Propranolol withdrawal

[Lolablue5]

wondering if anyone could help me as getting no help from the drs.

I’m 28 and have been taking 80mg slow release propranolol for 16 days for physical symptoms of anxiety.

I came off cold turkey (after being advised by my doctor that I would be fine)

2 days after coming off I was fine but on the 3rd day I was experiencing dizziness and headaches and feeling nauseous. My heart rate fluctuates between 60-130 from just being in the shower.

I’m just wondering how long do these withdrawals last. I don’t know if what I was on was a high dosage and if I was even on them long enough to experience withdrawals.

Any help or success stories would be greatly appreciated.

From an anxious woman 😅

[Happyrosie]

well no-one’s responded so I suppose there’s no-one in this forum who has experienced what you had.

This is really a forum for those with cardio-vascular problems - troubles with their heart and circulation. So maybe you be better off posting in one of the other communities here such as anxiety.

[fishonabike in reply to Happyrosie]

propranolol is a beta-blocker like bisoprolol and metoprolol - these are often prescribed for heart conditions and withdrawal is the same whatever they are prescribed for

[Happyrosie in reply to fishonabike]

Mmm yes and no. Some people might have a withdrawal symptom BECAUSE of their anxiety.

[fishonabike in reply to Happyrosie]

yes they might but it is possible for people with a anxiety to have real, physical withdrawal symptoms, so they deserve the same consideration as those without anxiety

. . . . and can you diagnose whether or not symptoms are caused by anxiety from a message on a forum?

[Happyrosie in reply to fishonabike]

No I cannot. The poster stated that the Bblocker was prescribed for anxiety.

[Lolablue5 in reply to Happyrosie]

The beta blockers were prescribed to me because of physical signs of anxiety .. for example I had an irregular heart rate. Palpitations. Dizziness. Headaches and fatigue - I was prescribed the propranolol to stop the physical signs of anxiety that my body was experiencing.

[fishonabike in reply to Happyrosie]

my point is that the symptoms of withdrawal are the same whether the medication is prescribed for anxiety or a heart condition

[Garden24]

Hi. It sounds like a return to the GP is in order. It might be the case that it’s your anxiety rather than withdrawal from the tablets. Talking therapies are all well & good for anxiety but referrals for this are long. A monitored course of antidepressants might be the way forward. I had horrendous anxiety & it controlled my life. Ruined my life in fact. Antidepressants have made my life 100% better. I had all the symptoms you had & more. Please reach out for help again as you don’t have to suffer like this.

[mumsastudent in reply to Garden24]

Your doctor is an idiot...most medications like this you should do a slow withdrawal ..ask if they have a pharmacist at your gp they might be able to give some advise too. Does your gp have more than 1 doctor please ask to see someone else

[Jedi14]

The medication you have been given for anxiety, also works for heart problems. I'm not sure starting/stopping it as trouble free as is made to be? Speak to the pharmacist if you can't get GP.

[Displacedheart]

Well few questions do u have any heart conditions? My emotional and mental state was impaired by my illness - I was so confused. I think sometimes the shuttle symptoms of illness can be mistaken for tired and anxious - some mental health meds come with carfiac warnings which is why baseline eggs and bloods should be done before starting the medication. Maybe because it was short use that they did not monitor as appose to long term use. My emotional state and confusion and tiredness is all worse now - so I do think cardiac and mental health physical symptoms can be confused both can be confused because of the impact on both emotional and physical state. Iv beeb told for 5 years its my mental health. It took 5 years to know I had a cardiac displacement into left hemithorax, carfiac ischemia, high velocity flow and under performing ventricles- I would say get a diary make a log of all symptoms emotional and physical- and ask your doctor to work with you - kindly and closely. We know our body's and whilst we may not know what, we know when it's something. If u feel u have questions please do contact your gp and keep pushing with them - take care

[Pipedreams]

hello ,I was on those ..they’re old school medication..I stopped!!..80 mg is a lot !….the system (body)..has built up ..so when not taking said medication 💊..take a lower dose ..and slowly ween off

[fishonabike]

I am sorry to hear that you were given no advice or support in stopping propranolol therapy

have you tried asking your pharmacist for advice?

it is usual to stop taking beta-blocker gradually by reducing the dose a bit at a time or reducing how often you take them - so if you have run out of them you may need to go back to your prescribing doctor and ask them to renew the prescription and help you with this