Should I be worried about my Propranolol side effects?

[JordanS]

I was recently prescribed 40mg of Propranolol once a day for my constant headaches/migraines. I also suffer from anxiety/panic attacks and have read Propranolol is used to treat anxiety also, but I was not prescribed it for this reason. I am 6 days into the medication and I’m experiencing side effects I am quite worried about.

I have a tingling, pins and needles type feeling all throughout my body and have been experiencing spasms, leg/arm/elbow/hands and feet twitching etc. and some shortness of breath when moving around. I also have “shooting” pains now and again in my arms/legs and numbness throughout my body, mostly in my arms and legs which is not constant but can be very scary when it comes. These side effects vary throughout the day but are definitely worse when I’m attempting to fall asleep at night, meaning it has become very difficult for me to fall and stay asleep, my sleep has been interrupted each night since I started them. My headaches have subsided slightly but I am still suffering with them.

It seems it is also making my anxiety worse as I am paranoid/worried about these side effects, which leads me to panic..racing heartbeat, difficulty breathing etc. I was just wondering whether anyone had experienced similar side effects or knows whether this is normal or if they will calm down if I persist with the medication?

Thanks very much,

Jordan x

[Daisycup]

I have been on proponal for 2 years and have side effecto like numbness of feet and hands and sweats but it as not as bad now I persevered with side effects it not easy but I'm here

[JordanS in reply to Daisycup]

Ah, hopefully they’ll calm down if I just persevere then! Thank you!

[Hidden]

I have taken it in the past to treat palpitations caused by panic attacks and I didn’t have any side effects. I think the best thing to do is to discuss it with your doctor, especially when they make your anxiety worse. Not being able to sleep will definitely contribute to headaches and other physical symptoms simply because your body is exhausted. Do see your GP who might be able to reassure you or ensure nothing serious is happening. x

[JordanS in reply to Hidden]

Hm, I’ll definitely book an appointment to discuss my side effects ASAP and hopefully it’ll just be my body getting used to the new medication. Thank you! X

[Daisycup]

But remember if in sure just give you're doc a little ring there no harm in it to reassure yourself x

[kia100]

I was put on them for anxiety/panic attacks for some reason they triggered even worse panic attacks but I think they work great for most people just not me.

[Headspace2014]

Jordan (and others),

This is not a direct response to your particular side effect issues, I'm sorry to say. But, when I saw "propranolol" in my email from HealthUnlocked, I wanted strongly to urge everyone to walk very carefully when using this drug. It can be rough.

NOTE: As many as 25-30% of people with psoriasis who take propranolol will have an adverse psoriasis reaction. This is repeated many times online. In our case, my wife's psoriasis went crazy AND she developed vasculitis all over her legs, groin area and some abdominal. Vasculitis can be dangerous and the massive rash/spotting she caught didn't go away for months. There is brown mottling that follows the rash. She was devastated. She had to go on a 9-week prednisone course to arrest the spread and that is one drug that really will jack up your tension levels, which is what she was trying to avoid in the first place. The whole process was a nightmare.

Worse, the propranolol was prescribed to lower the blood pressure of someone WITH low blood pressure. Go figure. Nice.

Finally, while not trying to be a Google doctor, please, please check the amazing number of side effects this drug can have. You could save yourself a lot of pain, confusion and....as always in our cases...anxiety and panic.