Hi new to this website. I'm only on day 6 of taking Bisoprolol 2.5. I'm so tired just wiped out. Is this normal and how long till I adjust?
BISOPRLOL: Hi new to this website. I'm... - British Heart Fou...
BISOPRLOL
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Jakesterblack
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Definitely normal- I felt absolutely drained on 5mg- beyond tired. I had it reduced to 3.75 but still very tired- back to docs on tues for advice. Think you can get used to it- it’s just time and patience.
Thanku. I'll try and persevere. Just want my energy levels back.
I’m on 2.5 and for the first few weeks I was wiped out and had no energy with terrible migraines, I’ve been on them for 3 months now and I have all my energy back! I think it just takes a while for your body to get used to the meds!
Jakesterblack in reply to
Thanks ye I suppose its matter of time. Gutted I cant have a glass of wine occasionally too but hey ho just get on with it.
in reply to Jakesterblack
Yeah exactly! And I know I can’t remember the last time I had a g&t
Jakesterblack in reply to
I'm at cardiology on 12 sep for more scans echo and 48 hour monitor again so will just need to adjust and keep on them
in reply to Jakesterblack
Hopefully they won’t need to adjust your meds too much or at all after the tests as of the unpleasant Side effects! Keep your fingers crossed
Jakesterblack in reply to
Thank you x
Why can`t you have a glass of wine? I do,frequently.
I wondered about that
Well Lesley,one has to have a hobby x
Gp told me no alcohol at all at moment 😓
That`s tough.Perhaps it`s just a precaution til after your next appointment.Good luck.
in reply to Jakesterblack
G&T without the G is almost acceptable. I recommend some of the alcohol free beers.
Jakesterblack in reply to
Will give it a go 👍
Who said you can’t have a glass of wine?
Even my teeth felt tired. My dose was reduced from 7 to 1.25 m over a period of eight months... now feel fine. Talk to your doctor - I was lucky that mine was prepared to listen and reduce the dose every couple of months.
Ye illgive it another couple weeks hopefully pick up thanku
Interesting. I've been on 7.5 for 3.5 years after a heart attack. I'm always tired and until now reading posts I hadn't attributed it to the bisoprolol. I'll ask doc if I can gradually reduce it .... No I won't lol come to think of it as he called me in to see him to tell me I am at the end of my life. I just laughed and said I wasn't. I came away thinking he was a new doctor at the surgery sweeping clean!!
I’m only on a low dose and keep nodding off as soon as I get home from work. It’s still early days for me, so hoping this feeling of lethargy wears off. Good luck!
You too x
Fatigue is a common side effect and wears off in time for many people (although not all), but it’s also worth mentioning that if starting on bisoprolol was immediately preceded by any kind of cardiac incident i.e. a major episode of SVT or AF, then the issue isn’t necessarily the meds. Whilst it may not be relevant to you, any significant cardiac event can leave you feeling absolutely exhausted for up to 12 weeks afterwards. I had my first SVT attack out of nowhere and was put on bisoprolol in the hospital, and then spent 4 + hours a day asleep in the chair between school runs for the next two months. It was only five years later and following my second major episode that a cardiologist actually explained things to me. And sure enough, I spent the next 8 weeks sleeping in the chair again, but I’d likely have attributed the exhaustion to the increase in bisoprolol I had to have rather than the actual bout of SVT itself.
Jakesterblack in reply to
Ye I've never had any problems bfore. Really unwell last week ended up in ambulance thought i was having a stroke tbh. Irregular heartbeat x
Quite normal. Try taking it at night so the effects are less noticeable
Exactly...3 weeks after my only AF episode i returned to my cardiologist for a check up and explained the dizziness and tiredness and he was under the assumption i was taking tabs. at night...but when he found out on discharge i was told by the Hospital to take first thing in the morning he wanted the person who told me this...he said im sick of telling them to get patients takin these last thing at night.
Oh wow.... thankyou for that info!! I will start taking mine at night now too and hope it gives me some energy back 😀😀😀😀
Quick follow up .....I took them at night for a week but went back to morning again because during the whole week I had a splitting headache . It went immediately I changed back.
Yep it's the headache in the morning I dont miss and the tiredness throughout day
Yes I'm on 10 mg take it in the evening as I was very sleepy after taking it in the morning now have my energy back!
Starting tonight. Back at work and struggling a bit tbh
I agree with charlie_G.....if I have a big session of afib I am left exhausted...totally drained....the bisoprosol I am used to now, been on it almost a year. Talk to your GP for sure but yes it is totally normal to feel tired initially on these meds. Good luck, hope all gets sorted and you are feeling well soon x
Thanku x
I agree with you about the acute draining effect of having an afib attack .. sometimes wonder if the tabs do the job they are meant to?
Took them last night in bed early again but didn't feel as bad today. Still not my usual self but done full day in work didn't feel too bad. I have noticed tho wen I take them bit of a sore throat and some very mild chest pain that wears off
People respond differently. I had a terrible reaction to them and was taken off B all together. Talk to your cardiologist.
Will do x
My husband has been taking it for AF ( he’s since had an ablation ) for around a year. He started on 10mg and over the year it’s reduced to 2.5mg for maintenance of blood pressure ( even though it was never high) he has started back with swimming recently and light weights. I can’t say he was ever wiped out as such, but then again he was taking around 8 different drugs including amiodrarone. If it’s any consolation he feels great now he’s down to one drug . Maybe speak to your cardiologist as I know it took a while to get hubby sorted with the best combination for his condition ? Maybe ask for a blood test in case you have something else going on in the background like low iron which is the cause ? Obviously I’m no doctor , but I hope you feel more energised soon.
Thanku x
in reply to Jakesterblack
Your welcome, don't get disharted... The other side effect is very vivid dreams, it's like actually being there, quite good fun and interesting, until the nightmare type one creeps in.... Ha ha.
I'm on a tiny dose 1.25 for racing heart beat. Had dreadful effect on my body. Feel as if dragging sack of potatoes around. Even a bit of depression. Now trying every other day. Taking them since June I think. I do have the odd drink - a spritzer or half a lager. Certainly makes heart beat faster. Has all got a bit easier but it's been hard especially in hot weather!
Thank you x
I was on 2.5mg of Bisoprolol for nearly 4 months when the Pharmacists couldn`t get Metoprolol that I had been on, was totally wiped out on them all the time. Luckily can now get my Metoprolol again, go back to your GP and speak to him.
Going back on friday as it's not getting any better. I'm just drained and feel worse. Really bad headaches in morning tired during day. My life is work home bed at half 7 or 8 then drag my self to work again . No social life I'm just exhausted. The hill I do every night for bus I'm now breathless and gubbed and on fri had bit of chest pain. I swear beta blockers making me worse 😓
Hi, yes it's quite normal. I have been on them for a little over 2years now and can tick off the side effects 1by1.
I was on 5mg at 1 per day, I changed 12mths ago to 2.5mg.
I am now feeling the best I've felt in 2years and my body's now happy with the tablets.
I'm not cured or don't get side effects but cope with them, I still get fatigue but live with ways to cope.
I'm alive, I'm working and living to the full within limitations.
Keep battling through, it does get better, not perfect but better...
Jakesterblack in reply to
Will do thanku x
Go back to your GP and get them changed, there are plenty of others you can take but don`t let him give you Carvadilol, I was changed to them and they made me ill after 4 tablets. I`m on Metoprolol and have been for several years but a few months ago, the Pharmacy couldn`t get them so I was put on Bisoprolol with the same effect as you but back on Metoprolol now.
Going to gp friday x
Made me tired,came off it,go back to the doctors,change your tablet.
Hi - same situation here on 2.5 of Bisoprolol. I've been taking it for about a month. Feeling sluggish and foggy particularly in the morning. The most unpleasant side-effect is my inability to get to sleep on some nights. I wonder if that would be better if I took the pill at night rather than the morning, or would it make it worse? Not sure what time frame to give my body to get used to this med - anyone any idea - say, two months?
I'm trying tonight so will see how it goes. When I do fall asleep I'm having horrible dreams. Not pleasant x
I'm taking it at night. Don't feel as tired as wen I take in morn but wake up with headache. Really just don't like taking these. Hoping not on them forever
4 different drugs for stress related HF including bisoprolol left me unable to function, my body just couldn't cope with all the side effects and they just kept changing them not listening. Eventually I rebelled stopping and was fine for 8 months till another attack of stress put me on a 5th soul destroying drug. At 2 weeks I struggled to surgery where doc pleaded I stay on, at 4 weeks I crawled in and she accepted no one can be expected to live that way offering an alternative. I refused and BP normal 95% of time even after exercising and running 5K.
I chose to live life now and risk it rather than life a half life under influence of medication.
Go back and fight for dose change or change of drug! Its meant to help not make you struggle... good luck.
Thanku and same to you x
I was put on this dose back in December. The first couple of weeks were fine and then the tiredness etc hit me. I felt quite low as well and ached all over. These were all stated side effects. They lasted about a month and then I felt fine again. Have been on them ever since and I still have aches etc but the other side effects have definitely subsided. I am sure they will for you too but talk to your GP or Nurse about them especially if they do not go. Good luck!
Yep I'm going to have to persevere x
I would definitely try taking it st night for a couple of weeks while your body gets used to it. Both my doctor and pharmacist suggested this to me and Ive tolerated it quite well. Good luck.
Will do. Thanks x
I take 15mg per day cos im big ..but it still wipes me ...nowadays i can manage 6000 steps per day then i hit a wall
I switched from bisoprolol to nebivolol and got my life back
Jakesterblack in reply to
Ye I'm really getting down with it all and feel worse on them tbh
I had HA & cardiac arrest 5 weeks ago. I was on 2.5 mg of bisoprolol and after a few weeks told my GP I was getting dizzy if I stood up suddenly and feeling wiped out at times. He was quite happy to cut the bisoprolol dose in half to 1.25mg and I don't seem to be getting dizzy like I did before. So fingers crossed that's resolved the problem.
Only thing is the tablets were quite small so you couldn't really use a pill cutter on them to reduce the dose. Most sensible thing is to get a new prescription from your GP.
Don't forget to let people know though if you change your meds and you're attending cardiac rehab or visiting the hospital consultant. Record keeping/maintenance isn't always joined up.
definitely taking at night better. nebivolol. is it roughly the same thing. Tried Athenolol. and Propranolol. All betablockers of one sort or another.
Thanks x
Yes, I can't take beta blockers as they lower my blood pressure too much and also made me very dizzy. Get drugs changed if they make you sick. Don't be fobbed off, there are many options.
Thanku x
Could you tell me what you were prescribed instead? I am on 3mg a day taken in in two doses morning and evening. I have AF episodes where heart rate goes up to 170 but normal is around 60. On these tabs my HR going down to 48 especially at night when it makes me feel awful, dizzy, sick and chest pain. Didn’t know whether to ask to reduce dose and just take one a day. I think my AF had become more frequent since taking tabs.
I’m only on 1.25mg and as soon as I’ve taken it I can’t keep my eyes open , I was suppose to double it but I’d be comatosed , I take mine at night ..
Trying tonight x
Hi Jake. I’ve been on 10mg for about 18 months now and have got used to it fine. Although news to me about the advice of taking it at bedtime as I’ve been taking it mornings too. I’ll talk to my cardiologist as it could get rid of any little tiredness I do have. Does everyone who takes it at bedtime sleep ok? Good luck Jake and stick with it, things can return to a more normal state. Steve
Thank you x
I never got used to the fatigue and the cardiologist changed me to Yvabradine. I'm on 5mg. daily but split into 2.5mg. a.m. and p.m. Still get tired easily but that awful fatigue seems to have gone.
On the subject of Bisoprol and alcohol my cardiac nurse said I could have the odd glass of wine so I had 2 glasses of champagne on my birthday and at Christmas and I didn't notice any side effects.
Thankyou
I started on 2.5mg and like so many others, felt so tired. But your body does get used to them and you should feel less tired over time. I asked if I could reduce mine to 1.25mg and all seems to be stable, so I'm delighted. But yes if I have exerted myself through gym or long distance walks, then I can feel a bit sleepy in the afternoon, but I'm Ok with that. As for alcohol, I still have wine and occasional lager but drink water alongside it. Keep going with the meds - you'll be OK.
I was put on Bisoprolol 2.5mg my legs felt like jelly, I was very tired, and I was banging into things. My BP was fine but was my heart rate suddenly dropping hence the bumping into things? I became concerned I should stop driving. Instead my GP changed the tablets. Speak to your GP if concerned. There are alternatives.
I’m also on Bisoprol and found taking it in the evening makes me less tired. Still have good days and bad days though when I’m exhausted. But nowhere near as bad as when taking it in the morning. Might be worth a try.
Fiona
I am just reading the information with the tablets. Been prescribed 1.5mg daily. Apparently I have episodes of AF but normally heart rate is around 60 so slow. Wonder if this is right for me. Hope you are ok now Jakesterblack
I am the same. But on two 1.25 tabs morning and night On the tabs, my heart rate goes down to 48 at night and high 50’s in the day.
I had to stop taking it. I had the fatigue but also breathlessness, freezing cold numb hands and feet. I think Im just unlucky though. Im still looking for a bp med that suits, been on 5 since feb and was unable to tolerate other heart meds too.
Yes I am breathless more often even going upstairs in house. I think its side effect. Wasnt like this bfore
Been on 2.5 for three weeks and feel fine. GP recommended I up it to 5.0 because my RHR is a little high at 80-90 though BP is fine, so I will stay at 2.5 for a little longer and see what the specialist says.
Yes my dose was increased from 1.25mg to 2.5mg and I’m completely wiped out like you. I couldn’t go swimming this morning.
Hopefully I will get used to it.
I’m on a juice diet. I need to lose 15 kilos. That may help. I feel very heavy and fatigued.
At the beginning I went up to 5mg and couldn’t get out of bed plus depression side effect.
A powerful drug.
Jakesterblack in reply to
Hi, I have now came off it, three months now since i was in hospital with A Fib, still not seen Cardiologist, appointment this Friday so it's taken that long for out patient appointment to come in. I went to GP two weeks ago and told her i couldn't cope with it anymore. I am now off it completely. Don't get me wrong my palpitations are back regularly but i'm trying to deal with them myself and breath through them also timing in case they are longer. Apart from the palipitations being worse I feel so much better, no headaches in the morning, not freezing cold feet and more importantly i've got loads of energy again, going to gym and feeling a lot better
I split my dose in half and started taking before bed - difference is incredible. I’m able to work normally again. I was done by 4 everyday and was in bed by 8/9pm.
Now have the enthusiasm to work later and bed at 11pm like I used to.
That's good I'm glad you have found a way to take them and are getting back to normal .
I had my Bisoprolol increased to 2.5mg I’m wiped out too.
I feeling like I’m drunk and severe fatigue.
Hopefully I will get used to it after a couple of weeks.
Jakesterblack in reply to
I know it's definitely not pleasant... i really struggled with it
in reply to Jakesterblack
I improved around midday. I just had a swim. I find when you’re knackered and push yourself to do something you become energized.
My Tai Chi - Qigong instructor thought me that. He was correct.
Not so easy if you get the depression side effect from bisoprolol which is quite common.
I’m on a cocktail of drugs for heart failure (dilated cardiomyopathy).
I’m on a juicing diet. I need to lose 2 stone +. That’s around 13 kilos I think.
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