Atrial Fibrillation

[magriff1]

I'm in the process of finding out which blood thinner is best for me. Started with bisoprolol 1.25mg

twice daily and feeling ill so have changed to Edoxaban causing cold hands and feet and breathlessness. I feel that my Cardiologist hasn't taken into consideration my other health conditions, i.e. Asthma and COPD, does anyone with these conditions take a more suitable option?

[BenHall1]

Hi,

may I just ask something first, you refer to two blood thinners ... Bisoprolol and Edoxaban. This is incorrect. Bisoprolol is a beta blocker whose job is to control heart rate ( and has some properties which assist with blood pressure ). Edoxaban is a new anticoagulant ( blood thinners ) whose task is to help those with AF avoid a stroke.

From my own personal experience it will almost certainly be the Bisoprolol that contributes/causes/is responsible for cold hands and feet and breathlessness and not the Edoxaban .... mind you with these new anticoagulants, there is always a first time. I have just rejected Edoxaban and come off it and returned to Warfarin because of side effects which ( at the least ) are rare. Warfarin is fine.

When I was first put on Bisoprolol in Jan 2010 I was prescribed 5mg to be taken in the morning. This caused me unwelcome side effects, massive, full flow, random nosebleeds. I talked to my GP and she said take 5 mg at night , which I did and my nosebleeds stopped - never had one since and never had a problem until last year when I began to feel like a zombie. So, after 12 years on Bisoprolol I rejected it and came off it and been prescribed another beta blocker - Nebivolol. Suggest you discuss with your GP the benefits of taking Bisoprolol at night in one hit or switching from Bisoprolol to Nebivolol.

John

[Bevvy]

I can’t answer your question although I know my dad was on blood thinners for years. He was on Warfarin with no issues. Doctors insisted he change to a more modern one and he consequently had issues with nose bleeds!

I would suggest you make an appointment with your pharmacist (especially if you have one at gp surgery) because they are best placed to be able to have a discussion with you as to what might suit you better. Then armed with that information you can discuss it with your doctors.

[Chana60]

Hello, I can understand your worry, but firstly Bisoprolol is not a blood thinner but a beta blocker that relaxes the cardiovascular system slowing the heart. You do not say what is causing your atrial fibrillation but, always go back to your prescriber if you are getting bad side effects. Cold hands and/or feet are certainly worth reporting. Additionally, any consultant or primary care doctor should know your full history. If you have questions do ask 'will this affect my COPD or ASTHMA'? ' Good luck it often takes a while to get a correct medication balance.

[Mistygreyhound]

Bisoprolol is a beta blocker,I was on that for a while an was OK on a low dose 2.5 although I had cold hands an feet,my cardiologist put it up double as said it wasnt helping my AF but that's when the problems started, I also take Adoxaban blood thinner,which I seem to be ok on at the moment although i have cold feet all the time,I have tried 2 other beta blockers since then but still loads of side effects so I am now waiting to see what they come up with next,I don't have the other problems you have but I don't seem to do good with beta blockers,obviously you must have a word with your GP or cardiologist before you stop taking anything but good luck and hope they sort you out soon.