Bisoprolol Discontinued

[Sony1944]

I have to share this. I have been on Bisoprolol for 15 - 20 years, as my blood pressure was creeping up. I have never had side effects or so I thought due to this medicine.

I am 81 years of age and had lots of aches and pains in my joints. Put this down to getting older and body wearing out.My blood pressure has been high on a morning for many years and low at night. Had mentioned this to doctor many times, suggested I take a tablet in morning then one at night. No change there.

I was diagnosed with Conns Sydrome, on the basis of elevated aldosterone, and 2 benign adrenal nodules on kidney 18 months ago. The support and treatment I gave received from York hospital has been excellent. I mentioned my joints aching last month, and the consultant suggested I taper off Bisoprolol. The difference in a month is unbelievable, I wake early on a morning refreshed, ready to start the day. Before I was sluggish, not able to motivate myself, now I go for a walk every morning, feel life is still there for me. My aches/pains are minimal, I am able to garden.

I put this up turn in my health/mobility down to not taking Bisoprol. I can’t think of anything else that has done this as I am still on the same medication minus Bisoprolol.

I am elated as to how I feel I just had to share.

[Happyrosie]

that’s fascinating ! Thank you for sharing.

[DWizza]

Wonderful to get such a result and notice how good you feel. What was the dose of Bisoprolol that you were on ? Did you taper ?

[Sony1944 in reply to DWizza]

I was on 3.75 1 per day. Yes I tapered off over 1 month, halving the dose every 2 weeks.

Still feeling good. Have more energy. I had confidence in my consultant and knew if things had not worked out he would have tried something else. Also he is very good at answering any questions within 24 hours.

[DWizza in reply to Sony1944]

Sounds fantastic 👍🏻👍🏻. Any change in resting heart rate or blood pressure ?

[Sony1944 in reply to DWizza]

hi, the change I have noticed is lower BP, not as up one day down the next, pretty steady now. . My pulse is a steady 70.

[DWizza in reply to Sony1944]

My average resting heart rate last week was 43bpm, blood pressure is great currently 112-117/67-77

[Jaycey]

I was on a low dose (1.5mg) of bisoprolol) for 9 years. I too noticed side effects and that "living in a fog" feeling. I tapered off to one tablet every other day and then asked my GP about stopping this drug. The difference is like night and day. No more dizzy feeling and more energy. The cloud has lifted! Glad to hear you had the same experience. Enjoy Sony1944 !

[Diddy97 in reply to Jaycey]

Hi are you off the Bisoprolol completely now?

[Sony1944 in reply to Diddy97]

yes for over 1 week, but I have noticed the difference to my energy levels whilst I was tapering off them, which took a month.

[MountainGoat52]

HI Sony1944

I also had my Bisoprolol stopped a month ago. It was only a low dose of 1.25mg and was stopped on account of the fact that I have Raynauds Syndrome. At the same time my Nifedipine, which I take for Raynauds, was doubled. I would say the jury is still out on the effect this change is having, but I do notice my heart beat more because it rarely dips into the 50s at rest, whereas before it was usually in the 50s at rest.

The fact that beta blockers lower pulse rate could be the key to your previous ills being resolved. A higher pulse rate in the morning may make you feel brighter and more active. It may also be that you are pumping more blood to your muscles and that has taken your aches away. Of course there may be other factors at work, including the fact that you may have been intolerant of Bisoprolol all along. Whatever the reason, enjoy your new-found energy.

Wishing you all the best for the future.

Best regards,

Gerald

[Sony1944 in reply to MountainGoat52]

I have raynauds I think, in two fingers i wonder if Bisoprolol had anything to do with this. Here’s hoping it had.

Best wishes

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Sony1944]

My fingers went white just taking a bottle of milk out the fridge. It hasn't happened sInce I started taking Nifedipine. I will be asking my GP surgery whether they consider I should be taking Bisoprolol to benefit my heart or not. It was only 1.25mg daily had little effect on the efficacy of the Nifedipine. The doctor that stopped it did not have knowledge of my ull medical history

[maggie80]

Hello, I'm on Bisoprolol. I sometimes feel a little off balance when walking. Do you mind if I ask what tablets you take.

[Sony1944 in reply to maggie80]

Hi I take once a day the following , Losartan25mg, Eplerenone 50mg( for Conns Syndrome ) and Omeprazole 20mg for Barratts

Hope this helps

[maggie80 in reply to maggie80]

Hello, I've never heard of any of the tablets. Enjoy your life. Stay well.

[Jaycey in reply to maggie80]

Ask your GP about your balance issue. Balance and dizziness were the symptoms I approached my GP about. Balance issues are significantly decreased now that I am off Bisoprolol.

[maggie80 in reply to Jaycey]

Hello, I went to see the doctor 6 weeks ago. The doctor said it wouldn't be my medication, it would have happened when I first started taking the medication.

[Diddy97]

Hi, how long did it take you to finally taper off Bisoprolol please?

[Sony1944 in reply to Diddy97]

Hi 4 weeks, halting dose every 2 weeks.

[Diddy97 in reply to Sony1944]

Thank you

[Sony1944 in reply to Diddy97]

It too 4 weeks

[MandLB]

Thanks for posting this. I'm having problems with occasional dizziness lately on low dose bisoprolol. I've been attributing it to the reduction in blood pressure and heart rate I'm experiencing. For now I'm willing to put up with it because I'd previously been so ill as a result of high BP and angina. Are you taking any statins? There is some anecdotal evidence of interactions between BP medication and statins, especially with calcium channel blockers.

[Sony1944 in reply to MandLB]

Hi no I am not on Statins although have been recommended to take them. The reason I have not taken them is 1. My consultant said they do not work immediately, it takes 10 years to take effect, I am 81. 2. Because I was coming off Bisoprolol I needed to see what effect that had before starting on a Statin. Still undecided about Statins as I have read no need for doctors to prescribe to,over 75 years of age. Hope this helps

[222Minty1]

Hi Sony

Thanks for posting this.

I have to say that I am not getting on with this even at a low dose.

For all of the reasons you have stated.

I have started by halving the dose and that has made a marked difference.

I will speak with my GP before any further change.

Your post was very timely!

[DWizza in reply to 222Minty1]

Di you cut your dose with a pill cutter ? My 1.25mg regularly turns into half crumbs and half a tablet 🤦🏼🤣

[Sony1944 in reply to DWizza]

No - I was prescribed 2 weeks taking 2 tablets once a day of 1.25mg then 1 tablet per day of 1.25mg for 2 weeks. Complicated

[222Minty1 in reply to DWizza]

With a knife, and yes this is not an easy tablet to cut. I think a pill cuter would be better.

[HeartyQuestion]

very interesting, my doctor has doubled my dose to 2.5 while I’m waiting for a second cardiac ablation- the first one appeared to work for three months then my heartbeat became irregular again. I feel I’ve aged twenty years, I can barely get out of a chair, I get very dizzy and I have no energy. I have a cardiologist appointment next month so will push for answers.