propranolol withdrawal
Posted , 106 users are following.
As anybody experienced any withdrawal symptoms when withdrawing from small doses?
5 likes, 331 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
×
Notes on propranolol withdrawal
Stuart1234 alison81137
Posted
symptomssymptomssymptomscholesterolNot sure who im replying to, but thank god i found this forum.
So im 44 in the UK, 17 stone drank too much and didnt eat too well either (previous life i was super fit but let it all slide)
Anyway bit of background about 6 weeks ago(16th August 2021) i had what they said was a massive anxiety/panic attack, i thought i was having a heart attack and was going to die, the worst feeling ive ever had. Convinced the wife to take me to A&E had the ECG and bloodtest all came back ok so was let loose at 10:00pm, bumped through that week not feeling right at all and worrying/stressing/panicking that something was seriously wrong. Agreed that if i wasnt right come Monday the 23rd id call the docs....which i did and she was ok listened and suggested a full blood work and said she would put me on 10mg X 3 a day (the worst thing ever i now realise) so for the next week i took the tablets and things didnt improve i went super white and dizzy about the 2nd week in and the wife said it might be low blood sugar (had some sugar and sure enough things calmed down) i called the docs again and he said the tabs wouldnt cause a BP drop but they agreed to put me through for a 24 ECG (as i said aslong as i know my heart isnt faulty my mind will calm) so again another week on these tablets and although the heart has been fine, ive been all over the place, my hearing feels like i have a head cold/under water and im just not feeling right, spaced out etc
So been lurking on here and decided to try and quite these tablets (im not a tablet person)
So ive been on them nearly 4 weeks and Yesterday i called the docs re my blood results and they came back ok only issue was cholestersol so i asked him re coming off these tablets and he said its such a low dose you can just take them as needed or not at all so (Wednesday i took 1 at 8am and then not another until 8pm, the heart racing i admit scared me and within 30mins it was calm)
Ive not taken one today (yet) Thursday, i had an "episode" (heart flutters) earlier this afternoon which i managed to overcome with some dark chocolcate (magnesium) had some food at 18:00 and the racing heart is still going an hour later although im less light headed, im sitting on the fence re taking 5mg (cut the tablet in half) or try and ride it out, im just hoping the racing heart stops as its that that is freaking me out a bit.
Just wanted to tell my side and hopefully update people who are going through this, mine seems a low dose compared to some and for less time but i can empathise with all the sympthoms.
Also i forgot to add since the attack on 16th August ive been sober (for the first time in about 15 + years) also not drank coffee and started to eat healthy, i do/did wonder if some of my symtoms were caused by giving up the booze and coffee (perhaps too many things for my body to adjust to?)
ll update tomorrow with how ive got on.
Stuart1234
Posted
Quick update, i had to take 1/2 a tablet(5mg) at 10:30pm on the Thursday as my heart was racing far too much, however since then ive not taken any, its now sunday and i managed to get some magnesium supplements which i think have helped (even if they havent the placebo effect is worth it) still getting the flutters and the shaky/jittery body chest feelings, also every so often my chest will feel tight, also too much exercise can cause these to happen so im trying to be careful and do some but not too much, if i can get a few weeks beyond ill be happy.
Re the magesium (im taking citrate 300mg, taurate is very expensive) i did read you can eat other foods rich in mag and it wont matter...i dont think this is correct so be careful with the supplement and the additional foods (i was eating almonds, avacados and bananas) i had 2 loose movements last night , so defo over did it, a sign of too much mag is it acts as a laxative.
frank1066 Stuart1234
Posted
Getting bad side effects with this drug so thinking of asking D
doctor if I can change to primidone for my Essential Tremor. Does anyone know if its O/K to have a few drinks while taking primidone?
dave38634 alison81137
Posted
Hi everyone,
Thank you very much for this incredibly helpful post.
I also stopped taking propranolol, as the sides outweighed the benefit.
I was taking the med to help with anxiety, which itself was caused by low testosterone
(I am now on TRT to address this).
I would take between 20mg-60mg a day for 6 months, depending on how bad the anxiety
was on any particular day.
I did a 'fast track' taper, as I felt like garbage last week - Wed 30mg, Thu 20mg, Fri 10mg.
I have been off propranolol since Sat, so for 4 days now.
My BP seemed to normalise within a couple of days, thankfully.
However, I am experiencing anxiety and depression, aswell as depersonalisation/derealisation, which is just awful.
I am also getting an occasional flutter/palpitation from my heart.
Can anyone that has been through the withdrawal process please let me know how long the
anxiety/depression will typically last?
Thank you, Dave
dave38634 alison81137
Posted
It is day 7 of my withdrawal from Propranolol.
The withdrawal side effects feel the same as the awful side effects that I experienced whilst taking these meds. Because I took these meds as and when I was experiencing anxiety, I didn't often take the same dose every day. This may mean that I may have been experiencing withdrawal sides whilst actually taking the meds, if that makes sense!
Anyway, my BP and pulse seem normal but my body does not like the constant surges of adrenaline.
This is resulting in anxiety, which is the main thing that I am struggling with right now.
Does anyone know how long the adrenaline surges typically last for post-withdrawal?
Other side effects that I am getting/have had:
Irritable
Bursts of anger
Impatient
Intolerant
Easily overwhelmed by noise or 'busy' situations
Really uncomfortable on hot days
Difficulty sleeping for a good duration
No empathy for anyone/anything
I have been shouting at my dogs!
Feeling rough
Energy comes and goes
Difficulty concentrating/focussing on anything
No enthusiasm
No joy in anything or ability to laugh/smile
Poor appetite
I would really appreciate feedback from others, in relation to their own experience.
Thanks,
Dave
hannah74882 alison81137
Posted
hello everyone. Ive been on propranolol for 5 years due to bad anxiety and i had absolutely no issues whilst taking the medication. Over the last 2 years I have gradually reduced from 20mg 3 times a day to 20mg once a day. Ive been diagnosed with asthma recently however so due to propranolol potentially making it worse and reacting with my asthma inhalers and medication the GP have said i need to stop taking it. I have reduced to 10mg once a day to try and ease off however by doing this Ive notice im suffering massively. im not interested in food i cant physically eat due to the nausea. i keep going cold and hot. im shaky and dizzy. and im very tearful. i dont know what to do i generallt feel really rough and im struggling at work. my chest is heavy and eveeything aches and i dont know how to cope. can anyone reassure me i dont know how long this will last, thank you
jake97994 alison81137
Edited
Hello everyone,
I started taking 40mg propranolol once a day about three years ago for migraines and cold turkey them three weeks ago.
the first day sucked, really SUCKED! but after that i felt completely fine and ive felt fine ever since. I decided to google withdrawl on this drug randomly and found this thread.
I guess i was just lucky, i felt 100% normal after one day. i see a few others in this thread that also didnt really experience any symptoms after coming off. i guess its the luck of the draw.
goodluck everyone.
nathan34174 alison81137
Posted
hello all.
sorry for the ping.
now my story.
im 32 very active very fit strong minded individual never had any anxiety issues in my life.
however do occasionally get migraines maybe one every month or two.
so went to the doctor's and here you go take this magic pill that had zero side effects enjoy.
so off i go and tbh im very against drugs however i put my trust in this doctor.
i was put on 160 mg a day of this drug.
i took it for 7 days. and i stopped suddenly as they made me collapse whilst out with the kids doing Halloween shopping.
NOW WOW, my life is turned upside down.
the past three weeks i have had light headedness. dizzyness
weakness, back ache then shoulder ache then aches in my elbows.
the last three days i have had derealization and tiredness.
i never ever thought one week of a drug could do this.
ive read on here it has taken months to get through this now every week i will come here to update how i get on however anyone who has got through this i would appreciate if you could share how your symptoms changed as time went on.
thanks all
sarah91729 alison81137
Edited
Im at around the 1.5-2 week mark with coming off propranolol. I have been fairly ok so far but today i woke up feeling very nauseous, legs shaking, high heart rate (around 105) and the odd palpitation. I also feel very cold and shivery. Its really scaring me, especially the palpitations and I am getting scared that something could be wrong with my heart. Also cannot eat anything today. No appetite at all.
Did anyone else have this? should i be worried?
Katie19990 sarah91729
Posted
Hi Sarah,
I took propranolol for around 4 weeks and stopped cold turkey. They didn't agree with me and sent me into more of a panic than it was trying to prevent. Anyway, after about a week of stopping I started with horrendous side effects, similar to what you describe, physically shaking, fast heart rate, yes cold, sometimes worse after eating, would get palpitations. Went back to the doctors (phone and physical appointments) and they said it was just anxiety and that I couldn't possibly have side effects over a week after stopping. Then I found this forum and realised I could. It was a slow process but gradually I started to feel more normal. I started taking magnesium as well as other supplements and while the anxiety comes and goes, I have never gone back to taking any pills. Hope you feel better soon x
sarah91729 Katie19990
Posted
Hi Katie,
Thank you for replying to me. Im finding this whole process quite scary. Ive been off propranolol now for 2 weeks. I started to feel ok but the past 2 days, I feel quite unwell again. I have tight throat, feel like i cant get enough air (although my oxygen levels and breathing rate are fine). Feel weak and its almost like a have adrenaline rushes which make me feel poorly. The only way i can describe it is like a sudden wave on a calm sea. I will be fine then all of a sudden i get hit with this massive wave of adrenaline which makes me panic that there is something wrong with me. Makes me feel weak, dizzy, fast heart rate, weird chest sensations etc. The chest sensations dont feel like palpitations, its more of a bubbly feeling. Should i be better after 2 weeks? Is it normal to feel good and then suddenly really unwell? I am starting to worry there is something wrong with my health.
I would be so grateful if you could reply back as i am really worried.
Thanks
andrew89684 alison81137
Posted
Hi all,
I know this thread is old but i was hoping someone would be able to help me...
For months i was using Prop adhoc (when needed) and around the same time ive developed dizziness/ lightheadedness that i cant really shake. I was later instructed by my GP to take 2x 10mg tablets a day for anxiety which i did for a little before i decided i probably didnt need it all the time. Dizziness persisted so my GP thought it was a sinus infection (nope). Then it was allergies (nope) and then i saw a ENT who ruled out any sinus issues. I continued to use Prop adhoc and dizziness continued. The dizziness comes and goes. I can be good for a few days and then terrible for 2 weeks followed by a good patch for 2 weeks.
Recently i have ceased using Prop altogether. Its been 8 days and i still feel ordinary.
Anything similar from you guys?
TIA
andrew89684
Edited
Hi all,
Just wanted to update in case anyone else finds themselves in my position.
12 days after stopping Propropanol my withdrawal symptoms resolved and i feel normal again. What a stressful 6 months trying to diagnose. It was horrible and very stressful but you will get through it. Ive been symptom free for 16 days now.
I wont be back here again. Good luck to all. Its a hell of a drug.
sarahlou91 alison81137
Edited
hi there, i know this post is from a long time ago but i just wanted to see if anyone is still following it and has experienced the physical symptoms i've been getting. i was on between 10-30mg of propranolol for around 4 months. i stopped taking it the beginning of this year as I wasnt feeling great most days and i suspected it was the meds. For the first couple of weeks i didnt really get any withdrawal symptoms and then around the 2 week mark, i became extremely tired, then my anxiety/panic attacks started to increase, i then started to experience a light headed/out of body type feeling and most recently bouts of insomnia and heart palpatations along with random sharp chest pains and a heavy, uncomfortable feeling in my chest and sometimes acid reflux/heartburn.
i know all of these can be symptoms of extreme anxiety as well but was just curious to see if anyone else experienced similar symptoms after stopping propranolol?
Lele2920 sarahlou91
Posted
Hello,
I've been experiencing your symptoms and the same as others here in this post since coming off of Propranolol but having to get back on it due to Covid, but then advised to get off of it again due to symptoms, after recovering from Covid. It's a hell of a ride. But, read through the previous posts here and get insight because it's helped me and gave me hope again.
I started experiencing symptoms since last May, helluva crazy symptoms, and been on the rollercoaster to all of the drs offices to figure out what in the entire hell is going on with me. I've been unsucessful with my time as drs ruled everything out to anxiety, panic attack. Finding this forum shone a light!
I started Propranolol in maybe October of 2021, due to panic attacks. In May of 2022, my symptoms began with brain zaps and chills, brain and full body chills. Those were really the only two things freaking me the hell out. Then I started experiencing: chronic headaches, chest pain/heaviness, heart flutters/palpitations, dizziness, light headedness, terrible brain fog, extreme fatigue. I mean it feels like your body is deteriorating. Someone made a good point in a previous post that they were experiencing these symptoms not even knowing they were in withdrawal, only to start the pills again, and get off perpetutating the damn symptoms. That was me cause I stopped when the panic attacks stopped. Had another one then hopped back on them again.
Catching covid last December, raised my HR and BP to ridiculous levels, and I experienced terrible peripheral neuropathy, nausea, stomach pains, blurred vision, gurgling in the chest, pain in the chest. All tests,xrays, mris, labs came back fine.
Currently, I am experiencing muscle twitches, blurred vision, fatigue, brain fog, weakness, palpitations, sinus tachycardia, insomnia, neuropathy decreased but up and down.
Because I am in the healing business, and I needed to remind myself of this,
Everyday..please ground yourself. When you are lightheaded, take 5, 10, 15 mins and ground into your body.
Take your power back from this devil, and remind yourself that you can heal, and that your body knows what to do.
There could be nervous system dysregulation and/or some underlying illnesses going on as well.
Since, I've had no luck with Drs. I am seeing a functional/integrative wellness practitioner.
I'm taking magnesium, multivitamins, ordered some NAC supplements, and will be ordering the COq10 supplements that was mentioned by a previous person here.
The magnesium helps with my muscle twitches, and relaxing.
For my heartburn, I am taking pepcid. But, ginger/peppermint/lemon teas are good for heartburn and nausea. I drink those too.
Lemon Balm Tea helps settle the nerves, and indigestion.
Holy Basil tea helps with inflammation. But, please research before trying out herbs as everyone is unique with different sensitivities.
I found sometimes I would have a elevated HR moment, HR reaching into the 170s then I experience hypoxia. It's scary as hell but both times I've called paramedics, I was back to an appropriate pulse ox but my HR and BP still elevated. They would take me to the ER, run many tests, only to send me back home with normal testing. Just sinus tachycardia.
As everyone advised for you, and for myself, take it one day at a time. And, I'll add Take it one step at a time. Don't worry about the symptoms, as worry will make them persist. Easier said than done, but utilize your tools, your resources, and we will be alright. I know we will!