Bisoporol and feel like I am dragging myself around.

[Woodywoo36]

I was diagnosed with periods of Atrial Ectopy after having a 72hr heart monitor fitted. I was then given Bisoporol 2.5mg each day. I have been a bit scared to take it after reading about side effects but after quite a bad weekend with episodes of funny heartbeats last weekend I started taking it. Today is day 5 and when out today I felt like I was literally dragging myself around and just wanted to sit down. Am I just getting used to the meds or is this usual? Thank for reading x

[tachycardia23]

I’m on 5mg Bisoprolol and don’t suffer badly from side effects. It affects everyone differently, I have a friend in Australia who was started on 100mg Metoprolol and he had light headedness. He took it on and off and now says he’s been on it for two weeks and the side effects have diminished.

[Woodywoo36 in reply to tachycardia23]

Thanks for replying. I've had no palpitations this week so feel better. Hopefully it is just temporary and I will get used to the meds like your friend xx

[scotcheggs]

I take bisoprolol 5mg in the morning. when i first started on it I felt fatigued but faded after a couple of weeks.

[Prada47]

Hello

Bisoprolol gets some bad press but hey ho it is probably one of the most prescribed Heart Med in the world !!! I take 7.5mg and find it fine. As far as I know it is given to control HR i.e.to stop AF etc. I would try to persevere but if you feel it is interfering with your quality of life speak with your prescribing professional. I believe there are alternatives to Bisoprolol but I have been fortunate not to need to have to look into them. sure others will be able to help with alternatives.

Regards

[Silvertail in reply to Prada47]

I used to take carvedilol but thought it might have been contributing to my neuropathy (it didn't) so changed to bisoprolol.

[56dick19]

Hi getting tired is one of the side effects I have to have a sleep every afternoon. Iv been on it about 7 years now I was taking 12.5 a day but got to the stage that wouldn’t keep my heart under control so Iv had to go on amiodarone as wellwhich I was told was the last result which has worked I’m now on 10mg of bisoprolol. If the hospital has put you on it stick with it and wish you best luck

[Hrty]

I didn't get on with Bisoprolol at all and I was only on the smallest dose at 1.25mg. My already low(ish) resting heart rate dropped into the low 30s and not just overnight. Absolutely floored me. Stuck it out for 3 months to see if things would improve as I got used to it but in the end discussed it with Cardiologist who agreed I could stop it. Felt much better after that.I had similar issues with Atenolol when I was prescribed that for high BP many years ago. I suspect me and beta blockers will never be best friends

We are all different when it comes to how we (might) react to meds. Many take this, and other drugs, without any problems whilst others have issues.

You may well find things improve as your body gets used to it but it's always worth talking to the professionals to discuss any issues/concerns.

Take care.

[Woodywoo36 in reply to Hrty]

Thank you. My resting heart rate was always in the 60's low 70's but now its in the 50's and I don't like it. In the 30's would be very scary. Glad you are feeling better and thanks again.

[Hrty in reply to Woodywoo36]

I don't think a low heart rate in itself is necessarily a bad thing but should be discussed with professionals, especially if it's causing you worry. Mine is often in the low 50s and will drop into the 40s when really chilling or asleep. I'm forever setting off the monitor alarm when mine dips below 50 in hospital 🙃, Drives me, the nurses and other patients nuts. Been checked over so many times and no-one seems concerned, other than when on the beta blockers. I seem to recall one of the nurses/drs saying they dont usually prescribe Bisoprolol if your resting rate is not above 60 and one wouldn't give it me in hospital until my HR went above 60.

[Poppytop in reply to Hrty]

Hi there Hrty

I'm like yourself didn't do well on Bisoprolol after being prescribed them for constant palpitations. I only took one dose and felt dreadful honestly felt like my heart was going to stop my lowest bpm was 29.

I am finally being dealt with by a cardiologist after suffering constant severe palpitations since Nov 22 but like everyone have had to wait so long just for an appointment.

Have had my ECG which showed my ectopic beats and also had a 7 day holter monitor fitted which showed palpitations in the top and bottom chambers and my heart rate jumping from very low to high.

The cardiologist suggested I try Verapamil as I didn't tolerate Bisoprolol and unfortunately I had the exact same problem. Took one dose and within 40 mins of taking it I was out cold asleep then had the same problem of feeling my heart was going to stop. Im not taking anymore tablets for now until ive had my ecocardiogram in 2wks and find out the results.

As you say we are all so different when it comes to medication and how we tolerate it but Lome you I don't think beta blockers are for me.

Take care all. Xx

[kenhaem]

Hi can you take your blood pressure? It sounds that the bisoprolol may be too big a dose?

[Woodywoo36 in reply to kenhaem]

My blood pressure is fine and always has been. It's just the ectopic heart beats. I had students 72 hour monitor and it showed the ones I was feeling plus the ones I wasn't! I'll see how it goes andspeak to my GP xx

[Silvertail]

I'm on 10 mg bisoprolol and take it at night time so it doesn't affect me so much. (Have candesartan and spironolactone in the morning). I do get fatigue at times but blame it on my meds - I'm also on lamotrigine for neuropathy and that is well known to cause drowsiness.

[Chappychap]

Even after five years I get similar symptoms. However, once I get outside and get moving then that Bisoprolol sluggishness quickly evaporates, and I'm fine again.

The problem of course is that the last thing that Bisoprolol makes you want to do is get outside and get moving! The only solution is to dig deep and force yourself, it's worth the effort!

Good luck

[jerry12953]

Ask your GP / consultant to change your medication. I believe that Bisoprolol is often prescribed first because it is the cheapest - there are alternatives.

[Molben]

Hi, it’s early days, try to stick with it if you can. I remember when I first went on it the Cardiologist said they wanted to slow me down. I used to take 10mg all in the morning and I must admit I did feel like I was living in treacle. Now I take 5 mg in the morning and 5mg at night which seems so much better. I feel I am ok with this. It will take some time to adjust to it but I would stick with it for awhile unless of course it makes you really ill. The trouble is, its a beta blocker and if they change to another beta blocker then you may feel the same. All medications have side effects, its just a case of finding the ones you can tolerate. I say that as someone who has to tolerate a fair few 😂

[Afibflipper]

I am someone who tolerated high doses of bisoprolol (15mg at one point) but the minute they increased to 17.5mg I was floored. Went back to 15 & was fine. Those doses were pre ablation. I was however always extremely tired in that every afternoon I’d needed a long afternoon nap. Post ablation is 8 months now, I’m on 2.5mg doing great. I think it all depends on the individual - it may settle but speak to your prescriber. Hope you feel better soon

[Engineer46]

It sounds as if the 2.5mg/day Bisoprolol has reduced your burden of Premature Atrial Contractions (PAC) as intended. However, if you continue to feel lethargic you could suggest to your GP that a reduction to the smallest dose of 1.25mg/day might be better in your case.

Best wishes,

Paul

[Qualipop]

I was on only 1.25 bisopralol and felt like a zombie. I wanted to sleep 24/7 and had no energy to even get out of the chair. I did continue wih it u ntil side effects should have worn off but still felt lousy. It dropped my pulse rate below 50 and my BP dropped very low. My GP had to change it

[dani777]

ive taken propranolol for a long time now, and all it really does is reduce the severity of the palps, but not always. i still get palps every day. sometimes just a little flutter, other times much more violent and longer lasting. and yeah, beta blockers can make you feel weak and tired, even drugged, depending on the dosage and how you tolerate it. i had been switched from the regular propranolol to the modified release, and it was a nightmare, i felt so drugged i could barely get out of bed, and i switched back to regular propranolol. which gives me bouts of bradycardia to the point i feel lightheaded and weird.

true story. when i phoned my GP surgery, who i had been registered with for years, to tell them that this modified release was making me feel really drugged and had totally floored me, a GP phoned me back, and quickly accused me of abusing my benzos. couldn't believe that. i've never abused drugs in my life. i was so livid, that i wrote a scathing letter to the surgery about it, with a formal complaint against the GP, and ended up getting slapped with a zero tolerance letter, as well as my regular GP, who happened to be her husband, swiftly dropping me as a patient. (i am now with another surgery and i cannot tell you how much better they are.)

but i guess it's a trade off. you feel a bit better but there's some side effects. i wouldn't worry about anything horrible, though, with beta blockers. i think most people are okay taking them (in spite of horrible symptoms from the heart issue itself).

[hearty1]

I found Bisoprolol made me feel very tired. I now take it before bedtime and I'm fine taking it then.

[Woodywoo36]

Thank you for all of your replies. Almost 3 weeks in and things seem to have settled. I'm at the gym 3 times a week and all is going well so fingers 🤞 xxx