Propranolol
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi All,
I am continuing my now month long struggle with breathing anxiety and constant tight chest. I have been on an increased dosage of citalopram for 3 weeks and have just had my second counselling session which is helping.
I went to the doctors again this morning and he gave me some reassurance (probably not helpful as i already know its anxiety) and he gave me 10mg Propranolol. I don't really suffer with full blown panic attacks in certain situations where it gets bad then goes away, its more general anxiety where my body is in a constant anxious state, and i feel it mostly in my chest.
Will Proporanolol help me with this or is it pointless? I saw a doctor i haven't seen before today and he almost just laughed it off. Just looking for experiences. Thank you
0 likes, 12 replies
heather52246 Miranda123
Posted
This is how I feel just constant state of anxiousness and it's all in my chest too. a get pain just near arm pits too like all the muscles are achey when my chest is like this it makes me more anxious. I have been given propananol but a don't like taking anything have taken it before and a don't know if it's in my head but it made my chest even more tighter and that was it for me never took it again but mine is 40mg yours is only 10 so might not do that.. a don't know how to get the chest discomfort to go it's been there for weeks now and wakes me out of sleep.. I really hate anxiety!!!hope you feel better
Miranda123 heather52246
Posted
I really hate it too! I feel your pain. Hope you feel better soon too, let me know if you come across any handy techniques!
heather52246 Miranda123
Posted
Miranda123 heather52246
Posted
heather52246 Miranda123
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moira43918 Miranda123
Posted
Hi Georgina. I have general anxiety which seems to cause the same symptoms as u. The chest tightness is horrendous. I've been taking propranolol 160mg for about 6 months along with citalopram 40mg. The propanolol definitely stops the racing heart but the tight chest is still here. I feel I'm constantly forcing myself to breathe. For some reason i had a week there without the tightness, then it's now back for whatever reason. Breathing exercises do help but are quite had to do when u r in a panic
Miranda123 moira43918
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Hi Moira, i have been following your post actually as your symptoms seem to be the same as mine. I kind of went through the same thing where i had 2 or 3 days where i forgot about it completely and the tight chest completely disappeared so i thought it was over. But it came back just as bad if not worse.
Yeah I can sometimes feel the benefits of breathing techniques but i find them hard as they are obviously focused on your breathing and that's all i focus on at the moment and am trying to get away from. I feel like i cannot breathe but my oxygen levels were 99%!? It makes no sense. Definitely the worst symptom I've had with anxiety!
moira43918 Miranda123
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It is the worst. I can deal with most of the symptoms but this tightness is rotten. Don't no what else to do. Any ideas!!!
MoreThanDSM5 Miranda123
Posted
Hi Georgina,
I have to admit I have no experience of either of these two medications, however I do have (and still do) experience of similar medications prescribed for anxiety. As you are probably aware the Citalopram is an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor). These types of medication are very common for anxiety and depression, there is good information on this site about them if you wish to know more. That aside these medications can take a while to reach full potential and you may find that the dose is slowly increased by your GP. The Propranolol is a beta blocker which have been found to be rather effective in reducing anxiety.
I would never say that any prescribed medication is pointless, until it has been tried and found to not be 'hitting the right spot', if you follow me. The important thing is to remember that medication is like a plaster, it is there to prevent the problem getting worse and to allow time to heal. The counselling is more important here as it will help you understand the causes of your anxiety and hopefully help you find ways to overcome it.
If you wish you can practice breathing techniques, as simple as sitting and count ten deep breathes. You should find that it eases the tension, also try to either clear your mind (not an easy task I admit). I use a method where I imagine a river and any thoughts that come into my mind are fish, I then imagine the fish swimming away, letting go of the thought. If I find myself thinking of something, I say to myself, "stop catching fish", them I imagine it swimming away.
May sound daft, but it works for me. Try the medication, stick with the counselling and don't catch any fish!
Regards
David
Miranda123 MoreThanDSM5
Posted
Hi David,
I think maybe i am being too hasty with the Citalopram, as in, thinking it will work sooner than i know it will. I have been on 10mg for the past 2-3 years and went up to 20mg about 3 weeks ago. I have been on 20mg before and the transition was pretty smooth although it heightened my anxiety for a few weeks so i guess that's what I'm going through now. So worth it though to get a good result.
I don't think i saw the best doctor, he basically advised me to 'think happy thoughts'
he did say a few helpful things though like you need to accept that this is how you are at the moment and sometimes you just have to keep going.
Thank you for sharing your fish technique! I like that, i am going to try it. I also find waterfalls and trickling water relaxing, it makes me think of the countryside, trees and flowers (wow i sound mega sad now!)
Thanks a lot for your help!
borderriever Miranda123
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Yes take your medications as advised. Most probably your GP is working on the recommendation of your CPN
BOB
Miranda123 borderriever
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