Hi, I’m a healthy 45 yr old female recently diagnosed with high rate of PVC’s. My heart is healthy, no damage but I’m being referred by my current cardiologist and waiting for an MRI and appointment with a specialist in another city as he said it looks like I’ll need an ablation as the meds have not had effect. In the meantime DR has me on a beta blocker and I’m very concerned as he wants me to change.
I started with 2.5mg of bisoprolol in June and increased to 5mg for the last 3ish months. It has had no affect on the PVCs and makes me feel so tired so he wants to switch me to a calcium channel blocker called Diltiazem. That’s fine except he said to just stop taking the bisop and start taking the Dil. Even the pharmacist had to contact the DR for confirm as he didn’t want me to stop cold turkey as he said that wasn’t safe. He said that’s what the DR said so it should be fine.
Has anyone had experience with stopping bisoprolol and not weaning? There is also plenty of warning about combing the two drugs I’ve read online. I’m having the hardest time finding any info on the subject of PVCs and these meds for people in their fourties’. I don’t have confidence in any of this.
Thanks!
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Reidsy55
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With the caveat that I’m not medically qualified. I straight switched from bisoprolol to a different calcium channel blocker (verapamil) without any issue: some people do have difficulty going cold turkey with beta blockers, so to speak, but plenty don’t, and the CCB has the same effect just by a different mechanism, so it’s not the same as stopping with nothing to replace it. My understanding is that’s where the problem can lie and why weaning is sometimes recommended: beta blockers work by reducing adrenaline, so if you stop them suddenly without an alternative, it can cause a sudden uptick in adrenaline release and make people feel naff as a result.
I take verapamil to reduce PVCs and PACs due to an underlying arrhythmia that’s triggered by them. But even at my worst my overall burden was quite low, and these days I only get about a dozen ectopics a day due to a combination of the meds and lifestyle changes. I was 26 when I started on bisoprolol, and 35 when I switched to the CCB, which I’ve now been on for 4 years.
Thank you! That’s what I wondered and it makes sense. I was unsure if the channel blocker has immediate effect so that’s partly why I was concerned. Although the Bisoprolol has not been fun it has stopped the weird adrenaline rushes which is better than before it’s just not reducing my pvc burden.
If you don’t mind me asking, how did they diagnose your condition? My doctor keeps saying it’s not typical for young people and I tend to believe him as I don’t know anyone under the age of sixty who deals with this.
I’m also curious what lifestyle changes yoou made? I do the no caffeine, no alcohol, limit stress as best I can but wondering if there’s anything else you can recommend?
hi I take bisoprolol 10mg a day was on 12.5 till recently I have dilated cardiomyopathy and it makes me very tired think that is one of the side effects of that medication. I have been on it for 5 years but my heart was getting worse so now I am also on amiodarone which has got it back under control
I hope you are being monitored for the Amiodarone which can have unexpected side effects. I had it for months following an episode of AF with no problem years ago, but it can cause pulmonary fibrosis and I think we should be warned about it. Take care.
hi yes I’m being monitored regularly by the hospital and GP side effects so far are it has effected my eyes and made my skin sensitive to the sun I half to stay on it there isn’t anything else that will keep my heart under control
I'm glad they are keeping an eye on you, but remember that if you develop a cough and any worrying breathlessness see your GP right away. I really believe that when Amiodarone is prescribed the patient should be advised to look out for a cough and breathessness. PF may be a rare side effect, but that's no comfort if it happens to you. Best wishes.
I second the concern for amioderone. My cousin’s thyroid no longer works because of this drug. Please implore your cardiologists to try different meds that have less side effects.
Iv been on bisoprolol for 3 years. Had an angiagram a couple of weeks ago changing me to amlodapine told me to stop taking bisoprolol now so my body can get it out of my system before I start taking the other. Been off it a week now and feel so much better its unbelievable feel have more energy cannot believe it. If the Gp says stop then stop hope this helps
hi I am a 43 year old female and developed a high load of ectopic beats following a viral infection. Similarly to you, my heart is not damaged.
The cardiologist started me on Diltiazem straight away. He said that he would usually prescribe a beta blocker but due to my asthma didn’t want to take any chances. In my case I unfortunately had an allergic reaction to the Diltiazem so had to stop it immediately. My GP then started me on Bisoprolol- just 1.25mg per day but the side effects were debilitating - very low heart rate and extreme fatigue so I was taken off those too.
I have now started Verapamil (an alternative CCB) on the cardiologist’s advice and, third time lucky, it seems to be calming my ectopics somewhat with no obvious side effects.
I have also stopped drinking caffeine and alcohol and know I should really improve my diet (too much sugar!!). I do not know about switching between the Bisoprolol and Diltiazem but I thought you might find it useful to read my journey as it seems there are a number of similarities.
I hope the Diltiazem helps as the verapamil seems to be for me.
Thank you! I wish I would have started on the diltiazem as it sounds like it has less side effects but bisiprolol seems to be what they prescribe first. I’m hoping the new one works with less side effects.
I’ve also stopped caffeine, alcohol and all things fun. lol Thanks for responding. It oddly makes me feel better that there are others my age.
just checking - is there a family history of heart issues? Could be a hereditary condition (like mine) and that is why it has presented at a young age?
The doctor doesn’t think there’s a genetic component but they have to rule that out with an MRI. I’m in Canada and the wait time is up to 18 months so I’m in waiting mode for that.
I first noticed them when I was in my mid thirties after having kids. I was going through a very stressful and hormonal phase and I started having palpitations. At the time my GP kept telling me it was anxiety so I did the antidepressant thing for a few years. The palpitations have come and go over the years but seemed to come on strong again in the last year.
How were you diagnosed? How did they find the genetic component?
I have a strong family history of cardiac issues such as palpitations and fainting, unfortunately leading to cardiac arrests (although mis-quoted as ‘heart attacks’ in my doctors notes). Mother, aunt, and grandad all had the above issues and died young of cardiac arrest (between 36-52yrs old)
I was finally diagnosed after a 48hr holter monitor at age 37 picked up heart block, PVCs and bradycardia. My cardiologist (3rd one I had seen) finally took my symptoms seriously and put two and two together with my family history and suspected LMNA cardiomyopathy. I had an ICD placed and a genetic test a few months later confirmed my diagnosis.
I was on bisoprolol but weirdly it increased my PVCs and atrial fibrillation.
I’m not currently on meds, but I am caffeine free, have reduced my alcohol intake, and try to remain stress free which has helped, although I still have a high PVC burden.
I’m sorry for your loss and the battle to be listened to by your doctors. It sounds like you’re managing well, although if you’re anything like me giving up coffee was the worst! lol
I have been switched from one beta blocker to another, no tapering, with no difficulties. An recently after an AV Node ablation tapered off entirely also with no difficulties.
About 18 months ago my new Electrophysiologist had me try Diltiazem to see if it might control my arrhythmias. For that I was admitted to hospital for three days so my heart could be closely monitored by EKG to make sure the medication wasn’t causing any serious problems. I’m not a doctor but from what I experienced and what I understand from reading about Diltiazem I wonder if you would just start taking it. I have taken both a beta blocker and calcium channel blocker together at times. Of course not all doctors agree on which medications and combinations of medications.
I wish you well and hope your doctor can find what works best for you. We are all different and so don’t all respond the same to medications. It seems we have to be patient with the medication combinations trials. Be sure to ask the doctor for details.
Thank you for the reply. That is very interesting. I’ve read a lot of people saying they did this in a hospital setting.
I’ve booked a call with my cardiologist (it’s three weeks away) and am going to wait to switch until he answers some of my questions and what I should watch for. I’m sure he has his reasons and I’m probably overthinking it but I need some peace of mind.
Please my I ask how long was it before they took you off the Beta Blocker and was it’s removal because your upper chambers were behaving after your A&P (sorry about the medical terms )?
I had an AV Node ablation last March making me 100% pacemaker dependent. I had been on 100 mg of a beta blocker. Immediately following the Ablation Dr reduced it to 50, 2 months later to 25 and at the 6month ablation follow up he took it away entirely. With AFib and Atrial Tachycardia I was given a beta blocker to slow heart rate. Since the pacemaker now controls my heart rate there is no reason for medication. After 13 years, anti arrhythmia medications were discontinued as well. I feel a new person, no drug side effects and no symptoms AFib symptoms. 😀
Thank you. Your reply feels my heart with glee. We are similar cases. I had my A&P this summer due to AF, HCM and Heart Failure. I was a bit closer to the end than even I knew so took the A&P not really understanding everything surrounding it. My heart I know needed the help!
I have been on BB since the 90s and thought I was stuck in them forever so to hear life is possible without them brings me a little hope they will take me off them too.
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