How does Bisoprolol react with steroids?

[Pris80]

I've had PMR for about 4 years. Prednisolone restored my life to me once I was diagnosed.

Before that I had high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, and tachycardia, for which I take Bisoprolol. I've gone on taking this innocent looking little tablet ever since, and until I ran out didn't know anything about how it affects my body, but becauseof warnings on the packet about not to stop taking it suddenly I did a bit of research.

It suppresses the production of adrenaline, makes you tired, your joints ache, stops you sleeping, continual fatigue etc. Is this why I cant taper to less than 7 1/2 mg without ill effects? Maybe that's why my adrenal glands won't wake up?

I'd like to ask my GP to lessen my dose gradually to see what happens as when I ran out over last w/e I felt like my old self with a sudden surge of energy and without the usual brain fog. I've never had trouble with my heart except for the business of it skipping a beat now and again.

What would you do?

[jinasc]

Was it a Cardiac medic who put you on the Biso?

If so, you need to talk to them or your GP does before you take any action at all.

There are other meds beside Biso which may be better. Don't stop anything till you have talked it through.

My ticker meds where changed twice till they gave me one that worked for me.

[Pris80 in reply to jinasc]

Thanks for your reply. No, it was my GP, who has now retired.

[Kendrew]

Hi Pris80, First of all it's important to say that all of us will react individually to the various meds we're on and we won't all experience the same side effects.......if any at all.

I was prescribed bisoprolol pre- diagnosis for excessive ectopic beats but was able to come off them fairly promptly. When I began prednisolone, they re-emerged and I was prescribed bisoprolol again. When I finally discussed coming off this medication again, I was told by my GP to just stop them! This was the wrong advice and as a result my withdrawal experience was very unpleasant..... severe headaches and much worse palpitations.

The cardiologist finally resolved this but I've since needed to go back on a beta blocker. ...... Propanolol 40mg bd. I have not experienced any side effects or issues combining it with pred....or the other meds I'm on and I've now been taking propanolol for 18mths. I think the aches & pains and tapering issues are more likely to be due to you not being ready to do the taper and needing more time on the higher dose. However, others with more knowledge will be along to advise.

[Pris80 in reply to Kendrew]

Thank-you Kendrew for your reply. The thing that concerns me is the double dose of adrenaline stopping. I've had several attempts to taper below using the dsns method without success and have now increased to 9 1/2 to try to control my pain and energy levels. I also have a frozen shoulder and the other one is fast catching up with it, plus arthritis of knees and shoulders. Can't get face to face appts with GPS where I live now.

[Mary63]

I have been on reducing doses of prednisolone since Jan 2016. I am now on 4.5mg. I started bisoprolol 2.5 mg in October. Today increased to 5mg because of atrial fibrillation. Despite possibly being in adrenal territory my fatigue is not bad. My life is not as active as it was six years ago, but I don’t need an afternoon kip at the moment. In fact I would say bisoprolol has done nothing harmful to me. Just steadied my heart rate and lowered my blood pressure.

[Pris80 in reply to Mary63]

Thank you Mary, that's good to know.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Well I have taken bisoprolol alongside pred for the last 6 or 7 years without any problem at all. Or at least, no more than I had with PMR anyway

I'm not clear whether it was bisoprolol or pred you ran out of? I'm assuming Bisoprolol - what dose are you on? I'm actually on a very low dose, my husband on even less, but in combination with other medications which seems to keep the adverse effects to a minimum. But they were initiated by the cardiologist and adjusted by them, the GP just keeps writing the scripts! However, if the problem is just high BP there is a range of medications for that and there may be something that suits you better.

[Pris80 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRPro, its helpful to know it hasn't caused you a problem. Yes, it was the bisoprolol. I'm on quite a low dose I think of 2.5. I do find that cooking without salt has helped my blood pressure enormously. Its just this terrible tiredness and lethargy that is getting me down.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pris80]

Tell me about it but I think mine is the PMR rather than the bisoprolol because it was fine for a long time. And a year of Covid hasn't helped ...

[Pris80 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, you're right about that!

[Pris80 in reply to PMRpro]

Shame motivation doesn't come in a bottle!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pris80]

Absolutely!!!! I wish - trying to summon up the enthusiasm to try my new floor washer. I bought it, it's still in the boot ...

[jinasc in reply to PMRpro]

Leave it there the floor is not going anywhere soon. 😉

My bulk waste was finally taken away today - I had laid plans to then sort bits out - I took one look at today and thought it can wait another day so I just fed the birds instead. 😈

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jinasc]

Hasn't been washed for 15 months ... I know, I'm a slut ...

And it is a new toy - it's assembling it that worries me! I had the window washer for 2 years before I conquered the apathy - hope this is as good as that is!

[jinasc in reply to PMRpro]

So it can wait another 15 months, no harm has come to either of you in that time so nothing should change. It will change when you do getarundtuit but no hurry the floor is not going anywhere.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jinasc]

Luckily having bought it I tried it out - and it worked for 10 mins before something went and the rollers stopped turning ...

[jinasc in reply to PMRpro]

S***s Law😉

or it could be telling you something🤔🤔

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jinasc]

Maybe

[Macas in reply to Pris80]

I have been on Pred for 11years I also take bisoprolol for Afib not experienced any side effects. Could do with more energy but I’m sure that’s the PMR.😰

[Pris80 in reply to Macas]

Thank you Macas, the PMR is responsible for a lot I know. Good to know you don't have a problem with the bisoprolol.

[SheffieldJane]

As a motivational tool, I bought myself a wonderful, new, luxurious, mop and a large green bucket on wheels with a lever to squeeze the mop out. My husband was so taken with it, he mopped the floors - result!