Atrial Fibrillation

[helenjones2]

I was diagnosed 6 months ago with AF. I was feeling strange when I had an attack with weakness in my legs and giddy sort of feeling. The doctors prescribed me with Bisoprolol and Apixaban. After watching my mother on Bisoprolol I know it slows a person down, she tried several beta-blockers until she found one she could take. As I have Rheumatoid Arthritis as well, if I slow down I will stop! I have not taken the Bisoprolol as my attacks have lessened. When I was diagnosed I was having one every 5/6 days for a few months, now its one every month or two. I have also lost about half a stone that my doctor thinks could be contributing to the attacks being less. I take the Apixaban as it helps present strokes if the blood starts to pool in my heart. If my attacks do increase again I will try it, but I also realise that if that one does not agree with me there are several more to try. So if you are not feeling good and you think it is the medication then go and speak to your doctor and ask to try something different.

[PadThaiNoodles]

I suspect the majority of people who take beta blockers don't get slowed down by them (just their heart rate). You see a lot of complaints here, but you have to remember that the sample is self-selecting -- those that don't have issues don't tend to post.

In any case, bisoprolol doesn't make me feel lethargic or tired (though it does give me a runny nose sometimes). I'm on a 1.25mg dose following double valve surgery.

[AmpNurPat in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

Agreed - have been on bisoprolol for almost 2 years (1.25ml) for AF

Only symptoms I can relate to it are runny nose and cold hands

Miguel

[Blearyeyed]

If you are new to the HU site , there is an Atrial Fibrillation Support group which you might like to join and post on to get more responses. The members are very active and all have different levels of AF , many with other illnesses too, like myself. You will get more tips and advice there.

I guess my suggestion would be , you won't know if you will be slowed down for sure until you test it out , and it's worth doing that because at least if you know it doesn't suit you , you can go back to the GP and ask for something else.

You could tell the GP that you are Anxious about trying the Beta blocker but also how well you have been doing , they may suggest you don't need it.

But you could say that you are ready to try it for 4-6 weeks ( if you don't have any immediate intolerance symptoms that's the time to give it a go as you could feel tired as your body adjusts but then the symptoms can become mild or improve once you are used to the medication).

Ask to start at the lowest possible dose first , if this is lower than your original prescription get a new prescription.

After 2-4 weeks if that is fine you could stay on that dose or choose to titrate upwards to a higher amount if you need it.

It's actually better to try out the preventative medications you are given when you feel generally healthy and without active AFib. It better to prevent the symptoms rather than start taking medications after they return.

[sandandkev]

Hi totally agree,I was diagnosed with af in 2023,on bisoprolol but went back into sinus and managed to come off it,I too lost 3st and 🤞 am ok to now

[rehana01]

Can I suggest something, continue the bisoprolol, even if it's only on a low dose, I found this tablet works wonders .