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Bisoprolol buddies

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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

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  • sophie1981
    sophie1981 Guest

    Posted

    Hi everyone I've been on Bisoprolol since February this year and I;m struggling massively! I'm 33 years old and was just recenty diagnosed with SVT. Cardiologist thinks best treatment is ablation as I get symptoms 5-6 times a day every day where my heart suddenly goes from 'normal' to anywhere from 150-200 beats a minute and stays at that speed for anything from half an hour to 2-3 hours, then it feels like it stops an misses a beat then goes back to normal. At my diagnosis I opted for medication first as it was all a bit out of the blue and too much to take in... He put me on Bisoprolol but I hate it so much, I've gone from 62 kilos to 87 in 3 months without really changing my diet! I am so swollen nothing fits me I have to wear clothes 3-4 sizes bigger and my skin is pitting and I waddlike like I'm pregnant an the pain in my feet and legs when I get up to walk is terrible and when I've got really swollen my entire legs kill! I have zero libido and I have nightmares so bad that I have felt things smack me round the face in the night and thought I've seen a ghost! I am tired but at the same time I can't sleep and although it has 95% of the time stopped the racing heart beat which now only happens once a week or once a fortnight I still get the ectopic beats which I was told are really hard to treat. I can't drink as I either be sick straight away or get a major hangover after one bottle of wkd! The nausia has stopped but everything else is worse! The only other time I've felt as poorly as this was when I was severly anemic (hb 4.2) and neeed a blood transfusion! When I went to my next clinic appointment my consultant was off and I saw a reg but he freaked out about the ablation saying how risky it was for someone so young. He scared me saying I'd be laid awake on an 'ironing board for 4 hours' and have 'loads of things hanging out my groin' so I went with changing my meds to the calcium blocker verapamil but I'm really scared to take it especially as it lists swelling as a side effect when Bisoprolol doesn't. When I was pregnant I put on 7 and a half stone if water so I am obviously prone to retaining water!! In fact there is an unanswered question surrounding that as I went in to have my baby weighing 17st 7lb and left 3 days later weighing 11st 3lbs! That was the first time I was certainly ever aware of the SVT when 12 hours after birth my resting heart rate was 198bpm but they put it down to shock from losing so much water but I have since read snippets of things (don't have time to research so much) suggesting entonox can cause it! If so has it caused mine and if so am I allergic to it! ... Any thoughts on any of this would be most welcome! Thanks all in advance I feel too young to be laid up like this!!
    • charleshawes
      charleshawes sophie1981

      Posted

      Hi Sophie. I also have an SVT diagnosis. I tried Bisoprolol for a few months but I didn't one side effects- numb hands, tiredness. I was swiiched to Verapamil. No significant side effects and have had one incident in the last two months. Disappointed but much better than your experience. I am waiting for a referral for Ablation. 
    • charlotte2011
      charlotte2011 sophie1981

      Posted

      Hi Sophie. I had ablation surgery just over a year ago when I was 25, so being too young is rubbish! Its not too bad, takes 2 hours roughly for the procedure then you have to stay in a hospital bed for a few hours to ensure no rebleeds. 

      My ablation was unsuccessful in the end but im glad I tried it. 

      I use to have verapamil but it didnt work for me so im now on bisoprolol (10mg) and another heart tablet.

      Id go for the ablation if I was you :-) x

    • alan92929
      alan92929 sophie1981

      Posted

      Hi Sophie, I hope you are now feeling better.  My history started with Angina about 8 years ago, which led to several operations where I've had a total of four stents fitted.  However after the first three I had to call the ambulance about 7 times in one year as my heart would suddenly start racing up to about 180 - 200 bpm, which left me extremely breathless and worried I was having a heart attack.  These 'attacks' would then suddenly stop which made diagnosis difficult.

      However the problem was eventuallly traced and so I had Ablation - and so DO NOT WORRY my operation was a success and I'm sure it will be for you too - I cannot understand why you had such poor advice.  Of course any operation has it's risks (and I am now 72), but I was only lightly sedated during the procedurem which felt a little strange as you may expect.

      I no longer have the 'racing pulse' although I still do occasionally have angina pains when I first start walking mainly when the weather is cold (when your veins tighten up), but this normally passes after a few minutes.

      I too am on bisoprolol fumarate, 2.5 mg daily, and I too feel very tired on occasions, falling asleep in front of the T v etc., but that might be my age  as well as the medication.!  However I do feel dizzy from time to time, my blood pressure being low, and I feel the bisoprolol makes my pressure even lower - hence my dizzyness.  I am about to have another discussion with my GP about stopping the bisoprolol completely - I just have to wait and see.

      Anyway, don't worry too much about Ablation, I can recommend it.

      Be well, and God Bless you.

       

  • Skip1plumb
    Skip1plumb Guest

    Posted

    I like you think it's great to know were not alone .. Like you I really can't be bothered socialising .. Also put on the weight !!  But what I did do about 3 years ago is join a gym and managed to loose 3 stone , I don't drink any more and find this has helped a lot . 
  • whipspeed
    whipspeed Guest

    Posted

    Thank goodness I am not alone.  I've been on bisoprolol for nearly 12 months now, just 1.25mg per day for Apical Hypotrophic Cardiomyopathy.  Again, I'm only in my late 40's, but I'm & having anxiety attacks, not sleeping & feeling exhausted.  I saw my GP 2 weeks ago & he recommended some sites to help with anxiety, but nothing is helping, I'm going back this week as I'm fed up with the way I'm feeling.
    • Bobdude
      Bobdude whipspeed

      Posted

      I know how you feel luckily I have my own business so I battle and go to work and let me say it is a battle I have an allotment and I find that takes some stress away more worry than anything else why me never smoked played rugby from 8 to late 30's
    • whipspeed
      whipspeed Bobdude

      Posted

      Thanks Bobdude, things are gradually improving.  Saw my GP again and he has been very helpful.  He has given me some tablets to sort out the anxiety attacks and has sent me to a councillor as well, so hopefully between them, they should get me sorted.  Still not sleeping well, but can manage to go to work and function & trying to go out for a walk every day is helping as well.  I know I'm going to have to continue on the Bisoprolol, so I shall keep plodding on smile
  • Bobdude
    Bobdude Guest

    Posted

    I'm 65 an still working and every day is a bind I had rapid heart problem at Christmas 2013 and spent 3 days in hospitall I just feel exactly as you do some days I just want to stay in bed luckly I'm working some I make the effort to go.

    I get out of breath a lot

    My wife thinks I look great and smiles when I say I don't feel too good

    • jamesbrown
      jamesbrown Bobdude

      Posted

      Hi Bobdude,

      I was the same as you, rapid heartbeat on waking one morning, stayed in hospital for a week, had an angiogram, that was fine. Diagnosis was Atriel Fibrilation.I get out of breath too, I have put on weight also,, despite being a VERY healthy eater.Like yourself feel like lounging around, very fatigued At least you are still working and make an effort to get going. Don't seem much other option Medication wise though! By the way I am on Warfarin too............. Happy days!!!!.at least we have a solution to the rapid heartbeat problem though!

    • Bobdude
      Bobdude jamesbrown

      Posted

      I'm like a chemists shop Warfarin, Dioxigin, Ropinarol, and Bisoprolol, very depressing at times I used to work overseas a lot so now its local

      I find that I run out of Bisoprolol sometimes its happened twice now.

      Work is refreshing and I still love going to work

    • jamesbrown
      jamesbrown Bobdude

      Posted

      My medication is Bisoprolol 3.75mg morning and evening, and  Candestarten along with the Warfarin of course.Biggest excitement these days is trying to keep my INR at around 2.5. we have a good Anti Coag service here, I usually go once a month, unless I have had a change in my levels. Can't complain about the Health Service! To be fair.
    • Glitzy
      Glitzy jamesbrown

      Posted

      Hi I'm new to this site and very pleased I found it I too was diagnosed with atrial fribullation I've had 2 cardio versions one only last week. I am also on the dreaded bisoprolol and amiodarone and dabigatran I am like everyone else fed up with the side effects I'm not my usual happy go lucky self I have become very withdrawn very anxious I won't go to places on my own I too suffer with feelings of heaviness in my arms and legs feel like I can't walk far sometimes haven't even got much energy after doing housework. Sometimes I feel like I just want to cry because these side effects get me down especially the fatigue I get woriried thinking I've got something else but reading the forums these all sound like the same symptoms. Sorry for going on someday I will be back to my happy self.
    • maggie34838
      maggie34838 Glitzy

      Posted

      Hi Glitzy, I really feel for you, things do get easier. I experienced awful depression,very tearful on Bisoprolol 10mg. I kept on at my doctor to reduce it and am now on 5mg and feel much better. These drugs do have bad side effects for some people, sometimes they lessen with time but if not I would encourage you to get your doctor to change them. Doesn't sound like your quality of life is very good at the moment. Let us know how you go, this is a great site full of very helpful and encouraging folk. You will get back to your happy self but don't let the awful feelings go on too long without going back to your doctor. All the best Maggie
    • Glitzy
      Glitzy maggie34838

      Posted

      Thanks Maggie so pleased to hear from someone who cares and knows what we are all going through. If I can just get my head round  it's the drugs that are doing this to me and not an illness as such I will be a happier person. Thank you so much have a good day.
    • maggie34838
      maggie34838 Glitzy

      Posted

      Hi Glitzy, Thanks for that - I know it can feel as if AF has taken over your life and changed it completely! It can get quite overwhelming and frustrating when you're not feeling your usual self - I believed this was it for good, but have found drugs that suit me a bit better. I hope you will too. I live in NZ where the system is a bit different but I wasn't happy with my Cardiologist, he said things like 'You just have to put up with it, we can't make everything better!' . I didn't believe him, so I'm going to another city for a private assessment with an Electrophysiologist to find out more about ablations. Keep in touch, do you have another appointment with your doctor/cardiologist soon?

      Cheers Maggie

    • Glitzy
      Glitzy maggie34838

      Posted

      Hi Maggie, hope your well yes I have an appointment in September with my Cardiologist he too has spoken about ablations success rate seems to be very good. My Cardiologist is very caring and understanding I live in England  and I think our systems are quite good. Have a good day
    • Glitzy
      Glitzy maggie34838

      Posted

      Hi Maggie just wondering how you are doing are you still on the dreadful Bisropolol, well thank goodness I've been taken off mine as well as Amiodarone and from the first day I could walk better without the heavy legs feeling and I didn't get out of breath. Im  feeling lots better still have my moments of anxiety but I think that is just me being a worrier.  I've had 2 Cardio Versions both didn't last long , I don't think I am going to have Abalation I will find out in December when  I go back to see my new Consultant. Keep in touch
    • elizabeth_12
      elizabeth_12 Glitzy

      Posted

      I have been following your posts. You have described exactly how I felt when taking bisoprolol. It took me 3+ years to have this changed to atenolol. I have the same problems as before. Thinning hair,weight gain,depression,no energy to do everyday tasks, backache, unsteady on my legs and finding walking and standing so difficult. I've been to 3gp's, and a cardiologist ( he wouldn't discuss my side effects! ) all of the GP's said that the side effects are better than having the ensuing problems with A/F!  I have persistent A/F.i also take rivaroxiban. No cardio version or abalation has been offered! I'm 69 yrs old and worked until I was 65! You obviously have a good cardiologist! Can I ask you how you managed to stop taking the biso and amido. ? What explanation did he give you for stopping these meds? I'm so fed up I need some advice. I'm not getting it from my doc! Happy to read that you seem to be lots better.
    • Glitzy
      Glitzy elizabeth_12

      Posted

      Hi Elizabeth sorry to hear you are still having horrible side effects they are so delibitating, I was only supposed to be on Amiodarone for 3 months anyway which would end September I have been given Digoxin instead of the beta blockers to see how I get on with those fingers crossed so far so good. 
    • elizabeth_12
      elizabeth_12 Glitzy

      Posted

      I was prescribed digoxin by my cardio last year. He said to also continue with the rampril and bisop. There was no discussion or explanation to any of my questions. I left the hospital in an emotional state. My husband was with me an agreed that the consultation was very poor. As a result I googled digoxin and decided it wasn't a drug I was prepared to take. My new GP fully understood my worries and as a consequence I have not taken digoxin. Apparently it is a common used drug but it has to be monitored and if I remember rightly some foods need to be avoided. I'm sure your cardio will have been understanding and given you information you need.take care and thank you for your reply.
    • maggie34838
      maggie34838 Glitzy

      Posted

      Hi Glitzy,

      I went to an Electrophysiologist privately in another town since my Cardiologist wouldn't refer me to one. The EP was great, took me off Bisoprolol gradually and put me on Flecainide which has been much better. Also now on Warfarin and Diltiazem. Am still getting AF but symptoms are much better. Am thinking of having an Ablation but privately it's very expensive and not sure whether they'd give me one on the Public Health system. Still exploring options. How are you?

      Cheers Maggie

    • Glitzy
      Glitzy maggie34838

      Posted

      Hi Maggie just seen your message hope you are fine it's a shame when you have to go private to get some satisfaction. At the moment I'm still feeling really good especially since I came off Bisropolol no horrible side effects and I feel like I can go shopping without feeling anxious like I did when I was on Bisropolol. I'm now taking Dixogin they seem to be ok haven't looked at side effects just in case I develop some of them ha ha. I reverted back out of rhythms after my last Cardio Version but I don't think I'm going to have An Abalation not yet anyway. I would definitely see about getting yours on the NHS. Have a good day Glitzy
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