Blood Brain Barrier

[Fynndog]

Hi folks. Can anyone explain in simple terms what Blood Brain Barrier means. I’m in 2.5mg bisoprilol and I know the HF nurses want to up the dosage. I havnt felt great on my meds from day one (3 month now since H/A) acid reflux uncontrollable diaorrhea. Breathlessness ( periodic) bloating . I’m really afraid of dosage being upped. If I felt great ok . I feel sometimes foggy , slowed down and my usual sharp memory not as good. ( maybe part of H/A symptoms perhaps?) Blood Brain issue is spooking me

[Peony4575]

If drugs cross the blood brain barrier they cause a different set of side effects or can do . Brain fog would be one . When I described the symptoms I was getting to a cardiologist he said straight away that I should change to a drug that was hydrophilic rather than lipophilic . I don’t want to bog you down with chemistry but basically if the drug dissolves in fat ( lipophilic) it can cross into the brain . If it is hydrophilic ( dissolves in water) it can’t .So if you are one of those people who gets side effects from your brain being affected I got fogginess weakness breathlessness anxiety to name but a few , you might be better on a hydrophilic beta blocker I am on atenolol ( nearly off) but there are other newer ones and it’s on the summary of product characteristics so easy for the doctor to know which is which .

I can’t say if the side effects you are experiencing are caused by your bisoprolol but you are entitled to have that conversation with your doctor describe your side effects and ask if it’s worth you trying a hydrophilic / doesn’t cross the blood brain barrier BB instead . I don’t know what else you are on that could be causing problems . It is important to try and get it right as it’s you who has to live with it on a daily basis. I didn’t get gut side effects .

I am sorry it’s a bit long winded if I can clarify anything I will do my best but your doctor or pharmacist should be able to help if I am not making sense !

[Fynndog in reply to Peony4575]

Thank you so much for that information. Very interesting. I’m going to look at my meds a bit closer and when??? I get to se a cardiologist again I’ll put those questions to him, I’ve been led to believe there are very few alternatives. No one mentioned any new types. Maybe there more expensive. I just noticed that I was ( 3 months ago ) very good at crosswords now I’m not.. weird and my daughter says I looked spaced out) so I’m going to look into all this. Thanks again

[Peony4575 in reply to Fynndog]

You are welcome . Glad if I have been able to help. I know what it is to suffer from prescribed drugs

[Fynndog]

Thank you for your help.

[Fynndog]

Hi Trst. You dog f like you have a very nice cardiologist. The ones I’ve seen act like gods far too grand to discuss things with the likes of me, but you’ve given me good advice and I’m going to start looking in to the meds I’ve got. Thank you fir replying