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Propranolol and Symptoms Going on lower dose? Please Need advice?

Posted , 4 users are following.

brigidcooley
brigidcooley

Hi, just need some quick advice on this. I've been on Propranolol 80mg slow release for about 5 months for severe anxiety, and today, after talking to my doctor last week about wanting to come off and start with maybe going on a lower dose, and then asking 2 pharmacists about it, I started today on 10mg Propranolol (Inderal) taking 4 a day, basically halving my dose of the slow release. My doctor actually gave me the 10mg to take on top of the one I was taking, but also said I could just take them 4x a day and get them on repeat if I wanted to.

Throughout the day, I've had ups and downs, sometimes feeling a bit tight chested, usually an hour after taking it, or little flutter in my chest. I took my 3rd an hour ago, but I got a really bad chest pain, it only lasted a few seconds. But I'm starting to panic and get really scared I'm going to have a heart attack or stroke or something, or something really bad is going to happen.

I'm 31 year old female, don't drink or smoke, had about 4 ECG's this year and a heart and blood pressure monitor, all were normal, these were around the same time I started the Propranolol 5 months ago. I've also nearly been to the doctor every week because of my anxiety, and they've checked my heart each time. All normal. Last week my doctor listened to my heart, took my oxygen level and blood pressure, all was fine he said.

So, I'm fightened right now that the lower doses I started today are causing my heart damage or going to give me a heart attack? I need advice on what's going on, I feel so scared.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • johnht
    johnht brigidcooley

    Posted

    Hello Bridgid

    I am sorry to hear that you are so anxious.

    It does sound to me that you are under tremendous care and would not worry.

    I myself recently back on propranolol 80mg and have noticed side effects eg chest.

    Please don't worry so much and take it easy.

    John

    • brigidcooley
      brigidcooley johnht

      Posted

      Thank you, yeah I get very anxious with any change, especially medications. Even though it's the same medication but only in a pill rather than a capsule like before. Today is only day 1 of the lower dose, so I'm probably making myself worse as well focusing obsessively on it.

      Thanks again!

  • chloe58873
    chloe58873 brigidcooley

    Posted

    Hey there,

    I'm probably not the best person to answer this question as I've never cut back on a consistent usage of Propranalol.

    I do understand how scary anxiety can be though so thought I'd leave a response when I saw your post. I'd really not worry about your heart especially if the doctor has told you its healthy. I'm no doctor but I'm pretty sure some people get prescribed Propranalol after a heart attack because it helps the heart. I'm sure that the chest pain you feel is normal (I often get a tight chest from anxiety) and it might possibly be a side effect of lowering your dosage.

    I've personally experienced anxiety where I've felt like I'm about to have a heart attack and die but its never the case and isn't actually harmful to you - as crazy as that may seem.

    Anyway, I'm sure someone will have a more helpful response but hopefully this reassures you a bit 😃

    • brigidcooley
      brigidcooley chloe58873

      Posted

      Thank you, that's very kind of you. Yeah, I'm trying to calm down, it's very hard when I'm as worked up as I've gotten, but thank you again. It's only my first time lowering it, like day 1, and I've only been on the slow release one for 5 months, but I tend to get very anxious with any change, especially medications, even though it's the same drug but instead of a capsule, it's a pill.

      Thank you!

  • normbo
    normbo brigidcooley

    Posted

    I hate to sound this way, but they are doing this because someone will pay. It is not necessary, and your insurance, or medicare will pay, and that is the reason they do it. I went to the cardioligist more often then the neuroligist, for a problem, that was nearly 90% better by 15 minutes after I had the propranol.What I eventually learned, about my problems, is that sitting long times, was not allowing the chemicals in my body to dispurse. The chemicals, were false signals from my brain telling my muscles to move! But, I was a programmer, so, sitting 8, 10, 12 hours a day was part of the job.Getting up and walking dispurses the chemicals. What a world, where they first perscribe medication, and then let you know that a little bit of exercise, and your medication, can help you get off the medication. I really only need it now, if someone really stresses me. Otherwise, I know not to sit for more then a day, for 8 or more hours.

    • brigidcooley
      brigidcooley normbo

      Posted

      Sorry for late reply. I should of made it clear, I am in Ireland, we get free medical care here with a medical card, which means we see the doctor and specialists and do not have to pay for it. So it's probably different in other countries, thankfully I only have to pay for a prescription if needed, which is 2-20 euro depending on what medicine you require or life long medicines.

      I often get told to exercise and it being good for me, so may have to put more into practice.

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