View Full Version : first time taking propranolol?
hi everyone, I went to the doctors today after deciding to get some help with my anxiety issues as it was preventing me from doing many things that I wanted to, my GP prescribed be propranolol, only 10 mg to be taken twice a day but I really have barely ever taken any kind of medication aside from paracetamol, so I am very nervous about taking it... the doctor said that she wanted to start me on just 10 mg because I am only 16 and see where it goes from there.. are there any common side affects? would love to know any info on it so I don't start panicking over feeling funny or whatever.. any responses would be great! thanks a lot, oh and also I am going back to school on Wednesday so want to be aware because I tend to get even more anxious in environments other than home and don't want to be panicking on first day back as to how these will affect me!
x
Hi,
10mg is a very low dose. Not sure how they work really - think they block adrenaline release. They are helpful for some people so see how it goes.
I took 40mg daily when I was 17/18 so don't worry about the age.
Dan
Hi Imogen, I was prescribed 80mg slow release propanolol last week and haven't noticed any side effects. I take them in the evening and they seem to be doing a really good job at stopping all the physical feeling of anxiety I get in the morning, like a churning stomach and racing heart. Some people have difficultly sleeping when taking them at night but I haven't experienced any problems. For the first few days I could feel them wearing off when my next dose was due but so far, so good.
I take the 80mg slow release once a day, and have done for two years. They are very good, and the only thing I notice is having a little less energy, so they slow me down a bit. That is no bad thing in my view for anxiety / panic disorder.
On a small dose like you have been given, you probably won't even notice any difference apart from it blocks any adrenaline response, which is usually the start of a panic attack, so is very helpful in that way. by doing that, people feel less of the physical symptoms such as racing heart, shaky hands, sweating.
You will be fine, I take 10mg and it just takes that edge off. You don't feel your heart slowing or anything scary like that. Good luck
Deepest Blue
05-06-12, 14:51
Hi Imogen,
I've been on propranolol for many years, started on the same dosage as you then moved to 20mg x 2 a day and now on 40mg x 1 a day.
I've never had side affects taking this med, not that I know of anyway.
10mg is a low dosage and I'm sure you'll be ok taking them.
Take care
Thanks for all of your replies, had my first tablet this morning and I am feeling fine, going to take my next one later. You all successfully managed to put my mind to rest so thank you! Will let you all know if there are any complications but I doubt that, doctors were saying that they are going to up my dosage aslong as I stick to this for a month and it is helpful, so hopefully I will have no issues! Thanks a lot! x
Are you under the care of CAMHS or your GP? Have you discussed CBT or a SSRI type medication. Given your age I would weary of SSRI's.
Dan
my GP... sorry very new to all of this, what is CBT and SSRI?
CBT is a talking therapy.... would be a good idea because of your age.
SSRI is a group of medication used for anxiety/depression/panic.
oh yeah my GP mentioned referring me to some mental health councillor type thing which would be free because I am still in school but haven't heard anything since!
Okay CBT is like going to see a counsellor but they will tell you about anxiety and panic attacks and show u how & why they work & teach coping methods.
They teach u not to think what if all the time & think positively & as much as people say talk therapy is useless its actually pretty good , if you let it help u it will.
SSRIs are a group of antidepressants (don't freak out , they're used for anxiety aswel) they are a newer group of anti d's and the most popular are Prozac, citalopram & Zoloft
There are also another grup of anti d's called tricyclic antidepressants , the most popular is amitriptyline , these are an older group of anti d's
There are also a group of meds called benzodiazepines , they are brilliant for anxiety/panic but can be addictive if overused , most popular names are Xanax , diazepam , clonozepam & lorazepam.
A GP is your doctor sweetie , it stands for general practitioner.:hugs:
I think if you wanted an antidepressant your doctor would go for Prozac, based on your age. Forget about getting any benzo's.
I think if you wanted an antidepressant your doctor would go for Prozac, based on your age. Forget about getting any benzo's.
when did I say about anti depressants?
Don't worry about not hearing anything about a counselling referral yet - these things can take time as there aren't enough counsellors working within the NHS. I was about your age when I was referred to a "talking therapy" for the first time, and found it very helpful, but it did take quite a long time for the initial appointment to come through.
Clairey1985
19-06-12, 12:45
Hi guys,I'm new to all this! I was on trazadone for anxiety and depression. I have since come off them but told the doctor I am still getting the anxiety. I have been prescribed propranolol 40mg and this will be my first day taking it. Really hope it works as my problem is the constant worry I may faint whilst driving or standing in a shop que which ends up making me feel dizzy worrying about fainitng. Vicious circle,never ending
when did I say about anti depressants?
they are used for anxiety as well.
My Doc put me on 40mg to take one when i feel anxious - they certainly do work!
But i still have horrid sleep patterns and dreams-I wake every morning drenched in sweat after vivid dreams but is it the drug?
I've been prescribed them this morning after having terrible anxiety all weekend and no sleep (just hope I don't get the side effect that causes insomnia). I keep expecting to feel really nervous any second after having a bad attack this morning and that horrible nervous feeling most of the weekend but so far, so good. Can you still get the nervous feeling or does that go away too does any one know? I think I hate that part more than being short of breath with panic sometimes. I'm on 40mg's 2x a day or 3 if needed! Another pill into the mix I am on at the mo trying to calm down.
folypeelarks
14-10-12, 13:12
Hi everyone
Ok, I know it may sound stupid but I have a terrible fear of taking medications and currently I'm in my 9th day of taking 80 mg propanolol per day...so can It stop my heart if I feel OK?I just took It and this thought don't exit my mind... :scared15:
It really helps me but sometimes I have a horrible insomnia and I feel awful on the next day
awesomesauce
15-10-12, 03:04
Hi everyone
Ok, I know it may sound stupid but I have a terrible fear of taking medications and currently I'm in my 9th day of taking 80 mg propanolol per day...so can It stop my heart if I feel OK?I just took It and this thought don't exit my mind... :scared15:
It really helps me but sometimes I have a horrible insomnia and I feel awful on the next day
Propranolol won't stop your heart at normal doses; it just slows it down, lowers your blood pressure and calms you down - regardless of how you're feeling.
It's perfectly safe, I've used the stuff pretty aggressively over the last year in conjunction with many meds. Only problem I've had is a little bit of high blood pressure after it wears off, but I'm taking 160mg extended release a lot of the time.
Hi, just been prescribled this myself, after having a numerous amount of different types of medication. Never had a beta-blocker, and Iam very anxious about taking my first dose, just becase iam to start on 80mg, I know someone who recently started taking them and they started on 10mg, so Iam really not looking forward to these, and Iam making excuses, have been doing all day, to not take them, I know eventualy I will, but dont know when to as in morning or evening. Iam on Mirtazapine aswell and take them at bedtime, so I might take these at the same time, with any luck I'll be asleep before I have any chance to worry about how Iam feeling from them.
I was on 80mg slow release from when I started on Prozac, after three weeks because my anxiety was still so bad the doctor upped them to 160g which I take first thing in morning, they really helped me and I have had no side effects apart from feeling tired in the evenings. I am sure they are what have helped me through
MissLady83
24-10-12, 19:15
I've been on propranolol for over 2 months now 10mg 3 times a day I noticed they made me sleepy and I had some nightmares the first week. Nothing major aside from that.
Everyone is different in how they react to medication.
Still havent taken any yet, I know its foolish, but Iam terrified of how they might make me feel, feel sick even now thinking about it. I know I will have to take one, if only just to try them to see if they help, but it doesnt stop me thinking about the worst that could happen :(
They will not make you feel sick, the will just help relax you, they made me tired in the afternoon for a few days but that was all, now I get tired in the evening which is a good thing as I am sleeping better. I take mupy 160gradually slow release in the morning, I was worried about taking them as I knew they could lower blood pressure and I suffered with that when I had my boys, but I have been absolutely fine and they have really helped me
I would recommend them without any hesitation. I've been on 160mg for about 2 years now and it's helped me tremendously.
Yes, I get dry eyes and vivid dreams. Maybe I've been lucky, but those dreams are some of the best I've ever had. The rare type of dream that you remember for a very long time are now a regular event.
It's natural to be anxious about first taking something that is intended for people who are anxious. But once you've taken that first step, if you concentrate on the positive ways it makes you feel and have faith in the results, then you won't look back.
folypeelarks
04-11-12, 20:42
Still havent taken any yet, I know its foolish, but Iam terrified of how they might make me feel, feel sick even now thinking about it. I know I will have to take one, if only just to try them to see if they help, but it doesnt stop me thinking about the worst that could happen :(
I had exactly the same worries when I started them but know that they're absolutely ok, even if You take more than the prescribed. I was so worried that these things may stop my heart that I even inflicted to myself a panic attack on purpose to be sure that this won't happen. :doh:
However, now I have the opposite problem..when the time to take them approaches I'm getting totally panicked because the effect from the previous day has passed away and I think that I may receive a heart attack.
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