Beta Blocker for Anxiety

[Aqualicy]

Anyone have experience taking Beta Blocker for their anxiety?

Were you able to continue with your normal life? and not have any mood altering effects?

Did it help your anxiety?

Feel free to add more!

[rubyslippers]

I'm taking Propanolol and Citalpram (both spelt wrong I think) The betablocker is good, but at the start I still had panic attacks while my body was getting used to it. As far as I'm concerned it doesnr change my mood. It stopped me eating for a while. And I've noticed I'm more forgetful than ever. But the pro's definately outweigh the cons for me.

[Aqualicy]

Yeah I'm on them right now too :)

I like them basically my heart rate does not jump when it would usually jump high.. Like when I drive by a police officer or something. I'm just calm like a cucumber now!

[rubyslippers]

Drive by a police officer hey, what have you got to hide!? Haha.

They do make me a lot calmer but I find I jump at the tiniest thing like a loud noise or something.

[obsessivelynormal]

Propanalol really helped me. Literally every night for 20 years I had woken up in a huge panic attack. This stopped immediately and has not come back even after I stopped the beta-blockers.

[alankay]

I take propranolol for the somatic(physical) symptoms of anxiety. 20mg-40 mg about an hour before presentations/interviews/dental appointments/big meetings, anything that tremor or shakiness might interfere with. Works well. Beta blockers are not psychoactive. They block adrenaline. They work to lessen the racing heart, sweating, shakiness, tremor, shaking voice, rapidly shifting eyes, etc. They work to counter the bodily symptoms of anxiety but NOT the thoughts that ultimately cause them, but are nonetheless extremely effective and helpful(to me for sure). They are not always for panic attacks(just don't always help much there...but can). If a only a racing heart is the issue, atenolol(Tenormin) is best(it's cardioselective). If racing heart WITH tremor/shaking hands and or voice/tics, propranolol might be best. Not much in side effects a low/medium doses. Use the lowest dose you can as with any drug really. Your GP knows all about this med and likely has several other patients using for the same/similar basic reason. Been using a beta blocker since 1987. Message me anytime. Also they are generally safe if you have no heart issues or asthma. Your dr. will tell you if it's OK for you.

[Chiliphil1]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I have a couple questions about beta blockers.

My gp has me on bystolic 5mg daily, I have definitely noticed the effects, I really feel more calm and I don't seem together those pounding heart rushes of anxiety that I used to.

I went to the doctor today for a stomach issue, and the nurse freaked out when she took my pulse, it was 48bpm. Before bystolic my pulse was low 60's and now low 50's. The nurse scared the crap out of me when she flipped, she was running around frantic, checking my pulse over and over. I know that the meds can lower your heart rate, and the doctor today did not act like the nurse she said that as long as I'm not short of breath, dizzy, or tired it shouldn't be a problem so I'm not really concerned about it.

My 2 questions are 1. Did any one else notice such a significant drop in your pulse rate?

2. This one is more for you Mr alankay, I know you are a runner. I am a cyclist, and I am really wanting to start racing again and by doing this my pulse will definitely hit its max and will stay pretty high, not to mention training, is it safe to do this on a beta blocker, is there anything I should be aware of or anything to expect that would be caused by the bb?