Beta blockers making me breathless?

is it normal to feel breathless on Beta blockers and it seems to be more acute after I eat?
Or is it that perhaps I only have a certain part of my pacemaker switched on I am sure I heard the technicians say when they were fine tuning me that this bit doesnt need to be switched on and it will save on the battery life my pacemaker is a dual lead and itis the kind that can out run initial bursts of afib and i require beta blockers to do the rest.

Does fluctuating the specific time you take your medication each day make you feel un well?

4 Comments

beta blockers & breathlessness

by Vai - 2008-04-22 01:04:35

Beta blockers have many side effects but, as far as I know, breathlessness is not one of the common ones. You may want to check out the common side effects of the particular beta blocker.
It appears you are feeling breathless after you eat. I think you may be fibrillating which is common after a meal. I suffer from afib and I used to feel tired and breathless after a meal and it is mostly traced to afib episodes There is a term for it but I forgo it.
As for the beta blockers, there are a few do's and don'ts:
- after a meal, allow at least 1 hour before taking the medication.
- after medication, allow at least 1 hour before the next meal.
- Keep yourself hydrated or drink plenty of water
- This will help maximize effect of the medication, otherwise the medication is only 80% effective.
- medication is usually prescribed once per day or split over 2 - 3 equal doses per day. Best to take it at same time of day. Mine is split twice per day.
- The efficacy of the bb takes effect about 20 - 30 min after consumption.
- The efficacy of the dose decline over time until the next dose. In order to maintain the protection provided by the drug, you need to follow the prescribed dosage at the prescribed time.
- Lack of discipline in taking the meds will only make it less effective for you.
I follow a strict regimen of bb in order to keep my over-active afib at bay. Without the bb, I will be in deep trouble. For me within 2 - 3 hours of missing a dose, my heart will start to fibrillate, something which I dread.

I trust this helps.

breathless

by karma - 2008-04-22 03:04:28

for me when i first started taking beta blockers I was extremely out of breath, it has improved over time but i still get it every now and again, I've noticed it a bit more frequently as I've just received my PM (2 weeks now). I agree with Vai about taking the bb the same time each day, its almost the same with me 2-3 hours makes a difference

Breathless

by SmileyK - 2008-04-22 05:04:56

Beta blockers have a direct relation to asthmatic symptoms I have been told, because i always have asthmatic symptoms, when I get sick. Never once before I took it had I had Asthma. Now they told me that I do, and that the medicine I take Sotalol has been flagged for it.. Also, when I first started taking it, the pharmacist told me that when you work out, or just are busy, because of the medicine, It makes you tired quicker..I agree with the pharmacist, because it does for me..I hope this helps to you.

Shortness of breath and Beta blockers

by maryanne - 2008-04-27 08:04:35

Beta blockers like Sotalol, Metoprolol can affect people with asthma or respiratory complications. The reason for this is that Sotalol and other Beta 2 agents work not only on lowering heart rate but they have a direct impact on your lungs. Although these drugs are often used for lowering ones rate they are used cautiously with people who have asthma or COPD....they can cause increased congestion as well....it is worth your while to check with your doctor about altering your dose or changing your medication.

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