Bisoprolol

Bisoloprol

by Aberdeen - 2020-07-16 17:33:56

I am taking Bisoloprol and Ramipril. At first I had dizziness and felt a little sick. I am coping with them now. It took about a month. What dosage of Bisoloprol are you on?

Aberdeen

by Savannah55 - 2020-07-16 17:52:23

Thanks for replying I am on 2.5mg. My EP wants to trial medication before going down the EP study/ablation route so I am hoping this starts to work soon!

Bisoprolol

by Gemita - 2020-07-16 18:17:30

Hello Savannah,

I am also taking Bisoprolol for many arrhythmias, including SVT.  I am also on 2.5 mg although I sometimes have to go higher 2x2.5 mg am and pm to keep everything under control.  I was taking an anti arrhythmic med as well but low dose Bisoprolol + pacemaker settings alone are doing a great job for me.  It could be that Bisoprolol isnt particularly effective for you and you might benefit from a new med, an additional med or a higher dose of Bisoprolol.  I would tell your doctor.  It is so trial an error at the beginning. Bisoprolol should be well in your system by now but it can take up to 6 weeks to fully take effect.

Bisoprolol

by AgentX86 - 2020-07-16 23:15:31

Bisoprolol is in a class of drugs called "beta blockers'".  These are not intended to correct arrhythmias at all.  Their purpose is to reduce heart rate to a safe level.  Since you have SVT, this is critical to limit the heart rate but doesn't fix your palpatations at all.  Your tireness is a symptom of beta blockers.

Even with a beta blocker, your heart rate may spike up but not to a dangerous level.  If it does, they'll adjust the dosage so that it doesn't (and you'll probably feel even worse).  Most of the time people get used to the beta blockers and they feel fine.  If this doesn't happen for you, a different beta blocker may work better or they can try an ACE inhibitor instead.

Bisoprolol

by Gemita - 2020-07-17 02:55:31

AgentX86,

You are correct Bisoprolol for Savannah is used to help control her heart rate but many beta blockers, including Bisoprolol (a highly selective beta blocker) can also help to control arrhythmias due to suppression of any sympathetic activity.  I was certainly advised to try a rate control med initially for my arrhythmias which would be safer to try to calm everything down before going on to an anti arrhythmic med like Flecainide or trying Sotalol which has both an anti arrhythmic and rate control affect.  

Bisoprolol

by Savannah55 - 2020-07-17 03:58:19

Thanks both. My EP said it was prescribed to try and stop the episodes of SVT as this medication can help control arrhythmias.

He thinks my palpitations are linked to the atrial arrhythmia as they matched my symptoms I logged whilst wearing 24hour holter. 

I dont always feel a rapid heart rate when I am in the arrhythmia which is why I was shocked when they told me about it. But I guess you dont feel the pulse from atrial activity, just ventricle? 

As much as I dont want any more procedures (still mentally scarred from my original 2 ops) part of me wants an EP study so they can find out exactly where the issue is. Maybe once covid settles they might?

Anyway I'm just rambling on now.

Savannah55

by Gemita - 2020-07-17 04:14:41

An EP study will give them a lot of info but they may want to combine it with  a quick ablation of the SVT pathway if it is easily seen.  

My EP did an EP study for me but admitted that it is not often done in isolation because it is still invasive getting the catheters in through the femoral artery and while they are looking around your heart they might as well try to correct the problem at the same time instead of doing nothing, but only a thought.

Yes I tolerate atrial tachy arrhythmias well and often do not feel them (even at highish rates) especially when they are "regular" in nature like SVT, or "regular" Flutter, but I certainly feel them when they are ventricular arrhythmias like non sustained Ventricular Tachycardia or even PVCs.  I also feel completely miserable during "irregular" atrial fibrillation/flutter

EP Study

by Savannah55 - 2020-07-18 05:50:30

So I had my 3 month follow up via telephone yesterday and my EP has confirmed that he wants to do an ep study and ablation. 

The wait list is 6 months at the moment but he said he will try and bump me up the list. 

Fingers crossed the wait isnt too long!

good luck with the wait

by Gemita - 2020-07-18 10:12:03

and perhaps try to ask if you could be placed on the cancellation list and keep ringing them to make sure they don't forget you !

Ablation

by AgentX86 - 2020-07-18 11:55:55

It is crucial to have the best EP available to do an ablation.  The surgery is pretty straight forward and severe complications are quite rare but the outcomes of different EPs is huge.  Be sure your EP does a hundred or more a year and hopefully thousands during his career (IOW, pretty much all he does).  It may even be faster to get in to one of the top ablation specialists than your EP.  They often have almost an assembly line approach.  You may have to travel to see one of these specialists but the outcome is worth it.

Agentx86

by Savannah55 - 2020-07-19 05:47:13

I live in the UK so unfortunately we do not get to shop around for our consultants, they are simply allocated to us when a referral is sent. 

I have done some research and found some bio:

I am one of the few UK cardiologists who hold the European Heart Rhythm Society Advanced Electrophysiology Certification.I have performed over 1,000 ablations and 1,000 pacing procedures. I am one of the few cardiologists in the region routinely performing pacing system extractions.

Hopefully all will go well!

Choice in the NHS

by IAN MC - 2020-07-19 07:45:19

Hi Savannah .....  I, too, am in the UK

It is not completely accurate to state that we cannot shop around for consultants in the UK within the N.H.S.      As you know, the GP must always be our first port of call.  We can then choose ANY hospital for our outpatient appointment . That is where your powers of persuasion come into play to guide the GP  towards the right hospital and the right consultant.

I have chosen the consultant I wanted on several occasions. So you end up seeing the Dr.  you have chosen, or someone from his/her team , and what  happens after that is up to you.

BUT looking at the bio which you quote, you seem to have found a good one........so, best of luck !

Ian

Thank you Ian

by Savannah55 - 2020-07-19 15:14:22

Hi Ian

Thank you for that I had no idea it was possible to ask for your preferred choice of hospital. This whole heart issue is so new to me I wouldn't know where to start looking.

However, so far my experience with my current consultant has been ok. The only issues I have had is with my local cardiology department, but luckily I am not under their care anymore as they do not deal with complex EP issues.