Update to double dose of Bisoprolol

[Ilovedogs12]

Firstly, thank you to everyone who gave me their reassurance last evening.

Over four hours passed without a call back from 111 and I had no noticeable effects from taking the extra tablet. I had seen the sense in the advice I got from the people in this forum, and was on my way to bed when the call from 111 came.

I said I had felt fine all the time since taking the tablet, answered all the questions, and was told to go to A&E within the hour because the dose was dangerous for my weight.

Apparently the dosage is correlated to your weight, and I weigh 8st 4lbs, and two lots of 3.75g of Bisoprolol was too much.

She said I mustn't delay, to get there within the hour, which I admit was a bit alarming given that I felt fine.

So we went to A&E and I immediately had the usual tests and was told a doctor would see me. It was Saturday night and as the night wore on it got busier and busier.

The waiting time when we arrived was two hours. It changed to four, then six, seven, seven and a half, and it was eight hours before a doctor told us she was surprised that 111 had said to come to A&E at all.

I had asked several times as the night passed whether I needed to stay and wait and was told yes, I needed to be seen by a doctor. So I thought they had found something that they were concerned about and we stayed, but really it was all for nothing.

So the advice given by the lovely people in this forum was as good as it could have been! We live and learn. 😊

[BobD Volunteer]

111 work from a Q and A sheet. No formal training most of the time I fear. Sorry you lost a night.

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob. I realise they have a list of questions because they've asked the same things whenever I have rung regardless of the reason for my call, but they also ask specific questions so I thought they were able to assess the situation and give appropriate help and advice.

I didn't realise they were largely untrained - it sounds like a call centre.

The A&E staff had a lot to contend with last night, they didn't need any extra work that was unnecessary.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Ilovedogs12]

Basically yes. If you score X points they get a doctor to call and if Y then advise A and E. When I had a blocked catheter post prostate surgery they sent nurse once and sent me to A and E a second time .

[magendomike]

A and E is a national disgrace 111 just covering their backsides pleased y ou are ok

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to magendomike]

Thanks.

[Snowgirl65]

Well, at least you had an interesting evening of watching the comings and goings of the A&E!

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to Snowgirl65]

And the smells! Don't forget the smells!! 😂I wish I could...

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Ilovedogs12]

Haaa! Yes indeed!

[Singwell]

The most important thing is that you are safe. Bob's right 111 have a kind of algorithm for a traige system. I will say I've found them really good 3 times when I was concerned- once they sent a GP and once they got a GP to call me. And given it was Christmas Day...And the first time, they were alert to the likelihood of my having AF and organised an ambulance. That's how I got diagnosed.

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to Singwell]

To be fair I have always found them to be really good when I have called them previously. I think they err on the side of caution which is a good thing.

It's a handy service to have when the GP surgeries and pharmacies are shut and you don't feel it's a job for A&E.

[gladliz]

I never knew the dosage was correlated to weight. No wonder I'm on a high dose!! A couple of months ago it was increased from 2 x 5mg per day to 7.5mg am and 5mg pm but thought it was all to do with my blood pressure being higher. Nobody said I was getting fatter. Perhaps they were being very PC in not mentioning the 'F' word.

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to gladliz]

I doubt our weight is the only deciding factor for the correct dose but I don't know, I don't have any medical knowledge.

I'd think it could have been increased because of your blood pressure, and you will be large enough to take the higher dose.

You could always ask your GP, I think I would.