alternative to Bisopropol.

I have had paroxysmal afib for 13 years which became persistent in 2021 and is now permanent.

I am aged 77 and am also on Edoxaban.

Would appreciate your comments.

[jeanjeannie50]

I was on 1.5mg of Bisoprolol daily until last week. I had painful legs from the knee down and that would start shortly after taking my dose every evening. It became too much to bear and I rang my GP's surgery who asked their pharmacist to call me. He said to stop taking Bisoprolol and to take my blood pressure each day for 3 days and he'd call me back today. I did that and my heart certainly wasn't happy about having no medication. When my pulse was 130bpm last evening, in desperation I took a 25mg dose of the old Metoprolol tablets I used to take and my heart rate went down quite quickly. When the pharmacist called this morning he told me to keep taking the Metoprolol. I'm meant to take 25mg twice daily, but my pulse and BP have dropped so much that I couldn't. Have just taken 12.5mg at 5.20pm, nothing more since last night. I may just take that dose morning and evening, will see how I get on.

Yes, Bisoprolol certainly gave me brain fog too.

I would have a word with your GP and see what's suggested. It sounds like you need to try a different beta blocker.

Jean

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jeannie

Beware of Metropolol as it gave me pauses during the night.

I was also breathless and had no energy.

I was changed to Bisoprolol which didn't control my H/R 156. No more breathlessness and reduced to 2.5mg when CCB Diltiazem was reduced.

Bisoprolol caused fog if it does I fight it.

I applied to be employed Elections Day. I had a test and then I have been offered preday voting and Election Day. 3 Voting Form Books, Maori, General and Special Votes.

Keep doing things like reading books, doing jigsaws, puzzles, etc to keep the brain alive.

Take care, but you had alot of stress to be true of what is happening.

Statins can give you sore legs.

Cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

[CheriAlli23 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

OMG! It’s all too much. If you remember Jean, I am taking Metoprolol (25 mg am - 25 mg pm) and have extreme forgetfulness…terrible short term memory and it’s getting worse . I’ve never had a good memory (especially long term) but this is getting ridiculous. I’ve becomes so concerned that I was thinking of changing my meds! I think these drugs are all bad but what are we to do?

[OzJames in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi Jean I think to work out the equivalent metoprolol dose to your Bisoprolol is multiplied by 10. The opposite the other way so if you’re taking 12.5mg of Metoprolol that is equivalent to 1.25mg of Bisoprolol. I’m sure I read that but please check with your pharmacy. I’ve reduced my metoprolol to around 8mg and it seems to have resolved any side effects

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to OzJames]

That's interesting James, thank you for the Metoprolol and Bisoprolol comparison, I didn't know that but it certainly sounds right as I've decided to take 12.5mg of Metoprolol.

[CheriAlli23 in reply to OzJames]

How do you reduce your Metoprolol to 8mg.? Didn’t think you could. Thanks!

[OzJames in reply to CheriAlli23]

I mentioned it to the Cardiologist and asked his approval. He seemed to think in my case, and all people are different, that it still may take the edge off that adrenaline spike that can sometimes bring on AF. I purchased a jewellery scale from Amazon and calculated the weight of a 25mg tablet then cut tablet down. My HR at rest is still about 5 beats lower than when I was not taking the tabs so I’ll reduce eventually down to one eighth of a tab which is 6.25mg and see how I feel. I also take magnesium and CoQ10 which may also be helping calm my nervous system

[Hidden]

You are taking the lowest dose possibly but Bisoprolol can a variety of issues for some people. Not wishing to be disrespectful, I’m the same age as you and although I don’t take a beta blocker, I too can be forgetful so I guess age can have a bearing. That said, many here speak highly of Nebivolol so certainly might be worth seeking a change…….

[secondtry]

I have read both Covid and the jab can cause brain fog, maybe its not Biso.

[Samazeuilh2]

Your dosage is quite low and it isn’t obvious that brain fog would worsen over time on the same dose, so I would speak to a GP to see if he thinks there could be another cause.