1. Community
  2. Heart Health
  3. Bisoprolol

Bisoprolol buddies

Posted , 153 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hello fellow Bisoprolol buddies - I cannot actually believe that I didn't think of doing a search on Bisoprolol earlier as it is so comforting to have discovered this web page. I have been taking Bisoprolol Fumarate 5mg daily for the past 3 years following a frightening episode in town which resulted in my spending a week in the Cardiac ward of our local hospital. I had SVT while in hospital and the 'specialists' couldn't actually put a cause to my soaring blood pressure and rapid heartbeat. So, I've been told to stay on these tablets for life... I'm 48 now, was 45 then.

The comforting thing about reading the majority of these posts is that so many people are feeling ridiculous levels of tiredness; I don't recognise myself from 3 years ago. This isn't whingeing, just stating a fact. I have piled on the pounds - particularly blubby around my midriff - yet I eat less than ever. I am sometimes so overcome by exhaustion that I have to stop even the most trivial of chores. I have lost my 'get up and go', yet used to be so active with my three kids. I used to be so house proud, yet now can'tbe bothered other than to 'keep on top' of the housework. I used to love socialising, again, can't be bothered most of the time and when I do, I am glad when it is over. I love the peace and quiet of my own company so much more now and feel exhausted by company. Yet I AM ONLY 48 YEARS OLD!!!

I realise I am lucky to be alive, to be uncursed by serious ills, but still, it is healthy to have a little moan now and then, and gratifying to feel online empathy with other 'sufferers'. I find that my partner and children don't really understand - can't blame them, I don't truly either.

Take care one and all.

28 likes, 428 replies

428 Replies

Prev Next
  • osborne
    osborne

    Posted

    not taking now
  • pat00337
    pat00337

    Posted

    Just wondering if anyone is fond of mayonnaise?

    I was until I discovered that it contains a food preservative called Calcium Disodium EDTA that strips the body of all heavy metals including calcium magnesium and potassium which was leaving me low on electrolytes which in turn affected my muscles including heart which then when into arrythmia. I have stopped eating mayonnaise for over a week now and can see an improvement but still take lowest level bisoprolol. I don't need to buy magnesium supplements anymore!

  • elizabeth_12
    elizabeth_12

    Posted

    Finally off bisoprolol! I definitely feel better. My dr has put me on atenolol. He has also stopped my rampril at my request. I have read that this also can give muscle weakness... Maybe the reason for my lower back ache which had been getting much worse. My bp was exc,pulse erratic and up to 116 bum. It's now 6 days off rampril and 2months off bisoprolol. I feel so much better. Reading back through these posts,I realise just how bad the side effects are for some of us. My head is clearer,nowhere near as tired as I'd been for 3 years,legs are not feeling weak,backache ...almost gone, no runny nose and not feeling depressed. My AF is still a worry but my life was on hold almost, whilst taking medication and that was causing so many side effects.

    Go appt in 2 weeks to check the effects of not taking rampril. My go did say that the only other solution to my problem was to have a procedure done in hospital as medication is only treating my symptoms and is not a cure. I'm scared stiff of having any procedure done but maybe it is the best option . I know how lousy many of you are feeling after being prescribed bisoprolol and rampril. My advice.... Talk to your gp. I put up with the side effects for 3 years.far too long and I am so grateful to all of you who have helped me through this.

    • maggie34838
      maggie34838 elizabeth_12

      Posted

      Hi Elizabeth,

      Have been having Paroxysmal AF several times a week for several months now. Was started on Bisoprolol 2.5mg which was gradually increased to 10mg with no effect on my AF. Then 2 weeks ago I was also started on Digoxin which has just been increased up to 125mcg - this seems to be reducing the awful symptoms of my AF. My GP was not too keen on me then decreasing my Bisprolol but she doesn't have to suffer the overwhelming tiredness, cold hands, back pain, dizziness, depression, runny nose...... need I go on!! I just wondered how you decreased your bisprolol? By how much each time and then keep on that dose for how long?

      I'm thinking of decreasing mine by 2.5mg each time but keep on the decrease for 2 to 4 weeks? Did you have the ablation and how are you now?

      Cheers Maggie

    • josephine32
      josephine32 maggie34838

      Posted

      Hello Maggie

      I too have paroxysmal AFib and was put on Bisoprolol following a failed second ablation.  I suffered most if not all of the symptoms listed here and didn't know why until I found this site.  After AFib was joined by flutter, I was given a pacemaker.  I was then on 7.5 mg Bisoprolol and 200 mg Flecainide.  I elected whilst on the ward to stop both of these immediately now that I had the pacemaker.  The consultant said it was my choice and I can tell you I just ceased there and then to take either of those drugs and have been fine ever since (now over two months).  I am regaining my old energy daily and feel and look heaps better.  I still have AFib and will have to take anti coagulant medication for life.  

      Many here just stopped Bisoprolol and others weaned themselves off it and like my consultant said, it is your choice.  Some here think it would be even dangerous to stop suddenly, others don't.  If my heart specialist consultant thought it would be risky, then I am sure he would have said so.  Anyway, I can only speak from my own experience.  I didn't notice any weird feelings or effects from stopping immediately, but there wouldn't be anything against weaning, except the process of feeling better would be more gradual too..

    • elizabeth_12
      elizabeth_12 maggie34838

      Posted

      I know how you feel. I reduced the bisop myself....risky...but then I went to my docs. He put me on atenanol 50 mg but then increased it to 100 mg. I refused to take digoxin..cardio specialist in hospital prescribed this. I'd had a poor consultation and no discussion. He was truly awful. I researched the digoxin and told my GP I didn't want to take it. 

       Since then I've been on 100 mg atenanol and aspirin. However 5wks ago I lost the sight in my right eye. I went to emergency doc who said it may have been a TIA! I was checked and had thorough check including CAT scan. All was clear,but the hospital doc said he had to treat it as worse cae scenario. He put me on 2.5 rampril and wanted me on warfarin and statin. Since then I've been to my GP. I'm now on the new anti-coagulant...no statin...I'm doing it by diet. My cholesterol isn't high anyway and he has reduced my atenanol to 50 mg. 

      when I've researched my AF,I know the biggest prob is the increased chance of stroke,so hopefully the new anti-coagulant will reduce my chance of that. As for the beta-blockers..I'm not happy! I think the atenanol 100mgs,may have increased the blood pressure in artery around the eye...my eyesight is fine now, and it still have terrible backache,weak legs,thinning hair,piling on weight and lethargic+ other side effects.

      i don't think!the AF will kill me,although it's a constant feeling of palpitations and anxiety. I may need to live with that...I'm trying! I'm on stroke prevention,so now I want to stop the beta blockers. After my hols I will be pushing for the meds to be reduced. I'm a little scared to do it without my doc approval. Trouble is that docs seem to have one thing that fits all and they're not specialists. I ve thought of asking for another referral but I'm scared to start the ball rolling again. I've just read Josephine's post and it makes sense to me! I just need to find some courage...maybe after the hols!

  • Richard_V.
    Richard_V.

    Posted

    Hi Elizabeth, glad to hear you're feeling better, but not surprised. I'm still off beta blockers and ramipril. It was my cardiology consultant who told me to stop the ramipril after a disastrously low BP reading: 54/40. I always did have low blood pressure, but this was ridiculous. I had a phone call on the mobile that afternoon. As for the AF, I find excerise helps. I also have Auto-immune heamolytic anaemia which mafe the low blood pressure far worse.I carry a pulse oximeter with me at all times, and use it constantly in the gym. I'm slowly getting my fitness back, at least to some extent. I'm convinced that exercise helps the AF.Even if I die a year sooner than if I'd stayed on Bisoprolol I'm convinced the infinitely better quality of life is worth it, for me at least. All the best to all of you.
  • michael39659
    michael39659

    Posted

    Hi, Well I weaned myself off Bisoprolol Fumarate as soon as I could when I realized they made me feel 20 years older. I'd been on them for a month or two to treat high blood pressure. The symptoms were all that are being talked about it would seem! I'm back to normal now (nearly 66) and still working.So these Beta Blockers are not for me.. Scary..Good Luck All..

    Regards Mike.

  • Reddogleader
    Reddogleader

    Posted

    Hi. Thank God I found this forum. I have been on bisoprolol for 2 years following a single but serious bout of AF. Having read the contributions to this forum I can relate to the symptoms especially breathlessness, fatigue and various aches in the chest. It;s good to know I;m not alone. When I complained of the side effects the cardiologist said "you can either have the condition or the side effects". I am just starting to cut my 5mg per day back to 2,5mg which was the original dose. I have bought a pill splitter and will take 1.25mg in the evening for a couple of weeks. If this reduces the side effects and I get no ill effects I;ll try going down to 2.5mg. Watch this space.
  • elizabeth_12
    elizabeth_12

    Posted

    You are not alone! I have persistent a/f! I'm off bisoprolol now. The side effects were horrendous! If you read my earlier posts you will see how I've suffered! Next job was to stop ramipril,which I did 2weeks ago. I read what others had said about the rampril causing backache and weakness in legs. The first week off rampril was so much better,backache nowhere near as bad and I could walk for much longer. However,my doc upped the atenolol to 100 and after 2 weeks the backache is worse as is the tiredness.my pulse still reaches 110 BPM.! My blood pressure is good at 126/64. I'm back at the docs on we'd,so have been reading stuff in preparation for my appt. I am thinking maybe your cardiologist is right,maybe the side effects are what I have to put up with,or ask for a surgical procedure to be carried out. But,even this isn't sure to sort out the a/f. I have decided no more bisoprolol or rampril. I want the atenolol reduced too.at least I can think more clearly and I'm no falling asleep during the day! Bisoprolol was hell for me,but may be fine for others.
  • Reddogleader
    Reddogleader

    Posted

    Hi Elizabeth 12. Thanks for your input. I have read all the bisoprolol posts with great interest. I admire your approach and will report my progress (if any) as and when.
  • Reddogleader
    Reddogleader

    Posted

    Well that didn't last long. I dropped my bisiprolol dosage to 2,5mg in the morning and 1.25mg in the evening. All went well so I decided to take the 1.25mg dosage every other day. The first time I didn't take the 1.25mg dose the AF came back with a vengeance. I am back on 2.5mg morning and evening while I try to get the AF back under control. Oh well, I tried. Time to see the doctor for a rethink.
  • jamesbrown
    jamesbrown

    Posted

    Well, was thinking about cutting my dose down too............but after reading your post Raddogleader I think I will"put up and shut up" as they say. The side effects are not nice, but I suppose we will just have to put up with them all............
  • jamesbrown
    jamesbrown

    Posted

    Must add Reddogleader I did find your post really helpful, I have suffered from AF for 6 years and am always open to other posters views. thank you, I find this forum so helpful............will continue to view it, after all we are all "in the same boat" so to speak,.............
Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.