Propanolol and Anxiety

[Isa Drennan]

Max dose for anxiety is 160 mg (40mg x 4) usually works within an hour, it works on your physiological symptoms of anxiety, by preventing the action of adrenaline from the adrenal gland.

Works well to prevent sweats, stomach aches and a racing heart rate. Won’t have an effect on psychological symptoms, but can be used in combination with SSRI antidepressants, some like citalopram are known to be better at targeting intrusive thoughts.

 

[judgejohndeed]

I' m following with interested as I was prescribed propanolol in June last year after I had a panic attack out of the blue. Was relaxed and watching telly when all of a sudden my heart started racing and I could feel an attack coming on. Only the second time in my life I've had it.

I've still not taken any just because I am not keen on taking drugs to treat things, also not sure if it will help my anxiety or just for symptomns of it

Propranolol doesn't actually help you psychologically, however if you suffer with the racing heart etc I would say it's worth a go. One of the things that makes anxiety worse for me mentally is the feeling that my body is doing an exclamation mark. Propranolol basically stops the physical side effects, which in turn helps me feel overall less anxious mentally.

 

[Moolo]

It was brilliant for me.

Stopped all the 'physical' anxiety symptoms within half an hour of taking it. I had 30mg and just used to take one in the morning.

For me once the physical symptoms (racing heart, palpitations, sweating hands and feet, tummy pains, shortness of breath, panic, and loss of appetite and insomnia) were relieved I felt like I could get my head and thoughts together better.

I keep some in my drawer and just take it if I ever need it. It was a godsend in a difficult time period. I don't think I'd have recovered as fast without it.

Thank you for this - you listing your physical symptoms really helped me just now as I find when you get symptoms you then start panicking about the symptoms if that makes sense - I get most of those apart from the tummy/sweating hands and feet so that's made me feel loads better)

I'm glad it helped you - im hoping it does the same for me fingers crossed xx

 

[samhneach]

I have been taking Propranolol on and off for about 3 years now and I find it really helpful (20mg once a day)
Interestingly enough its the same drug that is given by doctors when you are going on TV to be interviewed if you need to calm down, and also unlike other drugs, it is completely non addictive.

If it has been prescribed by your doctor then don't be afraid of taking it. I take mine at 7ish in the evening, which allows me to wind down and relax. From experience taking it too close to bed time can feel extremely weird if you are any way conscious of your own heartbeat

 

[Bellaboo83]

It was brilliant for me.

Stopped all the 'physical' anxiety symptoms within half an hour of taking it. I had 30mg and just used to take one in the morning.

For me once the physical symptoms (racing heart, palpitations, sweating hands and feet, tummy pains, shortness of breath, panic, and loss of appetite and insomnia) were relieved I felt like I could get my head and thoughts together better.

I keep some in my drawer and just take it if I ever need it. It was a godsend in a difficult time period. I don't think I'd have recovered as fast without it.

 

[Moolo]

Thank you everyone so much - this is all so helpful, I really do appreciate it

I took 10mg earlier which helped take the edge off but definitely think I should have gone for 20mg. Will do that later

I have bad anxiety anyway but it's beyond bad this week so definitely need the extra help

 

[Sallycinnamon_]

Yes, it really helped my anxiety. I started on one 10mg tablet a day and was told to gradually increase up to 40mg but I ended up not needing too I just took the one tablet then another if I felt really anxious xx

 

[judgejohndeed]

Sorry to jump in but does it have a quite instant effect or is it more of a cumulative effect? Would it help calm you down quite quickly if you were very anxious or distressed?

Yes, within an hour

 

[Belulah]

It doesn’t do anything for me. I had it as a one off last year for a a test and thought it was a miracle drug. However since I’ve been in it everyday I’ve seen an increased in paranoia and intrusive thoughts. I’ve also been a lot more tearful!

 

[Gembo]

Yes, within an hour

Thank you that’s really helpful to know x

 

[Slummymummy]

It really help me it took care of all my physical symptoms so I could focus on my psychological symptoms and use my cbt techniques
I was on 40mg 3 x per day . Sometimes I still ring the docs explain I am struggling and get a prescription for short term use .

I should add for short term I get 20mg /40 mg per day depending how I am feeling

 

[StrawberryCream]

I was prescribed this a few years ago when I suffered bad anxiety attacks, I think they helped, I also got the 10mg ones but I would always take 2 at once and then another 2 a few hours later. I don’t take them anymore though because I haven’t had anxiety in a while.

 

[Bellaboo83]

Thank you for this - you listing your physical symptoms really helped me just now as I find when you get symptoms you then start panicking about the symptoms if that makes sense - I get most of those apart from the tummy/sweating hands and feet so that's made me feel loads better)

I'm glad it helped you - im hoping it does the same for me fingers crossed xx

Yes I understand that. I was exactly the same. The physical symptoms made me panic and the panic then caused more physical symptoms and it became a vicious cycle, I feel like the propranolol broke the cycle. Fingers crossed you find it helps you too xx

Do you find it helps you sleep too? The side effects in the information sheet say that insomnia might actually be brought on by taking it! For me though I already have suffered with insomnia for about 15 years, I get really anxious about going to sleep. Often my heart racing at night is what keeps me awake too. So propranolol slowing my heart down helps me sleep most of the time. I find it interesting though that it's meant to do the opposite!

Yes I found the same as you, once the propranolol took away the racing heart etc I found I was able to sleep better

I was at the point where I was in permanent fight or flight and had exhausted my body with it, I wasn't eating or sleeping because of the constant adrenaline, my heart was racing constantly and because of the stress my body was under from the fight or flight I felt so seriously poorly and run down and ill on top of what I was coping with psychologically (the anxiety in my head)

When I took the propranolol and my body could finally be at rest without the stress hormones, I came out of flight or flight and I found I could eat and sleep again properly and within days built strength which help me better cope with the actual thoughts / anxiety in my head.

So although it isn't there to help with the psychological aspects of anxiety, I felt once the physical symptoms went it gave me better strength to deal with the anxiety in my head.... I could better rationalise it because my body wasn't telling there was a huge threat

I hope that makes sense!

 

[judgejohndeed]

Hello,

Wondering if I could ask some advice. Anxiety is out of control this week - we're going through a really bad time as a family and I think it's all just built up and I cant seem to get it under control like I usually do

I had an app with a GP last month who prescribed me some propanolol (I've been prescribed it in the past)

Just wondering peoples experiences on it - and how much you were prescribed. I've been given 10mg and told to take 2 when I need it but im quite nervous about taking pills so only taken one today.

Anyone else got any other tips? I've tried breathing but that never works for me. Have CBD but not sure that's doing it either.

Thank you xx

You can take up to 40mg up to 3 times a day for anxiety. The first time you take it, I would be sitting down somewhere as it can make you a little light headed etc but this passes quickly. Propranolol isn’t an addictive drug, it’s not something you need to taper off either so you can take it as and when you need it I think it is a total lifesaver, I don’t take it every day and actually I think by using it and knowing I have the option it’s made me less anxious overall such that I rarely need it these days!

 

[Moolo]

Propranolol doesn't actually help you psychologically, however if you suffer with the racing heart etc I would say it's worth a go. One of the things that makes anxiety worse for me mentally is the feeling that my body is doing an exclamation mark. Propranolol basically stops the physical side effects, which in turn helps me feel overall less anxious mentally.

This is exactly how I feel. I know propanolol doesnt help the mental side but the physical side feels so awful that's ok with me.

Would love a pill that sorts both though!

It really help me it took care of all my physical symptoms so I could focus on my psychological symptoms and use my cbt techniques
I was on 40mg 3 x per day . Sometimes I still ring the docs explain I am struggling and get a prescription for short term use .

I should add for short term I get 20mg /40 mg per day depending how I am feeling

Thank you for this - I have a feeling that amount is what I should be on the moment but I'm going to take 20mg this morning and afternoon and then contact my GP if I need to up it.

 

[Moolo]

Hello,

Wondering if I could ask some advice. Anxiety is out of control this week - we're going through a really bad time as a family and I think it's all just built up and I cant seem to get it under control like I usually do

I had an app with a GP last month who prescribed me some propanolol (I've been prescribed it in the past)

Just wondering peoples experiences on it - and how much you were prescribed. I've been given 10mg and told to take 2 when I need it but im quite nervous about taking pills so only taken one today.

Anyone else got any other tips? I've tried breathing but that never works for me. Have CBD but not sure that's doing it either.

Thank you xx

 

[Onetime]

Intrigued by this thread! I take Propanolol for high blood pressure - didn't realise that it was also prescribed for anxiety but it makes sense!

Also intrigued I take this for migraines. I’m already on 2 other blood pressure tablets as well

 

[Gembo]

You can take up to 40mg up to 3 times a day for anxiety. The first time you take it, I would be sitting down somewhere as it can make you a little light headed etc but this passes quickly. Propranolol isn’t an addictive drug, it’s not something you need to taper off either so you can take it as and when you need it I think it is a total lifesaver, I don’t take it every day and actually I think by using it and knowing I have the option it’s made me less anxious overall such that I rarely need it these days!

Sorry to jump in but does it have a quite instant effect or is it more of a cumulative effect? Would it help calm you down quite quickly if you were very anxious or distressed?

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

I' m following with interested as I was prescribed propanolol in June last year after I had a panic attack out of the blue. Was relaxed and watching telly when all of a sudden my heart started racing and I could feel an attack coming on. Only the second time in my life I've had it.

I've still not taken any just because I am not keen on taking drugs to treat things, also not sure if it will help my anxiety or just for symptomns of it

 

[Pixipoppy]

I was given it years ago for my driving test, I don’t think it did anything. Maybe calmed the physical reactions but I still felt anxious mentally. Also weirdly stopped me sleeping (even though I took it early in the morning!)