beta blockers withdrawls: I am at... - British Heart Fou...

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beta blockers withdrawls

Tinker2015 profile image
28 Replies

I am at present meaning of a very low dose of bisoprolol 1.25mg. First week went every other day now cut it in half took one yesterday will probably every other day again. Can I ask when would withdrawal symptoms start when I don’t take any bisoprolol all I have had so far is bad headache insomnia this week

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Tinker2015 profile image
Tinker2015
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28 Replies
Fanfab1 profile image
Fanfab1

following - I notice you have asthma too - how have you found the bisoprolol with your asthma?

Tinker2015 profile image
Tinker2015 in reply toFanfab1

good question when I first took it got very phlegmy no wheezing this settled when I went gluten-free. I have to admit the days when I have not taken it my chest feels lighter I feel breathing easier but I am not a bad asthmatic it’s well controlled at present

Fanfab1 profile image
Fanfab1 in reply toTinker2015

I’ve only taken one tablet last night (1.25mg) and I feel awful. I’m not continuing it. It’s just not right for me. I am asthmatic (mainly cough and wheezing as a result) my chest and breathing has been heavy today, but my angina decidedly worse and it’s not clearing at rest (usually does). It was a last ditched attempt by cardiologist at trying a med that might help as nothing else has worked. I’m hoping I will feel better in the morning. 👍

Tinker2015 profile image
Tinker2015 in reply toFanfab1

you are very wise I wish I never took them in first place

Fanfab1 profile image
Fanfab1 in reply toTinker2015

Hope your journey to come off them is an easy and safe one. 👍

Tinker2015 profile image
Tinker2015 in reply toFanfab1

Thankyou so do I

Pjjmhaa profile image
Pjjmhaa in reply toFanfab1

Hi I take 5mg bisoprolol in the morning and 2.5 in the evening and am asthmatic and I was told not to take them close with my inhaler so just check with your doctor! Hopefully all gets sorted out for you! 👍🏻

Fanfab1 profile image
Fanfab1 in reply toPjjmhaa

Thanks We’re all different but I’m choosing to not take them. I feel a lot better this morning.

fishonabike profile image
fishonabike in reply toFanfab1

it sounds like you need your angina more thoroughly investigated, or has that already been done? have microvascular issues been excluded?

Fanfab1 profile image
Fanfab1 in reply tofishonabike

They’ve investigated as much as they can (they have been thorough, I have no complaints) and microvascular has been ruled out! 👍

fishonabike profile image
fishonabike in reply toFanfab1

I'm glad to hear that, but sorry that it leaves you with the ongoing angina🌺🙂

sandandkev profile image
sandandkev

I came off bisoprolol 2.5mg by splitting I to 2 per day then 1.25 a day then 1/2 tab per day for about 4 days then stopped had no untoward symptoms at all

SC81 profile image
SC81 in reply tosandandkev

Did you have withdrawal symptoms?

sandandkev profile image
sandandkev in reply toSC81

None at all

Suzyh profile image
Suzyh

My GP took me off no lowering dose gradually. I had not bad symptoms whats so ever and felt so much better wish I had done it sooner

Anne498 profile image
Anne498

it sounds like you’re doing it exactly right by going gradual. When I have missed a few days then I’ve had bad symptoms. But at the same time I need to be on these, the doctor has just increased my dose because I’ve been having more episodes with SVT lately, my body has adapted well to beta blockers I don’t get symptoms when I’m on them

ForestryPine6 profile image
ForestryPine6 in reply toAnne498

Bisoprolol 5mg per day as been the best medication that I've taken, it's sorted irregular heart beat out, it took two separate GP appointments changing blood pressure tablets to realise this is not working, he noticed I had breathlessness and sent me straight to hospital and 4 hour's later after all Test's and x-rays consultant directed my GP to ditch out of date BP tablets for beta blocker November 2023 and its sorted me out a treat 😀

Dimelza66 profile image
Dimelza66

I have been on bisoprolol 2.5mg for four weeks following open heart surgery for mytral valve. The doctor told me to stop as my heart is ok. I stopped four days ago, no cutting back, just stopped. No symptoms so far. Maybe it depends on how long you were taking them, and what for

jerry12953 profile image
jerry12953

I took Biso. for a month and had dizzy spells. Doctor changed it to something else and i just stopped taking it - no withdrawal at all.

Dempo profile image
Dempo

I was on the same dose and stopped it by taking every 2nd day, then 3rd day, then 4th day then stopped. No withdrawal symptoms.

Frogman9 profile image
Frogman9

Been on 1.25 since March I feel worse than I've ever felt. Breathing is worse, tired I'm phoning our practice pharmacist on Monday morning to see if I can come off them.

NeilStrid profile image
NeilStrid in reply toFrogman9

I've been the same with the same dose 😕

Jedi14 profile image
Jedi14

When do you take it? When I was started on Bisoprolol my cardiologist said to take it at bedtime on the lowest dose! Whilst asleep I would avoid feeling the side effects. Also, before I started taking 1.25mg/daily, my pharmacist told me to try it out and see how I felt, if Iwas not happy to discontinue it right away.

So far it is working wonders!

Larivee profile image
Larivee

I am trying to wean off Bisoprolol as well. Only issue is slightly higher pulse. I take 2.5 mg. I am not a fan of beta blockers. Makes me tire and lethargic. Doctors only know to prescribe meds. Not a solution many times.

ForestryPine6 profile image
ForestryPine6 in reply toLarivee

Sorry it doesn't agree with you as its different for us all, but myself it's at last a solution at last for irregular heart beat personally.. I have no fatigue at all but keeps my heart in check 💓

fishonabike profile image
fishonabike

I think that you will find that this varies from one person to another, in the same way that some people can take beta-blockers for years with no side effects and others can stop suddenly with no side effects

just take it a day at a time and be guided by how you feel

NeilStrid profile image
NeilStrid

I was put on 2.5mg of Bisoprolol around 2 years ago for intermittent AF and felt generally crap (but didn't make the link). Then after going into permanent AF later in the year, I was put on to 5mg.

Within 2 days it was clear I just couldn't function, and made the decision myself to stop it - feeling so much better within 24 hours.

I ended up on Digoxin & Verapamil, and after a cardioversion just the Verapamil - which I was very happy with (although the AF did return after 2 months).

I was transferred to another cardiologist last month who (despite my clear reluctance) decided to halt the Verapamil and give me Amiodarone and 1.25mg Bisoprolol. The Amiodarone has been OK but the symptoms previously felt with the Bisoprolol returned:

Chest discomfort; dilated neck veins; extreme fatigue; irregular breathing (when nodding off to sleep); irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; swelling of lower legs; wheezing

With me being booked in for a 2nd cardioversion I tried yesterday to try and resume the Bisoprolol, in case not taking it impacts on whether they go ahead on Thursday - but lying in bed this morning debating whether or not to go to A&E I've decided I just can't take another milligram of that infernal stuff!

SC81 profile image
SC81 in reply toNeilStrid

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