I have been taking Bisoprolol for about 9 weeks. Side effects so far from day one were noticeably cold fingers and toes, and my fingers were red all the time. The opposite extreme they become really hot and throbbing.
After about 6 weeks i started to feel nauseous regardless of whether i had eaten or not, and even the smell of food made me ill. I belch after eating and drinking liquids.
I read that beta blockers can mask the signals that your body is low in blood sugar, and although I do not suffer from diabetes I am fully aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar due to a close friend with the disease. I felt spaced out and drunk. My thinking became really slowed and nothing made any sense. It's not a nice feeling and can happen anytime but usually afternoon/evening. Is this a common side effect, has anyone out there had this symptom? The tiredness gets me down too, as I have an energetic job and just getting through the day can be hard work sometimes.
I find if I take any anti inflammatory medication for headaches that these can also bring on palpitations and if I am tired or hungry can bring on palps also.
Hi Elizabeth, Have taken two or three different types of Beta Blockers and honestly I find them the best, although your correct they do have side effects such as tiredness, cold feet etc.
My Doctor changed me to an Alpha Blocker to do the same job but wow! my pulse rate took off. Eventually I went from one Alpha Blocker to another, same side effects. It wasn't till I went back on the Bisoprolol I discovered how good they are. My pulse rate dropped, no palp's and felt so relaxed, so my estimation they must be near the best one to take.
Iv'e been taking them for years as prescibed by the Cardiac Clinic and definately won't let the Doctors change them not after realising how good,even with side effects, they really are.
Hope this helps Elizabeth, take care...
Have been on Bisoprolol for about 2 months for Atrial Fibrillation. They do a great job of it except I am getting dreadful migraines (sometimes wiping me out for 4 days at a time) and also keep getting anxiety attacks.
Been waking up in the middle of the night and feeling like I can't breathe. Sometimes I feel like getting out of the room I'm in and running away or escaping. Horrible sensation.
I did try to cut down the dosage and come slowly off them but the AF came back with a vengeance and I felt worse. Seems like I'm stuck with them.
I have been on Bisoprolol for around 8wks since being diagnosed with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. Initially in the the hospital i was prescribed 2.5mg however this was increased to 5mg when i was discharged. I have experienced all of the above side effects but now through weaning myself of of the tablets down to 1.25 the effects diminished. My last tablet was on Monday 9th and low and behold i had a AF episode on the 10th 
Awaiting to speak.with my Cardiologist as to.whether i can try 1.25mg long term.
Hi I have been on Bisoprolol 10mg for the past 15 yrs for high BP and irregular heart rythumn. Its only the past two years that I have been getting cold tingly feet and hands and in the past yr have also got swollen stiff and painful ankles. I am 58 and have agoraphobia as well so dont go out only to see the GP. 
Had a massive heart attack 3 months ago. put on Bisoprolol . had night mares and shaking fits. at times afraid to go to sleep at night. also light headed to the extent of not being completely aware of what was going on.
Awaiting re consutation with my consultant.
maybe your dose is too high . im on same bisoprolol and i had the same side effects plus very painfull cramps in my calfs while i was sleeping and i would jump out of bed in agony . I was on 2.5 then now i have reduced it to 1.25 and that was after my heart rate dropped to 42 beats and very bad dizzy spells so bad i was afraid to leave my home .now on 1.25 im feeling better cramps gone sometimes dizzy i think its when my bp drops low .by the way im now obsessed with my bp reading im constantley on the monitor my bp is always between 130 over 80 and 104 over70 higher one usualy after i just eaten its mostley low now .I also take 1 high strength garlic pill and 1 high strength omega 3 fish oil .by the way im 68 yrs old slim and have the accasional roll up cigy . i sometimes wonder wy im on the meds at all i do beleave it cos i get white coat syndrem. But him in the white coat should know .so who am i to say . I just go on the net and read all these horror storys about people renderd useless with there meds side effects
It's a shame that people only appear to post once and therefore some useful information to help other posters might be lost
I have gone from paroxysmal AF to persistent AF
Have been taking bisoporol for 3 years after finding sotolol was making me so tired and leaving me with no quality of life.
It has taken me around 2 years to sort the dosage that bests suits me (with the help of various (3 at least) doctors and the cardiology consultant which included 3 * 24 hour monitors for heart rate.
During the 3 years I have also gone through Amiodorone,Dronedorone and now Digoxin
All of these in a logical well documented procedure of treatment for AF
Now take bisop 3 times a day at midday,1700 and 2200 with a dosage of 1.25mg
I take the digoxin at 0700
Point I want to make is that I would advise you to examine the dosage you take
Elizabeth anti inflammatory drugs are bad for your heart take paracetamol.
Hi all
I had my second aortic valve replacement operation a year ago. I am taking warfarin as my new valve is a metal one. I'm also taking bisoprolol 1.25mg once a day. I'm so tired all the time, everything seems twice a hard to achieve. I've seen my consultant and she suggested that I could try and reduce dose to every other day, I did but my heart was jumping around all over the place and I felt rotten. So I still take one a day, and tried taking It at night, it didn't make any difference. I'm nearly 50, and swim twice a week, walk dogs etc, but honestly I feel much older. From what I've been reading I do feel lucky just being very tired, i was going to ask for alternative medication but after reading I'm not alone, I think I will leave well alone.
I understand the difficulties of Bisoprolol I started on 1.25mg and now on 2.5 but my target dose is 10 mg as I have Dilated Cardiomyopathy. The tiredness is the most difficult but I also put on a lot of weight and have nightmares. I will make the next step to 3.75 after Christmas but i honestly don't think I will tolerate 10mg.
I am aware it is a wonderful drug and is the cardiologists favourite but it sure knocks the hell out of you.
Wally
Nickylancer and Wally I had similar symptoms of tiredness to you and was taking 2.5mg per day in 1 dosage but changed it to 1.25 2* per day and then 3 * per day .
This sorted out almost all my tired spells although occasionally if I have done a lot of exercise I do have to nap for 30 mins.
My suggestion is to take smaller doses more frequently. ie 0.625 twice a day on 1.25 per day
and see how you feel
Best of luck
Frank
Hi thought I would "enhance" previous post.
Forgot that 1.25 bisop is the smallest dosage/tablet.
Also the latest 1.25tablet is so small (well the "brand" now supplied by our local chemists is) you would have difficulty splitting it
I found over time my body seemed to get used to the dosage and I was not so tired.
Previously I was on sotalol but with that I was definitively tired all the time.
My consultant then switched me to bisop
Perhaps you might try sotalol instead of bisop and see how you feel .This assumes your individual medical condition can accept sotalol as well as bisop.
Best of luck
Frank
Hi All
After my episode they found out they had prescribed the medication for the wrong condition. in fact 3 Doctors at the Hospital didn't realise I had depression. Biso wasn't needed !!!!
Now I am on the right road to recovery, Only 4 months to go and the Stents should be well and truly attached so will come of the Plavix Hopefully !!!!
Regards
Russ
Amazing story Russ
Great that all is now going well
Regards
Frank
I was given 5mg Bisoprolol after a triple bypass 3 months ago and have had difficulty getting a deep breath and even yawning is weird (feel 'airlocked'
I also have pins and needles in my hands, mainly the right, and my heart is regularly skipping beats. Now on 1.25mg to see if this improves things.
I have been taking bisoprolol for 18 months now. Got dosage up to 7.5, was going fine then had to reduce as it was having adverse effects, has been gradually reduced because of the side effects. Was managing on 2.5
Until started passing out,most been reduced by my GP to 1.25, and ordered to have ECG and 24 heart
Monitor as yet again affecting heart rate, and request was sent to Cardiologist for urgent appointment
I suffer fron dilated cardiomyopathy, and have also been advised to stop driving. Anybody else in same
Situation?
Having read what is written on the heart foundation website it appears what I was going to suggest you ask to be considered for is ok, which is a pacemaker.
If you have dizziness it usually comes from insufficient pumping of blood which might be affected by the rhythm/regularity of the heart beat.
Your condition is more complicated but a pacemaker sorted my dizziness,
I have been on Bisoprolol for about 3 years now. I have always suffered with cold feet since being diagnosed with Congenital heart failure. Also I have a lot of nightmares. I never knew until yesterday that these could be caused by Bisoprolol. I am also a type 2 diabetic and always put it down to either that or I also read that as I sit a lot at a computer that I was trapping a nerve between my feet and brain. I think I need to go and see my doctor although I soon have an appointment with the heart surgeon.
I also suffered from cold feet especially when going to bed at night. This I put down to sitting down for 2/3 hours reading or watching TV before going to bed . So I took to wearing bedsocks which resolved this problem.
Found that if I did a "fair bit" of walking during the day 5000/10000 steps then cold feet problem much reduced. Also being a man can wear some thicker socks!
I also spend time at a computer but fortunately the kitchen is 35 paces away so "refreshments/food" keep me active.
Had some vivid dreams but no real nightmares fortunately.
Obviously the dosage and time of taking it will have an effect.
Have you tried changing these?