Advice Please

[Jonhel]

I was diagnosed with AFib in July after going to the GP with concerns about feeling breathless, tiring easily and swollen ankles. I had a TIA three years ago. I was taken off clopidogrel and amlodipine and prescribed Bisoprolol and Rivaroxaban.

The dose of Bisoprolol was increased from 3.75mg to 10mg on 5th September following hospitalisation for a severe bout of breathlessness and a struggle to lower my heart rate. I am booked in for an echocardiogram on 15th September.

I feel dreadful and I’m pretty sure it’s because of the Bisoprolol, especially since the increase to 10mg. I am struggling with any walking outside of the house as I’m quickly breathless and I have this weird sensation in my chest with a choking pressure rising up my neck to my ears. I’m also very nauseous on an evening. I’m pretty certain that this only began with the meds. I think that the palpitations have got worse too, especially through the night.

[Tos92]

I’m sorry to hear about your TIA three years ago. It sounds like these could be side effects due to your medications however, if you’ve been on them for a while and you are still experiencing the symptoms you mention, it may be a wise idea to inform your GP to review your meds. I remember I didn’t get on well with Bisoprolol when I was put on it temporarily as it caused pressure in the middle of my chest.

Let us know how the echo goes.

All the best.

Tos

[Jonhel in reply to Tos92]

Thank you for your kind response. I was changed to Biprosolol and Rivaroxaban in July of this year so haven’t been on it very long. The increase to 10mg biprosolol was just on 5th September. That’s why I’m wondering if it’s the Bisoprolol that causing me to feel so awful.

I’m going to try taking it at a later time of day to see if it makes a difference. I’m sure that I will get a chance to talk it over with the cardiologist when I get the echocardiogram results.

Thank you for caring.

[Hidden in reply to Jonhel]

I got upped from 2.5 to 5 tried 1 day, dreadful so pharmacist gave me tiny 1,25 pills so take a 2.5 and a 1.25 together am

Then in eve another 1.21.25 if I need it

[Hidden]

hi I'm having similar issues having been switched from 40 yrs of propranolol slow release capsules to bisoprolol, slowly increasing dose, nighttime palpitations high BP at night spiking, feel shaky weak etc etc

Been told hang on in there but that's not much help, before all this I'd lost several stones in weight and could indoor row anything up to 20 km in a day

now can hardly toddle up the garden !

Take care

[Jonhel in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. It’s just helpful to know that others are struggling with Bisoprolol. Hop you feel better soon x

[Hidden in reply to Jonhel]

Thanks Keep in touch

[Jonhel in reply to Hidden]

Yes, good idea x

[Hidden]

Hi Jonhel

I didn’t get on very well at all with Bisoprolol and gradually got it reduced until I finally came off it . Just like you I couldn’t walk , sleep and lost a lot of weight . I was trialled on another type of pill which I can’t recall the name of . This also was not without its side effects . I am now on Digoxin and that is much better for me . The thing is that all drugs have side effects some are worse than others . My advice would be to ask your gp to change you to another type and hopefully you’ll find the right one for you . Wishing you feel better soon , take care .

[Jonhel in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. That sounds like excellent and sensible advice. Will definitely talk it over with GP x

[SheilH]

Bisoporol didn’t agree with me was very tired totally breathless on walking and felt like I had a band around my chest very depressing literally couldn’t do anything

I believe it’s the best drug for them to prescribe but my quality of life was awful

My advice talk to your gp and cardiac consultant

[Jonhel in reply to SheilH]

That’s exactly it. It’s hard not to feel depressed when your quality of life goes down hill. I definitely think it’s the Bisoprolol as I didn’t take the 10mg dose yesterday morning and I didn’t have the weird feeling in my chest nor the choking feeling or nausea all day. Instead, I took 5mg and 9pm and I’ve felt better today too x

[SheilH in reply to Jonhel]

Wel I was hospitalized to take me off it and they would not even let me get out of bed for 24 hours so please be careful but I was so surprised at the number of people who feel awful taking it please my advice talk to a health professional

Good luck I’m a new person since changing medication from this !

[Jonhel in reply to SheilH]

Thank you, SheilH. I will definitely be careful and won’t come off it until I’ve consulted properly. I’ve just changed the time of day for taking it and reduced the dose to see if it makes a difference. I was on 3.75 up to 4th September then put ion 10 on 5th September. My GP had been cautious about high dosage but the hospital put me on 10 to reduce my heart rate quickly It’s this jump up which has really floored me. I’m taking my pulse twice daily and it’s ok so far.

I go for my echocardiogram on Friday so I’m hoping for consultation and the chance to talk about the meds shortly after that x

[SheilH]

Yes seems the drug does the job but I find it scary that the patients quality of life does not seem to be taken into the equation I also has restless leg symptoms and was on 7.5 mg taking 2 doses a day I took 4 weeks thinking I’d adapt and get used to it but was literally floored went from a very fit active person to hardly being able to walk flat for 500 m constantly tired and so extremely depressed

Get advice and I’m sure they can find alternative medication that will not be so detrimental to your quality of life

[Jonhel in reply to SheilH]

Will do. Thank you again x

[Langdalerunningman]

Can’t say I’m an expert obviously, but here are my thoughts . I was on a few different things before ending up on 5 mg bisoprolol. I struggled with it, feeling dizzy, tired, disconnected to myself, and eventually one day fell over. I took my pulse the same day and found it was 35 – never been as low I decided there, and then to stop taking it. The cardiac team said the next week that I was right to do what I did, and told me to go to half the dose. That was acceptable in side-effects, and as the weeks have gone on, I have actually started to feel normal and say now that I am very good.

The side-effects are diarrhoea, irritability, and being more sleepy at night time.

given that you are on how much bigger dose, I don’t know how much this will help you, but there you go.

[Bee-Honest]

I have had PAF for 20 + years and been on various medications. About two years ago I went through a terrible period when my PAF had turned to persistent atrial fibrillation and I was feeling very breathless, and all my stats were high. My Cardiologist changed my medication from Atenolol to Bisoprolol 10 mg daily, initially I did not feel good on Bisoprolol, I was like a Zombie, fairly spaced out. It brought my heart rate down quickly and I wanted to sleep a lot. I was advised to reduce it, however it brought my HR down to mid 40s, this made everything an effort, and a feeling of being dizzy, so I suggested to my GP, after an AF episode when my HR was 38 that I reduce it further and she agreed. I am now taking 1.25 twice daily and my HR is steady at 50-55 and I'm feeling much better.

I hope your medication is fixed to suit you.