Bisoprolol withdrawl

[Puckaster]

I took 2.5mg Bisoprolol for 7 weeks, cut it down to 1.25 mg for a week, and then stopped with the GP’s approval.

I have had palpitations, ectopic beats, and my blood pressure 3 weeks after stopping is still much higher, particularly the diastolic, than it was before starting the beta blocker. Is this something that happens, and will it resolve? I feel awful a lot of the time, probably as bad as when I was taking them, but in a different way. Some days are worse than others, but I haven’t yet felt normal.

[Saladay]

Well if your blood pressure is no longer adequately controlled then it sounds like you will need further medication of some kind, either another drug (or going back on bisoprolol), or increasing the dose of other antihypertensives. The fact you are having lots of palpitations would tend to indicate being on at least a small dose of a beta blocker. Are there other reasons for palpitations e.g. drinking a lot of coffee, which you could do something about?

[davidthegolfer]

thank you for your account of your experience. I can really relate to that. My experience has been very similar and worrying.

I’m going to discuss when at LHCH next week. Thank you. Good luck with yours.

[BobbyB1962]

What was your reason for coming off Bisoprolol? Sounds like you need it.

[TheDode]

After 23 years of being a type 2 diabetic that has remained tablet controlled over that time I was shocked to discover that I had high blood pressure when I went for a checkup in Nov last year. My weight was never bad, being at worst 2 stone overweight when diagnosed. For the last 23 years I have sustained my weight around 80Kg and I am 5'11" so my bmi has always been good. I am fairly fit so it came as a surprise. After an angiogram it was discovered that I have heart disease. My brother had a heart attack at 48 and has been stented and my mother had a heart attack at 66 so there is a family history on both sides. My father passed away at 66 and although his passing was not heart related, he did have heart disease. I was put onto Lisiniprol and Bisoprolol. I found that I struggled most days and it felt like constantly walking through mud. I struggled to go on the bike at all. I came off the Bisoprolol after 10 months, just stopped and went onto Zemtard. Since coming off the Bisoprolol I have felt a lot better. I no longer fall asleep on the couch half way through the evening, I can walk at a better pace and I can honestly say that I feel more positive than I did when in the Bisoprolol. I do at times have the odd ectopic heart beat and the odd flutter but I expect to get back on the bike imminently and hope that as I am able to increase my exercise, things might improve. Bisoprolol, certainly isn't for everyone and there are alternative treatments. That said, I have friends that are on Bisoprolol and they have no issues. You should speak to your doctor in regards to an alternative medication. Good luck.

[Sailing63]

I share your concerns. I have had 18 months of GP trying all combinations of Amlodipine and Ramipril, between zero of each and 10mg A and 5 mg R combinations both together and on their own. I developed "flutters" and after reporting to local A&E was put on 2.5mg Bisoprolol. Seemed to settle everything down but BP was still a challenge to get below 140/80 as my target. I decided to stop A & R as I felt crap but stayed on Bisoprolol. Felt better all round, but of course my BP became raised. GP wanted to restart Amlodipine 2.5mg with a view to increasing slowly, but despite 3 prescription renewals kept me on 2.5mg. By now I had no flutters for 3 months and so stopped Bisoprolol 3 months ago and all fine, no flutters. BP again became raised and GP has increased Amlodipine to 7.5mg and guess what, I feel like crap and flutters have returned. I have an appt to discuss but have lost faith in his "try it and see" approach.

I am 61 yo but healthy and always undertaken sports, currently 2 x decent long dog walks per day for 2- 2 1/2hrs total and great diet. I dont want Bisoprolol if its a reaction to Amlodipine, I want to change Amlodipine so i dont get the flutters and then dont need Bisporolol. I fear that GP will simply re-introduce Ramipril as thats all he seems to prescribe and will supplement with Bisoprolol. He's in for tough meeting if thats his plan. I dropped my Bisoprolol from 2.5mg to 1.5mg for a few weeks before coming off it and was fine no issues and again with only 2.5mg Amlodipine no flutters but BP has increased, hence the Merry-Go-Round continues.

What I have learned from this site is to be armed with your facts and be prepared to challenge the GP. Take control of your medications and engage confidently with GP. I am aware that finding the best combinations for hypertension/flutters can be trying as GP looks to find the best balance, however whilst we MUST listen to the GP, the GP MUST listen to us, otherwise like me , there was a period of not engaging which ultimately would be to my detriment.

I am going back to GP but with a new resolve to be more assertive in treatment plan.

I wish you well on finding your balanced plan.