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New to Propranolol and feeling dreadful

Posted , 25 users are following.

Jude65
Jude65

Hi, I have only been taking Propranolol for a few days now and I am experiencing some of the side affects that others have mentioned i.e. cold hands and sweating (more often than normal), tension headaches but I actually feel worse in myself...

Although the panic attacks have been controlled (possibly the placebo effect from having something to take...), the anxiety is worse to the point where I am even considering the possibility of quitting my whole life and starting again! My concentration has disappeared entirely (I am now even more behind at work) and the will to do anything at all has gone and nothing makes me happy - given my way, I would crawl into a hole and sit there in total silence alone - I feel so sad.

Is this the norm to feel perhaps depressed to begin with?

My doctor did say things were likely to get worse before they get better and that they could take 2 weeks to work...

0 likes, 35 replies

35 Replies

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  • sophie15934
    sophie15934 Jude65

    Posted

    Hey everyone. I was put on propranolol for generalised anxiety which was triggered by me being ill for a month and no one understanding or listening me. They thought I had anxiety from the start but was actually a viral ear infection with similar symptoms although everything has triggered anxiety. Started propranolol the day before yesterday and felt prettt good, only took one and really helped with my breathing. Woke up in a really bad mood yesterday tho which then went away. Took one pill. After the second and third pill I experienced episodes of severe depression in which I felt I would do anything to stop this pain. Felt like I just wanted to pass out so that I could stop feeling. Managed to control it through the help of family and friends but woke up feeling s**t today? Maybe because the last pill I took was before bed? Not sure what to do. Gonna stop taking the pills but scared that they’ve triggered something. Will the depression go away with stopping the pills? I know it’s only been a few days but this feeling is absolutely unbearable. My heart goes out to people who suffer from this.
    • wendi_67740
      wendi_67740 sophie15934

      Posted

      Hi Sophie ~ that sounds so awful for you look I'mno doctor but feeling the way you are is not right , and very similar  To my reaction to propranolol by suggestion would be see your gp ASAP and tell him how u feel and you'd like an alternative ~ o stopped mine and don't take any medication now but that works for me but maybe not for everyone good luck and I wish you well again 🌸🌸

    • sophie15934
      sophie15934 wendi_67740

      Posted

      Hi Wendi,

      Thanks so much for your reply and support. I’m at my GP now so will report back here so maybe what he says can help us. I think I will stop taking medication and try to find other kinds of healing. Had a bit of a bad day today in terms of depression but have been feeling better in the past hour. I feel like the meds just need to leave my system and then my brain chemistry will go back to normal. Thank you for the support! Good to know that you’re doing well smile

    • ann55375
      ann55375 sophie15934

      Posted

      I have some depression and have been given propanolol but have found im feeling more depressed with it. Its also given me some insomnia too, worse than normzl.  I dont think this med is for me and am interested in your story.
    • sophie15934
      sophie15934 ann55375

      Posted

      Hi Ann,

      Sorry to hear that. Basically my doctor explained that it can often make you feel very tired and slows everything down physically and that’s why we may feel depressed on it. I stopped taking the Propranolol and about a week after I felt completely back to normal and haven’t had any depressive episodes since. Our cases may be different as I didn’t have depression before the meds but maybe ask your doctor for some different ones if you’ve had a bad reaction. Hope it goes well!

  • rebecca19396
    rebecca19396 Jude65

    Posted

    Is anyone using this medication while pregnant I am 8 weeks. I suffer with horrible panic attacks and doc has stopped my script I feel trapped in the house unable to work or go any where any info would be great xxxx
    • mike76241
      mike76241 rebecca19396

      Posted

      Rebecca,

      info letter with propranolol

      THIS DRUG IS NOT RECOMMENDED DURING PREGNANCY

      OR BREASTFEEDING

      you need to see doc about coping with panic attacks without

      taking any drugs,

      I just cannot believe the high dosage patients are taking

      going through the forums,

      just a 10mg can have serious effects if not suited to that person

      PLEASE READ ALL the side effects with any drugs prescribed

      they must be reported to doc's

      the danger is the addiction, by increasing the dose.

      the parents of the present generation managed without

      taking any of these drugs,

       

  • kelly92074
    kelly92074 Jude65

    Posted

    I am now scoring 1/2 if a 10Mg. Propanolol (generic), when tried to stop was so shaky inside so restarted it!  But I’m gaining weight after losssing which I’m obsessed with weight right now so I’m so upset, it wiped me out tired!  Physician upibg other Meds. And started me on 4 64 if Magnesium at bedtime trying to use as a Anti- depressant;  I’m VERY TOUCHY to Meds and their reactions/side effects.  My ?  Has anyone had these side effects with Propranolol  and when try to stop that jittery feeling got to move like crazy!  Been on it now a few weeks.
  • JohnTPH1234
    JohnTPH1234 Jude65

    Posted

    Any updates on Propanolol ? i'm new to it ( 3 weeks ) and take it as my GP is desperate to get me onto a low dose of diazepam.

    feel dreadful on these ... not sure if it's because im taking propanolol and diazepam, or maybe its early days

    good job i work for myself as i couldnt keep up a job on this mixture ...

    symptoms inc :- depression, low moods, lack of interest in anything, insmonia ... apart from these, im fine ...!

    heres hoping my body can pick up its tolerancy levels soon

  • sally64745
    sally64745 Jude65

    Posted

    I've tried to take Propranolol for migraine prevention twice now. First time I stopped after a couple of doses due to numbness and tingling in the fingers of one hand. a GP convinced me recently to try it again as he said my body would adapt. My blood pressure is normally quite low by the way.

    So, I've tried it for 2 weeks this time, 40mg at night. I am stopping as I've been feeling anxious and my mood has become very low, such as I haven't experienced ever. My sleep is also worse than ever on this medication, and have had no improvement in migraines. I will report this.

  • mike24933
    mike24933 Jude65

    Posted

    I am really puzzled by all the replies here. I think the dosage might be way too high. In my experience of suffering anxiety/panic attacks brought on by specific circumstances I found that just one dose of 10mg an hour before the event completely solved the problem without any side effects. I reckon it might have saved my life. If the problem is not anxiety induced panic but something else like depression, then that is out of my experience.

  • Thalarian
    Thalarian Jude65

    Posted

    i know how you feel, i already had depression and was prescribed Propranolol for high blood pressure, my god the depression was just crazy!! also after 3 months taking them, i developed strange irregular heartbeats, felt like a fish flopping out of water....

    • jimmy01387
      jimmy01387 Thalarian

      Posted

      omg i am going through this same thing. I thought I was dying. what did you do? did you just stop cold turkey? I suffer everyday and if this is the cause I will be so happy

  • jade2520
    jade2520 Jude65

    Edited

    hi i know this was some years ago... lost my aunt last year and from 7 weeks ago got put on Propranolol 40mg x 3 a day and i felt great at first calmed my physical symptoms down. until last week and a half i have became extremely depressed, horrible suicidal thoughts (which i was not depressed before these) i wont go anywhere i cant get out of bed have no intrest no more. i have severve loose stools cant eat for over a week do you thibk it the medicatuin could be the cause i feel dreadful.

  • kookiecookie
    kookiecookie Jude65

    Posted

    hi there. I've been taking it for 3 weeks at 40mg 2 x per day. it was prescribed for chronic migraines that were initially thought to be triggered by sinus pain but ENT specialist has ruled that out, now waiting to see neurologist and general blood test results. they've not helped the migraines at all. i feel a lot worse, depressed, zombie like, my work is suffering, any exercise is three times as hard, weight gain, harder sleeping, more nausea, less energy and more tired. i even had a mild panic attack today. the dr wanted me to give them longer to work but said it was ok to stop so i think i probably will.

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