My mum is 76. She has high blood pressure and AF. Just had an ECG which said her heart was "borderline", whatever that means.
She has been taking Atenolol for years for the high BP. The doctor wants her to change to Bisoprolol.
My concern is that she already suffers from fatigue and breathlessness. There are lots of posts on here about Bisoprolol causing the same side effects. Also, that it "crosses the blood-brain barrier", which sounds worrying. She already has nerve damage from a stroke which causes neuropathic pain and would not be able to cope with any more such symptoms.
Could anyone please advise whether there is a better alternative to Atenolol and Bisoprolol that does not cause fatigue and breathlessness.
Many thanks in advance.
Written by
lnanonhu
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Sorry to hear that. I was on Bisoprolol for about 4 years due to A/F and uncontrollable BP.
I felt dreadful whilst taking it.
I used to describe it as living life trying to burst through cling film
I had a pacemaker fitted in 2019 and th first thing I did was fight to come off it.
Much better without!!
We have an excellent pharmacist and I always ask him which are the best drugs on offer so I can be informed when visiting GP or hospital so that might be worth a try.
I never saw much that was positive about Bisoprolol but sometimes there is not much choice. I hope you get it solved quickly.
Hi Sebbins, I am so glad for you to be able to come off your meds.... I would like your opinion please.I had a pacemaker fitted in May 2020 after the first lockdown of the virus and my cardiologist told me I didn't need any medication, a week after my pacemaker I had to go on anxiety tablets as I started getting panic attacks because I can't seem to get used to having this little machine in my body and recently 3 weeks ago I was admitted to A&E because I was having palpitations and breathing problems the cardiologist this time put me on Bisoprolol which is giving me awful side effects and I'm so stress out that I come up with pshorisis. I would like to find out how you managed to be able to come off it and do you manage it with natural remedies.... I so would like to come off Bisoprolol as I hate taking medications.... All the best!
I think you are really brave. I can’t imagine how it must have been to have all this take place during this awful crisis. I think it’s no surprise you have been under stress.
I came off Bisoprolol slowly over about 4 months on advice from cardiology after an abelation.
I think it’s a very scary thing to happen to anyone having a pacemaker. I too am very wary of any medication but in your situation in the middle of covid there’s no wonder you feel the way you do. The pacemaker will do it’s work and eventually you will forget it is there really. If the dose is really low and they really think you need to stick with it for a while
We have all been cooped up and only just emerging so hopefully this might lift you. Understand that you have had a tough time. I’m sure things will settle a bit for you soon.
Try absolutely anything you can to relax but keep the goal in mind you will feel better soon.
Sorry I can’t offer any better words but please write again anytime
Hi Sebbins, Thank you for those lovely words, I am so glad that I found this website to be able to ask people questions regarding our health.... I am sure I will get there one day.Hope sooner rather than later.
You hear a lot on here because bisoprolol is the most used beta blocker. And because it’s a self selected group you’re more likely to hear about the problems as people tend not to bother with the good news as they’re doing fine. Bisoprolol was developed to be more cardio specific than atenolol which is seen as outdated and not cardio specific. A lot of patients are moved onto bisoprolol. And many many patients have very few side effects.
I am on a low dose of Bisoprolol and after an initial period of a couple of weeks when I felt lightheaded, I’ve had no serious side effects. I took it because my consultant prescribed it and I trusted him. It really astonishes me that many people are prepared to take the advice of completely unqualified people on this site over that of their highly qualified consultants. I’m not saying that the support given on this site is not helpful, it is , because it’s good to share your problems. But when it comes to medication, it’s better to follow your doctor’s advice. Everyone is different and reacts differently, so if your Mum does have side effects lasting more than a few weeks then the doctor will advise what to do. I hope it helps her.
Bisoprolol affects us all in different ways. It may has side effects for her, it may drastically improve her heart function. Bottom line is you won’t know until she tries it - if she gets side effects, she can stop.
Thanks so much for your replies. What you say makes sense. I am glad you found a better solution, Sebbins. I will just have to hope that Mum is one of the many with negligible side effects. I am a bit happier about Mum trying Bisoprolol now.
Hi hope your mom feels a little better. I had AFIB, after being breathless, and Heart rate 150 BPM. Cardiologist put me on 10mg Bisoprolol in Sep 20, to slow heart rate down I was also on 5mg Digoxin to strengthen my heart, after two months he put me on 5 mg. Of Bisoprolol,in Jan 21 took me off Digoxin as HR fell 43bpm,Ian now on 5mg of Bisoprolol, my heart rate is now down to 50bpmI can only say from personal experience I had no ill effects while taking Bisoprolol at all it is doing its job for me,
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