changed my bisoprolol to diffent one hope it helps

[Prosecco1997]

been to see cardiology today , she said it’s very unusual to have side effects after 13 yrs , but could be , ? Now going to try diltiazem once a day slow release along with my flecinde , to see if I fee l any better , has anyone tried these

[BenHall1]

Hi,

I was put on 5mg Bisoprolol in Jan 2010 when first diagnosed with paroxysmal AF. I came off it at my request in August 2023 and switched to 3.75mg Nebivolol. No sweat. The reason for the switch is that after 13 years of Bisoprolol I began to feel like the Zombie from the Land of the Living Dead.

John

[Prosecco1997 in reply to BenHall1]

Hello , I get realy tight stomach feel like I’m going to pass out , and shake sometimes , I hope I’ve swapped the right tablet and it’s not the flecinide ? Thankyou for you reply fingers crossed I will feel better

[Singwell in reply to Prosecco1997]

I've just posted my experience of Diltiazem. Are these symptoms you're reporting after your first dose? Shakiness and feeling like you're going to pass out might be a BP drop, which happens with this drug. Drink extra water while uploading your new meds.

[Prosecco1997 in reply to Singwell]

No this was on bisoprolol and flecinide , I’m swapping bisoprolol to diltiazam , to hopefully feel so much better , but it could be the flecinide? Just hope flec and new one mix well

[Singwell in reply to Prosecco1997]

Yes, they partner well. Of course we're all individual so bear that in mind. Fingers crossed it works for you!

[BobD Volunteer]

I couldn't tolerate diltiazem ( calcium channel blocker). Thought I was dying --- and wanted to!

[Buffafly]

Ignore Bob, most people get on fine with diltiazem, depending a bit on the dose. I take 180mg daily and it works well for me.

[Prosecco1997 in reply to Buffafly]

Thankyou , have just been on google, as was worried to take them , I shall give them a go 😌

[Ppiman in reply to Buffafly]

I’ve just read that one third of people don’t get on with diltiazem in patient reviews! 😳 And I was thinking of asking to be swapped, too.

Steve

[Buffafly in reply to Ppiman]

Did you or the poster really want to know that before you tried it 🤔 And tbh many people expect to be able to take meds without any side effects and they’ll be in that group. It’s a trade off. After all the bad things I heard about bisoprolol I wasn’t keen to try it but I did, hoping it would be better than the symptoms I was having at the time. Unfortunately I had a dangerous reaction to it and I was disappointed but at least now we know.

[Ppiman in reply to Buffafly]

I only posted that as a response to the OP. The reality is that a roughly equal number dislike betablockers, too.

I agree with you 100%.

Steve

[Redwing30]

I take Diltiazem 500mg as Tildiem LA and after first week of flushing and pounding heartbeat have been much better on them.I had been on Bisoprolol 2.5mg and since stopping feel have more energy and can walk uphill without feeling my legs are like lead.Stick with it for a few weeks and see how you are.Good luck.

[Prosecco1997 in reply to Redwing30]

Thankyou , that’s good to hear , I will be starting them this morning, fingers crossed it does the trick 😊

[Ppiman in reply to Redwing30]

That’s a useful post. I’m on 1.25mg bisoprolol and don’t know what makes me feel tired as I have insomnia, too. I was going to ask my GP if swapping might help.

Steve

[Prosecco1997 in reply to Redwing30]

hello I now have been issued verapamil , anyone had issues with this ,?

[Singwell]

Getting your dose right is important. I started on 200mg slow release with my Flecainide and I think it was too much. When I lost weight due to worrying over AF + pandemic it was definitely too much! I did better when eventually I was put on a lower dose. Things to look out for:

1. Flushing (I had this for first couple of weeks and then occasionally afterwards). Harmless but alarming.

2. Photosensitivity- cover up in the sun or you'll get burnt.

3. Oesophagal sphincter- being a venous dilator Diltiazem tends to loosen the digestive sphincters. If you're prone to acid reflux this might impact on you - it did me

4. Since it dilates the veins Diltiazem can also lead to a blood pressure drop, especially if you've just had an AF episode or if you've allowed yourself to get dehydrated or too warm.

One thing I learned from a visit to cardiology- the prolonged release versions of Diltiazem have a rise time to their peak release. Its around 1.5-2 hours. Pay attention to any weird feelings you get around that time e.g. feeling flushed, slightly faint etc. Those could be indicators you'd be better on low dose.

That said, I used it successfully for 3 years, nearly 4. I wouldn't choose to go on it again because of the digestive and venous issues. But we're all different and I will say I preferred it to Bisoprolol.

[Prosecco1997 in reply to Singwell]

I’m starting on a low dose of 120 once aday , Thankyou for the other things to look out for much appreciated 😊

[Prosecco1997 in reply to Singwell]

Do you take yours on an empty stomach ?

[Singwell in reply to Prosecco1997]

🙅‍♂️ NOOOO. I think it says on the pack with or just before food. It's a prolonged release so you want your digestive process to help with that. It's a nuisance actually because you take the Flecainide away from food generally but the Diltiazem with. I used to take my Flecainide in mornings and evenings and the Diltiazem with my lunch. A good person to ask is your pharmacist.

[Prosecco1997 in reply to Singwell]

Hello took my first dose , hearts pounding blipping blipping also pulse in neck beating strong gets worse when I move

[Singwell in reply to Prosecco1997]

I don't recall that from first dose but TBH I was uploading it totally unsupported during the first month of the pandemic and all 8 can remember is being scared sh#tless the whole time. I'm going to send you the breathing technique I use, in case it helps. And there's nothing to stop you calling your surgery right now and asking for urgent advice. Remember there's also 111.

[Prosecco1997 in reply to Singwell]

It’s awful and plus not to help I’m sat in resus with my son , Thankyou anything would be helpful , I’m not taking these until I’ve spoken to someone

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Prosecco1997]

HI

WHAT DOSE?

180mg too much. I take 120mg AM without food. 1/2 hr.

360mg full dose.

cheri JOY

[Prosecco1997 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

I’ve took 120 mg for the first time today heart still pounding and blipping, took flec at 8 hope it kicks in soon

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Prosecco1997]

Hi

Flec has a bad reaction. It can cause unnecessary arrthymia. Heaps of folks can't have at the start, after a few months or even years.

How long have you been taking it?

No potassium supplements.

Don't have banana with either pill.

I have been on Diltiazem for 2 years and 3 months. But I can't take flec. You may be best just on the CCB as both work as anti-arrythmic meds.

My combo is Diltiazem 120 am

Bisoprolol 2.5mg pm

When did you start flec.. as some say it only worked for several years and then stopped working.

cheri JOY

[Prosecco1997 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

I started flec 13 yrs ago , I didn’t take bisop today and had no awful feeling as usual , but took diltiazem and got these effects so not realy sure what’s going on , just want to feel normal

[Qualipop]

I tried them for one day" Came out in a huge rash.

[AustinElliot]

I am on 180 mg Diltiazem. Other than adjusting to having an AF diagnosis and all the anxiety that comes with it. I don't think I have had any issues with it.

I have been on it about 10 months now. I do think it relaxes me a bit now.

[Prosecco1997 in reply to AustinElliot]

I took my first one this morning have felt my heart pounding and pulse in neck , feel jittery is this normal , as I’m panicking

[AustinElliot in reply to Prosecco1997]

Its designed to reduce your heart rate. I felt that made me anxious until I got use to it. Probably 1 or 2 months. (but I was also cutting out caffeine, losing weight and freaked out by the AF diagnosis.

Now I have no side affects.

[AustinElliot in reply to Prosecco1997]

Sorry you are feeling that way =)

[Cat04]

I now take Tildiem 300 LA as I became intolerant to beta blockers. They work well for me controlling rate & rhythm, BP, angina and HF. The only side effect I notice is constipation.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Sure it's not Flec?

Be careful with Diltiazem. On 180mg AM I fell to 51 bpm within 2 hours.

In NZ we cant get 30mg or 60mg only 120mg and above.

cheri JOY.