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Propranolol

Posted , 6 users are following.

k07558
k07558

Hi,

I've suffered from anxiety / panic attacks since I was a teenager (I'm 26 now). Despite getting much better at coping, and utilising a number of coping strategies (exercise, breathing techniques etc.), lately I have not been coping.

I was always against the idea of going medication, particularly any SSRI/ antidepressant type. However I decided it was about time I faced the facts are seeked help.

I've been prescribed Propranolol (a beta blocker) 10mg, 3 times a day.

I get a number of physical symptoms of anxiety including: rapid breathing, elevated heart rate, flushing, sweating, fidgeting, shaking. So having a beta blocker made sense.

I guess I'm just wanting some advice as I'm currently just staring at the packaging. What should I expect? How quickly will it take to start doing something? What are your experiences? Do I really need it?

I suppose I'm just reaching out for help and support.

Thanks so much in advance.

1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • vicky51471
    vicky51471 k07558

    Posted

    Hi there

    i had to write to you to say that propanol was the best anxiety medication for me I was  fist put on the same dose as you then over the the years it upped tooa lot higher 160 mg sustained realise one that gave out ' bursts" through the day and a 40mg when needed.

     You are experiencing these awful symptoms and if you've something that can aliviate that then why not try it. Your Dr has prescribed them for you so he she thinks they may help.

    my shakes stopped the sweating the feeling sick all of it. I was so happy that at last I found something to control the symptoms. Unfortunately I had to be taken off them as I have asthma. I am having trouble finding the "right one" now it's a bit of a rollercoaster ATM!!

     I would say give them ago when you feel the anxiety take one and see how you feel. I noticed that the main thing was my heart rate came  down( it is a beta blocker) therefore I was more calm, I was able to take stock if you know what I mean. It stopped my shaking and sweats.  They worked with in half hour I have to say the dose I was on was a big one n the end.

    Everyone's different I must add not everyone works for all. 

     I hope this helps they where really effective for me and I have not found anything that helps like they did.

    good luck let us know how you get on. There's no shame in medical help if needed.

    also have you tried to work out why the anxiety happens for you, to speak to Somone professional about how you feel may help you aswell

    take care 

    vicky

  • mac58
    mac58 k07558

    Posted

    Try them! They won't help you while they are still in the package. 10mg is a tiny dose. You will hopefully start to feel better fairly quickly. If propranolol doesn't help, there are other meds that could.

    Let us know how you get on.

  • frazzled
    frazzled k07558

    Posted

    I'm wondering why the doc has given you a medication that mostly deals issues related to BP and the heart.  I've never heard it given for anxiety.  I'm not sure I'd take it without further clarification from a doc.  Do you have any heart issues?

    • mac58
      mac58 frazzled

      Posted

      Beta blockers have been given for anxiety for many years now. My brother in law was given propranolol when he was anxious about flying, for example.

      Quite a lot of people on this forum are on it. I have tried it and it did nothing for me!

       But if you check the literature, it is there.

    • frazzled
      frazzled mac58

      Posted

      thank you mac -- I will check the literature and speak to doc about this.  As I mentioned to  johnkov in his/her reply here, I seem to recall that beta blockers exasperated dementia but I may be dead wrong.

      Thanks again -- I learn something new here almost every day.

    • mac58
      mac58 frazzled

      Posted

      There are so many things written about possible links to dementia. I do not personally believe any of them.

      Age is the single biggest risk factor for dementia. I am quite sure that any links found between various drugs and dementia are coincidental and I have found claims made by researchers to be highly spurious in nature.

      I used to care for my aunt who had dementia. I also ran a Care Home for people with dementia.

      None of the many patients I saw had any so-called risk factors in common, other than age, which is known to be the only risk factor which is proved.

      Almost 50% of people over the age of 85 have dementia. In fact, as soon as we reach the age of 65, our risk of getting dementia starts to increase exponentially.

      It is possible to show that a certain percentage of people with dementia took, for example, diazepam/propranolol/whatever, but then so did the rest of the population who have not developed dementia.

      I think it's happenstance.

      Anyway, right off the subject, so sorry about that.

    • frazzled
      frazzled mac58

      Posted

      Hi:  just a question -- are you in the UK?  I'm in the US and am wondering why after 30+ years of dealing with psychiatrists only one mentioned Inderal for use to get me thru an out of house staff meeting where I had to give a presentation (I suffer from social phobia).  She gave me only a few and said they would help my breathing while giving the presentation but no more -- she would not giveme a script -- nor did the med work.  I'm wondering if US does are not tuned into this med for anxiety.

      Thanx

    • mac58
      mac58 frazzled

      Posted

      Hi, Frazzled (what a great User Name),

      Yes, I'm in the UK.

      Propranolol (Inderal) has been used for years here to calm people down.

      It does seem to have rather random rates of improvement. It did nothing for me but I personally know two people who think it's great.

      Possibly it's more on offer here because the UK as a whole are being prescribed far fewer benzos (Valium, Restoril, Klonopin etc.) due to their addictive nature.

      When people ask for anti-anxiety medicine here, they generally get about two weeks' supply and are offered therapy and counselling.

      It seems to me that practically everyone in the US is on or has been on, Xanax (which is never prescribed here) and Klonopon (which, as the generic clonazepam, is prescribed here for epilepsy and not for anxiety.)

      First drugs of choice here (at this moment) diazepam 2mg, for a brief period only, and zopiclone or zolpidem (Ambien) for sleep disorders, up to 7.5mg/night, for up to a fortnight.

      I am very worried about the z drugs being prescribed. My partner got seriously addicted to them. GPs here were told that they were not addictive.

      Yeah, right.

    • frazzled
      frazzled mac58

      Posted

      Hi mac.  Thanx so much for your reply -- cleared up a lot of questions I had. 

      Another question (please excuse my bugging you)  When you say your partner got "seriously addicted" to xanax, what was the end result?  What do you mean by "addiction."

      As I mentioned, I have been on xanax for over 30 years and not only have I never increased the dose but I actually lowered it over the years.  The word addiction to me means the dose has to be increased in order to receive the initial beneficial effects.  One thing for sure is that the benzos cause a strong dependency (don't leave home without them) but I have never craved or wanted more than I've taken all these years. 

      I'm curious about this.   Thanx

       

    • mac58
      mac58 frazzled

      Posted

      Hi Frazzled,

      She was addicted to zopiclone.

      She got them initially from our GP, then started buying them online.

      On some days she took fourteen tablets. Her worst day was when she took the whole twenty eight which were meant to last a month (one tablet per niight.)

      So yes, she go dependent and addicted. She needed higher and higher doses just to get rid of the withdrawal symptoms.

      Then, after two years, she found a doctor who managed to get her off them. It took over a year.

      She still craves them. She has bought zopiclone (zimovane), zolpidem (ambien), diazepam (valium), clonazepam (klonopin), alprazolam (xanax) and many, many other benzos online.

      They cost a fortune, of course, and you don't know for sure what you're getting.

      So that's what I meant by addiction. You're lucky not to have needed to increase your dose of xanax.

      Mac.

  • vicky51471
    vicky51471 k07558

    Posted

    Hi again

    I have to say they have many uses and they are mainly to calm the heart rate. If you are experiencing this it's likely they will try this medication first because of the success it has had on others. Some rhis medicine may not be right.

    i also add we have a rare heart condition in my family my mothers sister has it so is currently on beta blockers for this I guess it's all about regulating your heart. I am sure before been given this medication the dr will have all the knowledge to make the right judgement and to prescribe according if nessecary.

    once the tablet calms your heart rate it may help the shaking and sweating..

    whatever you decide I hope that you find your answer soon!!!

    vicky

  • johnkov
    johnkov k07558

    Posted

    Propanolol is a fast-acting drug. It is not an antidepressant or an anti-anxiety medication in the strict sense of these terms, it works within minutes. Its main role is to maintain a constant, slow heartbeat. It is very helpful in these patients who manifest physical symptoms of anxiety and who do not show any abnormal thinking patterns (and who would normally require either a talking therapy or AD medication). It will help you to avoid the physical symptoms of anxiety and… that’s it. It won’t enable you to care less about things that you may experience in the future (GAD) or that other people may think about you right now (social anxiety) so if your problem is psychological, it won’t help. But for the physical symptoms – it is the best med that you can legally get prescribed.
    • frazzled
      frazzled johnkov

      Posted

      Thank you -- think I'll talk to my doc about this but I seem to recall something about Beta Blockers and their tendency to exacerbate dementia.  I may be way off the wall here but have to check. 

      Thanx again.

  • k07558
    k07558

    Posted

    Thank you so much everyone for taking the time to reply.

    I decided to go for it and see what happens. Maybe I just need to admit that's it's OK to have help sometimes.

    I keep you posted on how it goes.

    xx

  • k07558
    k07558

    Posted

    Me again smile

    Has anyone who's taken Propranolol noticed any difference when exercising? I do boxercise once a week and try to do other classes and workouts throughout the week (weights, aqua Zumba etc).

    I don't want these to be negativity impacted by meds!

    Thanks xx

    • unlucky63610
      unlucky63610 k07558

      Posted

      Its a good medicine but i think you should just talk to your doctor for combination of this medicine it will help alot like lexapro 10 mg 😄😄😄..the comination will work for me though i am anxious about my heart thats why i do ct angiography which was clear now no worries but i start taking lexapro 10 mg every night but before i use propnalol 10 mg 3 times a day and one lexapro 10 mg at night----i feel scared of driving and have health anxiety combo work for me very well

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