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Finally withdrawing from Propranolol after 10+ years

Posted , 2 users are following.

ian82869
ian82869

I must have been taking this tablet for well over 10 years. I remember the horrendous side effects when withdrawing from Ativan and then Seroxat, and was assured by my then Doctor that Propranolol was easier to stop.

I managed to get off Citalopram just before Christmas 2017, with a lot of side effects, but stayed on 1x40mg of Propranolol , then taking another 40mg at night, to help me sleep (it didn't! It had the opposite effect - insomnia, nightmares, sweating etc). The extra tablet also seemed to lower my blood pressure ( I am taking Losartan) to an unheard of - for me, anyway - reading. I also felt a bit dizzy.

So I have decided to rid myself of Propranolol and have been taking, since Sunday, 20mg one day then 40mg the next.

Any advice as to how long I should do this for would be appreciated.

I hope by doing this I will no longer have cold feet and hands and tingling in my fingers. I believe these are side effects of Propranolol? I have lived with those problems for years.

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • nancy_shady
    nancy_shady ian82869

    Posted

    Hi ian82869,

    I also take Propranolol - for about 8 years now.  I initially took it to control erratic heart beat and shortness of breath (heart valve problem). My dosage is 20mg at bedtime only, but this small dose has been amazingly helpful to me for sleep and regulating my heart.

    My dr asked me to wean off of the Propranolol last Fall for some medical testing, but it took much longer than she thought it would.  I found that reducing the dose by 1/2 tablet every 2 weeks, I was able to taper down without too much trouble.  Otherwise, I ended up with headache, short of breath, and insomnia.

    So my advice is to reduce the dosage very gradually.  Hope this helps.

  • ian82869
    ian82869

    Posted

    Thank you nancy shady. I am going to take it slowly and gradually this time!
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