Emotional effects bisoprolol and pacemaker.

[Oldsurfdog]

Hi. My wife’s about to come off bisoprolol after pacemaker fitted. Sounds like you have to come off them gradually. Could the tablets be causing her depression maybe. ☹️ Didn’t realise they had had an emotional effect.

👍👍👍👍

[bantam12]

Some people have to taper the dose down gradually others can do it one go, if she was on a high ish dose then better to reduce slowly. Is she replacing the Bisoprolol with another drug or won't be on anything ?

I stopped Bisoprolol but went on to a calcium channel blocker which didn't suit me so I went back on Bisoprolol.

[Oldsurfdog in reply to bantam12]

Thanks for that. Think we’ll taper down to be on safe side and if still anxious see docs.

[Petercat1 in reply to Oldsurfdog]

Hi.Surely her Doctor/Consultant would tell her how she should do it? Did they just tell her to stop them? Maybe she is only on a very low dose so they are ok with her just stopping.

I must admit that I think her depression is because of what she has been/is going through more than the bisoprolol. I am on 7.5mg bisoprolol a day and I do tend to feel very sorry for myself and cry quite a lot, but I do think it's the emergency open heart surgery for an aortic dissection and valve replacement in 2017 that makes me feel depressed more than the medication I am on. Also my age, as at 71 I don't know how much is just natural age related aches and pains etc.

Hope your wife get on ok.

Denise

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

If anything Bisoprolol tends to reduce anxiety. If she is depressed it is more likely to be worry about her health. Have a word with her GP!

[Oldsurfdog in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for that. Think we’ll taper down to be on safe side and if still anxious see docs.

[VivienneB]

I would definitely taper off slowly. When mine was stopped by GP a couple of years ago I had a rebound effect of tachycardia and high blood pressure even though I was on a low dose 1.25. Not everyone does I’m sure . This was prior to pacemaker though. I am now back on a low dose of Bisoprolol and really comfortable with it . I am sorry to hear that your wife is feeling so low. Hopefully you have a good GP who can advise. Having a pacemaker fitted can feel life changing and overwhelming even though we are so hugely grateful for this wonderful technology improving and prolonging life.

[Molben in reply to VivienneB]

For me it is so true what you say about having a pacemaker. I am having one very soon. It is overwhelming and life changing. It’s A hard thing for people to understand I think.

[Molben]

I am having a pacemaker very soon and the consultant said I hopefully will be able to come of some of my medication one of which is Bisoprolol. I take 10mg daily. I believe that you do need to be weened of it. As far as depression, I wouldn’t say that it causes depression but what I have found that it has slowed me down so far that I can feel emotionally down. My life is just not the same. My mind is willing but my body isn’t. All the things I want to do I just can’t, all the things I did do, I can’t, there is just this wall and this can be depressing. It’s a a case of the physical restrictions messing with your emotions. Also for me accepting that I need a pacemaker is another soul searching exercise. I am truly hoping that in time my life will turn around. I am not saying it is the same for your wife but just a thought. I hope things can turn around for her very soon.

[Oldsurfdog in reply to Molben]

Thanks for that. I hope you get through yours but I think your right it just the new normal. I’m going to try get her use the Facebook pacemaker group 👍 good luck. Ian

[Molben in reply to Oldsurfdog]

Thank you Ian. Pacemaker UK has really helped me. It’s a place where you can express your fears and anxieties to people but they don’t know you so you are not exposing yourself. I hope your wife feels better soon and takes up life again and enjoys it. It’s an up and down journey but she will get there. Let us know how she gets on, all the best. Marian

[Oldsurfdog in reply to Molben]

Will do, and thank you. 😊

[Faub]

I am 40 and had a pacemaker fitted 3 week ago, as I had a complete heart block before and after my aortic valve replacement surgery and my heart rhythm was all over the place. It is a shocking experience, but as she must try to focus and celebrate the small daily improvements and achievements. I know how easy it is to remain focused on the traumatic experience of the surgery. She is here, alive and the pacemaker will make her life quality so much better. It is very difficult, but the only way is moving on and accept the shock of the surgery as something for the better. I hope she will feel better soon

[Molben]

Hello again, I hope you don’t mind but I looked back on your feed to see why your wife had her pacemaker. She has had a traumatic experience and it takes a long time to get over these things. I had a heart attack coming up 10 years ago at the same the 2nd problem with my heart was developing which is leading me to my pacemaker. It took a long time to get over that heart attack. Physically I was frightened it would happen again, every pain, twinge and I thought this was it, life over. Finally I accepted, I just thought if I am going to die then there is nothing I can do about it. You suddenly are made to look at your own mortality. You experience grief. Grief effects us in so many ways. I can understand where your wife is coming from, I do empathise with her. With my heart attack it took time but I worked through it, it just takes time to get your head around it all. A process I am in now with my forthcoming pacemaker. None of it is easy. I am sure in time she will come through it. Life will never be quite the same but there is life and no reason not to enjoy it. Do you or your wife use FaceBook? There is a group on there call Pacemaker UK. It’s a private group and they are so supportive and have really helped me. They have been or are going through our journeys. I hope everything works out for you both.

[VivienneB in reply to Molben]

Yes Pacemaker UK group on Facebook is a really supportive group. Well worth joining.

[Oldsurfdog in reply to Molben]

Thank you so much for your concern and understanding. I do think you are right that it takes time to come to terms with the change and facing your own morality. She does do Facebook and I will try to get her to look at the site and comment but she’s is not good expressing how she really feels, she sees it as a weakness and tells me but pretends to everyone else. Tried to get her see a counsellor but she won’t go. I will get her to read your reply it is inspiring. Thank you. Ian.

[Deepdiver]

I think thar depends on the level of dosage she is on. I dropped to a lower level before coming off them. I must admit I felt a bit low. But I put it down to the condition and been been a bit house bound at times.

[Hidden]

Hello Oldsurfdog, I too was on bisoprolol and had to come off it. But I did it slowly from 2.50 to 1.25. I had crying spells and other side effects. Depression is nothing more than angrier within because you are unable to do the things you use to do. I am on Entresto and eplerenone plus I take insulin. I have not had a pacemaker put in yet, because I like to try all options with medications first. When I had heart failure in 2015, they wanted to put a pacemaker in. I didn't feel right about it. Even today, the thought of putting something in my body and someone else controlling my heart is overwhelming. Really it's called "fear". Having to adjust to changes in your life takes time and I am preparing for some of those changes in the future. Slowing down in life is a new phase in the life cycle. Of course, this doesn't apply to all people. I'm thankful when I complete a task even if it takes longer and if I have to take a nap that's O.K., too. Life is Good! Have a Blessed Day!