Beta Blocker Propranolol

[[ws...]]

Does anybody out there have experience with this beta blocker?  Good or bad?  Did it help you in anyway and was there any side effects?  Why did you take it?  Did it affect your sleep?  Would you say it would be a good thing to take in withdrawal?  Would you recommend it?

 

Thanks for your the help on this question.

 

Andy

[[su...]]

Hello Andy,

 

I saw your questions and put together some information that may be helpful.

 

Medication / Drug Usage During Benzodiazepine Withdrawal and Recovery

 

People who are in the midst of or have completely withdrawn from benzodiazepine drugs often ask the question of what medications they need to avoid in order to ensure they don't risk the danger of making their existing withdrawal symptoms worse. The following lists some, but not all medications, which are commonly prescribed during withdrawal and highlights both the dangers and benefits which can be derived from such medication thereby enabling the reader to make an informed judgment when in discussion with his/her doctor.

 

The information given on these medications is primarily related to benzodiazepine withdrawal but, for the most part can probably be equally applied to other GABA addictive drugs e.g. barbiturates and alcohol.

 

Beta blockers

 

This class of medication is sometimes prescribed for the relief of tremors and heart palpitations. Peoples benefit is again varied with some finding some benefit and others finding no benefit. The medical literature says avoid abrupt discontinuation as there may be an increase in anxiety and heart arrhythmia's as a discontinuation syndrome. These medications appear not to have as severe a withdrawal/discontuation reactions as benzodiazepines and can usually be tapered faster than benzodiazepines.

 

Here is the reference (this reference also includes other medications to avoid)

 

http://www.bcnc.org.uk/drugs.html

 

 

I hope this is helpful,

Summer

 

[[jr...]]

Hi-I requested propranolol in December, and my doctor was happy to prescribe it.  It has helped greatly with tremors, anxiety and palpitations.  My doctor is not too concerned with side-effects of discontinuing it, and if I have to stay on it the rest of my life that is fine with me.  Good luck!  Jenn

[[ma...]]

I have used it on a "rescue" basis and found it really helpful. Sometimes I use it for sleep.

 

I personally treat like I should have been informed to treat benzos. It can be difficult to get off but nothing like benzodiazepines. But then who needs another med to get off of???

 

M

[[ws...]]

Thanks for the help and responses.  I was prescribed Propranolol for my rapid pounding heart from the withdrawals.  I took my first doses yesterday and it was a bad time.

 

I took 10 mg  at 10 am and it made me feel calm and light headed and woozy...but minimized my anxiety feelings.  It affected my brain thus my personality.  i had trouble with talking and sounding like myself. Then took another 10 mg at 1 pm and it calmed me down, lowered my BP and HR but made me very very tired.  By 4 pm I could barely keep my eyes open.  i slept last night under ithe influence of the drug  and woke up groggy. Maybe this harsh reaction was becasue it was my first day taking the drug....maybe it needs time to get into my system and work properly, and maybe my body needs to learn the drug so to speak.  I will take a day off from using it and try it again in the near future but maybe only one dose next time.

 

I did not expect the small doses to hit me so hard...maybe I am just sensitive to drugs.

 

Any comments?  The only good thing was it slowed my pounding heart and that was a relief.  I felt calmer and had no physical signs of anxiety. 

But this is a serious drug for sure.

 

 

Andy

 

 

[[13...]]

I have taken Propananol 80mg slow release for years and it is really good for anxiety and palpitations.

[[ws...]]

13SK doesnt it make you tired? Do you remember if it made you tired in the initial days of using it? 

 

It did me but maybe becasue i have to let my body learn the drug....may take time...I took 10 mg twice and made me soooo sleepy....I did not take any today and i am still sleepy. 

 

I am not on the slow release ....i am on 10 mg of regular Propranolol.....whew it kicked my butt.  I am afreaid to take it again.  May use it on a as need basis.

 

Andy

[[13...]]

It takes a few weeks to get used Propananol and it can make you tired but its worth it in the end.  I cant tell im taking it now but i have been on it for years.

[[ws...]]

ok  13sk i think i need to give it some time to work....it was a bad first day...thx

 

 

 

Andy

[[...]]

I took it PRN for pounding heart. It was a nice help.

[[ws...]]

I have heard a lot of positive things about Propranolol.  It is

an old drug, works well for lowering BP and HR..calms down the physical symptoms of anxiety..but it makes me tired.

 

I think it propapbly will be better after I use it for a while and i get used to it.  i think all drugs have a learning curve they have to go thru until they work properly.

 

I am 15 months off valium and sometimes the anxiety ramps up and my heart pounds and this is uncomfortable.  Propranolol slows it down and i feel better.

 

I will continue to use it.  10 mg at a time.

 

Andy