Propranolol (10mg) and mood swings/depression?

[Jaydestorey]

Hi, I'm Jayde, a new user. I'm 18 and I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder over a year ago, which I begin CBT for this week. I only have full on panic attacks rarely, but often in my sleep. A few weeks ago my doctor prescribed me Propranolol 10mg to help with my physical anxiety symptoms like heart racing, hot flushes, shaking, sweating etc. He said I could take them daily or just when I needed to. I took them daily for a week and was moody, irritable and easily upset but I put it down to general stress and of course anxiety.

This morning was the first morning of university for me, I woke up with stomach pains and nausea (very common on big days for me even if I'm not panicking obviously) and I was shaking so I took 2 propranolol. My nausea wore off as I got distracted by getting ready and getting to uni but all day I continued to shake, I could feel my pulse (hard but not really fast) in my neck and I kept finding myself becoming very angry and anxious over small things. When I got home this continued and I ended up curled up in bed sobbing for absolutely no reason, having self harm/vague suicidal thoughts, absolutely no motivation or energy or interest in anything and I honestly just felt awful, if i had to describe it in a word it'd be depressed. I dont have depression but my CBT assesment does say moderate depression and severe anxiety. I had quite a good day so I'm now wondering if it's the propranolol causing this?

Has this ever happened to any of you and should I stop taking it until I can see my doctor again? I don't feel like it helps me at all, my doctor said it gives immediate relief and my counsellor(?)/therapist told me it takes weeks to get into your system, so I don't know what to do. Thank you in advance!

[JustaGal]

Hi, I'm Jayde, a new user. I'm 18 and I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder over a year ago, which I begin CBT for this week. I only have full on panic attacks rarely, but often in my sleep. A few weeks ago my doctor prescribed me Propranolol 10mg to help with my physical anxiety symptoms like heart racing, hot flushes, shaking, sweating etc. He said I could take them daily or just when I needed to. I took them daily for a week and was moody, irritable and easily upset but I put it down to general stress and of course anxiety.

This morning was the first morning of university for me, I woke up with stomach pains and nausea (very common on big days for me even if I'm not panicking obviously) and I was shaking so I took 2 propranolol. My nausea wore off as I got distracted by getting ready and getting to uni but all day I continued to shake, I could feel my pulse (hard but not really fast) in my neck and I kept finding myself becoming very angry and anxious over small things. When I got home this continued and I ended up curled up in bed sobbing for absolutely no reason, having self harm/vague suicidal thoughts, absolutely no motivation or energy or interest in anything and I honestly just felt awful, if i had to describe it in a word it'd be depressed. I dont have depression but my CBT assesment does say moderate depression and severe anxiety. I had quite a good day so I'm now wondering if it's the propranolol causing this?

Has this ever happened to any of you and should I stop taking it until I can see my doctor again? I don't feel like it helps me at all, my doctor said it gives immediate relief and my counsellor(?)/therapist told me it takes weeks to get into your system, so I don't know what to do. Thank you in advance!

You don't have to wait to see the doctor, I would call today. Does not sounds like a good match for you.

[Jaydestorey]

You don't have to wait to see the doctor, I would call today. Does not sounds like a good match for you.

Thanks a lot for the reply! It's 7:46pm here though so I can't call until tomorrow :( I agree I don't think it's right for me it makes me really miserable, another girl online just suggested I ask my doctor about trying antidepressants so I might try that?

[JustaGal]

Thanks a lot for the reply! It's 7:46pm here though so I can't call until tomorrow :( I agree I don't think it's right for me it makes me really miserable, another girl online just suggested I ask my doctor about trying antidepressants so I might try that?

: ) AD's work for me. I take Lexapro. Glad you are feeling better

[Neysa]

Hi, how are you? Have you contacted your doctor?
It's a very small dosage that you're taking, maybe you should try increasing it first or use a modified release one? I'm on 80mg modified release and it has helped me a lot. I think you should get a modified release one as you have physical symptoms all time?

[Jaydestorey]

Hi, how are you? Have you contacted your doctor?
It's a very small dosage that you're taking, maybe you should try increasing it first or use a modified release one? I'm on 80mg modified release and it has helped me a lot. I think you should get a modified release one as you have physical symptoms all time?

Hello, i'm much better today thank you :) I didn't have a chance today as I was literally busy with uni from the moment I woke up to when my doctor's office closes but i'm free tomorrow so i'll call then! I think I was only given 10mg because I have low blood pressure, it's not like dangerously low or anything but i'm sure he said that's why he put me on a small dose. It honestly didn't help with the physical symptoms in the slightest and the mood swings and the 'depressed phases' for want of a better term really scared me as I haven't had thoughts like that in a while now. I think i'll just go to him and explain what they did and didn't do and ask about different dosages or the modified release you mentioned, he might change it or maybe he'll think of something else? He's a brilliant doctor, very understanding and keen to help. Thanks a lot for the reply and the advice :)