1. Community
  2. Heart Health
  3. Atrial Fibrillation And Flutter

Bisoprolol side effects - is Atenolol an alternative?

Posted , 3 users are following.

stuart1953
stuart1953

Hi,

I was only diagnosed with AF last week so still going through blood tests etc., and waiting to see a specialist. Just about over the initial shock!

When I was diagnosed my GP put me on 2.5mg of Bisoprolol to bring my heart rate down (which had been running at +/- 80 bpm). This has worked I guess, as my meter shows an average of 60 bpm now after just 4 days.

However, I'm suffering with headaches and nausea and generally not feeling too well. I have to assume this is down to the Bisoprolol.

I've had high BP for years and have previously been on Atenolol (as part of a 3 drug cocktail) which I tollerated well but, ironically, I was taken off it after being diagnosed with Bradycardia...I was on 100mg a day which a specialist I saw at the time said was far too high.

I'm wondering if Atenolol, at a lower dose than last time obviously, would be a viable alternative to Bisoprolol? I'll obviously ask my GP when I see her this Friday but thought someone on here may have some personal experience to share?

Stuart

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Amleth
    Amleth stuart1953

    Posted

    Bisoporol definitely had bad side effects for me. I am now on digoxin which I tolerate well. 
    • stuart1953
      stuart1953 Amleth

      Posted

      Hi,

      That's exactly what happened to me! I went back to the GP and told her about the side-effects and she switched me to Digoxin (62.5mg). I seem to be tollerating the Digoxin quite well but my pulse, although lower than without any meds, is not quite as low or as stable as it was on Bisoprolol. II'm guessing she may increase the dose when I go for my first INR results tomorrow.

      Regards,

      Stuart

    • derek76
      derek76 stuart1953

      Posted

      Where do you have your INR tested. It seems to be different in every area. Mine was tested at the hospital until settled and then at the surgery. In some towns (Brighton) it is done at pharmacies.
    • stuart1953
      stuart1953 derek76

      Posted

      At my GP Surgery. I go to a fairly large surgery which is also houses the local NHS walk-in facility so it's quite well equipped for most eventualities. It's also more-or-less next door to the General Hospital if there's an emergency. It's open 365 days a year from 07:00 to 22:00 and I think you can get GP appointments up to 20:30. Getting a GP appointment on a Saturday or Sunday or early evening is obviously great for working people.
    • stuart1953
      stuart1953

      Posted

      I meant to say that the INR blood tests / checks will, I believe, be handled by the hospital once I've seen the specialist there. However, my "Urgent" referral has led to a specialist appointmnent on 3rd of December!
    • derek76
      derek76 stuart1953

      Posted

      They just don't care.

      When I lived in Scotland I was quoted 16 weeks for a physio appointment when I was hobbling around with tendonitis. I wrote to my MSP who was also the Scottish Health Secretary. He replied that he had not realised that the waiting lists were so long.

      My GP had warned me that it would be a long wait 'As I was not a worker' That was my first experience of ageism.

    • derek76
      derek76 stuart1953

      Posted

      I was on holiday in Exeter at the time my tendonitis started. I went to the local walk in centre, my only experience of one. I waited about three hours to be seen by a young lady who said that she did not know anything about feet and it was s a pity that X is not here today as he knows all about them. 

      We have a Walk in Centre open till 8pm at our local station and it always seems busy probably as we live in a seaside resort..

      I had a problem one Saturday and went there. I counted fourteen waiting and decided that it would have to wait until Monday when I could see my GP. 

    • stuart1953
      stuart1953 derek76

      Posted

      Just had a new Hospital appointment through - 20th October, so happy with that!

      I've always had pretty good service at our walk-in centre although the wait can be a bit long sometimes. As far as blood tests go, I don't think I've ever waited more than 10 minutes. Went for a flu jab on Thursday with the MIL and we were called in before I had a chance to sit down!

    • derek76
      derek76 stuart1953

      Posted

      At our local hospital you take a numbered ticket when going for a blood test. The wait can be up to 40 minutes. Last time I took a ticket and went to have my ECG. It was still no where near my number when I returned.

      When I went there at an appointed time for INR testing it normally took well over an hour as it was still a long wait for blood to be taken and tested before seeing the clonic sister.

  • Amleth
    Amleth stuart1953

    Posted

    I think it depends how long you have been on a particular drug.  I find it always takes time for things to settle down. I believe in keeping dosage to the minimum to try and avoid side effects.
Back to top

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.