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Propranolol side effects / anxiety????

Posted , 3 users are following.

tom294
tom294

Hey, I wrote this out last night but forgot to post it:

"I recently had a panic attack a few days ago and I had another one two nights ago. I went to the clinic yesterday and I've been prescribed with 40mg of propranolol (deralin) to be taken whenever I feel a panic attack coming on. Today I took it once (around 2 or 3 hours ago) and now I'm currently laying in bed with tinnitus, freezing hands, shivers, nausea, feeling faint and an awful anxious feeling coming from my gut. I'm not sure what to do right now or when it will pass. I've been like this for 45 minutes! I have dissolvable electrolyte tablets that I could drink but I'm not sure if I should after propranolol or if it would increase my blood pressure (which usually leads to awful panic attacks). Please help!!!"

I remained this way from around 6pm-9pm. I went to have a bath, which didn't do anything. I then made myself vomit from the nausea and that is when I started to feel better! I kept making myself vomit for a while until I felt sleepy and I went to sleep.

This morning, I felt the exact same as I did last night. Just a horrible, butterflies in the stomach feeling, ringing in my ears, nausea, crazy shivers and cold flushes with cold hands and feet. I don't know if this is a side effect or my anxiety (or both) or if I'm just getting sick from the whole thing. I'm not sure if I should take another propranolol now but my heart is starting to increase so I feel like I should. 

I only had one at 5pm last night! I'm a 19 year old male and I was given 40mg tablets to take whenever I feel a panic attack coming on for a maximum of 4 times a day. I had no anxiety issues/physical issues before last week, so this is all new and frigtening. I feel like I'm in agony and it's awful. Please reply! (I might be over reacting)

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • tom294
    tom294

    Posted

    I'm also in Australia so it actually is the morning now haha. 
  • pamela41728
    pamela41728 tom294

    Posted

    Hi Tom

    If I were you I'd take myself straight to A&E, you need a proper check up and that's a good way to get one quick. At least if you go to the Hospital they can put your mind at rest, am sure you will be fine.

    I was given propranolol 3 weeks ago with server migraine dizziness feeling sick and a few other symptoms as well but only 80mg a day slow realease which have only just started to work and I feel brilliant! I don't think you can just take these tablets when you need them.... They have to be in your system.

    Go and get some help! I do hope your feeling better soon. 

    Please give us an update on your progress.

    Best wishes.

    Pamela

    • tom294
      tom294 pamela41728

      Posted

      Hey Pamela smile

      I ended up asking around on other forums and my friend who is a doctor from Sydney specialises in chemical research of anxiety/medications. He said what I was feeling were all side effects, but not serious. It's just my body having difficulties with adapting to the medication, and it could be because my dose is too large (I might start taking half because I haven't had a single panic attack since getting/taking them)

      I'm going to the doctors tomorrow (after a job interview, lol) so I will talk to him and report back to this thread! I'll be fine, I just need to try and tell myself they are side effects and, no matter how unpleasant they are, they beat panic attacks by far!

      Take care,

      Tom 

    • pamela41728
      pamela41728 tom294

      Posted

      Hi Tom

      Ask for slow realease ones they work fantastic.

      I'd look to be changing my Doctor given you that dose at your age.

      Good look with the interview I hope you get that job I really do.

      Take care. X

    • tom294
      tom294 pamela41728

      Posted

      Hey Pamela

      I went to the doctor and explained everything, he kind of reminded me that the pills are only for emergencies, meaning that I need to take them whenever my heart starts to beat out of control and the panic would then substied. They were not for everyday use, just when I needed it. Being as anxious and a hypochondriac like I am, I have been taking them whenever I feel one coming on, which has been frequently. 

      He wouldn't prescribe me any medication for the anxiety because of how they were too much of a 'quick fix' (and addictive!) and I needed a psychologist. He will refer me to one next week smile

      So I guess I just need to start seeing a psychologist and get the attacks under control. This is one of those things that I will overcome with time and effort. 

      Have a safe one! X

    • pamela41728
      pamela41728 tom294

      Posted

      Hi Tom

      Thanks for letting me know how you went on. Best of luck waiting for a psycholist! They definitely don't rush, it's a very long wait.

      It's funny how Each Doctor see differently too because mine Doctor said that the Propranlol had to be in your system to work and I had to give it time.

      Oh well at least you went to see your own GP. Good luck with interview and your referral too.

      Take care x

    • tom294
      tom294 pamela41728

      Posted

      Yeah I think my GP just intended my medication to be something that would pass a panic attack in an emergency. Mine are very powerful and have a very fast release so I think just taking them often all of a sudden just had a bad affect on me! I just need to keep reminding myself that I'm healthy and my symptons will always pass. It's just very hard when they actually occur I'm sure whoever reads this would know!

      I think my main concern is just the shortness of breath that hasn't seem to have gone away since my panic attack on sunday. I'm told to take notice of my breathing and do breathing techniques but that makes it worse and more difficult. 

    • pamela41728
      pamela41728 tom294

      Posted

      Hi Tom

      It's absolutely awful what your going through but your right to stay positive.

      You are very young and healthily too keep thinking that.

      I remember having a massive panic attack and being told off a paramedic to drink cold water while having one.... Apparently it's stops the panic because your brain is concentrating on breathing rather than the attack! It worked for me and anything is worth a try. Keep strong Tom theirs a lot of peoe on here that will help and suport you.

      Things WILL get better.

      Best wishes Pamela x

  • olivia25317
    olivia25317 tom294

    Posted

    I am also 19 and i take 40mg of propananol.  I had the same problem when i first took it. It made me feel weful the first few times 
    • tom294
      tom294 olivia25317

      Posted

      it's nice to hear I'm not the only one! I think my mind works in this way whenever I feel something I haven't felt before I convince myself that I'm dying.

      Right now I'm feeling short of breath and just generally anxious but I haven't had a dose since 11:30am (it's now 5:30pm) My heart is beating gently and smoothly so I don't think I should take another. I cut a lot of my pills in half because apparently your body calms down after just taking 10mg and 40mg isn't neccessary unless it is an emergency. But I guess I should trust my doctor. 

      So I take it you're good now side effects-wise?

  • tom294
    tom294

    Posted

    I felt the side effects and then they went away at around 1pm and I felt fine all day until now and they came back (6pm). I think they come back whenever I anticipate them, because they initially started this time last night. I took half a pill (20mg) just now just to prevent me from panicing. Hopefully my body gets used to this medication soon or my doctor finds me something better. 
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