Problem with beta Blockers

Has anyone else experienced problems with beta blockers. I find they leave me depressed and feeling tired. Very dizzy as I have low blood pressure.

Doc said try Avlocardyl instead of Cardensiel (bisoprolol) might be weaker.

Can't wait to feel more like my old self.


4 Comments

BB's

by ela-girl - 2008-01-30 04:01:02

Hi, Jules.

I've been on beta-blockers for over 5 years now. I'm actually working with my EP currently to get off them if I don't need them (long story). I take Toprol XL 50mg for its beta-blocking effects and not for high blood pressure. Why have you been given the beta-blockers? The side effects you mention sound pretty common...especially the feeling of tiredness. I know I feel like I'm in a fog and kinda sluggish on mine...I'm now only taking half my regular dose (25mg) and already am feeling better. If you have a pm, beta-blockers can be "safer" to take because even though it slows the heart rate and keeps the BP lower, the pm usually keeps the heart rate from dipping. With that said, though, you can still have symptoms even with the pm. My EP has said that there are literally a thousand different beta-blocker medications on the market...sometimes it is just trial and error to see which one works best for you with the fewest side effects.

Do you normally have low BP? I know some people are actually put on meds that are to raise their BP. That's why I ask why you are taking the beta-blocker. Salt, compression stocking, and drinking drinks like Propel can help keep electrolytes up and raise BP to help with the dizziness.

Best of luck! Keep us informed!
ela-girl

Not Sure

by Jules - 2008-01-30 04:01:19

Living in France and trying to understand why you are given tablets is very difficult. My language is limited. I think I am taking them for the extra sytoles, nothing major and nothing wrong with the heart because I had an angiogram before they fitted me with the PM. I had the PM for the slow heart beat at night it use to drop to 29/30. Not good.

Anyway, have a check up on 22nd Feb and might try to learn the phrase before then, it is only when they answer things get difficult.

Thanks ela-girl nice to chat.

There are many BB's

by axg9504 - 2008-01-30 05:01:32

I suffered without a PM for at least 2 years cuz I was told I would have to take a BB because of some upper chamber arrhythmia's that seemed to trigger my low rate. My experiences with the 3 BB's I had taken up to that point (including Toprol XL) made me stubborn. Meanwhile my BP seemed to be going up too. I finally gave in and had a PM implanted on 1/11. I was put on Inderal 80 mg (Propranalol) and it seems to be doing the job without any side effects that I can discern. It's no Toprol. Then again the bradycardia could have made me feel worse in those days. So there might be something out there that won't make you feel so bad. That's what the doc told me before PM and he has (so far) turned out to be right. I however do not like the idea of taking a BB for the rest of my life..

Translation

by ela-girl - 2008-01-30 05:01:44

Jules-

I can understand the frustration with a language barrier. I am a Spanish teacher and also know 6 other languages. Is there any way that you can get someone to go with you who can help you translate? Does the hospital or doctor's office have some service like that? It would be worth looking into....you may want to even contact the Embassy and ask about it or a tourist service...

ela-girl

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