Bisoprolol buddies

Well here I am back after the AV node ablation which went well.  My pacemaker is set at 66 bpm and my heart is back in sinus, now 48 hours and I am resting up as advised.  The cardiologist visited me on the ward to discuss medication and I told him that the side effects from Bisoprolol and Flecainide were bothering me more than the AFib and I asked to quit taking anything other than anticoagulant (Pradaxa) which I know I have to be on for life now.

So I am waiting to see how I feel and whether the heart will maintain sinus without any drugs, if not, then too bad.  He told me it is my decision to choose between the drug side effects or the AFib effects.  Will report back in another couple of weeks.  Felt shaky and sleepless last night - probably the effect of cold turkey withdrawal after three years.

Hi josephine32, I hope all works out for you. just out of interest did you just stop taking Bisoprolol or have you been weaned off of it as from all I have read it is dangerous to just stop taking it and it must be done gradually. There is danger that stopping it suddenly will actually cause cardiac arrest. I hope you are feeling better. best regards watchdog1964

hello Josephine32  . Just readyour entry I must have missed your previous entrys anyhow what was the reason you had to have a Pacemker and AV abalation. I had a mini stroke 2 yrs and was dscovered I had Left Ventruclar failure  with AFib. been put on Bisoporlol plus water tablets and warfarin.  Then I was told i had to have a Biventicular pace maker plus AV abalation that was 18 month ago and i have been on 10mg Bisoprolol since and must say I am feeling so much better and back to being normal againI   I do stlll get tired but a lot less now than I did. I am suprised that your consultant agreed for you to stop the Biscoprolol   You have to be patient with the side affects, it does work in the long term.  I wish you all the best .

Hi Josephine, so pleased to hear that your ablation went well and wait to read further about your recovery.  Re stopping Bisoprolol: I was so beat up by this drug, after ramping up to 10mg daily, I saw my GP and he told me to stop taking it immediately, which I did. No ill effects, in fact quite the reverse! I think Bisoprolol was the worst drug I've ever taken and it did no good whatsoever, just made me so much worse. Couldn't breathe at times, felt like a zombie all day and sleep was bad.

So, please do not worry about stopping this drug.

Wish you well.

Many thanks to all.  There is no worse than I could have felt than being on the 7.5 Bisoprolol (along with 200 mg Flecainide).  It was not life at all, just utter depressing fatigue and disinterest in doing anything.  I have put on a spare tyre from it!   Fortunately it was only for two months I was on the higher dose Bisoprolol and there is nothing which would induce me to take it again.  

From what I have been told, the effects from AFib will not be very noticeable now the AV node is ablated and the pacemaker implanted, so hence my decision to stop the drugs.  The cardiologist didn't mention any risk involved in doing this, just said it is a matter of my choice.  If I don't tolerate the AFib even with the pacemaker (which was hurriedly fitted in emergency after AFib was joined by atrial flutter and rapid heartbeat which would not respond to treatment)

Sorry, the post got sent before finished.  If I don't react well to coming off the drugs so suddenly, then I can elect to experiment with them to find an acceptable dosage.  Naturally I am hoping to live life drug free from now on.  I am lucky to be on dabigatran which doesn't involve INR blood tests or monitoring of any kind.

Hi CroydonGeorge ,

I recently had a stent placed and taking 5mg bisoprolol.

I'm feeling really ill breathless /backpains/chestpains/feeling that i'm Hyperventilating/feeling run down 

I was wondering how long it took for the side effects you were experiencing to dissapear ?

Also did you get an alternative medicine ?

Hi Justin T,  I am just wondering what time of day you take your Biso...

I take mine in the evening in a full stomach , that allows the medicatin to do it's worst side-effects during the night, when I'm asleep and couldn't care less,,,  since the effectiveness of most such meds diminish each hour a bit more, which is exactly why you have to replenish the substance once each 24 hours.......so it can do it's job again on you for the next 24 hours.... hope that helps some....... wish you well !!!

 

Hi dh29599,

I was taking it in the morning 

Have stop taking bisoprolol as it was making me very ill,

During the day and at night.

More than 15 side effects... pain in chest/back & finding it hard to breath the worst of them all

I stopped taking it a few days ago and still feel ill even though i do feel better ...most probably withdrawal symptoms as i had been taking it for 3 months

Anyways thanks for your response !

I have in the past been prescribed Bisoprolol and also Metoprolol, both knocked the stuffing out of me. After my bypass I was convinced I had serious complications but it turns out I have intolerance to beta blockers. Within a few days of coming off Bisoprolol I was starting my mobility. Now I take Dilitiazem which are wonderful in comparison. After my first stent ten years ago I prescribed Metoprolol and couldn't get upstairs or walk only a few yards. I guess some people they suit others they don't...and I am definitely the latter. Hopefully the doc can find something that suits you

 

Hi wendybendy1, 

Same here ... a few times i thought i was having a heart attack and rushed to A&E.

The anxiety which is also one of the side effects didn't help either

Good to hear that you found a suitable replacement

I will be discussing a possible replacement soon 

Thanks for your response !

Hi Justin, 

I see you posted 6 months ago so hopefully you've got it sorted out.  If anyone else develops severe breathing issues on bisoprolol they shouldn't be persistant with their doctors.  I was put on 5mg, along with other medications, after having a SCAD heart attack.  My breathing got progressively worse to the point where I was short of breath just talking to people, eating, or just sitting around.  I ended up lowering my own dosage to 2.5 mg with no improvement and then finally I cut it to 1.25 mg about 5 days ago.  After 3 days of decreasing the dose I could finally breath in and feel that my lungs are able to fill up like normal.  It is very scary when one's breathing is impacted.  I was told in emergency and by an internist to give my body time to adjust to the medication.  No one seemed to think that the bisoprolol could impact my breathing.  Can't imagine what would have happened had I stayed on the medication!

Note: typing error: should read "should be persistant"

Hi

I've just been prescribed 1.25mg bisoprolol. Im a bit scared to take it as worried that when I'm about to fall asleep I'll get a falling feeling.

I was prescribed 2.5mg in the summer and was taking it in the mornings, but got this awful dropping feeling at night just as I was about to go to sleep.

As I've been presented a lower dose, do you think it would be better for me to take at night to lessen this side effect??

My Dr has changed me from Beta-prograne to bisoprolol as the beta-prograne seems to run out about 8 hrs before its due and I've been getting what my Dr calls positional palpitations. This is because when I am slouched back watching TV in bed I start getting a pounding heart. Then when I lay down to sleep it pounds harder. It's not fast. About 80-84 bpm. But in the day it's about 70-74 bpm.

Im getting myself all anxious about taking it as I live on my own and last time I was on the slightly higher dose I ended up phoning 111 as the falling feeling frightened me so much.

The 111 service told me to prop myself upright a bit.

Do you have any advice for me please

Rose

I dont think its Bisoprolol! I'm 72 years old & been on the medication, along with a cocktail of others, since my Heart attack in April 2015 which I attributed to indigestion! I still drink alcohol, drive & generally try to get on with life! I cant ID any recognisable side effects except I now have a stuffy nose that constantly drips & tears that involuntarily run down either cheek! I'm also on Ramipril, Nicorandil,Tecagoril & despite my best efforts my Quality of life has generally gone downhill since the HA!

Omg

Yoy should not quit cold turkey

You will get anxiety type feelings and possibly a lot of other effects from stopping cold turkey.

I had ablation for SVT and it worked very well. That was 11 years ago.

Your cardiologist should have weaned you off bisoprolol.

How are you now? Did you go back on it?

Hi dh,

I was advised by a non medical person to split my dose of Bisoprolol.  I had terrible side effects from taking them after recovering from a bad atrial fibrulation.  I chop my tablet in half and take one half immediately AFTER breakfast and the other half immediately AFTER my evening meal.  This regime has worked wonders for the side effects and now, almost a year later I am living normally.  I walk about 5 to 6 miles almost every day, cycle sometimes and occasionally go away and enjoy a holiday.

Thats what i do. Take my meds last thing at night so that hopefully i wont feel ill

Hi, I realise it is a while since this post but I was wondering how you are getting on. I have had 3 ablations in the last year that have stopped my afib but left me with atrial flutter and eptopic beats. I am currently on bisopropyl 2.5mg (which Dr wants it increase to 5mg) Propafanone 300mg twice daily and Warfarin. I am feeling utterly dreadful. My last resort is a pacemaker but my electro physiologist says I am too young (I am 48) and he really doesn't want to do it. He also says it may not eliminate my symptoms. I would really like to know how you are getting on. Many thanks.

Hello Clare

I am so sorry to hear you are feeling rotten.  How well I remember my worst year when I was in and out of hospital with ablations, none of which lasted for very long and the drugs making me feel life wasn't worth living if it was going to be like that forever. And the panic when you feel your heart playing up........let's just say I haven't forgotten as yet.

Firstly Clare, I am a deal older than you.  I first got AFib at 68 years old and am now 74, so I can understand the attitude of the consultant not wanting to give a pacemaker at your age.  However, quality of life is what we are all chasing here and the drugs have a dreadful toll on this.  My last trip into hospital was with atrial flutter, rapidly alternating with AFib and a beat of 130 which would not reduce no matter what they threw at it in the way of medication.  So I was given very little time to choose between more heavy (next class up) medication, or a pacemaker shortly followed by AV node ablation.  This latter procedure is very drastic but basically cuts off electrical connection between the upper and lower heart chambers.  I chose the latter blindly really, not able to tolerate all those drugs.  The AV node ablation doesn't cure AFib or flutter, but it usually prevents the symptoms affecting you, so one medication you would have to take for lifetime, is blood thinning as the risk of clots remains the same.  Having said that, I pushed until I got Pradaxa (dabigatran) which needs no monitoring, blood testing or dietary restrictions, unlike Warfarin, and has recently been declared safe because an antidote has been marketed for any emergency (Praxbann I think or similar).  

Well where am I now seeing as all this took place almost two and a half years ago.   At the time, I felt I had lost the battle and although they still wanted me on Bisoprolol, I said I wanted to try no medication at all, except blood thinning (non negotiable) and my usual blood pressure one which is not connected.  They reluctantly agreed.  Apart from one adjustment to the pacemaker, I have not looked back since.  I forget I have AFib and although I get an odd ectopic, I know the pacemaker will guard me.  It has turned from being an alien invader at first, to a trusty friend now!  So mine has had a good outcome so far.  I am leading the life I used to have.

You can see from this forum, that as individuals we don't have the same reactions or outcomes to various drugs and procedures, but I would repeat that you are in charge of your decisions, and no medic can or indeed, is allowed to force or persuade you to do or take anything.  Research all you can, so that you can converse knowledgeably.  No outcome is a certainty and you do have many more years before you than I do.  Remember, AFib is not life threatening when on anti-coagulants, although it certainly feels as if it is!   Try their recommendations and see how you feel before considering anything more drastic.  AV node ablation (you can research this) is considered a bit of a last resort as it makes you 100 percent reliant on the pacemaker, but in my case has proved a tremendous success.  Keep in touch Clare, there are many alternatives and treatments out there, new ones all the time too.   

Thank you so much for your in depth response. I am so glad you have had a positive result and you are feeling better.

I am going to do some more research and discuss this with my electrophysiologist. I just want to get back to some sort of 'normal' life.

Thank you again and I will keep in touch.

Clare.

Thank you Josephine for your good advice.

Which i can add to. I am 66 and have had Afib and CHF for 8 months

I started off very poorly and the meds made me worse. But i stuck with them out of neccessity and soon discovered that research research is paramount. I am now nearly back to normal. Can walk and do most things. I found food state  supplements have helped a lot. I had the good free advice of a fully qualified integrative alternative cardiologist . So search for one who has his own page online :-)

Hi Croyden george and Josephine 32.

My doctors took me off the beta blockers gradually. I do have other meds. They are old meds that have been out for years . They are called Generic. Which means they are so old they do not have a patent on them :-) Every new drug they put me on had really bad side effects. The best remedy i have found is amino acids and D Ribose. The guys at the gym use them alongside other supplements for the hearts. I feel better every day i take them. So research on those. :-)

I so agree with about being rushed to get onto medication. I dont think that helps at all.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2716264/

D Ribose for the heart

I have put another link to amino acids that is use for the heart

I also have a homeopathic doctor who has really helped.

Hi wendy

Ive had exact same problem did you ever find out if it was the bisoprolol im on 2.5mg a day

Thanks

I cannot breathe on 1.25, its ruined my life.  I had a fast heart beat in Jan 2017 and have been struggling on Bisoprolol's trying to get the doseage down but really my breathing is getting worse.  Dr. really doesn't believe me.

 

I've been on them since I got two stints in years ago. I'm also on amitriptyline and I always feel like a zombie I wish I could stop all my meds I'm on over 20 per day I have no life I sleep all the time I wish you all the best and hope all gets sorted out.

so interested to read your report. been on 1.25mg for a couple of months because of palpitations. I've been taking it in the mornings but feel so tired and achy during the day as well as joint pain. would you recommend taking it at night. hope you are feeling better.

Hello Justin, I have read your post and same as me, I was taking Bisoprolol for 3 months plus now. it was okay for the past 3 months atleast, until 3 days ago, When I took it I have some bad side effects I guess about this drug, Im gasping air constant breathless! as if I need to pull some air from the deepest for me to breath, my 02 stat was normal. I plan to stop it suddenly can't handle the breathless anymore. but I read some comments that its dangerous to stop Bisoprolol right away it should be gradually. did you just stop yours suddenly?