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Anxiety and Propranolol

Posted , 22 users are following.

erin41253
erin41253

I've been prescribed some Propranolol by my doctor, it says to take 1 twice a day but I feel a littl weird taking one twice a day. Is it okay? I know my doctor told me to but It says not to take it if my heart rate is slow, I'm assuming that means if I've been lazing about and it is really slow, I'm just teribbly frightened that it will slow my heart rate down to a complete stop and I will die. I donlt really know when my heartbeatis slow or at normal speed It's probably me overreacting but I need some reassurance. If i take 2 of these a day, will I be okay? My doctor said to take them before I feel I'm going to have a panic attack but I was hoping I could get into a routine of taking them and I have panic attacks regularly and I am very forgetful and under pressure I will not think to take them before a panic attack. I just want to know that if I do take 2 a day, will I be alright? Also when should I take them, I was going to take one in the morning before school and one throughout the day

1 like, 23 replies

23 Replies

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  • kim90641
    kim90641 erin41253

    Posted

    Hi my doctor told me to take one a day for the first week and then two the second week! But to be honest they make me feel strange too so I haven't taken them! What dosage did he give you? I got 40mg. I was worried about the heart rate thing too! 
    • erin41253
      erin41253 kim90641

      Posted

      I got given 40mg also! Glad I'm not the only one! I'm just a little frightened but as I'm young my heart rate is rather fast anyway. I've been told you can take them before going into an anxious situatuion so I think I might be alright and they're safe. I was really nervous while reading the side affects!
  • Garmichi
    Garmichi erin41253

    Edited

    I started with two 40 mg per day and increased after one week to 3 totaling 120 mg per day, my rage attacks ceased and I hope never stop with the medication, it is fantastic.
    • kim90641
      kim90641 Garmichi

      Posted

      Did you feel funny on them? I'm thinking to give them another try ? As I get very stressed and my anxiety flares up but I don't have a racing heart all the time mine is more feeling like I can't breath and light headed! 
    • Garmichi
      Garmichi kim90641

      Posted

      You should check on your blood pressure, maybe this is the problem, the medication causes a lowered heart rate and consequent reduction of breathing, but the positive effects of propranolol outweigh the side effects.
    • kim90641
      kim90641 Garmichi

      Posted

      Hi my blood pressure is fine and thanks to toms reassurance I may try again as don't think I gave them long enough ? I wish I never read the side effects now 😁 

      Thanks 

    • Garmichi
      Garmichi kim90641

      Posted

      Heart rate and blood pressure are reduced and patients become less anxious. Because of this, propranolol is useful in treating chest pain, high blood pressure, and excessive nervousness. Unfortunately, propranolol often makes breathing disorders, such as asthma, worse because it tends to constrict breathing passages and sometimes causes fluid to build up in the lungs if it excessively depresses the heart.

       

    • Garmichi
      Garmichi kim90641

      Posted

      The following side effects have been observed with propranolol. Most have been mild and transient (temporary) and rarely require the withdrawal of therapy:

      Cardiovascular: bradycardia, congestive heart failure, hypotension, Raynaud's syndrome.

      Central nervous system: light-headedness, mental depression, insomnia , vivid dreams, disorientation, memory loss.

      Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, bowel ischemia.

      Allergic: fever, rash, laryngospasm, thrombocytopenia.

      Respiratory: bronchospasm.

      Hematologic: bone marrow suppression, bleeding under the skin.

       

  • tom294
    tom294 erin41253

    Posted

    Hey Erin smile

    No matter what, definitely do exactly as your doctor instructed! These forums help a lot, but I find that I’d rather take advice from someone who has had 10+ years of medical training than another person suffering from anxiety (just my preference).

     

    They are completely safe to take twice a day. Normal heart rates are usually between 45 and 95 beats per minute. To measure this but your hand on your heart and count the beats for 20 seconds (I usually use a stopwatch on my phone to help me) and then multiply that by 3. The propranolol basically keeps your heart slow and prevents adrenaline from being unleashed, your heart won't stop. 

    I was prescribed propranolol for anxiety and panic attacks, but I have to take a tablet whenever I felt an attack coming on, not regularly. Don’t do the same as me though, everyone is different and your doctor is giving you a dosage to match your needs!

    You may feel some side effects for the first week or so of taking them, I thought I would give you a heads up because when I started experiencing nausea, dizziness and cold flushes and I thought I was dying (I’m the biggest hypochondriac). So if you feel those sensations, don’t worry they are harmless and your body will adjust J maybe tell your doctor if you’re experiencing them far too much and he may lower your dosage.

    Overall, you’re fine. Just do as the doctor instructed and take all of the advice he gives you (and all given from a psychologist if you have one). Anxiety sucks, but you will overcome it!

    Best of luck,

    Tom smile

    • kim90641
      kim90641 tom294

      Posted

      Hi

      This makes lots of sense and it's crazy that we get anxious about taking anxiety tablets 😜 I will try again or ask my docs for a lower doseage 

      Thanks 

    • tom294
      tom294 kim90641

      Posted

      Yeah just persivere smile Just remember propranolol doesn't do anything for anxiety it just calms the heart! 

      I started taking it a few weeks ago and I was terrified with what it was doing to me, but looking back it wasn't that bad and I don't get the side effects anymore. 

    • erin41253
      erin41253 tom294

      Posted

      Thankyou I feel much more at ease! I'm going to start taking them on Monday!
  • HEZ64
    HEZ64 erin41253

    Posted

    Hi Erin

    I was put on Propanalol for the same but it made my BP too low ( symptoms were dizziness, and lack of energy, brain fog etc and nothing to do with being lazy) The drug is designed to lower blood pressure but you need to be monitored to get the doze right.Do not give up.If you feel these symptoms, go back to your Doctor who should be checking you anyway.Good luck with the panic attacks.As I got older mine subsided a lot.Hope this helps

  • margaret50180
    margaret50180 erin41253

    Posted

    I take 40mg inn the morning when I get up and 40mg about 10pm then I go to bed at 11.

    Took a few weeks to get in system but sleeping ok most nights I get the odd night where I wake up a lot.

    I am starting councilling this week so hope that helps.

    Also I have purchased relaxation tapes.

    They have helped with my anxiety.

    Do not feel on your own thete is always someone on this site to talk to. 

  • Hosut
    Hosut erin41253

    Posted

    Has anyone had side effects of nausea and diarrhoea with propanolol? Just started them on Tuesday and thought I had a bug today but realised it's potentially side effects. How long should I expect these to last for? Thanks in advance. 
    • amy75782
      amy75782 Hosut

      Posted

      Hi,

      I have not experienced these symptoms, but it could be possible everybody's body is different. They souls wear off within a couple of weeks.

      I have suffered with cold hands and feet and also a fast heartbeat when the propranolol wears off, it's like you get addicted to them. I'm trying to come off them but finding it hard.

      I hope you feel better soon.

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