bisoprolol

[JaneGray]

hi I am having an ablation in August and the cardiologist said I just need to stop taking bisopropol cold turkey I have read it’s really dangerous to just stop taking it suddenly and you should wean yourself off it gradually I’m so confused and scared

[Anon2023]

hi. I’m sure the cardiologist wouldn’t advise you to suddenly stop taking it if it would place you in danger, but I do understand your anxiety. Perhaps speak to your cardiologist, gp or the bhf nurses (0808 802 1234 open weekdays 9am to 5pm) just to confirm. I think that you can sometimes get withdrawal symptoms but it depends on your individual circumstances and dose. Medical professionals are best placed to advise you although I’m sure other people on this forum will be happy to share their own experiences. Good luck.

[JaneGray in reply to Anon2023]

thank you that’s great advise I will ring them I know when I forgot to take it one day I felt dreadful xx

[jeanjeannie50]

What dose of Bisoprolol are you taking now?

[JaneGray in reply to jeanjeannie50]

hi 5 mg 2.5 in the morning and 2.5 in the evening x

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to JaneGray]

So that's not the lowest dose. I take 1.25 a day, so if yours had been the same I wouldn't see any problem. Your dose is still quite low though. When do you have to stop taking the Bisoprolol? I don't think I'd feel comfortable stopping that dose cold turkey. I was told right after my last ablation to stop my medication (wasn't Bisoprolol then), I felt wonderful and very alive. Next day my heart rate took off sky high so was put back onto medication. I think EP's all have different ideas on the right thing to do with meds and I cant see a BHF nurse, or anyone else going against what your EP has recommended.

Jean

[JaneGray in reply to jeanjeannie50]

hi the morning before the procedure I’m sure I’m going to very symptomatic as when I forget to take it I feel dreadful x

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to JaneGray]

You know I think that missing one morning tablet shouldn't have any effect on you at all. I believe Bisoprolol stays in the body for 24hrs, hence I take mine once a day. I've missed the odd tablet and have not had any problems, but I know that we all react to medication differently, at least you will be at the hospital then waiting for your ablation.

Good luck, hope it works for you.

Jean

[Qualipop in reply to JaneGray]

I agree with Jeannie below ( or above LOL). It depends on your dosage . I was on 1.25 and stopped it immediately with no problems. I had to as it was dropping my BP and heart rate much too low. I was sleeping 24/7

[JaneGray]

thank you so much I will for sure x

[Cherrelleford]

Hey I'm having the same procedure in August too. I've gotta stop my bisprolol too. I was told by the pre-op nurse it's so they can seen my heart "misbehaving" so they know which areas to burn. I take 6.25mg in the morning and the same in the evening. Hope this helps a little and all the best x

[JaneGray in reply to Cherrelleford]

thank you it does help a lot x

[daisy2311]

Hi, I had an ablation in June and was told to do the same. I take 2.5mg daily. I asked exactly the same question, but was told basically that if the consultant had any concerns they wouldn't have advised it. I was concerned as my SVT episodes result in A&E 95% of the time, but I didn't have any leading up to the ablation.

I'm not sure if you are having an ablation for SVT and of course listen to medical advice...but I was told that I didn't have to go back on bisoprolol after the ablation. 2 weeks later I was back in A&E with a heart rate of 200bpm. The consultant then put me back on bisoprolol for now and this will be reviewed at 3 month follow up. The Arrhythmia nurse told me that there is a 3 month window where the heart is recovering and episodes could still happen. I had no idea this was the case and it would have been helpful if someone had told me beforehand!

[JaneGray in reply to daisy2311]

thank you I hope your SVT stops and your heart recovers x

[Blearyeyed]

My advice has always been to wean off bisoprolol and other BP medications over a week to 10 days as just stopping cold turkey can cause some a spike in the BP symptoms and more withdrawal side effects. I always check because there have been too many occasions in my past on other medications that I've been told to stop a medication without tapering and then had bad side effects only then discovering that that particular drug should not have been stopped " cold turkey" , and it hasn't just been GPs but the odd consultant that has made this sort of error,

You should check with your own Cardiac support and GP , but even so you appear to have at least a month before the procedure. It only takes between 2-4 days after your last dose of bisoprolol for it to be totally out of your system . If surgeons want you free of particular drugs for certain surgeries their ideal is to have you clear of that drug for about 2 weeks prior to your date depending on what you take, but that is the " ideal" .

You could choose to taper to one morning dose a day for a three days , then, one morning dose a day every other day over a length of five days ,and then stop entirely.

You will need to combine this change with good planning of your day to have more balance between rest and activity to reduce the triggers for higher BP that will have been partly controlled by taking the drug,

Reduce stress and try relaxing breathing techniques .

This should reduce potential side effects and a spike in your symptoms but keep a close eye on how you are feeling and your BP at home.

It will also give you peace of mind , getting anxious about what might happen coming off the drug won't do anything to help your BP.

If you are on any other medications or supplements you should also check now if you also need to suspend them for a number of days or a week either side of your procedure as well, including natural and herbal remedies.

If you do feel symptoms building again contact your GP or the Cardiac helpline for advice as soon as you can.

My own rule of thumb now is apart from drugs that I'm given for acute things like antibiotics for infections etc, or drugs that I have been trying but have only been on for 14 days or less , unless coming off it was because of a severe intolerance or allergy or an emergency , I always taper down over a number of days for safety and to reduce withdrawal symptoms having an effect on any of my health issues. I also always check everything , then check it again,

Hopes for a smooth recovery after your ablation , Bee

[JaneGray in reply to Blearyeyed]

thank you so much for your lovely and helpful response I think everything you say makes complete sense xx

[JaneGray in reply to Blearyeyed]

thank you I must admit I am more anxious about stopping bisopropol than the ablation at the moment x

[Blearyeyed in reply to JaneGray]

Of course , that's totally understandable. You have been relying on that medication since your symptoms began and feel safe on it.You won't be off the medication for long though before the ablation and when the procedure is done you will feel much more like yourself again.

Just try to take things slow and steady, pace your days well and don't try to pack too much into them until the surgery to reduce the chance if triggering your symptoms.

Try to relax and try breathing techniques . Do things that distract your mind but calm your body to help reduce those anxious feelings. And talk to friends and family about how you feel honestly to get their support and help them be more careful around you and understanding to your needs , not stressing about doing stuff for or with others makes a big difference to how well you are. Also , let them know you are coming off you medication so they are prepared to keep an extra eye out for symptoms as well.

You'll get there just like that slow and steady tortoise you'll win in the end , take care , Bee

[Fullofheart]

I stopped taking it as directed, without weaning, but was on a low dose and for not that long. Had no issues coming off. It was a big relief as I didn't get on with it. I'm sure your situation has been taken into consideration but you could always discuss with bhf nurses if in doubt.

[JaneGray in reply to Fullofheart]

thank you I will do this xx

[JaneGray in reply to Fullofheart]

thank you so much for your reply x

[JaneGray in reply to Fullofheart]

thank you so much for your reply x

[dogsneedwalking]

Hello there. I had a 'failed' ablation in March due to multiple atrial arrhythmias and A Fib. I was asked to stop taking it 3 days before my ablation, not to stop completely. Long story but after the 2nd day of stopping taking it I was in Resus. My heart rate was up in low 180's then dropped to around 172 by the time the ambulance came. Had the usual Adenosine [which never works] but then my heart decided to self convert back. They went ahead with the ablation next day. No Sotalol afterwards but once again my heart rate shot up to 177 bpm late evening and I found myself moved to another ward. My heart didn't like anything - getting out of hospital bed, walking around, etc so I had to be given 2 x loading doses of Amiodarone and moved to CCU whilst having it. Everyone's heart is different in how it copes but mine definitely didn't like being taken off of the Sotalol, but I was still 'symptomatic' and had been since I was diagnosed 3 years ago. Now on 200mg Amiodarone and changed from Sotalol to Bisoprolol 5mg once daily and Apixaban 5mg twice daily. This post isn't meant to worry you in any way, but I hope it gives you an insight as to how people differ and how our hearts react to different things. Take care.

[JaneGray in reply to dogsneedwalking]

so scary for you yes I’m sure I’m going to struggle as I forgot to take it one morning and felt dreadful x

[Shiney1959]

Good morning Jane, I too had an ablation. I was advised to stop taking the bisopropal. I had no problems doing this. Good luck with the ablation. It'll be over before you know it xx

[ChoochSiesta]

I have come off 2.5mg twice before. Didn't even notice any difference.

[JaneGray in reply to ChoochSiesta]

thank you I’m so petrified but I know it’s for the best I hope yours was a successs x

[Gumbie_Cat]

I think it’s different when you are just missing that morning dose prior to your ablation. You will be in the right place if you do react to the single missed dose.

Coming off it ‘full stop’ would be a different thing, and you would need to wean yourself off. I was only on 1.25mg prior to my ablation. I can’t remember if I had to stop it that morning, though I did have to skip my morning apixaban. I didn’t take it after that as I was told to take dronedarone. Though I’m back on just Bisoprolol now, as nothing kept me in rhythm. I’m on the same dose as you are, and doing fine on that, despite the persistent AFib.

Good luck with your ablation! It’s nothing like as scary as I imagined. Had another been suggested for me, I would definitely have gone for it!

[ROBBO36]

I was on them one day, seen the cardiologist and was told to stop taking them right there & then. Was happy with that as they were absolutely flooring me. Good luck with things.

[JaneGray in reply to ROBBO36]

yes I feel as it has been a journey I think they have caused all sorts of problems this is why I’m so worried about stopping suddenly 😞

[ROBBO36 in reply to JaneGray]

As I say, my personal experience was fine and no adverse impact. The chronic fatigue they were causing me went after a few days.