Is there any alternative?

Those were exactly my symptoms - the aching tiredness of my legs and back and a general lack of interest in anything.  I am now fine and back to gardening, walking and all the things I once enjoyed and lost for over a year.  Never stop meds without at least informing your doctor, even if it is to say you just can't and won't take it any more - an alternative will be found then you bet.  Make him/her understand how you feel, even if you have to throw a histrionic fit!

Thanks for the reply. Just wondering what meds do you take and do you have A/fib? Just done my bp...130/90 pulse 87. I'm going to take a days readings to the docs tomorrow. 

I had two failed ablations for Afib.  Towards the end earlier this year, I had the highest doses of just about everything they could throw at it including 10mg Bisoprolol.  My pulse remained at 130 for three days and I then chose the pacemaker rather than moving to stronger drugs, and later the AV node was ablated, so that is the end of all treatment for me.  I still have Afib but it is now confined to the upper heart chambers and disconnected from the lower ones.  I am still attending the Pacing Clinic when I get an Afib attack, so that they can mitigate its effects, last one was better, but I only get infrequent attacks, so am awaiting the next one to see how good the adjustment was.  So because I will now always have AFib then I have to take blood thinners for life.  I was on hefty Warfarin as my INR was not stable, which made my hair fall out, unable to sleep and the blood tests became an ordeal as I have poor veins.  Again, after making a lot of fuss, involving writing to NICE, I am now on dabigatran 150ml twice daily and can forget about monitoring, dietary restrictions and needles - wonderful!  (There are some risks I am prepared to take..).  So far my pulse and BP are fine although they can fluctuate quite a bit, but if my beat really speeded up (a pacemaker can bring up a slow heartbeat, but can't prevent speeding) then I am ready with the alternatives to Bisoprolol, which is the only one they can think of in the first place (and probably the cheapest too)!

Hi Josephine, has anyone suggested digoxin to control your reacing heart beat?

It worked for me- now been taking it for 5 years with no "apparent" side effects.

With regard to varying INR levels I found mine stabilized when I regulated my diet as per the recommendations.

I did post a link to the web page on another thread but it fell foul of the moderators for some reason. It was on "webmd"

Thanks again. You have been through the mill. My A/Fib is permanent,so I always live with an awareness of my heart beat....it's gives me an anxiety feeling...all of the time. It's unpleasant but I can live with it. I want to be off meds but know that I have a higher risk if stroke. I take rivaroxiban...it's similar to the one you take. I have no side effects,only I know when I nick my skin ,it takes a while to stop bleeding. I don't know if my bp is ok at 130/90. Hopefully my new doc will listen to my concerns. 

Hello Bill

I recognise digoxin as one of the drugs they tried in the hospital when my pulse would not slow down (I added atrial flutter to the AFib)  prior to the pacemaker implant.  Whether it would work now post implant, is a useful question,and one I will add to my possibles list should I get further similar problems.  Many thanks.  I would be willing to give anything a try as long as it was not Bisoprolol!

Yes, Elizabeth, I have had a bad earlier year where it all seemed to come to a head, but am glad to say that I feel so much better now, quite energetic in fact and glad I chose the pacemaker option, although I was only given a couple of hours to decide.  Just have to wait and see what the future brings now.  Anyone with AFib must always have anti coagulation, either with Warfarin or dabigatran etc,  as long as the condition lasts.  With this under control, then it is not life threatening, just unpleasant as you say.  I too can hear my heart beating in my ears, especially at night - most upsetting if it jangles away.... Sounds better these days as I am mostly hearing the paced ventricular beat.

 

Sorry to hear you have an uncooperative GP.  This is quite common and you are finding out that you have to do your part for your own protection and wellbeing - a good doctor should never mind you presenting your own research and discussing it.  My own medication was very much my own decision (although I did discuss it with my cardiologist) and the only change I have had to make since discontinuing Bisoprolol ( I was then on 7.5 mg) is the addition of regular blood pressure pills (Valsartan) when I decided my BP 'peaks' were getting too high. I keep my own eye on my blood pressure with a wrist monitor.   My GP agreed and I now take these along with the Pradaxa.  No side effects from either.

Since I am resolved not to take either Bisoprolol or Atenolol should the necessity arise in the future, ie a speeding up of heartrate, then I am compiling my own list of suggestions, mostly gleaned from the helpful folk on these forums.  Do join and read, you really do learn a lot and get good suggestions and also comfort and encouragement from those who have trod the path before!

I think we have a missunderstanding as my G.P. is good,  but not a specialist in cardiac problems, which is why I approached a cardiologist.

Sorry Briw - I was referring to Elizabeth 12 and her visit to the doctor which she was not pleased with.  I agree that a cardiologist is by far better to consult but sometimes the GP is unwilling to refer, thinking he/she knows best and that is the time to step up and make your voice heard.  Happy Christmas to all (my husband is already down with a heavy cold....typical!)