Very confused

[confused71]

I have recently been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrilation only after i started on Bisoprolol did i have palpitions really badly also breathlessness I was also diagnosed with Heart failure and put on blood thinners --I am waiting to see a cardiologist .I halved my Bisoprolol as i couldnt cope with the palpitions I no longer get them still slightly breathless though .Tried to get an appointment with GP --no luck .I have just started a dry cough so not sure if its connected .Has anyone else had palpitions after starting Bisoprolol. To be honest I never suspected Heart failure at all

[Hidden]

Hello

Sometimes it has been reported that Bisoprolol have given people palpitations even though they are suppose to help with them it certainly has been reported that they do make people breathless

I know you are struggling to speak to a Doctor but I am slightly concerned you have halved your dose without speaking to them first

Could you try phoning the Doctors again and saying it is an emergency as you believe you are getting dreadful side effects from Bisoprolol and you do not know what to do , tell them you have halved the dose yourself but you need to speak to a Doctor now as you cannot wait for an appointment

If you really stress you need to speak to a Doctor and that a phone call will do you could get one you need to phone as soon as they open in a Morning

I hope you manage to get this sorted out and will let us know how you get on x

[confused71 in reply to Hidden]

Hi thank you for your reponse --I have been trying to get an appointment since Feb with symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy after weeks of phoning in the morning I never managed to get through in time to get an appointment .I managed later in the day and was told to leave an E consult .I waited in for over a week and then never got a call during that time .The following week they called but i was at the dentist so my husband was told they would try again ---they never did so I made an appointment to see a Podiatrist and she asked if Iknew i has irregular heartbeat i said i had had it for several years but doctor said it was nothing to worry about .The podiatrist said i had to be firmer with GP as she needed me to have blood tests for Diabetis and that it was possible i could have heart problems ---I took notice and asked GP if i could have blood tests as requested --while i was having blood taken I said the Podiatrist was going to write to my GP with her results ---Nurse said she would request an ECG even though I didnt fit the criteria --the result was as soon as GP looked at ECG i was told not to leave surgery before seeing doctor --while i was waiting he contacted a Cardiologist and while i was sitting in GP office a message came over on loud speaker your patient has Heart failure also Attrial Fibrillation was given meds and put on Urgent list and had a BNP blood test taken ---left the office in shock as its not what i was expecting and had i not gone to see aPodiatrist myself I would still not know I have heart problems .I had terrible side effects saw the doctor 3 weeks later which was a follow up appointment made after the first one --i told him that the meds were making me feel very ill and my quality of life had changed hugely --he just said oh thats your heart failure ---so i did try and at 76 years of age I cannot cope with the stress it causes to try and get an appointment --I sent another E consultation on the 6 th Sept and so far havent had a reply .I have researched and taken control of my own health no longer have the unbearable palpitations .I also have Nash liver disease and a genetic liver disease called Alpha Antitrypsin deficiency and havent had the proper care for that so I hope you can understand when I say I am fed up fighting the system

[Hidden in reply to confused71]

Hello

Are you in the UK as your Surgery seems to work differently to ours and I am in the UK but I suspect depending where you live they could vary how they do things

I could not cope the way yours does things it sounds very stressful

Have you got an appointment to see a Cardiologist yet ?

I know you do not want and struggle to cope with stress but I would look at swapping surgeries

I can understand why you feel like taking control of your own health as no one seems to be listening but I still have to say that can be dangerous you really need to speak to a professional

I am sorry I cannot help anymore hopefully others that read your post will have some advice that will be helpful x

[richard_jw in reply to confused71]

You really do need to see a cardiologist as soon as possible. Have you considered a private appointment? I understand the cost is likely to be £250 plus an ECG beforehand. You might consider a cardiologist at your local hospital. Some of them also do private appointments, and they would have access to any tests you have had done there.

This whole thing must be truly awful for you. If it helps (which it probably does not) I have had the same sort of treatment from GPs after I had a heart attack. Their only solution to any symptoms was to go to A&E. In your case this may not be a bad idea. A&E might provide a fast route to proper care

[confused71 in reply to richard_jw]

I am due to see Cardiologist in little over a week as urgent but havent an appointment yet .I will wait another week or so and then if i dont get an appointment Iwill go private for the initial consultation ---on a lighter note I have been waiting 3 years for my yearly appointment for the liver clinic ---it arrived today in the post for 8 th November --- my daughter has paid for my husband and i to go to Centerparcs for awell earned break after3 years of non stop stress ---the date i am going is 8th November I had to laugh so will wait and see how long I have to wait for another appointment

[richard_jw in reply to confused71]

Good luck with seeing the cardiologist. One thing worth saying is that in my experience in the SE of England, even seeing a cardiologist privately can take a while unless its V urgent. I found that one of the big heart hospitals in london got the fastest results, the Brompton is highly recommended.

[Bravehearts]

yes you do have reaction to the drugs that keep us alive unfortunately we live on borrowed time been thru a lot more than you my advice keep your chin up let the doctors know everything about your symptoms and enjoy every day that you can

[Horse6]

I was put on Bisoprolol last year as I had a fast heart rate . I was on on 2.5mg but couldn’t tolerate it as it felt like my heart was being squeezed. They put me on 1.5 mg which was better but I still had palpitations. Since then and after having loads of tests and an loop recorder inserted Iam now off the Bisoprolol and found that my palpitations have got much better ! iam also on a blood thinner as Iam female and 70 and that seems to warrant me being on it which Iam not sure about. Good luck with everything

[confused71 in reply to Horse6]

I wouldnt feel so frustrated if i had symptoms before diagnosis but i didnt I will see what Cardiologist says when i get to see him . Thankyou for your good wishes

[LSCE]

hello, I'm so sorry to hear what an awful experience you are having. Very stressful for you, which is the last thing you need. Can you try the E consult route again. Can you afford to pay privately to see a cardiologist? Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[confused71 in reply to LSCE]

Thank you I will see how I get on

[Suza99]

hello, I’m very sorry to hear of your experience and what you are going through. My mum has also recently been diagnosed with HF, LVSD, AF, plus other problems and has been prescribed a whole host of meds. After a short stay in hospital she in under the care of the community heart failure team via the cardiology dept at the hospital. I wonder would it be worthwhile either phoning 111 and explain your situation in the hope they could possibly help, or ringing the cardiology dept at your local hospital and explain that you are waiting for appointment, and tell them about bisoprolol? It’s very worrying for you. Failing that could you attend your GP surgery in person and demand to see a doctor? Easier said than done, I know. I hope you get it sorted.

[confused71 in reply to Suza99]

Thank you for your reply --if i demanded anything at my GP even politely I would be shown the door I check blood pressure and pulse every day ---by halving Bisopromol I got rid of palpitations hopefully i wont have long to wait to see Cardiologist and he may change meds

[confused71]

They are lucky because I live in the South East and its very very difficult to get appointment s

[MrsSuzuki]

I get a lot of palpitations, don't know if it's the bisoprolol or not. All I know is that I didn't have palpitations before I started taking the cocktail of drugs since my HA in December.

I've had a 3 day ECG which showed up some things, the doctor has referred me to a cardiologist , well I'm thinking good luck with that, there's a waiting list of a year here in Lincolnshire. It's dire.

Lily

[confused71 in reply to MrsSuzuki]

Same here I am on a 6 week pathway so hopefully dont have to wait a year ---may not have that long at 76 lol