Propranolol and low HR/ Light headedness

[Bbtb321]

Hi all.

I am getting almost daily migraine auras, not so much pain but visual disturbances and a lot of Nausea.

I started on Propranolol 40mg for 2 weeks and am now on 80mg slow release and have been for nearly a month.

I have felt light headed a few times while standing and happened to notice my heart rate has dropped into the 40's which has scared me a bit. Is this normal?

I have also been for a few walks and have had episodes of light headedness when I have finished to the point of thinking I was going to black out.

I feel like I have had no relief from the migraines but I like the effect it has had on general anxieties. I do feel like I am getting more palpitations than I ever have had before as well which doesn't make sense!

[MOLKO1972]

Hi Bbtb321,

I took Propanolol for Migraines and had the exact same symptoms. Felt very light headed and my heart rate dropped considerably.

I got to the point where I was starting to feel quite poorly and was still getting migraines. Went back to my GP and explained my symptoms and he told me to stop taking them. I suggest you go back to your GP and just get it checked out...just to be on the safe side.

[Bbtb321 in reply to MOLKO1972]

Thanks, what did they recommend instead? The other alternative I was offered sounded pretty scarey to be honest.

[MOLKO1972 in reply to Bbtb321]

I just take Sumatriptan when I feel a migraine coming on. It’s the only thing I’ve found to work. I’ve tried so many different preventative tablets and none of them worked. Just had really horrible side effects.

What alternative were you offered?

[Bbtb321 in reply to MOLKO1972]

I seem to be getting them every morning at the moment :/

I can't remember but the nuro said they can cause issues with brain function/ and mental confusion so that was enough to put me off!

[MOLKO1972 in reply to Bbtb321]

When I was really bad I would go to bed with a migraine and wake up with it the next day. I suffered for 2 years being prescribed all kinds of different tablets and then I was referred to a Neurologist. It was the Neurologist who suggested I just keep using the Sumatriptan instead of preventative treatment. It was only a few years ago I was prescribed the Propranolol, as I was getting more and more migraines again. It all seemed to settle down and I only tend to get hormonal migraines now, but I'm still taking Sumatriptan when I get one.

Good luck