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AF/beta blocker

Posted , 5 users are following.

kathleen63747
kathleen63747

i had a mini stroke 6 years ago on holiday in Malaysia, I was in hospital for 2 days and was diagnosed with AF. And put on Warfarin and statins, also Bendrofluramzane. I only had AF episodes infrequently, but the last few months, this has increased I spoke to the doctor last week and she put me on 2.5 beta blocker. One week later I spoke to another doctor about unbearable side effects,breathless, sore legs and arms and terrible diarrhoea and bladder frequency. I was told to stop it, I would having had this only for I week,I would have no withdrawals, but I now have very fast pulse, which leaves me exhausted . How long will this last, having had a previous stroke, I don't this to happen again. May I add, I had an ECG, and it was normal.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • mike92384
    mike92384 kathleen63747

    Posted

    Hi kathleen63747...Sorry, but I don't know what AF is. Your doctor put you on a beta blocker just 1 week ago, which hardly is time to see if they are working properly,

    or to see what side effects if any will happen or go away. Whenever you are stopping medications, while we  put our faith in the doctors, the pharmacists are the specialists when it comes to the drugs we have been prescribed.Some will say that the short period of time you were on the beta blockers wouldn't affect you should you suddenly stop taking them. Others might suggest you have a short period of weaning. Be careful when you go back to your doctor & tell him/her that you saw another doctor. Here in Canada, that could be considered a conflict of interest, & could create tension between you & your doctor. If your fast pulse persists, by all means seek medical attention.

    • sharon34402
      sharon34402 mike92384

      Posted

      Hi Mike,

      Some people are very drug-sensitive. I have reacted to several beta-blockers after taking them a week. I have to disagree with the pharmacist because I have experienced it!

      Everyone they change me my pharmacist always questions why are they trying this one?

      I am allergic to Ace Inhibitors and some of these are sister drugs. I am glad my pharmacist always discusses these drugs with me.

      Take care.

      Sharon

  • marco
    marco kathleen63747

    Posted

    Agree with Mike,  you should go back to your original doctor if at all possible as your history is important. Which beta-blocker were you prescribed and does it have 'form' for these side-effects? Unless you have ECG during an AFib episode it's normal for it not to show up.
  • kathleen63747
    kathleen63747

    Posted

    It is Bisoprolol 1.25
    • marco
      marco kathleen63747

      Posted

      Discovered by chance after 10 years with paroxysmal AFib that my condition was due to taking Ramipril which started my AFib and then Candesartan. I say by chance because when my doctor increased my Candesartan dose it led to a marked increase my AFib episodes About a month ago I switched to 2.5mg Bisopropol and so far no AFib which is a result for me.
    • kathleen63747
      kathleen63747 marco

      Posted

      Thank you for that, it is almost impossible to get a G P appointment, I got one for I month to see the effect of the medication, hopefully the fast pulse settles down, at the moment it is running at about 100, normally It is around 60. This leaves me exhausted and anxious.
    • marco
      marco kathleen63747

      Posted

      I would consider not getting a GP appointment for 1 month is unacceptable and would be off to A&E if I had stroke history. It's too risky to do nothing.
    • mike92384
      mike92384 kathleen63747

      Posted

      I agree with what Marco has said. First of all, try phoning your GP's office again, explaining to the receptionist that you are having an issue with a fast heartbeat/pulse. They shouldn't mess with that (delaying an appt). If you don't get any satisfaction..then by all means go to the Emergency Room at the nearest hospital. I'm not a doctor by any means, but I would say that if your pulse rate is at 100, you're on the high side of normal. Don't sit around...do something!
  • nannylynn
    nannylynn kathleen63747

    Posted

    Hi Kathleen,

    I take it AF is arterial fibrilation? I was on a Beta Blocker for many years but developed Asthma in later life. Beta Blockers can make you breathless because they narrow the arteries not just to the heart but to other organs. I had to stop taking them as they made my asthma worse. My pulse was also faster when I stoped them. They block stress hormones like Adrenaline. Beta Blockers slow the heart down therefore, your Pulse will be faster when you stop taking them.

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