Beta blockers Bisoprolol

i've always had bradycardia but started having dizzy spells a year ago. Anyway to cut a long story short I was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome and fitted with a dual chamber pacemaker 2 months ago. All is going well and this was confimed at my review with the cardiac technicians.

Just before I went into theatre the consultant said to me I'd developed a Tachy arrythmia now as well which the pacemaker wouldn't do anything for and it would mean tablets. He said he wanted to double check at the review. I didn't hear any more. A couple of weeks later I found Bisoprolol on my prescription. I was a bit taken aback because I didn't understand why I had to have it, the risks of not taking it etc. I really don't want to take this drug as it has some horrible side effects. I saw my GP today to see if she could give me information on risks, why I need to take it etc but she was pretty unhelpful. 

I'm a very active 54 year old, healthy lifestyle and try to avoid medicines but obviously if there will be a big health risk if I don't take this drug then I would be sensible and take it. I've never been aware of any fast heart rate at all. 

I'm at a loss as to what to do. Has anyone else had similar issues?

2 Comments

Bisoprolol

by LondonAndy - 2016-12-01 18:32:25

I can't say anything helpful about your issues, but in case useful to know there are lots of different Beta Blockers, and after starting on Bisoprolol following heart surgery for a replacement aortic valve after a couple of months I started having a side effect which, in conjunction with some tests with my doctor, we put down to the Bisoprolol.  The side-effect seems to be related to being an insulin dependent diabetic, and was muscle pain in my thighs after walking only 300 - 400 meters. 

I tried a couple of other Betas and am now on Nebivolol, which still has the same side-effect but much less.

Best of luck.

Bisoprolol

by Artist - 2016-12-02 00:23:05

I took Bisoprolol in combination with Flecainide for a year and tolerated it fairly well.  Then it apparently lost its effectiveness and I am on sotalol now and am experiencing problems with fatigue.  How well drugs are tolerated and how effective they are varies from person to person.  I tried to get my EP to agree to take me off sotalol and he wouldn't do it.  I tried to ween myself off it and started to have more problems with arrhthmias.  The side effects of the drug are the lesser of two evils.  My arrythmias put me in the hospital with a HR of 234  PM when the effectiveness of the Bisoprolol and Flecainide wore off.  Given the choice, I opt to take the sotalol to control my arrhthmias for now.  So,  first I would suggest a follow up appointment with your cardiologist to discuss the reason he prescribed Bisoprolol.  Then, try the medication and don't assume you will have serious side effects.  

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