Bisoprolol prolonged withdrawal

[Sullybird2029]

I just wondered if anyone was experiencing similar to me.

I was put on bisoprolol 5mg and Flecainide 50mg in October for an arrythmia. These caused me massive side effects, unable to walk more than 10 meters, chronic fatigue, dizziness, numb hands and feet to name a few. I was like a zombie. It was awful. I was on this until April when I had an abalation. I was told to stop the medication 3 days before the procedure & then due to the side effects I had from the meds the doctor said to just stay off them. But my god iv been acutely unwell ever since. I feel sick most days, dizziness, chest pain if I do anything more than just a light walk, tingling in my hands, headaches, increased arrhythmia due to ectopics (they think). It’s just awful - I’m getting palmed off by my doctors and I saw the specialist nurse who is referring me back to my consultant but said it’s not the medication - likely nothing to do with anything and I may be anaemic - I’m not. If I try mention the meds and what iv read on forums they just dismiss me and say there’s no way it’s the medication. Had full bloods done & they’re all ok. Waiting for another 24 hour ecg but I’m just feeling so unwell all the time it’s heartbreaking. I’m 33 and a mum of 2 young children & I can’t do anything without being completed ruined for 24/48 hours afterwards.

I just wondered if anyone experienced such a prolonged issue coming off these meds - mainly bisoprolol I think from what iv read. I’m hoping there may be some light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks in advance

[Tinker2015]

dropping 5 mg like that no wonder you feel ill. They need to be tapered off slowing. A lot of people on here same boat. I was only on a low dose 1.25. For roughly 10months I took it every other day for a week then cut it n half every other day then stopped my withdrawals were not too bad I coped. Others not so lucky speak to doctor you need to lessen the dose and go from there good luck

[Sullybird2029 in reply to Tinker2015]

I know after reading on these forums I’m shocked it was allowed to drop off that dose! It’s crazy! I don’t know whether it’s worth just dealing with it now it’s been so long or whether im better of going back and starting the process slower. But thank you for your reply, it’s really appreciated. 🙂

[KeepingHealthy]

I felt my worst ever when I started taking Flecainide, my symptoms were just the same symptoms as yours. I don't know how you are able to manage your 2 young children, my heart goes out to you. I contacted the Cardiologist who prescribed the Flecainide and he advised me to stop taking it altogether and increase my dosage of Bisoprolol. I think this was because the Flecainide was causing Tachycardia and my heart rate needed to come back down. Try to insist that somebody listens to you and takes you seriously. If you can, take somebody with you for moral support while you are feeling so ill. I wish you well and the best of luck.

[Sullybird2029 in reply to KeepingHealthy]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it. see I raised this regarding Flecainide but the doctor dismissed it saying it’s likely the beta blocker. Honestly it’s like I’m banging my head against a brick wall with the doctors! I’m definitely going to push back harder and bring my husband with me to help support me. Also using a symptom tracker that collates everything into a graph so hopefully they’ll look at this too. Thanks again ❤️

[Carpbait]

if there is one drug I get aske about more than any other its Bisoprolol, when I was prescribe these after my Heart Attack the dosage was to high 10mg, I had several of the symptoms most of the other Hearties experience , I have now been reduced to 2.5mg and appear to have NO side effects , I never get any updates as to how long I need to keep on these, GP just bangs it out every 28 days. hope this is some help, be safe.

regards carpbait