BYSTOLIC (Nebivolol) - New Hypertensive(Beta Blocker)Medication

[flowergirl2day]

ACE,

thanks for the update. It's nice when you can (or HAVE TO) try different medications to see which one works best. It"s even nicer when you can try several within the same drug class.

I am glad to hear that Bisoprolol is considered the strongest beta blocker by some. I wonder why. There are tables comparing the various beta blockers in one of my books with only the clinical data. I'll try to find out more. I read anything I can about the drugs I have to take and always learn something new.
Do you combine the beta blocker with another blood pressure medication? Sorry, I don't remember. Whatever the case, I am glad it's working.

flowergirl

[ACE28]

Originally Posted by ntbd

Hi, Ace. Earlier in this thread you mentioned knee pain from the nebivolol. What particular knee structure was involved... tendons, cartilage? And what is the mechanism for the knee damage?

Hi ntpd,

To clarify the knee pain, I did not get an official MD evaluation. The pain was more of a sore/joint pain. I've become accustomed to the various ache and pain side effects of medications. With most prescriptions, I keep track of cause and effect before I get an official dignosis. It appears that after about a month, my body must have adjusted to the med. because the knee symptoms are much better.

[ACE28]

Originally Posted by flowergirl2day

ACE,

thanks for the update. It's nice when you can (or HAVE TO) try different medications to see which one works best. It"s even nicer when you can try several within the same drug class.

I am glad to hear that Bisoprolol is considered the strongest beta blocker by some. I wonder why. There are tables comparing the various beta blockers in one of my books with only the clinical data. I'll try to find out more. I read anything I can about the drugs I have to take and always learn something new.
Do you combine the beta blocker with another blood pressure medication? Sorry, I don't remember. Whatever the case, I am glad it's working.

flowergirl

Hi Flowergirl,

Being I had prescriptions from several beta-blockers, my doctor gave me the OK to see which one I feel better taking. ( As long as they are were in the same beta-blocker class, which is BETA1.) He was not to keen on COREG, he believes COREG is excellent, mainly for heart failure. I have prescriptions for BETAXOLOL (Kerlone), BISOPROLOL (Zebeta), NEBIVOLOL (Bystolic)and METOPROLOL (TOPROL) and in both Generic and Brand forms. I find a big difference between certain generic versus brand meds. For ex. the Generic Bisoprolol seems so much milder than the brand drug ZEBETA. When I took the ZEBETA tablets, I felt completely exhausted and weak for several days. My blood pressure was also much lower. The generic brand was much milder and not as potent. Do potent side-effects always equate to better blood pressure control??? Maybe.. But some of these side effects I can live without.. The BETA1 blockers are all mostly the same, they slow down the heart-beat, cause fatigue, raise cholesterol and Triglyceride levels, lower HDL cholesterol etc. My Total cholesterol was about 25 points higher and my HDL 5 points lower on my last checkup 2 weeks ago. It appears all beta blockers negatively affect cholesterol levels, as do many other medications. The benefits of beta-blockers are numerous in most large research studies. (It's a double edged sword) The main reasons I am remaining on the Bystolic is for the better heart rate control, no GI/bowel issues and better sleep.

P.S My other medications are 4mg of Perindopril (ACEON), 20 mg of PRAVACHOL and 3000 mg of IR NIACIN.

[flowergirl2day]

I had prescriptions from several beta-blockers

I wonder how well this arrangement might work. I think it's rather uncommon to be allowed to experiment with several drugs on your own, and given prescriptions for them. (Our doctors are usually the ones doing the experimenting ) My main concerns with this approach would be:

Who performs periodic evaluation of each drug's effectiveness?
Is sufficient time allowed for each medication to reach its maximum therapeutic effectiveness?
What if there are residual effects of the previous medication in the system at the time of starting a new one? This would make the new medication appear more effective than it really is.
Can peak effectiveness be achieved without titrating the drug? (e.g. on the same low starting dose)

Well, I am glad to hear you have tried them all and found one that's perfect for you!

I find a big difference between certain generic versus brand meds

So many of us would agree with you! There is not supposed to be any difference - say the pharmacists - but we know better!

It appears all beta blockers negatively affect cholesterol levels, as do many other medications. The benefits of beta-blockers are numerous in most large research studies. (It's a double edged sword)

Do you find that the Pravachol corrects your cholesterol levels? Is it worth taking? Have they returned back to normal?

flowergirl

[ACE28]

Flowergirl,

My doctor believes that almost all beta blockers are similar. TOPROL being the best. He believes TOPROL is the most prescribed, the most popular, the most researched, is highly effective, positive results in almost every major trial, works excellent with every major class of heart medication, All side-effects are well documented through-out the span of over 20 years. (Should I say more about his beta-blocker preference??). I think he let me sample the various beta-blockers for several reasons, mainly because he is happy about the fact that I'm taking a blood pressure medication and trying to better control my blood pressure. Also, about 5 years ago I stopped taking my beta-blocker TOPROL along with ALTACE (He was very reluctant about me dropping the TOPROL) though he switched me to only DIOVAN. Also, my blood pressure readings for the past few years have been mostly normal, or ranged from mild to moderate. Lastly, I requested the beta blocker this time due to occasional anxiety/tension/stress/agitation etc. (maybe he thinks I'm neurotic) Anyway, he wrote me a prescription for TOPROL and later for the others. He gauges my blood pressure by my frequent periodic checkups and blood tests for Cholesterol/LIPIDS and Liver checks to monitor the NIACIN/PRAVACHOL.

In regard to PRAVACHOL, Yes - It definitely controls my cholesterol levels. To be honest, I do not always take the Pravachol daily (as prescribed). Especially, if I feel any sign of muscle soreness or pain. It appears that statins make the soreness worse (perhaps, the statins are what's causing the muscle soreness to begin with) When I took LIPITOR (10 mg) approx 6 years ago, my neck and shoulder soreness had become almost intolerable. My doctor told me to stop the LIPITOR and suggested either PRAVACHOL or LESCOL.

P.S. I have my next blood test in about 5 weeks. Let's see if my daily diligence to taking Pravachol lowers my sudden increase in cholesterol since starting BYSTOLIC. If not, I may have to live with the nightmares and switch back to TOPROL. My doctor would be ecstatic.... and then I would have to hear the "I told you so's"