View Full Version : Bisoprolol for ectopic beats
Hello everybody! :) After two years of reading the various posts on this website I have finally decided to join you all.
Since my early twenties I have had the occasional ectopic beat, usually with a rush of stress, or a bit of social anxiety, but nothing as scary as the events in the last two years. In July 2008 I had an episode of neuralgic amyotrophy. It is an 'attack' on nerves (of no known cause) in the shoulder/arm, which is unbelievably painful :ohmy: (worse than childbirth), it lasts approx. two weeks then tapers off, although I have been left with some muscular wastage in my shoulder, and only the odd twinge of nerve pain, thank goodness. Anyway the ectopics resurfaced in greater numbers straight after this. I asked the cardiologist about this. He said possibly a connection, but this has never been documented. The neurologist dismissed my question! I have had ECGs, a 7 day holter monitor, and Echo (in Feb 2009). My heart is structurally sound and I have a slight murmur (benign), which I am assured is nothing to worry about. Then this May (2010) the ectopics decided to up their game for no apparent reason. I can now get up to 12+ in a row, which are horrible and feels like I'm not on this planet :weep:. I have also started getting bigeminy and trigeminy (a PVC every 2nd beat, and a PVC every third beat) in odd bursts. In addition, when my 7 year old daughter is about and sees me having them it frightens her. I worry more about her than I do me, which doesn't help, I know :weep:.
Monday this week I was back at the Cardiology Clinic (first visit since March 2009), where I saw the Lead Consultant, much to my relief. He said that he was not too worried about the PVCs, because I have a structurally sound heart, but he did acknowledge that they are really upsetting me and in turn my life. I asked if the PVCs could get even worse, but he said they could go either way :wacko:, or just stay the same (how long is a piece of string as they say). He has prescribed me BISOPROLOL 2.5mg to take if and when I feel I need it, but he doesn't want me to take them as a regular medication, at least at this stage.
Has anyone in the forum taken BISOPROLOL for ectopics?? :) Having read the leaflet it appears to regulate the heart rate, lower blood pressure, and keep angina under control. I have normal blood pressure 120/80, so I am a bit concerned about this aspect, and I don't have angina. I am tempted to break the tablet in two as it is scored down the middle and just take half, to see if I get any side effects. The cardiologist said it was entirely my choice if I wanted to take the medication or not, but the medication may lessen the physical effects of those blasted ectopics, and he thought it would help me to know I had a back-up plan.
Looking forward to any thoughts, comments, or especially experiences that you may have had on this matter! :hugs:
Going home
16-09-10, 22:01
Hi there Natty. Well if you've been reading the forum threads for a while you will have seen the numerous posts about ectopics and irregular heartbeats and flutters and know that loads of people get them....even my doctor suffers with them! I think its a difficult decision to make about meds, but it depends on whether you can go on not coping with the ectopics. Ive suffered with them over many years and have come to accept that they are part of me, just as some people get migraines and others suffer with their bowels!
Like alot of us, ive had all the tests many times and been told its a benign condition, and I accept them more than I used to. Having said that, I was given a betablocker called propranolol (half inderal) about 2 years ago and really didn't want to take them because of any side effects, but the ectopics were sometimes really troublesome and i was so weary of them that i went ahead with the meds. I won't say ive been side effect-free as they slow the system down and can make you feel a bit sluggish (i'm on 80mg a day as a slow release capsule) but they've really helped with the ectopics which have almost disappeared.
You have to ask yourself if you can cope with the ectopics or if you need a bit of help. Those of us who've had them for many years know that there doesn't seem to be anything we can do to control them, they come and go whatever mood we are in and regardless of happiness or sadness and stress. I would say if the ectopics overwhelm you and interfere with your quality of life then go ahead and take the half tablet to start with,then take the whole one if the half makes no difference..you can always stop after a few days if you feel it necessary.
Best wishes
Anna xxx
Anna,
Thank you for your thoughts, they are much appreciated. Bizarrely since I saw the Cardiologist on Monday the ectopics seem worse. I had a rotten day of them on Wednesday. Then this morning I woke up with the odd one, followed by a short burst of them, and half an hour later a run of 10+, and then having them every couple of beats. Then it subsided.
I'm thinking of giving the Bisoprolol a go tomorrow, because at least my husband will be around all day if I do get any side-effects. Glad to hear that your beta-blockers have helped you.
Kind regards,
NattyOne.
Just been looking through some less recent posts, and found one by Monkee Magik saying how useful this website is:
http://palps.chemicalforums.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
Yes, brilliant! Even an experience of bisoprolol there.
To any PVC/ectopic sufferer what a useful source of info.
So glad I joined everybody here at NO MORE PANIC :yesyes:
NattyOne.
I have had atrial ectopics for 4 awful years. Loads of tests and 3 cardiologists said that all was okay, just ectopics !! they have completely destroyed my life and I am permantely terrified of the what ifs. However, 3 months ago it was suggested that I tried Bisoprolol 1.25 dose, I was very scared but decided that I have to try something to get my life back. Despite a few side effects, nothing really of significance, my ectopics have dramatically decreased. I still get them few times a day, but so much better than my hours of constant thumps and irregular beats. It has transformed my life and I now feel much more relaxed, which in turn of course helps with the ectopics !! I would definitely give them a go, It took me 3 years to pluck up the courage to go on medication, looking back 3 wasted years.
Thank you so much for your post Celeste. I ask myself why I am so hesitant about taking the Bisoprolol - I should just get on with it! Today I have been plagued with various combinations of ectopics again.
My husband is around all day tomorrow, so I intend to give the Bisoprolol a go.
Good to hear your experience of them. I know people usually seem to be prescribed Propranolol, so I was a bit uncertain about Bisoprolol. Of course, it was the Cardiologist who gave me the prescription, so why on earth am I questioning it. My circle of anxiety I guess...
Many thanks again,
NattyOne :)
I'm 28 and i've suffered ectopics for 3 years and i still struggle with them even after numerous tests. Some days i barely notice them, then other days i get them almost constantly, extra beats, skipped beats, all weird sensations and it panics me. I take 5mg of bisoprolol daily. I started on 2.5mg and they gradually upped it to 7.5mg. i'm not sure if they help or not to be honest as i still have terrible bouts of them, but maybe if i wasn't taking them then the ectopics would be even worse, i don't know. All i know is that they've ruined my life in certain ways, i just hope one day they'll just go. All the best and hope it works for you x
Hello :) I gave the Bisoprolol (1.25mg) a try on the weekend. Although the ectopics, notably PVCs, still happened, they happened with much less force. So in turn they were less unsettling/upsetting. Makes sense I guess, as the betablockers regulate the heart rate and lower the blood pressure a bit. My heart rate was a fairly steady 65 beats per minute or so; it's often up there in the 80s or 90s or more.
I decided not to take the tablet this morning, and ectopics are feeling much more forceful again. Perhaps because I've also walked about 3 miles this morning at a fairly brisk pace. The cardiologist assures me that it doesn't matter if you get the PVCs while resting or exercising, if all the tests are normal. But I must admit I'm never very sure about that one... When I get them while exercising (very brisk walking, swimming, and a bit of table tennis) I sometimes feel woozy. If the PVCs turn into a run of 8+ or more, I can feel faint, although (as yet) never fainted. Any thoughts out there on that one??
All the best,
Natty One :)
Thank you very much for your reply Clare :)
So good to hear others' experiences of Bisoprolol.
My cardiologist wants me only to take them if I think I'm having a 'bad' day, or I think I'm going to have a 'bad' day. That is so hard to predict... And I don't simply get them with a 'bad' day. I can be happy, sad, neither one or the other, stressed, not stressed, anxious, not anxious... They say some people get them with no symptoms - lucky them!! It stinks when you do feel every one.
Where is that miracle cure? I too live in hope :)
Natty One.
HI Natty, Im glad you gave Bisoprolol a try. I note your comment saying your Cardiologist suggested taking one if you feel you are going to have a bad day ? My cardilogist said that I wouldnt get any effect unless I took them every day, and to be honest he was right as it took a few days for the full effect to really be felt. He also told me not to stop them suddenly because this could cause worse palpitations !! Im not a medical person but maybe you could discuss this with him to see what he thinks. I can only tell you that I have a medication phobia so the thought of taking a tablet every day was a real terror for me, but Im so glad I started them. I take one every morning and my life has transformed. I dont think the palpitations will ever completely disappear as it seems that some of us are so sensitive to them, but the reduction is wonderful. I even felt well enough to go on a 2 week cruise, something that I would never of done before as I was always terrified of the palpitations and always felt I needed to be near a hospital. If you feel confident and your doctor agrees, have no fears about taking one ever day, as long as you dont have any side effects, and 1.25 is a very very low dose I am sure you will feel the benefit. My consultant also suggested that I eat foods that are calming for the heart, orange juice, bananas and chocolate (result) however not dark chocolate , just the milk chocolate. I know exactly how you feel about these palpitations, how much they destory your life, and in my case I drove my husband completely mad.
Hope you continue to improve on the Bisoprolol.
Going home
20-09-10, 16:23
I also understand how it feels to get them when exercising...despite good old Claire Weekes theory that exercise abolishes them (to use her words from one of her books) Before the betablockers, i'd get them at the start of anything as in, the start of a walk or when I first got into a swimming pool, and for the first few strokes i'd take it easy until I got into my stride then they seemed to diasappear...I still do get them in this way sometimes. I also get them in the very cold weather rather then the heat for some reason, and again before the pills, even got them sometimes when making love (its ok, us missed beaters have discussed this before on here and sometimes it has to be shared!) I think its because all of these things alter the breathing pattern and heart and lung action is connected.
Also, don't know if you're aware of it but if your stomach or digestive system is irritated this can also trigger ectopics. This is because of the Vagus nerve, which is the longest nerve in our body and connects amongst other things, to the stomach and the heart. Don't be scared to look on google for more info about this, we usually discourage this but its allowed with this one because the vagus nerve is not a scary thing to read about!
Take care
Anna xx :)
Thank you Celeste :D. It's so good to hear your comments. I too hope to take a proper holiday next year, instead of leaving it to the last minute like we did this year; mostly because I was so anxious about the runs of PVCs... I received the carbon copy of the letter from the Cardiologist to my GP today. It was wordy (as they are), but good to see the facts in black and white. I'll continue using the Bisoprolol as 'instructed' for now, and see how it goes. Glad that I'm being reviewed in December though.
Thanks again. Great to hear you have been doing so well on the Bisoprolol!
NattyOne :)
Thank you Anna for your comments :D Yes, I can associate with all that you say there! Ectopics, adrenaline, vagus nerve, exercise, etc.
I too have 'researched' the vagus nerve out there on the Net.
Indigestion, wind, etc. can sometimes trigger my ectopics, especially those in 'runs'. Releasing a big burp is a great release then from the 'run'! However, I wish I could say that was the only cause. That would be an easy solution :).
I did another brisk 3 mile walk this morning, and guess what... No ectopics! (Complete opposite of yesterday). And I didn't take the Bisoprolol either. Crazy or what. Just the nature of the ectopics.
Thanks again, NattyOne.
Hi Natty, I too suffer with ectopics. I used to get them randomly but not very often until I had a heart attack 4 years ago. Since then I have runs of them that take my breath away. I am now on Bisoprolol (1.25) and find they help enormously and seem to have no nasty side effects from them aside from feeling a little sluggish. I am also a medication phobic so it took me a while to pluck up the courage but they do work I promise. I hope you have some success with them.
Fran
Hi everyone, I agree with the comments about vagus nerve, I have reasearched this and there is certainly a connection. I also find that some foods can precipate them too. I am so glad I am not the only medication phobic. These extra beats are the most frustrating thing dont you think ? Doctors say its normal and not to worry, but thats so hard to do when you have them for most of the day. I have been hitting my head on brick wall for 4 years, until of course I gave in and took Bisoprolol. Of course, anxiety does definitely cause them too so really us sensitive types are prone to feel them.
Thank you Celeste. Thank you Fran.
Glad to hear your thoughts. It's so good to hear that Bisoprolol does work! You read so many comments/reports that beta-blockers don't work out there on the Net. But I guess it's human nature not to shout out about something when it actually works, only when it doesn't!
Since reading all the replies to my thread I am much happier knowing that there are many of us who experience the same thing. We would all be much happier if we didn't have these darn things in the first place though!
All the best, NattyOne :)
hi i was reading though your post and your symptoms are so simular to mine! i also have a prescription sitting on my shelves that i fight collecting everyday out of sheer fright after so many bad reactions to previous meds for my heart. have you had any luck with the bisoprolol?
Yes, I find Bisoprolol 1.25mg (the lowest possible dose of this med.) does help ALOT. I've not noticed any side effects in my case. It is the only medication I have ever taken for ectopics. I resisted for a while. But for example, today I have been shopping with my husband and daughter, and just after lunch, bang, those damn ectopics started up, the shopping centre was manic. I had been absolutely fine until then... I had to sit down for a good ten minutes, thinking to myself this is ridiculous. I had the Bisoprolol in my handbag and I took it there and then. In about 20 minutes they were gone, about four hours later I could sense the odd ectopic, but they are much fainter. In the background so to speak. I have taken the Bisoprolol on about seven days in the last month, and they seem to calm the ectopics down alot, but don't eliminate them completely. I am very grateful to my consultant for offering me the medication at last. I (as yet) do not take them on a daily basis, as the consultant said only to take them on 'bad' days, but as you know these are difficult to predict.
I wish you well.
NattyOne :)
Hi all
I was interested to read this thread and can relate to most of what people where saying both about their symptoms and also their reservations regarding meds. I particularly identify with comments about exercise and eating as being particularly prolematic.
Ive had ectopics at varying intensities for twenty odd years and have only just started taking betablockers - 25mg per day atenolol last week. Its low dose but has made a huge difference with about a 90% decrease in ectopics. 1.25 mg is such a teeny small dose! Good luck to you. Im on a months trial so i'll be spending this time weighing up the benefits and side effects of the meds and thinking about what to do for the long term. So im thinking about reducing the dose to work out just how much I need to control the symptoms. I do feel spaced out sometimes and a bit shaky so it would be perfect if I could reduce these effects but still get the benefit.
I think the role of meds is a complicated beast. We need to analyse our own reactions good and bad over both short term and long term. Im going to have a good discussion with my GP in a few weeks....by the way am I the only one who doesnt 'have' a cardiologist? Im delighted with the results of taking meds, i still get anxiety attacks but reducing booze and caffiene really helps there....cutting booze aint so easy as I love red wine. I recognise the addictive qualities long term which of course is a worry but am determined to have a life free from these worrying symptoms. At times down the years ive been terrified and also completely sick of them,
Good luck to everyone in their search for a settled existence and keep posting re your progress. Noone I know has these symptome so its good to hear others stories.
Yes, I find Bisoprolol 1.25mg (the lowest possible dose of this med.) does help ALOT. I've not noticed any side effects in my case. It is the only medication I have ever taken for ectopics. I resisted for a while. But for example, today I have been shopping with my husband and daughter, and just after lunch, bang, those damn ectopics started up, the shopping centre was manic. I had been absolutely fine until then... I had to sit down for a good ten minutes, thinking to myself this is ridiculous. I had the Bisoprolol in my handbag and I took it there and then. In about 20 minutes they were gone, about four hours later I could sense the odd ectopic, but they are much fainter. In the background so to speak. I have taken the Bisoprolol on about seven days in the last month, and they seem to calm the ectopics down alot, but don't eliminate them completely. I am very grateful to my consultant for offering me the medication at last. I (as yet) do not take them on a daily basis, as the consultant said only to take them on 'bad' days, but as you know these are difficult to predict.
I wish you well.
NattyOne :)
thanks so much i actually feel better about trying threm out now i've been told to take 1 a day 2.5mg but if i find they don;t suit me then i have to go back to the specialist who said there is only one lot of meds available after these but they are risky he also gave me the reassuring advice that my heart is sensitive and prob always will be! weel thats great diagnosis doc really clear lol i think i will give them a go though i'm also same as you for some reason shopping always triggers heart off and also funnily enough laughing is my huge trigger if i really laugh (not a polite laugh a real one lol) more useless facts
thanks for listening scatty 247 x
I was prescribed the 2.5mg dose (like you Scatty), but I was reluctant to go the whole hog so to speak. The 2.5mg tablets I was prescribed were scored down the middle, so I broke them in to two, and just took the half. Then safely put the other half back in the packet with a bit of sellotape over the foil to keep it secure, and up on a high shelf. My daughter is seven, and even though she would probably never go near any meds., I'm still a bit paranoid about such things... As I said in my previous posts the Bisoprolol did me alot of good. Perhaps if I took the whole 2.5mg it would eliminate the ectopics completely, rather than make them much fainter, but I haven't yet taken the 2.5mg. I mentioned me taking just the half to my GP and she said that was fine, if I was getting good benefit from it, and to tell my cardiologist in December when I see him next.
All the best, NattyOne.
hi everyone i have just been prescribed these and i'm scared to take them too have you all found them ok its only a small dose 1.25 but i tried propranolol in the past i they didnt agree with me but i need something x
My consultant also suggested that I eat foods that are calming for the heart, orange juice, bananas and chocolate (result) however not dark chocolate , just the milk chocolate.
Chocolate, as in the food that contains sugar & caffeine? Your consultant should be sacked.
I know milk chocolate is bad dark is the better of the two?
How are you skippy x:D
MyNameIsTerry
01-07-15, 12:14
I assume he means in moderation, he is the highly trained doctor after all. I don't understand the milk preference though.
Bit of an old post though, it was in 2010 so are they still ever here? :shrug:
Even in moderation chocolate isn't calming for the heart. Anything with caffeine aggravates the heart.
The only way I could see it helping is if your ectopic beats only occur when your heart rate slows right down and keeping it elevated with small amounts of caffeine stops it.
MyNameIsTerry
01-07-15, 22:34
Yes, if there is an underlying condition that warrants elimination I would agree.
I have asthma and there are studies showing how caffeine helps us so I guess it depends on more than just anxiety as it no longer bothers mine. I would expect a consultant in cardiology to have excellent knowledge of that.
I assume the doctor said chocolate because it is rich in potassium, which is an important mineral for regulating heart rhythm. I eat a couple of bananas and a chocolate every day for this reason - but then chocolate makes me feel good, gives me potassium and isn't a trigger for my heart (as long as its only a bit).
There are however many healthy potassium rich foods to choose from.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/518039-chocolate-potassium/
http://www.drugs.com/cg/potassium-content-of-foods-list.html
---------- Post added at 14:13 ---------- Previous post was at 13:52 ----------
hi everyone i have just been prescribed these and i'm scared to take them too have you all found them ok its only a small dose 1.25 but i tried propranolol in the past i they didnt agree with me but i need something x
Hi Katkinz
I’ve been taking bisoprolol for a couple of months now and haven’t had any major issues. I take 7.5mg a day – which is a moderately high dose - and as such I have chosen to divide that into 2 doses during the day. I found taking the whole 7.5mg in one made me tired and lethargic, but have had no real issues dividing it across the day.
Bisoprolol tends to be one of the go-to Beta Blockers for many cardiologists because it's generally tolerated well by most people, has fewer side effects and interactions than some BBs, and is effective in small doses. I have asthma which is normally a bit of a watch out for Beta Blockers, however I have had no problems with Bisoprolol.
When you start beta blockers, it is quite normal to sometimes feel a little bit tired or lethargic to begin with (that may or may not happen on 1.25mg, I don’t know). If that does happen, don’t be alarmed as that is just your body and heart adjusting. It will pass and you should feel fine and normal after a week or so. If you find that you don’t feel great on bisoprolol then speak to your cardiologist or doctor. There are LOADS of other BBs out there that can be tried.
Beta Blockers are nothing to be afraid of. They are great drugs and are very effective – they don’t cause any issues with long term use and they are not addictive. Once you have started taking them you should not suddenly stop without talking to your doctor, though – even though you are on the lowest dose.
Hi
I have been given 1.25 mg and still too scared to take them-maybe tomorrow. just wondering how you are getting along and if you take them every day?
hi everyone i have just been prescribed these and i'm scared to take them too have you all found them ok its only a small dose 1.25 but i tried propranolol in the past i they didnt agree with me but i need something x
Hi me too, did you take them eventually? did they help?
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.