I’ve been having dizzy spells since 2022. When my doctor was on vocation in March 2023 he took to the lowest dose from 75 mg twice a day to 25 mg once a day of Metroprolol. The pharmacist helped me to to come down to the lowest dose 25 mg once a day.
Since I have been having Afib issues, Just not feeling my best.
Then he tried Bisoprolol 2.5 mg, then 12.5, now 6.25!! Unbelievable how you can quarter that small pill. My blood pressure keeps dropping.
82/70, 96/77.
I will tell him tomorrow after all the time of taking me down off my medication hasn’t made any difference whatsoever!
Any suggestions
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Nifty7312
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Looks like you may just be one of those people , like myself, whom doesn't do well on the standard betablockers.Many don't and many , again like you and me, find that it causes us low blood pressure which in itself can add to our symptoms of general malaise, fatigue, dizziness and can trigger aFib as our heart struggles to improve our blood pressure by yo-yoing the heart rate.
It would be good to request that your GP does the basics blood tests just to rule out other causes for low blood pressure and your symptoms including full blood count , liver function. kidney function. Ferritin/ Iron. Vitamin B 12, Folate and Vitamin D as very high. low , borderline or Deficienct ranges of these can cause additional reasons for the low blood pressure and other symptoms.
But as you've very thoroughly tried various doses of two betablockers now with similar results you are well within your right to request trialling another type of medication , like a Calcium Channel Blocker, common choices are verapamil and diltiazem. For some with very low blood pressure other choices can be required but they usually try these first because the other medications aren't always as effective or may have stronger side effects.
Your doses may also need to start at a much lower starting point, even if you continue on a betablockers or try something , and then slowly increased to find the balance between rate control and blood pressure in your case.
That's the thing about many cardiac conditions there is no "one size fits all" treatment or even dosage on the same drug as others use.
You could request to be referred to a Cardiologist but it will take some time as sometimes changing the meds can become a bit overwhelming for a GP no matter how many patients they have with aFib. Or, if you know you are still on the books with a Cardiologist you can ring the Cardiology Department to get to speak to your Cardio or get some advice from the helpline.
Hope things go well tomorrow and improve for you soon.
Ok wow, I didn’t know all of this! I’m so glad I asked. Great suggestion too!
My did every blood test you mentioned, and all are in range. I do have a cardiologist!
Your response makes me feel so much better knowing there’s someone like me feeling the same way, not alone.
I did feel my best on 75 mg x2 on Metoprolol. My new family doctor out of the blue took me off of Metoprolol while he was on vacation! Never consulted me about it. When I do go into AFib my doctor isn’t as helpful as I feel he could be. I know they’re all really really busy, but I think seeing me once a week or once every 2 weeks if my symptoms are still there, I think I should be seen if I let my doctors office know. I was in AFIb for 3 months, he changed my dosage once, that’s it.
When I see him tomorrow, I will ask him about the Calcium Channel Blocker.
I think the best thing is for you to request to see your cardiologist for a review. GPs aren't very good at dealing with AF because it's quite an expert area. Keep a daily record of your events - heart rate - BP - when you felt dizzy etc. Take that in to your GP if you go, and also to the cardiologist.
I couldn't get on at all with Bisoprolol or any other type of beta blocker, Calcium channel blocker or rate/rhythm control medication. they all made me feel far worse than the AF and after trying a lot of different ones and combinations of them at various doses I was taken off them completely after a year or so and just kept on anticoagulants. Hopefully you will find a medication and a dosage that suits you.
What's it for BP or Heart RATE. it's all 'into' any realisation of what is causing it.
Metoprolol in 2008 over 23.75 x 2 I couldn't breathe. Stopped in 2010 BP too low.
In 2019 given after stroke. I said no it will make me breathless but she refused to listen. For a year 4 months I strugged with fatigued and breathlessness and could not exert. I would be off to sleep. Monitor report 186bpm Day 47bpm Night with pauses.
Bisoprolol 156bpm Day 47bpm Night no breathlessness or pauses.
If you have asthma or breathing problems ever - these are not for you.
Is it heart rate and/or BP that is rapid or high or low.
I’ve been having low blood pressures, like 82/66. All he said was to take a quarter of bisoprolol every 2nd day now he took my blood pressure while standing and it was 89/69 and I told him I felt weak, and that’s all he did for it. I added that I felt my best last year when taking 75 mg of metoprolol. He didn’t say anything about that.
I did ask him about the channel blockers he replied it would take me lower.
I think I will ask for my heart specialist to take a look and see if he can recommend anything.
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