propranolol - to get to the point...

[neenee4star]

hi, I have tried to search for info but for some reason it isn't working so sorry if this is a repeat question.

I had my first panic attack last october. I was in a train station miles away from home by myself and had a 4 hr train journey on a packed train to contend with. I didn't know I was having a panic attack at the time and it was very scary. Since then I have been panicky about travelling anywhere far by myself.. as someone who did a round the world trip last year and spent a lot of the time by myself in foreign climes this is somewhat frustrating.

The panic attacks have happened at least 10 times since then. They seem to happen when I have a hangover, although recently it has been up to 2 days after as well as on the day of the hangover. I can't sleep and it makes me feel so sick in my stomach it hurts for a long time after. I realise that I have to drink less, and have been drinking water in between alcoholic drinks, everyone has a laugh in the pub when I order my first drink with a large jug of water.. I have started lathering myself in lavender oil and should have taken out shares in a camomile tea company!..

but things have not improved and so last week I gave in and went to the doctor. (I say gave in as I really do not like doctors and medication) I told him I didn't want to have any meds but he said he would give me something mild and to go back in a week to see how I have gotten on. I am going back tomorrow. Having spent last nite panicking because I couldn't sleep, freaking out and making myself feel ill I'm now convinced these pills are not the thing for me.. they are Propranolol 40mg. I was wondering what other peoples experience of them are and if there are good alternative steps people have taken that have helped them?..

Today I booked my train ticket to go and see my boyfriend at uni in three weeks (he is 4hrs away on the train) and I am determined I am not going to panic but at the same time I am already starting to worry that I will be alone and in that panic world.. I realise there is no quick fix for this but I have three weeks to take steps to stop this insane spiralling fear and any advice would be much appreciated.

sorry this is so long winded I always feel you should give a bit of background to a question!

cheers

nxoxo [|)]

[nomorepanic]

Hi there and welcome aboard.

I am sorry that the search facility is not working as it should be at the moment.

Here are some links about the med...


Propranolol Propranolol ?? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4447)

Propranolol (Inderal) (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=172)

Propranolol help please (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2271)

new to propranolol (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6891)

Doc just prescribed Propranolol to start new job (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6629)

Propranolol and Alcohol? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3756)

Changing Medication to Propranolol ? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2163)

propranolol (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7215)

I hope that things go ok on the trip to see the boyfriend - if you need any tips on coping then let us know.

Nicola

[Meg]

Hi,
Your history is very common

Common Symptoms of Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Phobias and OCD. (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/NMPcms.php?nmppage=symptoms)

First Steps to overcoming Panic and Anxiety (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=942)

Health Anxiety (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/NMPcms.php?nmppage=healthanxiety)


alcohol and panic-do they mix? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2409)
Alcohol (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4783)
Anxiety and alcohol (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5142)
Alcohol (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5347)
hangovers (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5825)
Panic attacks and alcohol (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6371)
horrible cycle (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6359)
Anxaiety after drinking alcohol (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6960)


Propanolol is just a betablocker and will not mood alter but just slow and steady your heart rate and breathing rate.

Beta Blockers - new user seeks help please!!! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2400)
propanalol (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1967)
Beta Blockers (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5969)
Meeting up Bristol/South West (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6827)
new to propranolol (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6891)
beta blockers (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7392)


Meg
www.anxietymanagementltd.com

Your anxiety is the human representation of the pictures that you paint using your many vivid colours of revolving and reoccurring thoughts.
How big is your gallery ?

[Tomimo]

I was given propranolol 10mg to take when things are bad. They have helped with the physical symptoms.

Everytime you think of your journey to see your bf, try and take the focus away from fear and think about what you might pack in your bag to keep you occupied. Make sure you have got lots of resources to concentrate on, a good book, crosswords, personal, cd player, etc - it may feel like you are going on holiday for weeks but it will be worth it to have a panic free journey and may things easier for next time.

I really hope it works for you.

Annie x

[sal]

Hope the links you have been given have helped you. Let us know how you are getting on

Love Sal xx


Dont mess up the best things in your life, just because at present you are unsure who you are.


"Life is a distance and to travel that distance you were given the strength and guidance to do so".

[neenee4star]

hi again,

thank you for all your helpful links and kind words!

Went back to my doctors last week and having read your info decided that I would not take the propranolol constantly, only when I feel I need to. (so thanks!) He has also suggested going for counselling although I'm not really sure how this is going to help..

I also went to visit a holistic health lady last week.. she advised me about bach's flower remedies and I now have some rescue remedy and some mimulus which are supposed to be good for panic (to be honest even if it is psychological if it works I don't care!!) She said this is only temporary though and that I am associating drinking (or hangovers) and journeys away from home with the panic attack and this needs to be resolved as it is will just escalate unless I do something about it.. She advised me about getting to the core of my panic problems and 'past life regression therapy' which I am slightly more dubious about.. it is very expensive and I'm not really sure that I want to delve into 'past lives'.. I may however go there for some relaxation and massage or possibly hypnotherapy as that is also supposed to be a help.. we'll see. Has anyone used alternative therapies like this for the better? or had past live regression therapy?.. personal experiences would be helpful to hear about..

Anyway following all this and your posts! I have made myself a 'panic kit' for my trip to see the boyf with flower remedies and kalms and propranolol and camomile tesbags! and I have bought myself a cheap mp3 player so I can have some distraction in times of need. My boyfriend is going to be on the other end of the phone too. I am determined I am going to do this!!!

I did panic at the weekend.. another after saturday nite thing.. but I went out with some friends during the day and made sure I kept myself occupied rather than sit in by myself and freak out.. it seemed to work on the whole although instead I dreamed about having panic attacks! doh!

thanks again and will let you know how the trip goes!

nina xoxo :D

xoxo

[jackie]

nina, pick up a copy of claire weekes self help for your nerves, this will hel[p demystify panic and its symptoms. plus when you are travelling it will give you something to read that will help you relax through your panic.

i have never taken meds but did use briefly propanolol, no side effects which i really hate and was great with erratic heart beats

hope this helps

jackie

[henri]

hi nina,

firstly, the clare weekes book that jackie recommended is brilliant. it explains everything about panic in a straightforward way and will definitely help you understand it and therefore fear it less.
as for regression therapy, i had a session once and i can't say it did anything for me. when my panic started, i had a few sessions of cbt (cognitive behavioural therapy) and it was brilliant. it's sort of a no-nonsense, hands on therapy where you are made to think about the root of your panic and then deal with it immediately.
it really worked for me.
re meds, i used diazapem as and when i needed to. it really helped me but i had to force myself not to take it the whole time.
hope you are feeling better
take care
henri

[jos]

hi
i was given propanolol when i was getting really hot and sweaty - feverish but with no temperature during some high generalised anxiety times and was struggling at work. They probably helped a bit but only deal with some of the physical effects - they made no difference to anxious thinking patterns. I have found that reading about anxiety and panic to understand the processes has been a great help as has cognitive behavioral therapy CBT -

it has allowed me to stop panicing about panic - and accept that at times - sometime under pressure and sometimes randomly - a high anxiety state kicks in. I have found that i can still cope and function fine despite the high anxiety and have learnt to trust myself to carry on with whatever i'm doing - in doing this the anxiety state is less and less strong to the point where it is now not significant - I have long since ditched the propanolol and rely on breathing control and accepting, not fighting, bad episodes so they do not become emotionally significant

If you believe you will cope with a situation however much panic you will cope - the panic always get less intense if you can hang on in there - accept the panic and it has nothing to feed off and dies down sooner

good luck with the train - i had to do 3 1/2 hr trips in some really bad states - lots of distraction - i would do some paperwork chores - write cards - read stuff for work or the paper - it wasn't easy or enjoyable but just getting on with something helped

cheers jos