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Feeling anxious even though I'm taking my medication

Posted , 5 users are following.

Aaron_Burston
Aaron_Burston

About four weeks ago, my GP prescribed 5mg Bisoprolol daily for palpitations and anxiety, alongside other medications that I've been taking for a while: 200mg of Sertraline, 2mg Diazepam and 1.5mg Risperidone.

I felt that the beta-blocker was helping at first and wasn't taking it daily. About a week ago I suffered from a sudden anxiety attack which I felt was made worse because of the medication, and have been taking it daily since then. I've noticed that I'm starting to get an increased heart rate again which tends to make me feel panicky and anxious.

I think that I should continue to take the medication as prescribed but I'm not sure if feeling anxious and low is a potential side effect of the Bisoprolol.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Mardi
    Mardi Aaron_Burston

    Posted

    I have had terrible Anxiety whiles being on Bisoprolol for 12months. I though it was due to me being worried after having a heart attack and at the begining yes. 

    Anxiety is also listed as a side effect. I think it may not cause it but I think it makes any exisiting anxiety worse.. of that makes sense 

  • phoebewhite
    phoebewhite Aaron_Burston

    Posted

    I have to say that I am a little surprised that you have been put on Bisoprolol for anxiety, I always thought propranolol was the beta blocker of choice for people with anxiety, as Mardi has said anxiety can be a side  effect of bisoprolol, if it was me I would go back to your GP and tell him/her what is happening, you have also been prescribed quite a high dose as a first dose, in my opinion, I am on 2.5mg as a starter dose.
  • Mardi
    Mardi Aaron_Burston

    Posted

    There is something really horrible about this medication. It’s vile and I can’t wait to get off it eventually fingers crossed as the recovery goes well .

    • phoebewhite
      phoebewhite Mardi

      Posted

      I completely agree with you, I have been on it for 4 years now and it still makes me feel 'yucky' and zombie likeat times, however in my case it has controlled my AF and also keeps my blood pressure at good levels, so it is the lesser of the 2 evils.

    • Mardi
      Mardi phoebewhite

      Posted

      Agree to that also, my cardiologist says it is working for my heart function and reluctant  to change its yuu it
  • doreen46018
    doreen46018 Aaron_Burston

    Posted

    Hi Aaron

    firstly I would suggest you don't stop taking medication without medical consent. That said, I wonder if your anxiety has increased due to an increased awareness, I am on 2.5mg of bisoprolol and I have to say, I suffer no side effects. I take it for frequent ectopic beats ......my problem is that the ectopics have returned so "it ain't working now". Have you discussed these side effects with your GP ? I see you are taking Sertreline (as am I) and diaz

  • doreen46018
    doreen46018 Aaron_Burston

    Posted

    Hello There Aaron

    please don't stop any medication without first consulting your GP.

    That said, I was on 1.25mg of bisoprolol for frequent ectopics which caused palpitations. This worked for a while then stopped. The cardiologist increased it to 2 x 1.25mg. Great....no probs for 4 months. Now the blighters are back so perhaps it has stopped working. I wonder if your anxiety attack was due to the missed doses. I notice you are on Sertreline and Diazepam , perhaps the anxiety is not related to the Bisoprolol. I know the family of drugs which Sertreline belongs to can cause irregular heart rythmes ......could that be an issue ? I am also on Sertreline but a low dosage which I am reluctant to stop as when I do "the black dog of depression" comes back. It's sadly a question of what is most important to you and I hope you find a solution. Please let us know on the post how you get on. Good Luck.

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