Bisoprolol Side Effects

[Denise2011]

I've been absent for about a year ..... struggling with this site now as it's not how it used to be. Never mind, glad it's still around. So many of us are struggling with the side effects, I know - they never seem to go away. Anyway, last January I was so exasperated I reduced from 2.5 mg to 1.25 mg daily. There just wasn't anyone there, still isn't anyone there ..... can't see a doctor, no appointments, etc. Anyway, a few days ago I reduced it to .0625 mg and was feeling just great and I have to say that my mind is clearer, etc and it really made a huge, huge difference! I guess it all depends why we are on Bisoprolol? Mine initially was due to Dilated Cardiomyopathy/Heart Failure which did improve obviously because of the medication. The Left Bundle Branch Block disappeared, but it's been with me since August last year and I don't want to be in this rhythm. Trouble is, as I read it - Bisoprolol should be given with caution if you have LBBB and that it can cause arrhythmias. It seems that we are between the devil and the deep blue sea. Re-reading on Cardiomyopathy.org, together with my now symptoms, I realise the importance of the Bisoprolol because of the cells of the heart muscle. Anyone else NOT on it solely for arrhythmias? And if you are off Bisoprolol totally, how has your heart been? Thanks. Would be interested to hear from Peter in London - Hi Peter, you still around?

[IanMK]

I was started on bisoprolol to reduce my heart rate and reduce the load on my heart after heart failure. It wasn’t intended as a treatment for the cause of the heart failure but to protect my heart from further damage until the cause was identified and treated. How do you know that your heart efficiency has improved?

I’m curious as to why you cannot get an appointment with your GP. I would always recommend following the advice of your medical team.

[Denise2011 in reply to IanMK]

That's good that you get spoken to - I'm pleased for you. It had improved in about a year - that would be 2012/13. My ejection fraction had improved to the normal/safe levels. It had been just under 30% if I recall correctly. I had had high BP since 2004, but each time was sent away with no treatment. The Cardiomyopathy group, sent me information and told me to ask questions and cross off possible causes. The only one left was high blood pressure. Anyway, I was booted out and the side effects of these drugs were making me really bad. I did manage to see another consultant and he agreed I could come off the bisoprolol (I was having Broad Complext Tachy) and he thought that I also had AF. No room for ablation so I was referred somewhere else and that one disagreed that I had AF. Anyway, I now read that I had my left ventricle is failing (mild) and also have mild right ventricular failure. Those tests were 18 months ago now. No appointments, just discharged back to GP. I did see a GP last summer who took no notice, again the same one in January. I had had chest pain as I had before I was rushed in and was feeling really awful while waiting. A nurse noticed and asked if I was alright, had an ECG but no one could/would tell me what's on it. He did do a referral, but I found out on Monday he didn't mention any chest pain or send copy ECG. The intermittent chest pain continues, but because I cannot function and have been crashing out after eating for hours and it's all affecting my life (the last 7 years now), I decided to halve it again. I'm so frustrated and must be honest and say a little afraid of what I have done. Sorry for the 'novel', but the upshot is/has to be 'prolonged high BP'. It is fluctuating at the moment, high in the mornings, but reduces during the day.

[jwsonoma]

I have been taking .125 Bisoprolol to counter a potentially dangerous side effect of Flecenide My Doc said I couldn’t half it again as it wouldn’t have any effect. .125 keeps me tired and I tend to put on weight. You may want to ask a chemist if your dose is ok if you can’t see your GP. It is frustrating

Good luck

[Denise2011 in reply to jwsonoma]

Thank you. What's with Flecainide? I stayed on Bisoprolol because I read (over a year ago now) about the side effects, but also that it was not suitable if you had something physical wrong with the heart (my words - but that's what it said), so I stayed on the Bisoprolol, but reduced it. I know what that tiredness is like and it's horrid. Do you find your train of thought - can't find a better way to put it, is affected as well? I've tried the chemist, but they have told me that they cannot tell me what to do. I've started getting really breathless on walking up-hill and bending, this morning was bad and after an hour I had to call the ambulance. It eventually settled after almost 2 hrs and I've stayed at home and just taken the full 1.25 mg dose. Chances of getting an appointment is slim. The services are over-stretched. I guess I asked for this, but I need to be alert. Please do tell me about the Flecainide effect you've experienced, as I know they wanted me to try that. Many thanks and regards. Denise.