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altered taste

Posted , 6 users are following.

sue73
sue73

I finally plucked up courage to take my first 10mg propanolol yesterday – I was too frightened for a couple of weeks – needless to say it had no positive effect whatever, my heart carried on pounding away as usual, so I was terribly disappointed. And since I took just that one pill, cheese (which I usually love) tastes horrid, sort of bitter – I'm sure it will wear off – but has anyone else experienced anything like that?

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • reasoning51
    reasoning51 sue73

    Posted

    10mg is quite a low dose, i take 40mg, as and when required and it does help ease the anxiety symptons.

    No idea on the chese tasting different. Yoy didnt chew the pill did you? that may have caused reaction with the cheese in your mouth. long shot, but only thing i could think of

  • lindy12206
    lindy12206 sue73

    Posted

    Sue, that is such a low dose and you need to be on it more then one dose. Try taking with apple sauce so you dont get medication directly on taste buds.  ITs a great safe drug. Give it a chance to do its job. If not tell the doctor and he can decide what to do.    
  • sara92938
    sara92938 sue73

    Posted

    Hi Sue. I also take propranolol and was prescribed 10mg at first and just like you, I didn't feel any differently. I told my dr. and he told me to try 20 or 30mg so I tried 20mg and it helped but my heart was still pounding so I tried 30mg and it really did help with my heart racing. I also took .5mg of clonazepam to help with my anxiety and that combination worked well for me. Maybe you should try upping your dose a bit. It seems to be a very safe and effective drug. One last thing, it will help with your [u]physical[/u] symptoms such as heart pounding rapidly but will do nothing for your emotional state. You need a benzo for that such as xanax or clonazepam. Well, I hope you don't give up on the propranolol. Let me know how you make out. I'll be thinking of you : )
  • olivia25317
    olivia25317 sue73

    Posted

    Hi sue, beta blockers do not work straight away on the first dose, you have to wait at least 4 which varies from person to person how long they take to kick in.  Keep taking them and if they still have no effect increase your dose.   Anxiety affects taste and also affects appetite so that is probably what it is.
    • sue73
      sue73 olivia25317

      Posted

      Hi Olivia and all the rest of you – thank you so much for replying. I am quite confused now because my GP who is usually really sensible said I could take one when I was in a potentially anxious situation (like trying to catch a train/plane or having deadlines to meet for work) and it would slow my heart rate and help me cope. No mention of having to be on them on a daily basis, which I wouldn't be happy about anyway. All of you agree that 10mg is a hopelessly low dose so I might try taking two... I'll think about that! I am due to have a load of cardiac investigations because of the SVT so they might have an opinion about beta blockers. I have had chronic generalised anxiety for 15 years now and can manage everything except the constant thudding heart and the resulting palpitations which can land me in hospital... so I know it's not the anxiety affecting my taste, it was just for a day or so after I took the propanolol. Anyway, I'll keep you posted, and thanks for all the advice.
    • lindy12206
      lindy12206 sue73

      Posted

      I would not increase my medication with out your doctor knowing what you are doing on your own. You mentioned 15  years of anxiety with no relief in that time period.  I would get a second oppinion or look for another doctor. Iam sure there are anxiety centers around that could help.  Just so you understand, if you were to have a medical issue, no one but you would know what you have taken.  I strongly advise against altering your dosage or prescribing your own dosage with out the approval of your doctor.  Not a good idea of self prescribing  Good Luck!   BTW inderal does have a bitter numbing effect on the taste buds if it sat just  alittle before taking water.  
    • sue73
      sue73 lindy12206

      Posted

      Thank you Lindy... I might just try taking two (because my GP didn't specify how many I should take, just as and when needed) but no more. I won't take any risks! – that is, I shall make sure I'm at home at the time. As for my chronic anxiety, I have worked hard over the years to manage it with various medications and lots of therapy, and have got over the agoraphobia and most of the panic attacks, I am just left with the physical symptoms of far too much adrenaline and thudding heart, which is why I want to try beta blockers. Anyway, I now have appointments at the cardio department, so should get some specialist advice... not till October though! Can't wait. 
    • lindy12206
      lindy12206 sue73

      Posted

      You just said,.."my GP didnt specify how many I  should take"    

      Above in another post you said.  " my GP who is usually really sensible said I could take one when I was in a potentially anxious situation".   I strongly adivise you not to self medicate your self and discuss this with your GP as soon as you can. Its a good drug and a safe drug when used as prescribed.    

    • sue73
      sue73 lindy12206

      Posted

      You're right Lindy. I am feeling pretty desperate as I'd just got back from a few days away when I was constantly worried that I'd get palpitations, and I want something to take the worry away. 10 mg doesn't have any effect so I have nothing to help me. It takes three and a half weeks to get an appointment with my GP, it's not an emergency, so I feel somewhat lost. I should be used to all this but I've only had these serious palpitations that landed me in A&E very recently so feeling quite desperate. I guess I'll just have to put up with it till I get the cardiac consultation in October. 
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