propranolol: Hi is anyone taking... - National Migraine...

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propranolol

svalli profile image
24 Replies

Hi is anyone taking Propranolol ?

I have been taking for over a month struggling with the side effects considerably.

my migraines have gone from 6 a week to 4 a week.

Was wondering how long a difference if any noted

Be nice to hear back, I did say to the Dr I will continue for another 2 week due to side effects

thanks

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svalli
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24 Replies
JamBiscuit profile image
JamBiscuit

I'm on it and have been for 4 months. My migraines have almost completely stopped and I haven't noticed any side effects other than a little bit of disturbed sleep. What side effects are you getting? I'm slightly worried I might be ignoring any side effects because I'm so happy to be migraine free. It seems to good to be true!

svalli profile image
svalli in reply toJamBiscuit

Thank you so much for replying, my chest hurts, feeling quite depressesd, nightmares, sleep disturbances, my Dr say's pursue but not sure, glad they are helping you

JamBiscuit profile image
JamBiscuit in reply tosvalli

I do get the occasional night terror which is really odd. I'm sorry you've not yet found a solution. I really was so happy when I finally found a solution after trying what felt like everything. Good luck.

svalli profile image
svalli in reply toJamBiscuit

Thanks hopefully will get their

Ursinia profile image
Ursinia

I have been taking Prpranolol for about 5months and my migraines have decreased significantly but not completely. I haven't noticed any side effects, could you tell me what yours are?

SH55 profile image
SH55

I have been taking propranalol for some months and haven't noticed any side effects. What sort are you getting?

svalli profile image
svalli in reply toSH55

You are lucky, I've had nightmares, hallucinations, my heart is acting weired, chest pains, sleepless nights, so you can imagine not good

svalli profile image
svalli in reply toSH55

Thank you for replying I've listed the side effects on the responses

Frodo profile image
Frodo

I took one of these tablets, got a really terrible headache unlike any before, continuous intense pain over my entire head not pulsing like a migraine, painkillers did not work. I also felt completely depressed and sluggish, could not move from the chair, and began to have flashbacks to a traumatic event. So I did not take any more, which annoyed the GP.

svalli profile image
svalli in reply toFrodo

Thanks Frodo, I've had similar feelings not taken tablet for 2 day's yes my Dr will not be happy, but we are all different and cannot work for all

Kris_Tine profile image
Kris_Tine in reply toFrodo

Frodo, I am pretty sure you took too a big dose. Normally doctors prescribe 20mg or max 40 mg a day to start with, and then go up by increasing the dose every week. I started with 3x10 mg (30mg a day), and now after 5 weeks I am up to 80 mg a day. Depending on your blood pressure the dose can go up to 160 mag a day, but since my blood pressure naturally is low, I won't go higher than 80 mg/day.

Wickedwatson profile image
Wickedwatson

I been on betablockers (inderal) for approx 6 mths now and they have made a huge difference, reducing my headaches and migraine dramatically every month. I noticed a difference almost straight away with them. I also take an anti depressant now as well and it is even better and i sleep all night without waking up. Wonderful. Try and persevere a bit to see if they help. I had litterally tried everything out there including botox (awful for me) and this was my last straw - which seems to have worked!

svalli profile image
svalli in reply toWickedwatson

Thank you for responding, yes I am at that stage have been thinking about Botox, may be I'm still not on the right preventer

Golf-Ski profile image
Golf-Ski

I have been taking it for 2 years now when Started getting peri menopausal migraines when I turned 50 ( what a gift to hit 50!!)

Anyhow, I take the lowest dosage(20 mg) , I have to say that when I started taking it , it did not work ; but somehow after trying different cocktails for 3 months... My doctor is quite knowledgeable and had several patients who had been referred to the migraine clinic , so she made me try a cocktail that worked for another one of her patient: 20 mg of propranolol in the morning and 10 mg of amytriptiline in the evening... And IT WORKS! I have to tell you that I was getting DAILY migraines for 3 months before we found something that worked. I was extremely discouraged, as I was constantly nauseated and living on soda crackers and Perrier water... Also had to take time off from work, as I could not function.

It did take my body a good three/ four weeks before the side effects disappeared and my body got used to those new medications. I have to admit, I didn't take any medication up to this point in my life.

These 2 medications together have been a life saver!! I do feel heaviness on top of my head and get a headache when my periods start, but apart from that it has been pretty good .

One of the issues that I developed about 3 months ago is that Propranolol appears to give me acid reflux( it relaxes the sphincter , so can have that effect)... Trying to solve that issue, otherwise I will have to try something else to replace the propranolol... That is a scary thought to me, that migraines could come back!!!

Hope this helps!

Not sure where you live, but here in Calgary, Alberta in Canada it took 1 year and 2 months before I could get in to see a neurologist at the Migraine clinic, so thank goodness my doctor found something to help me, because I don't know how I would have been able to survive.

France

svalli profile image
svalli in reply toGolf-Ski

wow that is interesting, I was on Amitrityln to start with that made no difference hence propanol

I know what you mean every day migraine it can be scary to come of the meds.

I have been to the migraine clinic here I have been asked to continue with propranol

let's see

svalli profile image
svalli in reply toGolf-Ski

Oh no I've suffered from migraines but not as much since July 14 every day

I would try anything hence the preventers, I must say I would prefer natural remedy

thank you for replying

Ladyone1 profile image
Ladyone1

Hi I'm on 80mg one a day slow release, mine seemed to help almost right away, I have been on them for just over a year, I must admit never took much notice of side effects because happy migraines had reduced, I was thrown into surgical menopause so my migraines suddenly got worse and I had just turned 50 nice present, not. These days I still get headaches but not as bad and usually couple of paracetamol clear it but upset my tummy, but I have noticed in last month I am getting more headaches again but only minor, just hope they don't get any worse. Side effects now you mention it, I also do have bad dreams but not to frequent but one thing I have noticed lately is the feeling of light headieness when I lay down at night and feeling of heart pounding, not every night but at least 3/4 nights.

svalli profile image
svalli in reply toLadyone1

I seem to be the only one they don't work for, yes noticed my heart not the same since using preventers

hope it continues for the better

emmykate013 profile image
emmykate013

I started on propanolol a couple of months ago. My doctor is weening me off of elavil while taking the propanolol so I think that helps. You may want to speak to your doctor about the migraines because mine have been completely wiped out.

svalli profile image
svalli

wow

TraceySid profile image
TraceySid

Hiya, I have been on 80mg propranolol for the last 5 years and I did have really bad side affect with very bad dreams and not sleeping so my GP cut my does down really low and slowly built the does up and I`ve been on the 80mg dose just over 4 years, my migraines was really bad ie:- having them every day without having a break from them and now I know if I`ve forgot to take it within 6 hours and I also take 200mg Amitriptyline every night to help me sleep.

svalli profile image
svalli in reply toTraceySid

I see that is interesting, I was put on 80mg, but I only take 40mg a day

cannot imagine what I be like if I was on 80, Im glad they were work for you

now.

Ghost2345 profile image
Ghost2345

I took propranolol for quite a long period, they really helped with the headaches. However I started getting night terrors to the extent I was bolting out of bed like a mad women and screaming. God knows what the neighbours thought! It came to the situation where it was taking a physical toll so I came off them.

It is about finding what helps you and what suits you. You'll probably find that your headaches will evolve/ change character as you get older. Don't loose heart. If you feel your GP isn't meeting your needs ask for a referral to a Neurologist or Headache Clinic?

svalli profile image
svalli in reply toGhost2345

Thank you so much, for your kind advice, I have been the same screaming, nightmares.

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