Propranolol withdrawl

[Zuzy123]

Hi! I have been off

Propranolol for 3 weeks now. I started 80mg a day extended release for migraines my doctors weaned me off every week reducing dose and stopping me cold turkey after 20mg short acting propranolol. The symptoms were gnarly. I first had severe tachycardia episodes where my heart would should up to 160 like nothing then drop down in the 90s after a few minutes. This happened daily multiple times a day. I finally just got over the tachycardia sensitivities and my heart has finally regulated. Now the remaining annoying symptoms have been twitching lip muscles and body muscles in legs and tummy. Also i get like an internal tremor feeling like a light vibrating which used to be more intense and although reduced still very much present especially when I lie down. The last annoying symptom has been the light headedness and fatigue and over all muscle weakness feeling. Oh I almost forgot, I get these moments where I feel like I almost cant breathe and I struggle to breathe and then it passes. My cardiologist thinks that the nervous system is out of whack which control the fight or flight response thus causing me all these crazy reactions. He told me to give it a couple more weeks and to start exercising and swimming and doing things to increase adrenaline to help the system normalize which it eventually will. Is anyone else experiencing this? Please help I feel so worn out with weeks of these symptoms.

[NDRTH]

Hey,

I can't say for certain that it'll stabalise. But I do want to say that you aren't alone in the withdrawal symptoms. I had lasting episodes of angina immediately and today I woke up with an irregular heart rate, cold feet and hands, lightheadness and tingling sensations all over the body. My symptoms don't go the extremities of yours, probably because of how small my doasge was and the short time I was on it (had major side effects). But I hope the fact that I share some of your experiences means that it's more normal that this is happening and that your body will stabalise with time. I know this is cliche but I recommend meditation. It may feel like it's really hard but it really helps especially when you feel so worn out by the symptoms.

I do hope you recover soon.

Stay Safe,

North

[Zuzy123 in reply to NDRTH]

Thank you so much for responding. The symptoms are still present, but slightly improving. Definitely has been rough. I hope it does eventually go away!

[Rawbar]

I went off propranolol is there anything my doctor can put me on thst will stabilize my shaking?

[Litz89]

I was on propranolol for almost 6 months . Initially 40 mg bd , which brought the heart rate to 50s from 80s . Also i felt so tired and had major sleep issues . The moment I drift to sleep I wake up as if someone shakes me up . Felt terrible. Decreased the dose to 20 mg bd and had intermittent palpitations. Even when I walk a little the heart rate spikes to 100 then comes back to 70 when I sit . Sometimes I get thuds and then I check my pulse which will beat faster as I get anxious and sometimes ectopic beats when my anxiety is accelerated. I also felt difficulty in breathing while walking . Stiffness of chest . 20 mg bd was continued for two months and then on 10 mg bd which also gave me sleepless nights and erratic heart rates . Whenever I think of my heart rate , it increases and then it increases my anxiety. I was struggling with this drug . Now I take 5 mg twice a day . I don’t want to stop cold turkey as I know the withdrawal will cause more symptoms. I reduce my anxiety nowadays by not concentrating on my heart also hear music and do some digital artworks photography and painting . Planning to continue the drug for two more months , tapering the dose .

Don’t panic . Don’t worry. The more u worry the more adrenaline in ur body causes more symptoms. Time will heal .

[Longchamp99 in reply to Litz89]

Hi

I have only just been put on Propranolol because the doctor thinks I have anxiety? I’ve never worried about much at all . Until the pandemic started. Anyway I have symptoms of shaking , can’t sleep or eat. Tired all the time etc . Do you think it may be Thyroid problem and not anxiety? Thank you . I’m new on here today .

[Litz89 in reply to Longchamp99]

Anxiety could cause mild tremors also it can cause tiredness if u dont have proper sleep . Check ur tsh t3 and t4

[Longchamp99]

Thank you 😀

[danmcp]

Having similar problems. I have been on propanalol for 5 years 80mg slow release for anxiety. Following a chat with my Dr about some other symptoms he as advised me to stop taking them. I stopped taking them 4 days ago and the first few days were okay. The last few days I have been experiencing the same rapid heart rate for no apparent reason. Multiple times a day. Currently sat in A and E after another terrifying episode. No t sure what to do now? Continue to follow doctors advise and see this through or start back on them. How long do the episodes of tachycardia last for? I need to.know what I have to cope with and if I able to get though it.

P.s judging by the info I've seen on here it was certainly not the best advice from the doctor to stop cold turkey.

[Zuzy123 in reply to danmcp]

Idk my symptoms have been ongoing for months my shortness of breath has gotten worse. I actually had to go back on them as apparently my dr feels I cant be without then as ny body got used to 80mg 3 times a day! Now I take 5mg 3 times a day, but I feel as if I need more when I am more active and less if I am just lounging

[Firemyst]

I hate to say I’m glad to read all these stories, but I am. Why? I’m not dying! I have experienced every single thing described. Insomnia, waking in a panic for no reason, nausea, erratic heart rate, feeling I can’t breathe but I’m breathing just fine, dizziness. I’m on day 4 without. I just want to feel normal again. None of my anxiety symptoms were ever as bad as taking that then trying to come off.

[Zuzy123 in reply to Firemyst]

That is how I felt then shortly after was diagnosed with hyperthyroid which is similar in withdrawl symptoms so imagine

[Chloedw in reply to Firemyst]

Hi im on day 6 without them and i stopped cold turkey, today has not been a good day woke up extremly early with hot sweats and shaking. I took 40mg fA day for 3 weeks i just want reassurance that this will pass xxx

[Mims_barba in reply to Chloedw]

Hi. How are you doing now? I am on day 6 of no propranolol and feeling pretty lousy.