Beta blockers

[Pebblemill1]

Finding Bisoprolo Fumerate side effect of fatigue debilitating in afternoons. Affecting work and family life. Waiting for cardiology appt. Any tips for managing tiredness?

[RufusScamp]

I have the same problem, but am retired, so can have a doze. Ask your medics if you can take the tablet at night instead of in the morning. I think that helps some people. A different beta blocker might help otherwise.

Also, the tiredness may be due to the condition you are taking it for. I hope you find a good solution.

[DouglasE in reply to RufusScamp]

I have to take 2.5 morning and 2.5 evening so not sure taking them both at night is an option.

[Familyk]

Hi,I take my bisoprolol at night, it didn't work for me taking in the morning. In fact all my meds are taken at night. It takes time to work out what's right for you. For me, it's taken nearly 6 months of feeling dreadful. Finally I'm on the right road. Good luck

[DouglasE in reply to Familyk]

wow 6 months that seems a long time for you to get used to them. Only been on them for about 6 weeks 😥😥

[devonian186]

My bisoprolol seems to have no effect on me but lots of people here have problems with it. Worth asking if you can switch to something else.

[Blockedpipes]

Exactly the same as you, it seems quite common judging from the comments on here. I have Cardiologist app today and it is one of my many questions.

[Hidden]

Dear Pebblemill1

A warm welcome to you and your first { we hope of many } posts.

I hope the you find the forum a great place for support and answers to so many questions that you may have.

You don't tell us how long you have been on the drug Bisoprolol for, it took a while for it to settle with me.

It is the goto Beta blocker and like all drugs it doesn't suit some, but there are plenty of versions of this drug to try, hopefully one will be ok for you.

As others say ask if you can move it to night time or like me split the dose and take it twice a day { 5mg in my case, 2x 2.5mg } but only on your DR/Cardiologist say so.

Like others have said the effects that you are feeling maybe due to your medical condition, but as we don't know much about your journey so far, this is just a guess.

Take care and remember you are not alone

[DouglasE in reply to Hidden]

I’ve been on bisoprolol for about 6 weeks and take 2.5 morning and evening. My body is still getting used to it and feel tired and have brain fog and cold feet hands and nose. Not pleasant but have to carry on. 😥

[Hidden in reply to DouglasE]

Yes it can take time, but give yourself a limit, if there no improvement by that time ask for a change of medication, it sometimes a game of hit and miss.

Im playing the same game with a new drug, but I have been lucky that my body seems to adjust after a short time, thats why they don't do kidney/liver function tests on me till the side effects have died down, because in my case it gave a false reading if done to soon after a new medication has been introduced.

Take care

[DouglasE in reply to Hidden]

the pharmacy keep in touch to monitor how the drugs are working. I’m due another review in a weeks time

[Sheffield55 in reply to DouglasE]

The first weeks of taking betablocker is the most challenging. Dealing with side effects and your body adjusting to the medication. It sure does take time😊

[DouglasE in reply to Sheffield55]

thank you for the reassurance. I’ve not had much information or guidance from my GP which means you try and find things out from other sources

[Sheffield55 in reply to DouglasE]

You are welcome 🙂

[Engineer46]

Wecome to the Forum!

It would be helpful if you could share a few details (for example in your bio) about what condition or symptoms have led to you taking Bisoprolol and what dose you are taking. People in the same situation can then give you a response that will be more relevant to you.

Beta Blockers are prescribed for a whole host of reasons. The effect of Bisoprolol is to limit your heart rate (stop your heart from racing) but in large doses it may also reduce your blood pressure. Depending upon the specific condition and symptoms the dose is usually from 1.25mg to 10mg per day but can be as high as 20mg for certain conditions.

Best wishes,

Paul

[DouglasE in reply to Engineer46]

I’m taking Bisoporol for arterial fibrillation as my heart rate is fast. Im takin 2.5 mornings and 2.5 evenings I’ve also been prescribed edoxaban to thin the blood and a statin.

[Engineer46]

Assuming that DouglasE and Pebblemill1 are effectively the same person, it seems that you have longstanding cardiac syndrome x - now more commonly called micro vascular angina and that you have recently been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation.

Current medication for AF is usually Bisoprolol (to limit heart rate) and Edoxaban (anticoagulant to reduce stroke risk if your risk score is elevated). The anticoagulant doesn't actually thin the blood, instead it reduces coagulation and reduces the risk of a blood clot forming in the atria.

Do you know what target maximum resting heart rate your GP is advising? I ask this because heart rate measured in a clinical situation is often rather higher than if you measure it yourself at home. If this is true in your case then it is possible that you may not need the full 5mg per day of Bisoprolol. As the tiredness is affecting your quality of life, you should discuss with your GP whether a lower dose, or an alternative beta blocker may be beneficial for you.

Best wishes,

Paul

[DouglasE in reply to Engineer46]

hi Paul. Unfortunately I don’t have details of maximum resting heart rate as not had an appointment with GP. The medication was prescribed by the hospital and the discharge letter does not give any information. I don’t measure my heart rate at home as I think I could become paranoid.

[Engineer46]

If you aren't happy to measure your own heart rate, I would call your GP for an urgent review of your medication. You may be taking more Bisoprolol than you need and this may be the cause of your tiredness. Measuring your heart rate would help to establish the cause, which is most likely to be excess medication.

Best wishes

Paul

[DouglasE in reply to Engineer46]

thank you. Saw GP my heart rate 89 they want it at 80 so won’t change meds yet. They might even increase it. ☹️

[DouglasE]

I’ve been on bisoprolol for about six weeks. I also hate the brain fog since taking them