Bisoprolol for ectopic beats

[Going home]

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

[NattyOne]

Thank you Celeste . 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

[NattyOne]

Thank you Anna for your comments 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.

[Pudding]

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

[celeste1]

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.

[NattyOne]

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

[scatty247]

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?

[NattyOne]

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

[anaconda]

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.

[scatty247]

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