This question is for anyone who suffered anxiety withdrawal symptoms coming off of bisoprolol. In all honesty, does the anxiety from bisoprolol withdrawal ever truly go away?I was on 5 mg of bisoprolol for approximately 2 years for erractic BP which in all honesty, I didn't need to be on. I came off of it 4 months ago because of anxiety and lightheaded symptoms.
The first 2 months weren't too bad. Sporadic anxiety, but only for a day or two then gone. But the last 2 months have been hell on earth. Daily anxiety that at times is almost intolerable: edginess, nervousness, anxiousness, unable to concentrate and no patience to do anything.
I know this is caused by the bisoprolol and not from an underlying anxiety issue. Before taking bisoprolol, I never suffered from anxiety. Not to sound corny, but I had an inner calmness. I knew no matter how good, bad or in-between daily stress was, I could, and would, handle it one way or another.
This all began after I started taking bisoprolol, then after I came off of it.
I know that they say your beta receptors aren't permanently altered by beta blockers. They are just "sedated" by the beta blocker and eventually, go back to the way they were before going on the medicine. But right now, I'm having a very hard time believing that. And I'm just about at my breaking point.
I want that inner calmness I once had. And I really don't think I'm ever going to have it again!
Written by
Dogmom419
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Aniexity is such a complex issue. Comes in many forms. A symptom of something else that you can pin point but also a symptom from something you can never know what's causing it. Worse thing is, it also causes symptoms.
Many people say betas actually help with Aniexity. Others like yourself say it's causing it.
My own experience with Aniexity has been an intense one at times. I am on a low 3mg dose myself for 5 years now. Aniexity alongside my heart failure diagnosis is just a standard symptom. I couldn't say what causes it.
My number 1 advice though for Aniexity all round, generally for most people and can literally be a cure, is exercise! I found this true in my 20s is to get into the gym daily. Aniexity and panic attacks literally vanished for years.
Now as a heart patient, going for a walk (exercise) can really help with symptoms of Aniexity, palpitations and is great for the soul.
For withdrawal of beta blockers, I know it took my body a long time to adjust to taking these heart meds when starting out so I imagine it'll take just as long to adjust coming off. Hope this helps
Anxiety puts the body in a flight mode. Beta blockers slows down that mode. I have been on propranolol for 2years for anxiety diagnosis/Sinus Tachycardia diagnosis from my ECG readings. Electrocardiography is normal. Blood pressure is 120/80. Heart rate is 130 hence the betablocker to keep the heart rate down.I was placed on 20mg morning and night and after two years I am down to 10mg a day. I changed my diet and relocated my home to a more quiet environment to keep my mind at ease and reduce stress. Some days are good and my body doesn't need the medication.
Then the withdrawal symptoms kick in and I get very shaky with severe heart palpitation and I take the medication. I am gradually training my body to function normally again by eliminating stress and external triggers like loud noises, traffic sounds, emotional stress too.
The body was not designed to survive on medication. It has the ability to repair itself. Stress factors from everyday life does not allow the body heal naturally so these medications temporarily does the Job.
I am hopeful that one day I won't be needing the medication anymore as I try to reduce triggers and stress as much as possible.
Hi, I think you have posted about this before, and first and foremost I want to say I believe you, that for you it is caused by the bisoprolol withdrawel, and others on this site report the same. We know ourselves better than anyone else who disputes this. I don't sadly have the answer, but I am sure one day you'll get back to how you were. It sounds like it has caused your autonomic nervous system to go out of balance into predominantely sympathetic (threat & 'danger' stress response) rather than balanced or parasympathetic (rest and calm). If it has caused this shift, a type of therapy that helps the autonomic nervous system may be helpful? Sadly it is easy for the body to shift to this imbalance in the nervous system, then can take much harder work to rebalance again. I know this personally. EMDR therapy might also be of help as it is very good for calming the body for many reasons. Very best wishes and keep us posted if you wish.
I was prescribed Bisoprolol for ectopic heartbeats. Took myself off them very quickly as they gave me awful nightmares and soon realised I don't need medication! What I need is a echocardiogram to check for any underlying issues but gp will only offer a blood test! Royal Papworth Hospital prescribed Flenacain ( not sure of spelling) which i will not entertain! Why do medical professionals not take a heart issue seriously? Am I asking the impossible requesting my heart valves are checked? Too easy for tablets to be prescribed instead of a proper investigation especially for the heart!I still have regular ectopic day and night.
Hi, I've been on 2.5mg daily since HA in April so a pretty low dose. Recently had a 24 holter monitor which showed heart rate on the lower side (into the 30's at night) and feeling pretty tired so cardiologist suggested weaning off it. I reduced to 1.25mg daily on 12th December for 2 weeks and then from last night I'm only planning to do alternate nights. So last night no Bisoprolol and crickey I feel awful today, anxiety through the roof, shaky, nervous.. I'm due to take 1.25mg tonight then nothing tomorrow night etc but already thinking I can't cope with the withdrawal effects...how are you doing now ?
It's about the same. I know that everyone is different and their body resets itself before the bisoprolol at differing times. But I've really just had enough.I'm sorry to hear you're having these withdrawal effects. I hope they end as quickly as they started!
I was only on Bisoprolol for 8 weeks and spent 4 weeks weaning off and now am 2 weeks into total withdrawal. When I was on it, my sleep was horrific, I was waking up every 1.5 hours and couldn't get back to sleep. That has certainly improved and I've been listening to a Paul McKenna hypnosis track as well as taking magnesium and ashwaghanda to further help the sleep (which is still a bit patchy but nothing like as bad as what it was). I'm also doing breathing exercises.
Other symptoms when on it: blocked ear (now gone), horrendous tinnitus (now almost fully gone), crippling anxiety, heart flutters, dry skin.
The anxiety and general feeling of malaise and some missed beats in the evening are still there and I'm feeling a bit fed up like you. Let me know if you find any positive recovery stories. I found one from four years ago on here but the guy did say it was about a year before he was back to normal.
I too was only on Bisoprolol for about 8 weeks and then changed to Sotalol by my cardiologist. After an Echocardiogram, my heart was found to be healthy and showing no signs of damage, so I was told to stop taking them. Since then, a complete nightmare. A juddering throughout my body, blocked ears and tinnitus, feeling so nervous and shaky. A feeling of hopelessness that I’ll never feel normal again. However, I determined to beat this so I think exercise, walking is good. Embrace the slightly better days and look for signs of spring in your garden or the countryside. Yesterday, I saw tiny snowdrops pushing through the soil, a small thing but signals hope perhaps?
Thanks for your positive thoughts and sharing your experience, it’s helpful. Can I ask, how long have you been off it and has there been any improvement in that time?
Hi, I have been off the Bisoprolol for about 3.5 weeks and off all the heart tablets, including the blood thinners for another 3 weeks. As I think several have mentioned, it goes in waves, you have a slightly better days and then a horrendous one. Sleeping is awful, waking many times in the night, thrumming through out your body and tingling feet and legs. It’s early days for me and I wasn’t on the drugs for more than 2 months but how long doesn’t seem to make any difference. I’ll update my progress, I just want to feel normal again.
I understand. I'm just waiting to feel like I did before I started this devil drug. Unfortunately, the days going in waves for me hasn't really seemed to happen yet.I do have days that are "ok", and the anxiety isn't as horrible as most days. But I've yet to get days where I have no anxiety, like before I was on bisoprolol. I'm hoping that's not too far off. Because 24/7 anxiety is starting to wear on me physically and mentally.
I feel your pain and fear. This drug is truly horrible as it upsets your whole being and nervous system. Trying to reboot it is hard and just when you think you’ve turned a corner, bang, it starts up again. Don’t despair, you will beat it, try to keep active and both physically and mentally and try to think out side your fear of it. I know, easier said than done. I wonder if all the people who have gone through this and come out the other side, could perhaps post their journeys. It would give us hope. I do hope you start feeling better soon.
Yes, I would love to hear from people who have been through this withdrawal hell and came out the other side like their old selves. Take care. I hope you are like your old self very soon!
To carry on with this thread. Has anyone had problems with their feet during withdrawal from the heart drugs? My feet feel weird like creeping feelings which then set off vibrations throughout my body. Almost like an engine being turned on. It’s a horrible feeling which last a long time. Almost like a thrumming feeling. I guess it’s just another case of the damage the drugs have done to the nerves throughout the body. I will talk it over with my Doctor next week, however all my blood tests were normal.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Coming off bisoprolol
Bisoprolol for HBP and Anxiety 
