Arthritis flare with bisoprolol

[FabFeathers]

hello! I am cheerful but puzzled. Has anyone else had a really bad, can’t touch your toes any more, flare of arthritis when taking bisoprolol? I don’t want to stop taking it because my new onset Afib has disappeared on it, and i feel much safer. But it would be nice to be able to pick up dropped laundry as well! Any ideas? Thanks if you do reply..

[TaffinSussex]

Hi. I was diagnosed with AF, a stroke and several TIA's in A&E in March 2024. I was immediately started on Bisoprolol and a few hours later Apixaban for the AF. A very long story shortened is yes I do believe my multiple joint pains which I now have are down to the Bisoprolol. It was stopped for 9 weeks but I had really bad side effects on its replacement so I was put back on it at half the previous dose and although I'm tolerating it more easily I've since developed pain in places I didn't have before and it's worsened existing arthritis. Additionally it's caused a croaky throat and annoying cough.

[DWizza in reply to TaffinSussex]

I had hip replacement recently and was put on apixaban (instead of my pantaprazole) and I had terrible flare up in my foot and big toe. I have seen a rheumatologist and had blood tests and he mentioned that Apixaban is documented as causing polyarthritis in some patients .

I’m on a very low dose of Bisoprolol as I’m weaning off , was in 1.25mg now halving it. I also had issues , aches /pains when I was on 80mg artovastatin, did a trial stop for 2 weeks and felt fantastic. Was changed to 40mg pravastatin and got symptoms back within a week. Now on 10mg rosuvastatin which has been fine.

[TaffinSussex in reply to DWizza]

Yes I was on Atorvastatin too 40mg and had problems on that..I've since been prescribed Nustendi but I'm reluctant to take it as the side effects are common and many! It's a combo drug of Bempedoic acid and ezetimibe.

I hadn't appreciated that about Apixaban. I'll be coming off it for 3 days soon in preparation for my first knee replacement, so it will be interesting to see if I feel any benefit. I'll be put on wayfarin injections. My orthopaedic surgeon advised me to stay clear of statins. He felt very strongly about that.

[Warm-heart]

Unfortunately for some folks Bisoprolol does cause all kinds of side effects, did with me and could not tolerate. May be worth with doctor's guidance trying to reduce it, or there are other similar medications. But discuss with your doctor, I'd suggest.

[FabFeathers]

Thank you everybody; looks like it might be the bisoprolol, apixaban or even the statin that now make up my daily breakfast. I’ll ask the cardiologist, if I ever get to see one, Thank you all for your help.

[HeartyQuestion]

interesting question, I’ve been wondering why I’m struggling to pick stuff off the floor and get out of chairs when I’m an active 62 year old. I’m on Bisopropolol, Apixaban, statins etc etc

[MountainGoat52]

My immediate thought was to consider whether this has anything to do with Raynauds syndrome. Did you suffer from cold toes before starting medication? Maybe cold fingers too? I have had Raynauds since birth and Bisoprolol definitely made it worse and my toes became arthritic and painful. To counteract it, I now take Nifedipine. I don't usually agree with taking a medication to overcome the side effects of another, but in this case it has been a game changer.

Of course, this might not apply in your case. I hope you get your problem sorted.

[FabFeathers in reply to MountainGoat52]

Thank you! Raynauds is thankfully absent from my growing list of MOT failing issues. I’m glad you found a way forward.