Just been prescribed, slightly anxious to take. Some questions!

[LostinThought]

Hi all,

I have just been prescribed Propranolol for ongoing panic attacks and agoraphobia. I have never taken any medication before for anxiety, and so naturally I am feeling quite anxious about it!

This is my second day on it.

They prescribed 40mg, which they said I could take one to three times a day. However, I decided to take only half the tablet, so 20mg just once a day in the late morning, to monitor the effect.

I do feel physically more relaxed taking it - heart-rate and breathing has slowed down and I feel less of that desire to flee my current surroundings.

I do have some anxiety about the medication itself, however...

I took my heart-rate earlier: sitting down in a chair I took it a few times, and it averaged around 55-60 beats per minute. Is that too low? It's hard to work out whether I'm just imagining the slight lightheaded sensation, it's more if I concentrate on it that it becomes apparent. Obviously, my worry is that my heart-rate will get so low I will pass out. But will that really happen on what I assume is a low dose of 20mg a day?

I did feel very tired during the evening yesterday (Day 1), but I think that can also be attributed to not having enough sleep these past few days. I am still recovering from a bad cold, and so my body is still fighting that off.
My sleep was slightly disturbed, as in I woke up a few times in the first couple of hours of sleep. After that, I slept pretty soundly. Normal dreams.

Is it safe to keep taking this dose for the short term to reduce my overall physical sensations?

And also, is it safe to drink tea while taking this medication? I only drink 1-2 cups a day at most. I do also drink decaf latte sparingly, but not every day. I don't consume caffeine from any other sources.

Anything else I should avoid? I read somewhere that bananas should be avoided, due to potassium. Can't really verify that source though - I haven't read anything on the verified medical sites that mention avoiding any kind of food.

Shared experiences much appreciated!

[sarahblonde32]

Hi, i was prescribed propranolol recently and i avoided taking it for ages but i had a few issues around socialising around xmas and my birthday so decided to take it, 10mg didn't really do anything i think it was the placebo affect. I took 20 and it did take the edge off but not for long. I also drank alcohol with it which i was worried about but obviously after some wines the world was a less scary place!!!
I phoned the doctors after a panic attack one morning and she prescribed me 40mg as she said 20mg isn't really enough. I have my brothers wedding this weekend and im starting the 40mg today. Its kinda working. My heart rate is lower but im not going to worry myself by measuring it that will freak me out!!
Im going to take another 40 later and take them with me this weekend. They usually prescribe people 80mg and i figure they can't be dangerous otherwise the doctors wouldn't hand them out would they??!
Hope that helps...
Sarah

[SnapHappy]

I was prescribed Propranolol as my anxiety was giving me palpitations/ectopic heartbeats - it was a bonus that I was going through a stint of public speaking at university at the times (presentations).

I too was worried about taking it at first, especially when you're taking something to control your heart rate....but it was fine! I was on 10mg per dose, but asked them to increase it as I wasn't noticing any differences. They gave me 40mg 3 times a day (like you I started with half doses until I was used to it).
I'd say it is good for the physical symptoms of anxiety, as my heart didn't feel like it was going to pound out of my chest, and my legs didn't shake. I did find that it left my mouth a little dry, and I was physically exhausted doing things that normally don't affect me (like climbing a flight of stairs)...it tired me out!

Weirdly enough though, I found my sleep was more interrupted when I was taking Propranolol on a regular basis.

HTH!