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Duloxetine and Propranalol combo

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AriadneBee
AriadneBee

Hello,

I've been on duloxetine 60mg for about 3 months now (previously venlafaxine 18 months and before that citalopram for 6 years).

I've also been prescribed Propranalol 40mg for anxiety - which has absolutely gone through the roof since I changed to duloxetine. Mood swings and panic attacks have been very difficult to manage.

My problem is that I'm getting conflicting info from my GP and shrink on how I should be taking them and in what amounts. My shrink says to take them regularly at set times every day - up to 120 mg. My GP says not to exceed 80mg and to take them as and when I need them. I tend to trust my psychiatrist more but ultimately my GP controls my repeat prescriptions and does interfere with what my psychiatrist prescribes.

Confused! Has anyone else used this combination before?

Thank you.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • anya.rose
    anya.rose AriadneBee

    Posted

    Hi Ariadne, I don't have much medication experience I'm afraid but just wanted to suggest you try to get your GP and psychiatrist talk to each other directly about this (do they know they're giving you conflicting info?), just a simple phone call will probably be enough for them to get onto the same page. Because you shouldn't need to be in a position where you need to decide with medical info to ignore. I don’t what your doctors are like but my GP is very open to talking to others for me but not sure, maybe that’s an exception and I’m just lucky. Wishing you all the best! Anya xx
    • AriadneBee
      AriadneBee anya.rose

      Posted

      Hi Anya-Rose, I am actually seriously considering swapping GPs as I find mine a bit arrogant and high handed. I'm just anxious about doing this as the staff at the surgery advised it might cause some awkwardness. I just think another GP might be a bit more approachable.

      I pay to see my psychiatrist privately and although he can sometimes be slow to get things done, like sending letters, I'm totally comfortable with him. It just makes things even more awkward for me when I constantly have to chase him to get things done.

      Thanks for your advice and taking time to reply. Xx

  • norabab
    norabab AriadneBee

    Posted

    I hope you will manage to get the doctors to talk to each other!  Please don't be frightened to let them know they are giving you different instructions.  It happens.

    Sorry to hear that Duloxetine is causing such anxiety -- did they explain why they prescribed that, rather than something else?  I am researching what to take next and therefore I am interested in anybody else's experience of different meds.

    • AriadneBee
      AriadneBee norabab

      Posted

      Hi Norabab, the duloxetine isn't causing the anxiety, it just isn't treating it effectively for me (it just doesn't for some people) so I need a secondary medication to treat my anxiety. My shrink prescribed it as I've already been on Citalopram for 6 years and venlafaxine for 2 years.

      My psychiatrist advised I come off venlafaxine as it was making me ill, my GP however pretty much rubbishes what he says and insists my withdrawal symptoms and issues are just 'anxiety attacks.' Duloxetine has helped with the depression but my anxiety continues to be awful.

      The medication I had the fewest problems with was citalopram but when they introduced the restricted dose of 40mg and my GP refused to prescribe a higher dose as my psychiatrist suggested, it stopped being effective. I can't afford to pay private prescription fees so I had to find an alternative to citalopram. That alternative was venlafaxine which started great but became a nightmare, I wish I'd never taken it now.

      Anyway that's my experience with meds so far! Thanks for your reply smile

    • norabab
      norabab AriadneBee

      Posted

      I just was curious because I looked up Duloxetine and asked psychiatrist about it.  She said she didn't think it was suitable because it was prescribed mostly for people who have neuropathic pain (like fibromyalgia).  But the same is true of something else they are suggesting (Pregabalin) so I am confused. 

      I took Citalopram for about 4 years and it worked very well except it made me itch violently so I finally had to stop.  Venlafaxine was OK for me but I was told it wasn't good for my arrhythmia.  (strange...that's why they prescribed it in the first place!)

      I think you are right about changing GPs -- I don't know what they mean about it being "awkward" -- it is your right to do so.  If you go to a practice with several doctors you can figure out which one you get along with and just see that one.

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