As I am having sleeping problem with Bisoprolol, It is suggested me to try Diltiazem , anyone is and are taken it at what dose level and what kind of side effects they have . It is for my information only before I ask the GP to change it or he suggested to me . I do not want to jump from one problem to others , If anyone has tried other alternative to Bisoprolol.
please share your experience
Thank you
I was on 120 mg (sustained release version) prior to my recent ablation and 60 mg after (along with Flecainide after). I get bad asthma with Bisoprolol but not with Diltiazem, and it slows my heart rate a little, rather than the huge slowing with Bisoprolol. The only side effect I get is swollen feet and ankles, and I will ask my EP if I could change to Verapamil. No sleep problems with either, but my Bisoprolol dose was low (1.25mg).
Thanks sharing your experience,how bad are your feet , does it stop you the long walk as I am a keen walker , also how often you get feet problem and how you deal with them
The feet aren't too bad, thanks. I'm also on Epleronone which as a diuretic keeps the swelling down. My left is worst as that's the leg they took a vein from for my bypass, the right is rarely a problem. I really only get a problem if the Epleronone is overdoing it on my BP and I have to back off. Walking is great to help prevent foot swelling in the first plave, or to resolve it, the muscle use helps pump the excess fluid away. If my feet have blown up a bit, I get them back under control by walking, elevation, and the Epleronone. Tightening my boot laces for walking also helps a bit!
I went back to Bisoprolol after trying Diltiazem as it made my heart race.
That is interesting , as currently my sitting HR is ~71 but it race to 100 just going up stairs,
So Diltiazem may not be good alternative .
Diltiazem shouldn't make the heart race, this may have been a contrast between (perhaps a fair dose of?) Bisoprolol and Diltiazem. Not a reason to not try Diltiazem, in my view.
Nope it made my heart race, I was on 1.25 Bisoprolol and rate fine at 60-70 Diltiazem took it over 100 and it didn’t settle. Confirmed and agreed by cardiologist, it can happen but everyone is different so have to try it.
Hi papillone, I take Diltiazem it was prescribed for me last December after 16 months on Bisoprolol in varying doses. The side effects were few, maybe some indigestion at first and probably a few withdrawal symptoms as I adjusted to this new drug. I was started on 60mg modified release once or twice a day depending on my Afib which is paroxysmal. The plus side for me was it dropped my blood pressure to normal levels, the Bisoprolol caused me a lot of health issues, I could only manage to tolerate 1.25mg after being on 5mg. Even on such a low dose I had sleepless nights, maybe once a week, not at the level you are at. How is your heart rate, has it come down to an acceptable BPM? On 5mg I ended up in hospital with syncope caused through bradycardia and postural hypotension, I was told the dose was too high and adjusted down to 1.25mg. Is it possible for you to be able to adjust the dose but still achieve a lower heart rate? I certainly do not feel the Diltiazem has affected my sleep unlike the Bisoprolol so I am quite happy so far. Regards Kathleen
Thank you for your response
My BP is most of the time OK 124/75 HR is ~ 72 as I mentioned before I live walking so the with Diltiazem is swelling do you this if so how bad is
ho
No swelling at all, I had an allergic reaction for a few days but just took antihistamines and it went away and ok since, just my body getting used to a calcium channel blocker. I too love walking with my husband and can report no adverse issues with this drug, it seems to be a lot kinder to me than Bisoprolol. There are other beta blockers you know that may suit you better, it is all trial and error until we find the right treatment. If sleeping at night is difficult is it possible for you to nap through the day? Regards Kathleen
Thank you
Diltiazem 
Diltiazem
Diltiazem
First Post - Flecainide with Diltiazem
