Beta Blocker - Propranolol

[Chloe]

Hi just wondering how effective the Beta Blocker Propranolol is with people or any beta blocker? Does it help a lot with the anxiety or not really? Any side effects?

Thanks

:)

[Kevcules]

Hi Chloe.....I'm not familiar with Propranolol at all. I did some research and quoted something from a forum. It seems it's very common. I wouldn't be afraid to try it at all.
There are also many drugs that can help with anxiety. I take Clonazepam with good results.

Take Care

"There are two main types of beta receptor, designated β1, β2 (there is a β3). This is where the Beta blockers block !

There are 2 main types of Beta Blocker, those that block 1 or 2 or work to block both.

Stimulation of β1 receptors by epinephrine (this is one of the main stress hormones). It induces a positive forceful effect on the heart. Blocking it reduces the amount released.

Stimulation of β2 receptors on the kidney causes renin release. This results in vasodilation (enlarging blood vessels) and bronchodilation (opening up the airways). It also induces tremor in skeletal muscle, and increases glycogenolysis (making energy for you). Blocking this is what stops the blushing and tremor.

Beta Blockers block these actions from happening.

Propranalol is a non-selective (works at both B1 and B2) used mainly used in the treatment of hypertension.

Some others are more selective working only on the Beta 1 receptors (so they effect the heart but not the lungs). This is good if you have asthma as you don't want to stop your lungs opening up. With anxiety though you don't need more oxygen as you are already probably overbreathing."

[alankay]

Helps with tremor, shaking, racing heart and PTSD.
The physical symptoms is what it helps with primarily and it helps me allot(20-40 mg). Alankay

[Chloe]

Thanks for your replies.

I'm really on my last straw with anxiety I jut can't handle it anymore and am worried what I might so if I snap!!

[em1]

Thanks for your replies.

I'm really on my last straw with anxiety I jut can't handle it anymore and am worried what I might so if I snap!!

Hello Chloe have you not taken
Any yet?

[Chloe]

I have taken some just now so I'm hoping it starts to work 2 10mg.

[Stephj526]

Hi just wondering how effective the Beta Blocker Propranolol is with people or any beta blocker? Does it help a lot with the anxiety or not really? Any side effects?

Thanks

:)

When I first started getting anxiety they put me on the beta blocker Metropolol. It helped me a lot at first to control the heart palpitations and slow my racing heart rate. I don't typically have those symptoms anymore, so not sure if it was the meds helping or the anxiety meds now. But it definitely helped me for a few months! Side effects for me were sleepiness and lower blood pressure (it wasn't high to start). But my doc has me take the meds at night, so it doesn't effect me. Hope you are feeling better soon!

[Chloe]

Hi Steph,

Thanks for the reply. I'm glad it worked for you I have taken my first dose 2 x 10mg and I think it's working I just feel a bit giddy.

I think my whole problem is I'm not on the correct anti depressant I'm not sure if you reach a point where your just like wow this medication is really working but I haven't had that feeling yet. So it's trial and error and beta blockers for now.

Hope your doing well on your journey through anxiety!

:)

[Kevcules]

Hi Steph,

Thanks for the reply. I'm glad it worked for you I have taken my first dose 2 x 10mg and I think it's working I just feel a bit giddy.

I think my whole problem is I'm not on the correct anti depressant I'm not sure if you reach a point where your just like wow this medication is really working but I haven't had that feeling yet. So it's trial and error and beta blockers for now.

Hope your doing well on your journey through anxiety!

:)

It definitely is trial and error for the meds. You usually don't jump for joy when on the right drug but you will suddenly notice one day that you weren't thinking a bad thought or had anxiety in hrs. That's a nice feeling!!
Good luck to all of you!!!

[emtw12]

how was the first dose for u Chloe?

[Chloe]

Hi Emtw12,

Yeh It went pretty good I still feel as though I'm having an attack it's just not as intense it's a weird feeling tho! I'm not sure if I'm taking to high of a dose 2 4xs a day cause I've been feeling really sick through the days.

[mindtides]

sorry need 10 posts

[rainbow1]

Thanks for your replies.

I'm really on my last straw with anxiety I jut can't handle it anymore and am worried what I might so if I snap!!

If you have been prescribed them take them I do and there are little if any side effects and easy to tapper off. If you feel your dose is strong or r worried go to doctors. Take care of yourself.

[rainbow1]

I have taken some just now so I'm hoping it starts to work 2 10mg.

It should work x

[scottishbabe_fe]

i was on proponolol 10mg (x2 per day) and this was to help with anxiety symptoms, primarily shakes that i get...anyway i found it wasnt helping with the shakes so much and this actually fuels my anxiety cos I am so concious of people noticing or being aware...so the DR put me up to 40mg (x 2 per day) and i feel much better, shakes are under control and I feel better about it - albeit a bit out of it when I started taking the increase...now continuing on with them. hope this helps :)

[Chloe]

Hi Scottishbabe,

The 2x10mg 4 times a day was making me sick did you ever get any side effects like this?

I'm glad it's working for you anyways. It's like striking gold when something works well that's what it's like for me anyways it's like nothing ever really works I must just be that 1 in 1000000 that can never be ridden of anxiety lol.

:)

[samb1155]

Chloe how long have you been taking the propranolol? Have you told your doctor you feel sick when taking them?

I have been using them for two years now for PTSD, originally 60mg p/d when needed and now 140mg p/d when needed and I find them very helpful, but i feel they are not a stand alone combat anxiety medication.

Are you also trying other things to help such as changing your diet, exercise, breathing work, relaxation, meditation, having a 'safe place'? These have been extremely helpful alongside propranolol.

I hope your anxiety eases with time

Sam

[emtw12]

anyone got anymore advice about this med? what does it do to help etc x

[samb1155]

I would speak to your doctor about it they are the best person who knows all. I know it's a beta-blocker, it helps with anxiety and panic attacks and is good with PTSD symptoms,

[shaunmcnab]

Hey Chloe, don't give up

[Chloe]

Thanks for the support guys.

I just can't do it anymore if this is all I have to look forward to than I don't want it! Life's not worth living if its like this!

[shaunmcnab]

How old are you Chloe ?

[Chloe]

22 :( too young for this!

[shaunmcnab]

I'm 20, turned 20 on the second of this month, had really bad thoughts, wanted to/ thought about other ways out, but there's to much in life to just throw it away, for example the new grand theft auto is out soon :D haha you gotta find the little things that make you who you are and cling onto them, doesn't matter how small things are if they make you smile then make sure you do them !

[Chloe]

Naw thanks your really kind! Yeah I've been trying to keep my mind occupied its just hard when you feel like shit everyday!

[shaunmcnab]

I know exactly what you meen I bet you wake up and some days you feel fine, but then at some point pains start and then you remember, then for the rest if the day your just battling through hoping to get some rest or at least a few hours of happiness, that's what I'm like but eventually things will get better I promise you that, otherwise I don't think anyone who is like us would even bother continuing

[Chloe]

YES that's exactly what happens! It's like I can be really good for like a month and then all of a sudden I hit rock bottom again I just don't understand how I can be so up and down!

[shaunmcnab]

It's just the way it works I guess, if you need someone to talk to just message me, I know it sucks to feel like this but it won't be forever :)

[emtw12]

are the propanolol not helping you chloe?

[samb1155]

Shaun you have an amazing outlook my hats off to you!! Chloe things will get better but you have to fight, and like Shaun said find the little things in life xx

[shaunmcnab]

Thank you :D gotta start small to get big x

[suz245]

chloe please dont give up... i have been so ill for 2 years and 10 weeks ago put myself in hospital by abruptly stopping diazepam and my body was ravished with withdrawls... i too have been at this point your at but listen to me you cant go any lower so the only way is up even if you dont move up at first there are better days ahead ... i was so suicidal just a month ago my mood isnt great but i have to try... im on duloxetine they really helping and there are no real side effects with them... i was on propranalol for 17 years but had to stop them too as my heart is skipping and irregular tried not taking any today and its not as bad... we will see how it goes.... ive been hiding in my room for 7 months coz no one knows what its like to face every day thats such a struggle and you think whats the point of getting up??
try not to think negatively as it can influence your state of mind xxxxxx

[Chloe]

The beta blockers don't really help they make sick and it's like my body wants to have an anxiety attack if that makes sense.
It's so hard to stay positive when only negative things happen. I've tried helping myself and then I get kicked when I'm down. It's so hard I'm trying to stay positive.
Thanks for all your support.

[samb1155]

Have you tried to get the negatives influences away from you? I know it can't always but some such as 'friends' you can. If the propranolol is making you feel this way have you spoken to your doctors about it? I would and ask for something different, as I say a lot in work 'it's different strokes for different folks'. Things can get better and will get better, I've been the lowest of the low in my time having charcoal and stomach pumps due to overdoses in my teens, to having my mum raid my house and take away my tablets only giving me the daily amount prescribed in my early 20's. now in my late 20's I feel if I've beaten feeling like that I can and will beat this anxiety too!! And I think that involves having the right set of people around you as well. Find what brings you that slight bit of happiness and hold onto it, think of it in a bad time. I'm not a firm believer of god but I read this saying by mother Theresa once and it rung true 'i know god wont give me anything i cant handle... I just wish he didn't trust me so much'