What to take for stress/anxiety

[Greytree]

I have a music performance and don't know if I can make it through it given the level of stress/anxiety that keeps taking me over. I assume it's from the Prednisone (15mg originally and just moved down to 13.7mg). I have an essential tremor in one hand and have taken a small bit of Propranolol (a Beta blocker) in the past to deal with performance anxiety that can make the tremor worse. That was before I had PMR and started taking Prednisone. I've been offered Atarax (Hydroxydrine antihistamine) and a nurse friend suggested Benadryl (antihistamine). Any thoughts/suggestions/words of warning would be appreciated. Thanks.

[MrsNails]

It is really something you should discuss with a Medic - the issue with an antihistamine is it could make you sleepy so l recommend you seek Medical Advice. Good Luck

MrsN

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As MrsNails says, we cannot advise you on this, please speak to your doctor.

[Seacat30]

Some people swear by Bach's Flower Remedies to help take the edge off their nerves. I didn't find that it helped me but it might be worth a try if you can get them. I don't know whether there are any risks but they are for sale over the counter in the UK.

[jinasc in reply to Seacat30]

Seacat, just a word, before taking any homeopathy remedies, you should check with pharmacist that they are compatible with what you are already taking.

This does not mean you should not use them, I do, many of them but I always check - just in case. So far only one I was advised not to take.

BTW you should always check with your pharmacist, when your GP adds another item - pharmacists know more about drugs than most medics about compatibility.

[SheffieldJane]

Your anxiety sounds perfectly rational to me and possibly not particularly associated with Prednisone- in my experience that kind of wears off. My first drop would have been 1 mg or 1.5, aiming for 10% or less. The drops can make you wobble a bit. Pred might even be your friend with this challenge. Feeling dreadful just before your first note and then suddenly using the extra cortisol and sort of flying - just before the worst bit, breathe and ensure that you haven’t tensed up in any part of your body. Forget drugs, you can do this and will be wonderful I am sure. 💓

[Greytree in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks. Sound advice, so to speak. (-: I would have dropped 1mg but could not figure out how to do it simply with 10mg and 2.5mg tablets. 13.7mg was my answer.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Really is something to discuss with your GP. And various OTC options such as Benadryl vary in ingredients between countries so may have different effects - desired and undesired.

Otherwise it would need to be something like Bach Rescue Remedy which is homeopathic - so of course its value is disputed! I think someone on the forum found it very calming and friend of mine used to swear by it.

[Greytree in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. Just looked it up. Interesting.

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

It has worked for me. For presentations, at work Arg-Nit - Homoepathic remedy .I’d almost forgotten. Helios Homoepathic pharmacy on line is a trustworthy and fast supplier. None of the material substance in it to worry about reacting with prescribed drugs. I have faced many a terrifying audience with a tiny white pill dissolving under my tongue.

[piglette]

Several snooker players take Beta Blockers to calm them down, but I would not suggest that without talking to your doctor. Margaret Thatcher said she suffered from bad nerves before every Prime Minister’s Questions. I don’t think she took anything though.

[Greytree in reply to piglette]

Ha! Beta blockers are common in the entertainment world here in N America. But the U.S. loves Pharmaceutical answers to any and all personal issues. And docs don’t mind handing out the Rx’s. I will ask my doc but I don’t have great confidence in getting an understanding response in relation to Pred/PMR.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Greytree]

I take a beta blocker - can't say it stops anxiety for me ...

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

You will have to play in an international snooker tournament to get the full effect!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to piglette]

Now that I’d like to see!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Me too!!!

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

We are all very enthusiastic to see you, but don’t forget the Beta blockers!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

Are they to scatter on the baize cloth and upset the balls?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Not sure you fully understand the rules of the game 🙈

[Janstr]

There is a Blackmores product available in NZ called Vitamen B Stress Formula that I find good

[Greytree in reply to Janstr]

Thanks. Will look at the ingredients.

[Pixix]

I have an essential tremor, too…it’s so wild there’s no way I can play the piano without it wildly interrupting at unexpected moments, like a mad conductor! Has your neurologist determined where yours has come from, please? Mine is new & I’m looking for help & advice, please, & would like to know how long you’ve had, & any treatment? Re anxiety, as others say, I’d see my doctor!especially as some medications may not go well with pred! Of course, unless it’s your livelihood, you could choose not to perform at this time! I suffered nerves as a teenager playing in competitions & in front of school & exams etc, but once I started playing all was well…just the bit beforehand was tough!! Good luck, S x

[Greytree in reply to Pixix]

I have been checked for Parkinson’s, which it is not. Mine is hereditary. My paternal grandmother had it and so do my two brothers. If I grasp something, the sometimes wild trembling will stop. I don’t take anything for it unless I have to perform because it gets worse when stressed and I am not a natural performer who loves to get in front of people!! But I don’t perform a lot so I’ve got beta blockers but would only take one a few times a year. I had quit taking it to perform because I was getting better and getting past the stage fright. But PMR and Prednisone makes it all a new ballgame. This Sunday is a higher stress situation. I am still not sure what I will do. Have two low stress performances in assisted living facilities on tomorrow and Saturday before the big gig on Sunday. I’ll see how those go w/o the med before I decide on Sunday. But Beta blockers have been quite good on the occasions pre-Pred when I needed them. I wouldn’t ever take them regularly. You are a higher level performer than me and I am sympathetic!

[Pixix in reply to Greytree]

Not any longer! I gave up & just play for pleasure in our sunroom! But with bad thumb & wrist osteoarthritis & my new essential tremor (yes, my consultant said it wasn’t Parkinson’s, thank goodness, too!) But I wouldn’t take beta blockers unless I really needed them, health wise, to be very honest with you. I take 20+ tablets a day sometimes, & desperately trying to reduce! I think it would be good to do the assisted living facilities, they are always friendly in those places & just happily enjoy music…I don’t think they’re critical at all, which eases the stress! But Sundays performance…good luck! Stress can affect your PMR, too, not a great combo! S x

[Greytree]

Thanks to one and all for the great comments! I enjoyed checking out the various possible remedies holistic, homeopathic, medicinal and otherwise. It's kind of ironic. The two gigs in retirement centers/rest homes went fine with no remedy used. But on the third day I wasn't having a good day before the big show. I thought I might try to do it with no aid because I was at the place and enjoying talking to some friends I know. Was feeling better with the distraction. But then when it was time to get on stage, I freaked. I was a shambles. I had stupidly left the equipment I needed in a dark spot and couldn't find things. I decided to take a half of a 10 mg propranolol (so 5 mg beta blocker, which I have taken on occasion to still my hand tremor before PMR when I played competitive badminton, and sometimes on rare musical performances. I found my tiny pill bottle with my phone flashlight, pulled out and broke one of the tablets in two, threw one half in my mouth and dropped the rest into the black hole of my bag. But, I realized immediately I had missed my mouth. The half pill was somewhere on the rug below and I had to get on stage. I did fine on stage all the same. Just FYI, here is a photo of the crazy little (hard to locate) pill bottle a crafty husband of a friend made. Thanks again for the education on "relaxers" - and snooker.

Pill bottle made out of two bottle caps. One from a Coca Cola. The other a water bottle.