Beta blocker/Bisoprolol withdrawal and breathlessness
Posted , 116 users are following.
Hi. I am 43 yrs old and have been on beta blockers (initially metoprolol and then bisoprolol) for svt the last ten years. I had an ablation which went wrong and I ended up on higher doses of beta blocker after that (8yrs ago). They added in flecainide a year ago as they wanted to drop my bisoprolol down becacause I was still having daily runs and my BP was a bit on the low side. I have managed to drop the dose down to 1.25 bd over the last few months. Then 4 weeks ago, I started to have awful episodes of ?different kind of arrhythmia where i would feel very faint and shaky and it would last for a few minutes. Because they then wondered if I was having a ventricular arrhythmia, they stopped the flecainide and halved my bisprolol. However a week ago I had a couple of prolonged svt episodes so they stopped my beta blocker altogether and started me onto something new dronaderone (like amiodarone with less side effects). I was relieved at the thought of finally being off the beta blocker once and for all but all week I have steadily been feeling worse and worse. I know that there is likely to be a withdrawl period but it's been a week now and I can honestly say that I'm more breathless today than I've ever been. Even just sitting at rest. I can't talk or eat without stopping for breath all the time and I have never felt so unwell in all my life. I am aware that I can get marked postural tachycardia and if I so much as walk slowly to another room my rate climbs from 75 to 120 in seconds. Has anyone else experienced such marked side effects after stopping bisoprolol or another beta blocker? I would really appreciate any thoughts. R
5 likes, 426 replies
kris_81 rachel1511
Posted
I agree with you but I can't stand meds!! since I have been on xanax for 13 years, I call it the devil pill. I'm terrified of meds. I get uti often and I refuse any meds but amoxicillin. I'm going to see what cardiologist says and will update.
kayla38427 rachel1511
Posted
Hi. I saw your post on this thread and realized it was from 3 years ago. I am currently going through the same issues. Took a steroid and then got on a beta blocker. I was wondering how long it took for you to get over all of the withdrawal symptoms of the beta blocker. I've been off for 1 week and feel horrible. Thank you!!!
frances73096 kayla38427
Posted
hi kayla i was taking beta blocker for a month 40 mg a day..... its going to be 1 month since i stopped i had bad anxiety the first week i couldnt sit still and my emotions were everywhere i can say its gotten better as the weeks fly by but i still have anxiety and diarrea every other day
kayla38427 frances73096
Posted
Thank you for replying!! I have notice that I have been having higher heart rates after a week then I did right after I stopped. I guess all of the medicine is getting out of my system
I'm hoping the next couple of weeks will get better. Did you have a high heart rate. I know mine is made worse by anxiety also. Did you take anything like a vitamin or supplement to help with the high heart rate or anxiety? Thank you!!
frances73096 kayla38427
Posted
im taking magnesium and just drinking teas and water such as peppermint tea and so forth....what beta blocker did you take and for how long? do you have anxiety and mood changes?
frances73096 kayla38427
Posted
and also had bad insomia but it got better
kayla38427 frances73096
Posted
I was on atenolol. I have also been having face flushing. Did you have that?
kayla38427 frances73096
Posted
I do have anxiety but not near as bad as the first week. My pulse is lower at times and higher at times. I have mainly been heat intolerant kind of and my skin gets red. I was on atenolol for 3 weeks.
frances73096 kayla38427
Posted
yes! it does and if i lay with my hand on it the mark stays for a while i took propanolol 4 1/2 weeks been of them for 5 weeks going on 6 and yes my anxiety and insonmia was bad the first week its gotten better but the anxiety still lingers mostly when i think of something or watch something scary. how long have you been off atenolol?
frances73096 kayla38427
Posted
what mgs where you taking? i know propanolol and atenolol are similar in the beta blocker family.....something about water soluble
kayla38427 frances73096
Posted
I have been off for 2 weeks. I took 25mg for a little over a week and felt horrible so I tapered for the rest of the time. So you did have the face flushing? Sorry. lol. I have asked so many questions that I couldn't keep anything straight. And do you still have palpitations?
frances73096 kayla38427
Posted
i did have some face flushing and a headache every other week .... but its weird i was taking propanolol for migraines and hadnt gotten a bad migraine when stopping just tension headaches that didnt turn to migraines till this week i noticed it came back so i hoping its a sign my withdrawal is coming to a end and the side effects of this med is leaving my system..... like i said the only issues im having is anxiety nervouness and mood swings but not as severe as before ....... mainly my anxiety is stronger i the mornings or if i stress
frances73096 kayla38427
Posted
i get papilations but when my anxiety wears off
kayla38427 frances73096
Posted
Thank you so much for your responses!! They have helped me so much!!!
billhopefull rachel1511
Posted
I think both of your interchanges will have helped many people thank you