Medication induced insomnia?

[LittleFrance]

Hi everyone, I’m new here and would appreciate any comments from anyone with similar experience. I had a pacemaker implanted 3 wks ago and was discharged on Bisoprolol 5mg, Apixaban 5mg twice daily, Amlodipine 10mg and Atorvastatin 10mg. I knew there might be side-effects and hoped they would settle but am experiencing insomnia which leaves me pretty exhausted during the day. I feel an overwhelming tiredness around 5 pm and often fall asleep at the TV around 8 pm but on retiring to bed I either wake after 2-3 hrs and can’t get back to sleep or don’t fall asleep at all! I’m not sure which of the meds is responsible.

[Hidden]

Both bisoprolol and amlodipine cross the “blood brain barrier “. They get in to the brain and can therefore cause insomnia. That’s a unusual combination for atrial fibrillation, or first line treatment for hypertension. It’s a fair size dose for biso, I would discuss this with your arrhythmia nurse.

[LittleFrance in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Bill. I was admitted to hospital following a blackout. Atrial fibrillation and tachybrady syndrome diagnosed. Having felt fine previously this is all a bit of a shock and I’m just trying to come to terms with it. I’m due for follow-up at the beginning of May so will mention it then if there is no improvement.

[Hidden]

Hi, sounds like you're in a similar boat to me. I had an ICD 4 weeks ago. I'd been on Bisoprorol for nearly 3 years for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and I've had intermittent sleep problems since. Sometimes it's not too bad, other times I either can't get to sleep, or wake up every hour, but most of the time I can tolerate it. I started having arrhythmia problems, and after being admitted to hospital several times in the last few months, I had the ICD. I had a severe arrythmia episode a few days ago and they said I had AF, so I have been given Apixaban as well now and double the dose of Bisoprorol. I've just started taking the Apixaban, so it's too early to judge yet, but I woke up several times last night. It may be partly due to anxiety, as I thought I was doing very well after the ICD, and I was quite upset to find out about the AF. I'm just hoping that everything settles down soon and I can get on with a somewhat normal life. It would be interesting to see how you get on. Take care.

[QuadroVEINia]

I have struggled with insomnia since my bypass in Nov and from even before although severity varies. Referred by my GP I have doing the online SleepStation CBT course last few weeks and found the techniques have helped me. Perhaps discuss with your GP if it is suitable for you?

[LittleFrance in reply to QuadroVEINia]

Thank you QuadroVEINia for taking the trouble to reply. The course sounds very helpful. I haven’t seen my GP since I was discharged from hospital and to be honest, am wary of mentioning the insomnia as I don’t want sleeping tablets!! However, if this situation persists, I will follow your advice. Many thanks.

[QuadroVEINia in reply to LittleFrance]

You are welcome. I had a telephone consultation with my GP when she suggested/referred me to this. Like you never taken sleeping tablets. Good luck.

[LittleFrance]

I’ve just checked out the SleepStation CBT course online. It states it is not available on the NHS in Scotland yet. The course costs £295.