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information about propranolol

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cerryxcee
cerryxcee

Hi, im new to this website so not too sure how things go on here but i was wondering if anyone can share some personal experiance of propranolol... ive suffered GAD anxiety for 13 years it got worse over the past two years since i had my youngest lb i decided i couldnt take anymore and asked the doctor for help, he prescribed me propranolol at first i was reluctant to take it as i didnt want to be dependant plus i dont take tablets ( part of the anxiety) 

in the end i started i couldnt bare the anxiety and how much it was ruining my life, this was 4 months ago, i started on 40mg a day, i felt tired restless but non of the anxious feelings i used to feel, then after a two months i started to feel anxious around tea time, the dr told me to take an extra 20mg so i did... it seemed to do the trick up until two weeks ago and a majority of the anxious symptoms came back, the drop in the stomach feeling, tingles, jelly legs, hot/cold sweats and the panic of an attack i feel down and really depressed aswell as feeling like iv put weight on iv been to see the doctor but i feel like they dont really care... im currently on the waiting list for CBT ( 18 weeks waiting list ) does anybody else have any of the same symptoms suggestions of advice ? 

2 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • cerryxcee
    cerryxcee

    Posted

    forgot to add findinf it difficult to sleep of a night time and even more difficult to wake when i do finally drift off to sleep xx 
    • anil45865
      anil45865 cerryxcee

      Posted

      I used to take Propanolol for my anxiety problems but later on my doc asked me to switch over to Atenolol. It works well for my anxiety and also for blood pressure.
  • robin77577
    robin77577 cerryxcee

    Posted

    Hello Cerry,

    I just this minute sent a message to Carl who is suffering from anxiety and panic attacks which sounds like what you are experiencing. The quick breathing can cause the tingling, jelly legs, sweats etc.. Can you learn some breathing techniques. You can google this information. When you start to feel anxious, you breathe deeply and in a particular way. 

    Here is a link to some suggestions for you that I hope make you feel at least somewhat better:

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/depression-and-anxiety-259425?page=0#505553

    I hope you can rely on your mother, father, good friends to support you through this difficult period. If you are really too upset by this, contact your doctor, see a psychologist...even if you have to pay. Your health is ultra important, physical and mental.

    Good luck, Cerry!

    Robin

  • cerryxcee
    cerryxcee

    Posted

    thank you for your reply robin, ive read up alot about my condition over the past few years, i nolonger touch alcohol or caffine as i know it makes me 100xs more anxious ... the rest of the advice other than magnesium/st johns wort i have tried might give a little read up about them and speak to my doctor again. ive just read on here that propranolol isnt normally given to GAD sufferes as it only helps short term with the physical effects of the anxiety so maybe something else ill have to bring up with my doctor xxx
    • robin77577
      robin77577 cerryxcee

      Posted

      Good that you are self aware and can do your own research and take responsibility for your own health. 

      You might want to speak to your pharmacist. I am not saying to NOT speak to your doctor but just bear in mind that doctors do not study 'medications/drugs' in med school....whereas that is the field of study of pharmacists. Doctors get their information largely from their drug company reps and drug company conferences whereas pharmacists study all about drugs and how they affect the brain (in your case) and drug interractions etc.. Don't forget about this important resource.

      I think 80% of the prescriptions that they fill are for conditions that affect the mind/brain. Shocking really... Was anxiety and depression always this prevalent? I somehow doubt it. So what is going on? Stress was probably greater when living conditions and poverty was worse years ago. I suspect it's something in the water or a deficiency maybe of magnesium that I have been reading so much about or maybe even bread!  I read the book Wheat Belly and the author, a doctor states that today's modern wheat has been so altered in its genetic makeup that it contains a chemical that is poison to the brain. Read up on that if you like. If I suffered from anxiety or depression, I would go on the Paleo diet as was suggested by some posters not long ago. I have only just started reading about this diet which seems to closely resemble the Atkins diet which even the American Heart Association has had to admit with the studies in hand to prove it, that this diet IS better for heart health. I would also cut out all sugars and go very easy on the white carbs; pasta, potatoes, cereals, rice and of course, breads. If you DO find something that really works, share it with people on this forum. Shout it from the rooftops!

      Good luck Cerry.

      Robin 

  • jmcg2014
    jmcg2014 cerryxcee

    Posted

    I feel the same way about medication, I take no meds at all. Have you considered therapy as an approach. The problem with medication and supplements is that they do not resolve anxiety, they work to reduce symptoms. As you have found though this won't work long term. Therapy will allow u to deal with the anxiety, understand it and learn to make it less distressing
  • cerryxcee
    cerryxcee

    Posted

    i am on the waiting list for cognitive behavioural therapy but its an 18 week waiting list sad
    • jmcg2014
      jmcg2014 cerryxcee

      Posted

      CBT is useful for some,there are other therapies available which may be worth discussing with the therapist. The wait is long but its really worth it. Hang in there!
    • robin77577
      robin77577 cerryxcee

      Posted

      Can you ask your family to help you out, if you cannot manage financially, and go to see a psychologist in the meantime. 18 weeks is a ridiculously long time to wait. That won't be until nearly winter!!!  There is no better investment than in one's health. Make the lifestyle changes I suggested such as getting out in the bright light of day, not staying on the computer at night. My goodness, it is the middle of the night in Britain. Maybe you are in North America...

      Good luck!

      Robin

    • cerryxcee
      cerryxcee robin77577

      Posted

      Yes it is the middle of the night I stated on my post that I have been suffering insomnia of a night... I do go out I go out as much as possible some days are difficult when I'm feeling depressed tired anxious etc. Thank you for all the advice so far x
    • robin77577
      robin77577 cerryxcee

      Posted

      I think it's best to keep to a regular circadian rhythm, up and active and tiring yourself out during the day; out in the light from the morning on...and turning lights down (including computer and TV light) as the sun sets.  
  • hope4cure
    hope4cure cerryxcee

    Posted

    Hi Cerry. It so hard to adjust with how meds will  help with anxiety. It's such a confusing issue when meds work then they don't seem to. My doc said it takes time for these meds to become steady in the blood stream to level out. Then once it does level out then he increased the dose just as u did

    then I tried other meds till I was stabilized since finding Cymbalta.

    I hope u can ask for help during UR waiting time. Try another med until then .

    in the mean time take deep breaths when u feel a panic attack coming. Put UR head between UR legs u probably know the drill.

    take care feeling well wishes sent UR way.

    (( hugs ))

    HOPE

    • cerryxcee
      cerryxcee hope4cure

      Posted

      Is Ur medication a beta blocker can I ask I am unsure if I need to be treated for depression as well as the GAD an can't wait 18 weeks for CBT to find out. Feel like the Dr just won't listen its getting me down xxx
  • amy89817
    amy89817 cerryxcee

    Posted

    Hi cerry, 

    If you google 'positive steps' you may be able to organise starting CBT quicker (I know that CBT is not for everyone, but this is what your DR has suggested) Positive steps is a mental health service around the UK (they are actually the ones who provide the CBT at my GP practice) and on their website offer free group and one-to-one sessions for anxiety, without the need for input by your GP. They have regular sessions and group sessions you can book onto, so you probably wouldn't have to wait more than a couple of weeks at most. 

    • cerryxcee
      cerryxcee amy89817

      Posted

      Thank you for your advice everyone... I wasn't aware of that thank you Amy its worth a try.  I just wonder now if its best for me to change meds or come off them completely pluses and negatives to both :-( xxx
    • amy89817
      amy89817 cerryxcee

      Posted

      I'm on propranolol too (I'm on it for a heart condition not anxiety, even though I do have anxiety) and I know that you're supposed to reduce your dosage/frequency before stopping completely.

      It's probably best to talk to your GP before stopping, they may change your dose (I think generally people who take propranolol for anxiety take it when they feel anxious/just before going into an worrying situation, rather than a specific dose at a certain time of the day), they will be able to tell you how to reduce your dose before stopping, or prescribe something else. You can get high heart rate, shakiness and sweating if you stop suddenly, which would make me feel rather anxious! So it's best to reduce it, which would probably only take you a couple of days to do as you're on a low dose.

      But definitely speak to your GP before doing anything different with your medication! smile 

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