Atrial fibrillation flaring after virus and struggling with higher bisoprolol dose

[santamola]

Has anyone got this, or have experience of dealing with it?

I've had it for five years and never had an issue really as it was well controlled. I take bisoprolol. I don't have to take blood thinners as I was given a Watchman device (google it, too long to explain!) as I am prone to gastric bleeding. All good so far yes...

Then two weeks ago I got a nasty virus, the usual cold, cough and razor blade sore throat. First such thing in years, and it wiped me out, still have the residue. Out of the blue in the second week of being ill the AF went all over the place, heart rate up to 140, back to 60 - doing a complete dance! I didn't feel it much but my watch told me and gave me a bit of a fright!

I made appt with cardiology and consultant wasn't one bit worried, but doubled the bisoprolol dose to calm the heart rate. And that's where it all went south. I just was on the floor with weakness, dizzyness and a very low HR. Called them and am awaiting a return call - won't be over the weekend anyway. So I intend to reduce the bisop tomorrow back to what I was taking and hope for the best.

Has anyone had a bad reaction to increased dose of beta blockers like that. I'm falling asleep in my soup ha ha. I don't want to second guess the medics but I really can't tolerate the higher dose of bisop.

How very frustrating @santamola . I hope normal rhthym is restored soon.
@Giggorata I have some success with valsava but only in mild cases of SVT.
Viruses are my main trigger as well.
Interesting what you say about electronic monitoring, I think it's very much a double edged sword.

Morning again,

If anyone is still reading, I am being cardioverted AGAIN, next week. 😯And then different meds, I presume that might be for rhythm control which I have never been on before.

We shall see.

good luck OP, wishing you the best

Good luck! Keep us updated when you’re ready.

I’m seeing the cardiologist next Friday re a pacemaker

Same condition and meds as me.

im ok on 3.75 twice a day Bisiperol but because my heart rate and BP were on low side that’s as far as they’ll go.

This is really interesting. I feel like the cardiologist is saying you’re on the 4 pillars of meds and you’ve not returned to hospital now go away.
I struggle on the stairs and have low energy. I just want to feel
better!

I've been like a woman possessed chasing up DH's catheter ablation. I just ended up googling the specialist unit and trying random phone numbers until someone gave me the number of the admissions co-ordinator who was lovely. He's got a provisional date for the end of July.... he's felt awful this week, so tired and very irritable I'm trying hard to be understanding. I'm pretty sure that apart from the breathlessness, it's the side effects of the bisprolol.

Your stories are so interesting but obviously frustrating for many of you, I don't know where we get the reserves of energy to deal with all the rigmarole around trying to get treated and get better!

Cardiology seems at first glance to be a very scary specialty to deal with, but they seem to take things in their stride, and as some of you have experienced are not too hasty about ensuring a good quality of life in a very timely fashion. That is just so unfair, when some reasonably routine procedures/drug regimens could help so much. I do hope all of you going through the mill get some relief very soon. I mean that.

As for me, I'm staying as calm as I can. As long as I am able to function and the cardio team are not panicking, I will try not to panic either, but that's not always possible as we all know!

I'd say my hair will be standing up on its own after the next electric shock. 😂😂😂

Wishing you all a great weekend and good health.

I really think you should go back and tell them this. Their job is not just to dish our meds but to look at the patient's lifestyle and aims and tweak things in line with that. We are not widgets! We are all different in our metabolism and in what our aims and values are. One person might say "Give me anything you like, even if it makes me feel crap, as long as you keep me alive for as long as possible", but another might say "This is how I want to live my life and quality is my priority not quantity."
Struggling with stairs and having low energy is not quality of life!

I do agree it’s poor quality of life.
They see I’ve returned to work and not been re admitted to hospital so they are two big ticks.

im not sure which camp I’m in. Longer life no matter what or quality

The heavy legs effect of bisiperol I wasn’t aware of. I’ll raise that with the cardiologist.