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Insomnia on Propranolol

Posted , 5 users are following.

louise27433
louise27433

I was prescribed propranolol for migraines 3 weeks ago and it has helped brilliantly with the headaches, I've not had one migraine and if I do get a bad head then paracetamol take it away so from that perspective its great. However, I'm struggling to get to sleep and only getting about 5 hours a night which in turn kicks off my anxiety. Has anyone else experienced this? The leaflet says 'sleeplessness' is a symptom that will disappear but I'm not sure how long I can wait. Feeling pretty down as the effect its having on the migraines is brillant.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • amy75782
    amy75782 louise27433

    Posted

    Hi, Louise I struggled to sleep at first but it will calm down give it another couple of weeks.
  • maria02551
    maria02551 louise27433

    Posted

    Hi Louise

    so amazing that the headaches and migraines are better!  Propranolol is a massive life saver for me and makes everything 60% better I would say.  Insomnia and sleeplessness are common effects unfortunately.  They will definitely get better though and in my experience you don't need as much sleep.  I had to come off them as I'm oregnant just now and I do sleep much better, however once the baby I ihere I'll be back on them.  Couple of things you can try, I take 80mg a day and take it first thing in the morning, they are slow release so shouldn't effect sleep too much so make sure the dose is a slow release one and your taking in the morning.  The other thing is don't think oh no it's the tablets making me now sleep as the brain has a funny way of causing the sleeplessness!!! I find when I go on them the first 3/4 weeks I get bad dry eyes, dizzy, sleeplessness, and even hallucinate when I wake up from sleeping mid through the night, then this all settles down.  Give it a bit longer and try nit to be too anxious about it.  if they are helping the headaches and migraines any things better than having a migraine.  I did also find that although I slept less and it took me longer to nod if, I funvtioned well on the less sleep as well.  Hope this helps xx

  • Kermodesmum
    Kermodesmum louise27433

    Posted

    Hi Louise

    I have been on this medication for over 12 months now, like you my migraines are reduced and i can deal with the odd headache with normal paracetamol. I did suffer with broken sleep for ages, but often used to think it was nothing compared to the pain i used to suffer with the migraine....so it was a fairly good trade off!

    IT WILL GET BETTER!!!! Just stick to a good nighttime routine and pursever with the meds ok

    Good luck

  • louise27433
    louise27433

    Posted

    Thanks very much for all your replies so far, really appreciated.
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