Anyone still having bisoprolol anxiety weeks after withdrawal?

[Dogmom419]

I came off of bisoprolol about 10 1/2 weeks ago and am still having HORRIBLE anxiety. I was on it for 2 years for an erratic BP (which ironically is better now I'm off). And I just assumed that as the weeks passed, so would the symptoms. The first 7 or so weeks weren't bad. But the last 3 have been almost unbearable: anxiousness, edginess jitteriness, like your insides are climbing the wall. I know the bisoprolol has to be the cause because I've never suffered from or had anxiety before I took this med. If you've suffered like this, or are, PLEASE tell me it gets better, and back to before taking bisoprolol. And any suggestions of things to do or take to help? Thanks.

[JaneFinn]

hi Dogmom, I remember very similar feelings when I came off Bisoprolol and I was told after (though not by doctors!) that it would have helped to wean off it very slowly -even cutting fragments off the smallest dose of 1.25mg until reduced to nothing gradually over weeks. I had just gone from 2.5 to nothing. In my experience it definitely gets better - I’d even forgotten about it til I read your post.

The only thing I can suggest from personal experience is (if you can) to take a magnesium supplement (magnesium glycinate is good ) and make sure it’s a good quality, not mixed with cheap magnesium oxide or fillers/binders) as it really helps calm body and mind. And/or a magnesium spray on the feet is good too. Sorry I don’t have any more helpful advice, but I wanted you to know you’re not alone! Hope it passes soon. Jx

[Dogmom419 in reply to JaneFinn]

Hi. Thank you for getting back to me. I just ordered a good quality magnesium glycinate to try. Question: do you notice it helping right away, or does it take several days before it "kicks in"? I've never heard of the magnesium spray for the feet, but I'll look that up. Thanks!

[JaneFinn in reply to Dogmom419]

Oh well done! It doesn’t have to be huge amounts - often the really good quality ones have less elemental magnesium in them but they are highly absorbable and therefore very effective. Don’t be tempted to take more than the recommended dose (unless you have blood tests showing you are low in magnesium and are advised to.)

The magnesium you put on your skin (I do my feet but you can spray it anywhere) is often called magnesium oil (but it’s not an oil) and I get mine from amazon- I look for the purest again, but some people like it with other ingredients such as relaxing botanicals etc in, to help them sleep. It’s also known as transdermal spray as you just put it on your skin. For people who don’t get on well with digesting the supplements, it’s a good alternative. Or a bath or footbath in Epsom salts, as that is full of magnesium

For me it was a cumulative effect, over a couple of weeks, but I think it had a relaxing effect pretty quickly. It helps my heart rhythm, which is why I take it. (I learnt this from the wonderful Dr Sanjay Gupta, York cardiologist, on some of his postings.)

Good luck- do let us know how you get on. Jx

[Dogmom419 in reply to JaneFinn]

I also wanted to ask you how long your anxiety symptoms lasted after coming off the bisoprolol? Did they seem to get worse as the weeks went on? That is one thing that perplexes me. The first 6 weeks or so, they just came and went sporadically, not too bad. And now, the last 4 weeks, the anxiety has been almost constant every day, just through the roof! It's supposed to go the other way around! 🤦‍♀️

[JaneFinn in reply to Dogmom419]

Hmmm I’m sorry I can’t remember exactly, but I don’t remember it getting worse like that. I wonder how long it takes for Bisoprolol to totally clear your system, and if that time scale fits with your experience. But I know everyone is different- and medication is a complex thing…

Do you have any medical person (doctor or pharmacist) who you could ask about this? Sadly, though, I know that often medics just dismiss things that aren’t in their text books, rather than listening to the experience of people who have lived through it. I also wondered if you’ve done a search on Bisoprolol withdrawal (or Bisoprolol withdrawal anxiety) on Health Unlocked? Over the years I’m sure there will be others asking or commenting on it.

I’m sorry the anxiety is so awful 😣 I really feel for you. X

[Dogmom419 in reply to JaneFinn]

After all the research and stories from other people that I've read, It's not surprising that for some people, like myself unfortunately, lol, it can take longer to get rid of the withdrawal symptons especially when you consider that beta blockers dampen your response to the amount of stress hormones, epinephrine and norepinephrine, so your not dealing with 100% of your adrenaline, just part of it. Then when you come off of them, you're now dealing with highly sensitive receptors that have been lying dormant for months or years and being flooded with all your adrenaline. Thank you for your suggestions. I just ordered magnesium glycinate spray. Hopefully, this will help while I'm waiting for the withdrawal symptoms to go away.

I'm glad you're doing so well! Gives me hope!

[JaneFinn in reply to Dogmom419]

Good luck, do let me know how you get on

I did get off Bisoprolol successfully (in the end!) but unfortunately when I was diagnosed with AF I had to go back on it! Not sure if I’ll ever be able to come off it now.

You’re right about all the effects of Bisoprolol, and how long lasting they can be. (With having to take it again now, I do worry a little about the dampening effect it has on adrenaline, as I carry adrenaline auto injectors to apply in case of anaphylaxis, and I have heard that it can reduce their effectiveness.) I really hope the bad effects are almost over for you x

[Dogmom419 in reply to JaneFinn]

Thank you. I'm sorry you had to go back on. But if you have to stay on it, at least you won't have to worry about the withdrawal hell of coming off it again. I hope you're doing well. Best of health to you! 🥰