Work and afib

[Aprilla12345]

I work in the construction industry 5 days a week involving driving and fitting doors I get tired quickly can't work fast due to medication ie bisoprolol and when I get home I am shattered just wondering how you all cope I struggle both physically and emotionally

[mjames1]

Many tolerate beta blockers like bisoprolol well, but others find it really slows them down. The calcium channel blocker, Diltiazem, serves basically the same function as bioprolol, but many, including myself tolerate it a lot better.

Also there is some thought that beta blockers are over-prescribed in the afib world, so you may not even need it, depending on the specifics of your situation. Something else to discuss with your doctor who is familiar with your complete medical history.

Jim

[BenHall1]

Hi,

So, work and AFib seems to be your concern. I was first diagnosed at 65 in Jan 2010. I was a bus driver and even at my age only now have I decided to call time and will proceed into retirement on 5 July 2024 when I finish my last shift.

In the beginning I was off work for some 3/4 months and once given a medical all clear and jumped through all the hoops laid down by DVLA I returned to bus driving. I too was on Bisoprolol at the time, 5mg.

Once I turned 70 I had to have annual medicals for DVLA, so long as I passed I got my driving licence renewed.

Two things though, when at home off duty I learned to chill out and relax. and I questioned my GP about Bisoprolol. It was originally prescribed to be taken in the morning. This gave me weird side effects, I went to my GP and she said take it at night at bedtime. Did that and never had a problem with Bisoprolol until August 2023.

So for my money ............. what is your dose ? and when were you told to take it? If you are taking it in the morning ........ back to your GP and get approval to take it at night, along with any other night time meds you may be taking.

Good luck.

John

[Aprilla12345 in reply to BenHall1]

Tried it at night still gave me heavy palpitations just bisoprolol I reckon thanks for the information

[Bismark]

I've had PAF which started in my 50s and I took 50mg ( half a tablet) of Flecainide twice a day and half a tablet of Digoxin,125 micrograms in the morning. I found that for the first couple of weeks it slowed me down and then after that I didn't notice it at all and I had a very active life. I took this medication until I was 65 and then I went into AF twice so I had an Ablation so I'm only on blood thinners now.

[AKatieD]

Only coped after cardioversion when Afib and so tiredness went. Would not have stood bisoprolol for more than a few weeks as it was so tiring. If I were yo, I would be after an urgent appointment with an electrocardiologist en route for treatment as my preference would be physical treatment not medicine.

[Ducky2003]

I took Bisoprolol for 3 months, when first diagnosed with AF, and it sucked every ounce of energy from me. My pharmacist explained that the lungs have receptors which mimic the ones I the heart and the Bisoprolol can attach to those as well. He recommended asking my then cardiologist to move me onto Diltiazem instead. I did that and no issues with that, other than puffy ankles for a few weeks.

[Desanthony]

You may find that you need a dosage change or a change of medication to help you cope. Bisoprolol is generally the first medication tried. I couldn't cope with it or any beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or any rate/rhythm control medication and tried most of them and combinations of them. as i have low rate AF I was better off without them as at times it took my HR down too low -down to 36 at one time and I felt probably the worst I have ever felt.

[Aprilla12345 in reply to Desanthony]

Blimey that's low beta brokers and calcium brokers and digoxin . beta brokers where ok low dose but gave palpitations at about 1 am in the morning calcium blockers gave me massive palpitations and no bpm control digoxin well that was hell no rate control at all couldn't move with out surge of bpm awaiting consultation for ablation have been told that's it on medication for me so doctors and cardiac are allowing me to tinker dosages to see what can be done to ease symptoms iam on a split 2.5mg of bisoprolol of which I take one half in the morning with a 60 mg digoxin during the day can function but at early hours palpitations and arthimya bpm up to 80 suddenly all good fun not but working on it thanks for the info

[Dodie117]

my doctor moved me to nebivolol. He said it’s the one often given to asthma sufferers as doesn’t affect lung function. Hence less breathlessness and easier to be active. Works for me but on very low dose 1.25mg.

[Tomred]

Same here, i get totally exhausted and only cure is to lie down and sleep , its so overwhelming, i just cant resist, then i get a burst of energy for maybe 1 or 2 hours , which then is liable to kick of an episode of afib, which mostly wipes me out again, its a never ending cycle with short periods of feeling well, work and afib are not the best of partners, for some people.

[Aprilla12345 in reply to Tomred]

Spot on sounds like my storey trying to find a balance is the problem the meds are hard work and mine make me tired and palpitations at night horrible

[JillyBeau in reply to Aprilla12345]

This could be caused by sleep apnoea and/or dehydration. Drink loads of water during the day/evening.

[Aprilla12345 in reply to JillyBeau]

The sleep one could be something to look into as I have tendency to sleep on my back thanks for info

[2learn]

If your driving DVLA may want to know about Afib. Its your and Docs duty to report if it affects your driving.