Beta blockers and asthma

Hi, I have been on 2.5 mg of Bisoprolol for 10 months and I have suffered numerous problems with side effects especially my feet. I have finally had my 1st conversation with my cardiologist and he wants me to try Carvedilol.

Has anyone been on this beta blocker and had any side effects.

I have diabetes and asthma as well as a weak heart following a heart attack and 4 stents. My EF is 35.

Dr Google is giving me completely contradictory info about both drugs as usual and I don't trust our NHS information.

Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Barbara72]

I had a few side effects with Bisoprolol 12.5 mg so was changed to Carvedilol, 100 mg which my consultant felt was an equivalent dosage. Unfortunately it doesn’t work like that and I had a horrendous reaction to what turned out to be a much higher dose than was required.

Thankfully my dosage has been halved and I’ve had no side effects at all since then. I’ve been on Carvedilol for about a year.

[Hidden in reply to Barbara72]

Hi Barbara, thanks for replying. Before I started carvedilol I had a phone call from the surgery pharmacist who is very reluctant to prescribe it to me.She is going to contact my cardiologist to see if they can find an alternative.

Meanwhile I am taking 1.25 mg of bisoprolol eve other day. So every other day I feel slightly better!

[user63]

Hi Paulo56, I was on 5mg .. I have very poor circulation with raynauds, I had white numb hands and feet almost permanently, I was halved to 2.5 and more recently to 1.25 to raise my low pulse rate which was often below 45, this has been much better for me , I trust that it’s the best balance I can get for my heart and my circulation. We are all different, hope you get a suitable ‘cocktail’

[Hidden in reply to user63]

Thanks for replying.I am currently on 1.25mg of bisoprolol every other day as my local pharmacist is very reluctant to give me carvedilol because I have asthma. It is still causing red painful feet on the days I take it, but I feel much better in myself.

My pharmacist is contacting my consultant to try and find out if I can have a different cardio - selective beta blocker

Hopefully without the horrendous side effects!

[juls in reply to Hidden]

HI, Paul I've been on these 2.5 mg for 3 years now and I have red painful feet too, doctor told me it was planta facilitis hmm fo you find you cant walk very far?

[Hidden in reply to juls]

Hi juls, thanks for replying.I have never had problems with my feet even though I have spent my entire working life on them.

Since my heart attack and the cocktail of meds I am now taking, I have had terrible foot trouble.

Feet turn red on getting out of bed or off the sofa and the pain is excruciating. My feet are dry and crack easily followed by long to heal sores. Walking is very painful and limited. My podiatrist had no explanation but recommended Flexitol which I had been using already.

After reading about bisoprolol and red feet on here I finally got a doctor who listened and took me off bisoprolol.

After a few days my feet were fine, no redness or pain and I could get out of bed in the morning and walk straight away instead of the usual 10 minute hobble to the bathroom after lowering my feet to the floor several times before I could bear to stand.

I also felt 20 years younger off the bisoprolol!

Unfortunately my consultant who I had been trying to contact left me a message not to come off bisoprolol under any circumstance. So back on 2.5 until I could speak to him.

Red feet and feeling rubbish again. I am now on 1.25 every other day and it's only just bearable.

Just waiting for a reply from the consultant and pharmacist to see what beta blocker I can try instead. I used to walk 5 or 6 miles but struggling to get to the bottom of the garden. Also I don't get so dizzy when I stand up on the lower dose.

[Vivi2711]

I am on carvidelol for 3 years. This is the best beta blocker in lowering our heart rate & BP. It's capable of increasing quality and quantity of our life. My LVEF is always around 35% and I had asthma every winter earlier. Accordingly, without any hesitation kindly go ahead with carvidelol the magical drug.

ALL THE BEST

[Hidden in reply to Vivi2711]

Thanks for replying. I have read a lot online about Carvedilol and it does seem to get better results on heart failure than Bisoprolol. It seems Bisoprolol is the common choice of beta blocker but it is not for me.Hopefully I will hear soon from cardiologist whether to proceed or try another cardio selective beta blocker.