beta blockers….: Hi all! I’ve been... - Lung Conditions C...

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beta blockers….

Sjhoney profile image
20 Replies

Hi all!

I’ve been suffering from anxiety for several months now and have been prescribed propanalol to see how it goes. I’m feeling anxious about taking them, ironic I know!

I know this has nothing to do with RA but I thought some folk may have had experience of this drug?

Thanks!

Sarah 😊

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Sjhoney profile image
Sjhoney
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20 Replies
Currygirl profile image
Currygirl

Hi yes I have been taking this for long time for tachycardia, give it a go i t shouldn't harm you xx

Sjhoney profile image
Sjhoney in reply toCurrygirl

Thank you! I’m def going to, worth a try 👍

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56

I've been taking Bisoprolol since I had bypass surgery after a heart attack in 2014. i haven't had any side effects. It is to protect the heart from too much activity, according to the leaflet.

Tykelady profile image
Tykelady in reply toAlberta56

Thanks for that reply Alberta. I have been prescribed Bisoprolol for recently diagnosed AF and am on my second week. As I am a naturally anxious person I do wonder whether every flutter is the onset of another attack and feel I must learn to accept that the medication is doing it's job. x

Alberta56 profile image
Alberta56 in reply toTykelady

I had AF recently when I had to deal with my husband's anxiety before and after a circumcision. (He has dementia.) It was very stressful, and the doctor increased my Bisop from 100g to 250g. The flutter has gone away now that things have calmed down, but I'm still on 250g. and my BP is still erratic. I wondered whether the fluttering was a sign that I was not long for this world, but I'm still here so far. I hope you'll be fine. xxx

Jfb1 profile image
Jfb1

My husband died eight years ago and for quite a while afterwards I suffered with awful anxiety. GP suggested I try propranolol, 10mg, one to three tablets depending on how badly I was suffering. It worked really, really well for me. No side effects. And when I felt able to stand on my own two feet again I had no problem stopping taking it. So I would say give it a go, it certainly made my life a whole lot better!

Sjhoney profile image
Sjhoney in reply toJfb1

Thank you for your reply! Did you just take it when you needed it?

Jfb1 profile image
Jfb1 in reply toSjhoney

Absolutely. Like many people my anxiety was at its worst first thing in the morning. So if I got up and felt really, really anxious I would take three 10mg tablets. Some days if it was slight I would take only one 10mg tablet and other days none at all. Occasionally if I went out and felt stressed in a crowd or in a busy shop I would take another tablet which would take the edge off what I guess was mild agoraphobia. The instructions on the packet said ‘one to three tablets to be taken every four to six hours when necessary’. Propranolol worked really, really well for me, much better than any of the modern antidepressants and I would not hesitate to take it again if necessary.

Sjhoney profile image
Sjhoney in reply toJfb1

That’s really reassuring! I was getting anxious about taking them 🥴😄

Jfb1 profile image
Jfb1 in reply toSjhoney

I’m reading the further comments and I agree that propranolol can exacerbate breathing difficulties. I have mild to moderate apical emphysema diagnosed several years ago by CT scan. However, propranolol had no adverse effect upon my breathing and had a very positive effect upon my mental health. Everyone is obviously different and I guess the only way to find out if it suitable for you is to commence with the lowest possible dose, 10mg and take it from there. Do you have COPD or do you suffer with asthma? If so is the doctor who prescribed propranolol aware of this and have they discussed it with you? Your resume mentions only anxiety and RA.

Sjhoney profile image
Sjhoney in reply toJfb1

Hi, thank you for your response. No I have RA, I’m not sure how I got into the lung condition thread 🥴

Jfb1 profile image
Jfb1 in reply toSjhoney

That’s good news, you should have no breathing worries if you take propranolol. If I were you I would most definitely give it a try. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, we’ll you’ve lost nothing! Good luck!

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl

I had no problems with propanolol, and they controlled my migraines and blood pressure very well. But my GP stopped them when I was diagnosed with COPD as he said they weren't good to take with lung problems. So my migraines came back and my blood pressure has been much harder to control.

Now he's retired, maybe I could go back to the practice and ask to be put back on them again...

Sjhoney profile image
Sjhoney in reply toErgendl

Sorry to hear that, such a shame when something is working for you.

katieoxo60 profile image
katieoxo60 in reply toErgendl

This drug is not advised for people with breathing difficulties as it can actually cause Asthma . I had this given to me years ago and it made me very ill and it was reccommended for hand tremors and anxiety in small dosage. We are all different what works for one may not for others. I would go back to the GP now and maybe discuss your options. If you go back on it take note of how your breathing goes, or check the possible side effects yourself . Anyone is allowed to take a drug that works for them as long as the DR as made you aware he does not agree with prescribing it personally. Hope this helps you . PS Propanolol is not prescribed so much these days. Best Wishes

Superzob profile image
Superzob

It’s very relevant, because propranolol can increase risk in asthmatics. However, I have been on low dose (10mg, 3x daily) for almost 50 years for anxiety and, even though I was diagnosed with late-onset asthma about 10 years ago, it hasn’t affected me. So I guess it would be pretty safe to give it a try, and it doesn’t give rise to the sort of dependency you can get with other anxiolytics.

katieoxo60 profile image
katieoxo60

Hello Sjhoney, I was prescribed these many years ago and they made me iller than I was, they would not believe me that it was the tablets, nowadays they do listen. We are all different , you could try them and precede with caution as many people have taken them with no problem for years. But do not be concerned if you have to change them at a future date especially if you get any adverse effects . Take care and I hope they work for you.

Jansy16 profile image
Jansy16

I haven't tried this medication for anxiety but one of my Drs at my request has given me 2mg of Diazapan one a day & they have helped take the edge of my anxiety.

garibaldon profile image
garibaldon

stay calm Honey, I been talking beta blockers for donkey’s years, since a triple byepass, , I’m 86, with emphysema and asbestos plaques on the lungs.

Jus believe in science. Don’t go into denial. Beta blocker are a proven drug.

Lily1Mia2Aaron3 profile image
Lily1Mia2Aaron3

Hi I have been on propranolol M/R capsules 80mg for about 20 years with no side effects at all

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