Stopping Bisoprolol Completely 1.25mg

Year ago I had a triple bypass and I have been on 2.5mg  Bisoprolol   major side effects so I have decided to wean off this horrible medication which was ok with my Cardiologist.  First I went cold turkey and 4 days later I was at the ER. So I spoke to my GP and he told me that I have to do it nice and easy. So I did as he told me. I cut it to 1.25 mg for 2 months then I cut the 1.25mg to .600 for 2 weeks and then I took the .600mg every second day for 2 weeks. After that I was off completely for 5 days and I felt so good with lots of energy and I was in really good mood. Well day 6, August 30, 2016 started experiencing palpitations, shakiness and no energy and that went for all day (scary)  Next day I was fine and I know that it was withdraw for the BB. So I was fine till September 4th (my Birthday) and my HR went up to 120 from 65 just walking to the kitchen and blood pressure was 165/83.

Today day 14 feeling much better I got energy back but still struggling with the HR and Blood pressure which is now on average 135/78 and HR resting 75 and walking 110  and have some anxiety and shakiness.  I did not contacted my GP because I know that this is a rebound from Bisoprolol.  Forgot one more think  I am also taking Norvasc 2.5mg for my blood pressure so what I did I started to take 5mg to make up the difference for the Bisoprolol and it seems to start to work. But sometimes my Blood pressure will drop down to normal 118/75 for half of the day and then back up. I also notice drinking Ginger tea calms down the BP.

I will keep you guys posted on the progress.  Don’t give up as I almost did but knowing it is just a rebound from the little nasty pill otherwise you will be on it for rest of your life or your GP will give you different Beta Blocker.  PS. Forgot to tell you to stop palpitation I had on the sixth day  I eaten some bananas and sweat potato’s as they are high in potassium and magnesium and so far they did not returned.    

Is the 1.25mg the minimum dose.  My husband is currently suffering from low standing blood pressure and an increased heart rate around 110 to 130 also.  It is a side effect of Bisprolal which he is prescribed 5mg a day. 4 years ago he had two heart attacks, one major and one less so.  He had a stent fitted and has been well ever since.  We have spent the summer in Spain in the mountains.  The heat is incredible 45 degrees and he has had many falls.  He also has a problem with dehydration.  On returning home, we bought a blood pressure monitor and it turns out even in a cooler climate the problem is still there. He is under his GP.  What astonishes me was his prescription.  His doctor has him on an ACE inhibitor (2mg a day - Perindopril), a statin, a beta blocker (5mg aday - Bisoprolal), another drug called Isotard and soluble Aspirin. I would say his medication needs to be lowered.  The doctor has cut out the Isotard but won't touch the Bisoprolal or other tablets.  We have observed his blood pressure readings for over 3 weeks and there is no substantial difference.  Why won't they listen....we are thinking of halving the dose of Bisoprolal.  Reading this has helped me clarify this in my mind......I think they are crazy yet this is not an easy decision as we obviously don't want him having another heart attack. A broader perspective from the doctor and being more supportive would be much appreciated at the moment. Do they know what it is like to live with these conditions ....I wonder if a doctor would continue to take this drug knowing that the side effects are to lower blood pressure when it is already low.  Medication needs do change throughout your life. Confused, astonished and angry.

 

Hi Sharon. I too had a heart attack and stent fitted. I had low bp. Low cholesterol. Before heart attack. I was put on the same medication as you. But after 2 yrs of statins trying different ones. Due to severe side effects. Had to come off them. Within weeks started to feel better. I am on aspirin and canderstatin only now.

Hi everyone

A few moths ago I was put on Bioprolol because my GP suspected I had hypertension. I was on 3.75mg for 4 months. During that time I was expiriencing very bad side effects and after a few visits to renal clinics and cardiologists the doctors decided to take me off all medications. 

I'm 31 years old and otherwise healthy. 

They told me to stop right away. First two weeks were really hard, increased hart rate and flacutating blood pressure. It has now been 7 weeks and I am starting to feel better. Blood pressure not ideal but at safe level and heart rate mostly ok. The only thing that is persisting and a is costant ringing sound in my ears. It started a moth ago and doesn't seem be going away. 

Did anyone experience this ?? Please let me know if you did or heard od someone who had the same problem after quitting this nasty drug. Thank You

Hi there l have read all coments and l suffer same symptoms as alot re side effects of Bisporlol. My story is i was born with a hole in my heart and had open heart surgery when I was 10yrs old (im 39 now) and in 2013 i was diagnosed with a VSD and aortic valve which is now 53mm by 39mm etc.. and have to have it replaced next year. I am opting for a human aortic valve replacement. I was fine untill last yr in March when i was prescribed bisprolol 5mg for 'panic attacks etc. (Due to issues with my exes kids anger issues with them etc.. they had the anger and behaviour issues) this is when my life changed for the worst. I was shatterd all the time out of breath lethargic etc.... after a while l went back to cardiologist and he increased it to 7.5mg and was like a zombie for months. I went from 12.6stone to 13half stone now (i go to gym 4x a week and not fat but broad chest etc..) in august back at my apt cardiologist reduced it to 5mg (wanted to increase it to 10mg !!!) And diagnosed me also with AF. I went for a cardioversion last nov. Had it lasted regular heart beat rate etc.. for a month and half. Back to square 1. In march i was prescribed 1.25 mg digixin as well as been on 20mg furosomide for 2yrs and Rivoroxaban for past yr. April came and another cardioversion. Thst lasted 3 weeks in June l went for follow up apt to see whatd best now and no more cardioversions but op stage. So at some point next yr aortic valve replaced and a abalation at same time. Fast forward to 2 days ago and l rang my cardiologist specialist nurse to tell her about aformentioned side effects thinkin it was the digoxin ive been re introduced to for my up coming mri scan on 3rd Oct. She said oh no sounds like its the Bisporlol (well i never) and is goin to put it to my cardiologist to reduce dosage to 1.25mg as i thought i was on lowest already o n 2.5mg. So fingers crossed he agrees. If not im considering going ahead and halfing my dosage to 1.25mg as cant stand sleepin for 4hours in a afternoon as my sleep pattern is completely buggerd. Thoughts guys and ladies ? X

Hi Sharon,

I am new to this forum but wanted to tell you how I weaned off bisoprolol.

I have a long medical history starting with a stroke in December 2020. Thankfully, no lasting effects but they discovered I had Afib while in hospital and put me on Metoprolol. I switched to Bisoprolol in March 2022 and felt worse as I was getting breathless especially walking up hills but not feeling myself for ages. My joie de vivre seemed to go out of the window and found myself feeling lethargic and not really bothered getting involved with my hobbies which was a new thing. My cousin who´s a retired consultant told me that they call Bisoprolol "the can´t be bothered drug" in the medical industry. I checked with my GP about coming off the drug and she told me just to stop but having read horror stories about coming off cold turkey, decided to wean myself off by cutting the 1.25mg in half for 2 weeks then gradually cutting it down until it was getting harder to cut the tiny pill.. I have been off it completely now for 8 days and am gradually beginning to feel a bit more energy but my biggest bugbear since stopping, has been chronic insomnia. Feeling tired, but not being able to get any sleep and having to catch up the next day...Feeling a bit like a zombie.