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Trying to lower dosage to 2.5 bisoprolo

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pauline31919
pauline31919

Can I have some answers please.  After about 6 years on daily Omeprazole for acid reflux and 3.75 daily of bisoprolol, my GP tells me I should not be taking Omeprazole daily!  As I complained of tiredness and weight gain (as I have mentioned many times over the years) he redued Omeprazole to every other day and the bisoprolol to 2.5.  All was fine for 2 weeks, then one Sat. evenng I had  glass of wine. At 3 a.m. my heart went out of sinus rythm.  I was terrified, it lasted for about 15 mins.  Next day I went back on 3.75.  Dr. says its caused by anxiety! but I was asleep.  Is there a link with reduction in Omeprazole? Was it the wine, but I often drink a glass or two at weekend.   I have now lost confidence and dont want to try reducing the biso, altho GP told me to try again. Anyones thoughts & experiences please. I'm also on Aspirin.   

 

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  • Alexandra123
    Alexandra123 pauline31919

    Posted

    When one is on a cocktail of drugs it is quite difficult to work out which one is causing which side effect.  Seems to me that this should be discussed with your consultant who is, after all, a specialist  rather than your GP.  It doesn't seem logical to me to reduce two tablets at the same time as you cannot tell which reduction is responsible for which symptom.  Good luck.
    • pauline31919
      pauline31919 Alexandra123

      Posted

      Thanks Alexandra.  It makes sense what you say.  Thing is  haven't seen a consultant fir about 5 years as they ran out of funding!  My GP seems loathe to send me to a specialist.  NHS cutbacks I guess.  I read somewhere there is a link with food and arrhythmias.  I had bad palpitations after eating a banana,  so no more of them.  Appreciate your reply.  
    • derek76
      derek76 pauline31919

      Posted

      If you browse through earlier conversations in this group you will find that people have made a connection between eating, GERD and AF.
    • pauline31919
      pauline31919 derek76

      Posted

      Thanks a lot Derek, very useful information, really appreciate it. 
    • pauline31919
      pauline31919 derek76

      Posted

      Hi Derek, interesting reading re GERD.  Do you think changing my dosage of omeprazole to alternate days as advised by my gp has affected me in that my palpitations are worse?  Reading about GERD makes me think its a possibility.  Hope you are well.  
  • thomas37533
    thomas37533 pauline31919

    Posted

    Hi Pauline,

    I went on Bisoprolol 4months ago for heart failure and arrhythmia the same dose as you and I found the side effects with the drug very bad, I spoke with my consultant and he reduced it to 1.25 mg and told me to try and increase it to 1.25mg twice a day after six months doing it a little at a time.

    After leaving a message here someone suggested (as they were on the drug)

    To take it at night, so I tried it and at the moment I have found it better to take it at about 8pm so side effects occur during sleep and now the side effects are a lot better just head ache now and then.

    Also I have found that if I drink alcohol even beer the side effects return and become much worst so now I don’t have alcohol at all and it does tell you in the enclosed leaflet the side effects can become much worse if you drink alcohol.

    I suggest knock off the booze and ask your Doctor to try a lower dose for a short time and build up to a larger dose.

    Its worth a try as so far working for me as I have got some of my normal life back 

     

    • pauline31919
      pauline31919 thomas37533

      Posted

      Thanks for reply Thomas. Sounds a brilliant idea, and so pleased it works better for you.  The side effects are pretty horrible aren't they.  Will give it a go, and leave the wine out.  I was also told when I had my first attack of AF in Spain to have decaf tea and coffee.  Best wishes, keep up the good work. 
  • josephine32
    josephine32 pauline31919

    Posted

    Has your heart ever been diagnosed when it is out of sinus?  Is it beating faster and/or more irregularly?    Without a diagnosis of the condition, it would be hard to find what would be the treatment for you.  There are many anti-arrhythmic drugs, even taken on an as and when necessary basis.  I have paroxysmal AFib which is now incurable, but am trusted to self treat when I feel my heart going out and this wards off a full blown AFib (so far).

    Many GPs seem woefully misinformed when it comes to cardiac problems and you need to be referred to a cardiologist.  Anxiety piles in when you feel your heart playing up and it is hard to overcome.  Nearly all my problems are during the night hours and will wake me up too, so you need to be a bit more positive in your dealings with your GP and ask for a referral.

  • josephine32
    josephine32 pauline31919

    Posted

    Sorry, my computer didn't display all the replies you have had so far.  When I feel my heart going out of sinus, I now take a Flecainide 100 mg which settles things before it gets properly started.  So far, so good.....
    • pauline31919
      pauline31919 josephine32

      Posted

      Thanks Josephine.  Lucky the Flecanide settles you,  I was given that in a Spanish hospital via a drip when I was rushed into A & E with racing heart, 120+ a minute.  Unfortunately I seemed allergic to it, and got worse.  They had to get me in resus and try something else.  After that I was put in b.blockers and aspirin.  I did see a consultant initially but then funding ceased and that was the end, I am now under my GP.  It's all such a worry which makes things worse.  I wish you all the best and will take your advice on board.  Thanks again 
    • pauline31919
      pauline31919 josephine32

      Posted

      No, I was on holiday there which was even more scary as I don't speak the language.  They took me in an emergency ambulance and wouldn't let my husband come with me.  The paramedics couldn't speak English or the hospital staff.  Yiu can imagine, I've never been so terrified but they were very efficient. Was in a few hours while I stabilised.  Luckily I know a Spanish lady who came along to translate for me, phew...
  • josephine32
    josephine32 pauline31919

    Posted

    I know exactly how that was for you as we were living in Cyprus when all this started up, firstly with my husband (would you believe it we both went down with AFib within a year of each other).  He had the same experience, several emergencies with no explanations of what they were trying - in fact I couldn't even tell the medics here what they had done or even what was wrong with him.  They discharged him still in arryththmia, then I had an episode which I shrugged off at the time, but we decided to come back here to UK instead of living in USA which had been the plan up until then.  He continued in permanent AFib (without symptoms) while I developed paroxysmal AFib with a lot of symptoms.  If I hadn't been here and on the net I would never have learned about ablation and the various treatment drugs.  

    I consequently had two failed ablations and now have a pacemaker following an emergency and the AFib cannot be cured, my husband had one ablation at the age of 78 after three years in permanent arrythmia and is now  pronounced cured and can even come off Warfarin.  That's the luck of the game!

    Meanwhile, I am resisting taking drugs on a permanent basis and just pop a Flecainide when necessary.  Nothing would ever induce me to take Bisoprolol again as life was on hold then and if I speed up (as may happen) then I have learned of some alternatives to suggest to the GP.

    • pauline31919
      pauline31919 josephine32

      Posted

      Hk Josephine.  Thanks for all your information, what a coincidence both of you.  You seem very learned what is the difference in ectopic beats, palpitations, extrasystoles?  I am back on 3.75 and will see my gp soon.  Since trying to lower biso I am now having a lot of palpitations, or missed beats.  I hate it, it scares me which I know makes things worse.  I've had what were diagnosed as numerous extra systoles and a hyper dynamic heart for about 30+ years.  But since the atrial flutter or fib,attack in Spain.  what's the difference again?  My confidence has been really knocked.  Welcome any more advice from you please Josephine.  Kind regards.

       

  • billhopefull
    billhopefull pauline31919

    Posted

    I can identify with most of the issues of AF and rapid pulse rates and currently take digoxin (1.25) early AM to control the pulse rate which has been successful for 30 months and bisop (3 X 1.25mg at 4 hourly intervals last one at 22:00) to assist in pulse rate control and for hypertension -also successful for 30 months. PM installed 8 months ago for "pauses" which has obviously remedied them but also reduced AF dramatically as PM being used 25% of the time.

    Would only add that in my case it is the level of sulfites in wine and beer that caused/causes very severe AF symptoms and racing pulse which means ,as with Thomas, only sips of wine for toasts. Also our bodies are very different and medications are very general so the reactions/results on each of us will vary and I believe the body can get used and may adapt to meds. over time.

    Also believe the diet we choose has a great influence   e.g too much meat means digestive system works harder and therefore stresses the heart.

    ks

    • pauline31919
      pauline31919 billhopefull

      Posted

      Thank you.  What a good idea to split the dose,of bisoprolol, does that ease the side effects then?  Will certainly ask my gp to do that.  Great advice re drink and diet too. 
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