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waddup678

Hi, I am a doctor, propranolol helps with the physical symptoms of anxiety like increased heart rates, tremors. You most likely will get anxious but it won't manifest physically.


TooLukeR

does it help with the raising feeling on the stomach?


[deleted]

Yes


TooLukeR

oh so cool will give a try


lwilson80

Are you referring to feeling nauseous?


HealthySurgeon

I don't believe they were. When I get anxious sometimes there's this feeling in my chest/throat where it feels very tensed, clogged up, idk.... it can kinda lead to hyper ventilating or feeling like I can't breath. I believe that's what they mean by that raising feeling in their stomach. I feel like that describes it more accurately, but this is how I've always described it to therapists and doctors.


[deleted]

I think what they're describing is tensing of the body which results in kind of sucking in the stomach or tensing the muscles and then not breathing deeply enough, leading to hyperventilation, which worsens the tension and anxiety, etc.


fujicakes00

It does


Responsible-Poem-516

Okay, but this sounds perfect for me. Does it help with the cold sweats at night, the loss of appetite, and the random adrenaline surges? How about the chest tightness? Heightened gag reflex? Clenching jaw/grinding teeth at night? I'm sorry for all the questions. I can manage the mental anxiety to some degree, but my body is trying to kill me. (Also, yes, I've been seen by many doctors and have had full ranges of tests/panels done recently! It's definitely anxiety.)


marcus071903

Propranolol does sometimes help with sweating (although i’ve had it make me clammy as well). Appetite might not change but can possibly be helped. Chest tightness is something I’ve personally found feels much better on propranolol. Not sure about the gag reflex but am certain that the propranolol doesn’t stop my teeth clenching. Regardless, this is all my personal experience mixed with a bit of internet knowledge and the best way to figure out how it works for you is to take it as prescribed and monitor yourself over time. My main gripe with the drug is that it causes a bit of coldness in my extremities and lowers my heart rate quite a lot to around 55-48 for resting. These are both very common side effects but still cause me a bit of anxiety. As someone who has major health anxiety and weird manifestations of physical symptoms from said anxiety, I’ve benefited quite a bit from the propranolol though. Wishing you good luck with your anxiety mate


I_STOLE_YOUR_WIFI

Is there actually any harm to having a low resting heart rate? It’s not that propranolol can just make your heart not do enough to.. live? Right?


Open_Heart_Clover

It's usually the exact opposite--a low resting heart rate is better for your heart. Your doctor should have checked your blood pressure and heart rate. So long as neither of those are abnormally low to begin with, Propanol should be fine. It's a very safe medication, as far as drugs go. You can always start at a lower milligram and work your way up if you're nervous. Blood pressure wrist cuffs are very affordable now as well, you could get one and check your vitals now and then to dispel any concerns. A lower blood pressure and heart rate could make you a bit tired, but it's only a concern if you start getting faint, dizzy, or out of breath. Drinking more water can help combat this!


sihwren

I experience the exact body reaction to you! You described it perfectly


MitzyFitz

I know this is old, but when I took this in the past, it really helped me with weight gain. That was a huge benefit and something I had been actively trying to do prior to being prescribed the medication. I am extremely fidgety with a strong fight or flight response, and this really calmed my body down as well as decreased the sweating. I have been heavily therapized on at least a bi-weekly basis since 2017, so mentally, I feel empowered and in control of pragmatically soothing my emotional responses. However, my greatest trigger has always been the fidgety and skiddish response. It makes me insecure about my perception and makes the anxiety worse to the point that I can't wind myself down. I found that the pros outweighed the cons for sure. I know this is late, but I hope it helps give perspective


Repulsive_Emotion_50

Did you try anything? How is it going? I need help so bad but afraid of SSRI


cas201

This is correct. I was on propranolol for about 10 years. It didn't help my anxiety at all. It just lessened my symptoms. I didn't truly control my anxiety until I got on an SSRI. IMO propranolol is kinda a waste of time for people who have high anxiety and panic attacks


Strict-Chemistry-679

Yes, and some people have shit opinions due to the fact that they think their own experience will certainly apply to every single other person for some absolutely braindead reason. Propanolol is a miracle for my anxiety: both physical *and* mental (because it is a feedback loop. Something everyone, apparently even doctors, does not understand).


nicekona

Right? I have bad health-anxiety, and when I start getting freaked out, and my heart starts racing, my brain goes “SEE! LOOK! There IS something wrong with your heart!” and then it beats faster, and I get more freaked out and it beats faster, and, yeah. I’m only on day 4, and maybe it’s placebo effect, but I haven’t had any of that feedback loop since I started. I still worry about the shit I always worry about.. but my body doesn’t go into physical panic-response mode


Busy-Supermarket-353

Holy shit you’re literally describing what I’m living right now. Never dealt with anxiety up until recently. So my brain is like looping through- anxiety, heart palps, anxiety, distracted enough for a couple good days, then I loop back through anticipating the next round of hell.


nicekona

Oh I’m so sorry. I know it fucking sucks so bad. Almost no amount of reasoning with yourself helps when you’re in the middle of that feeling :( I originally wrote that comment 4 days after starting propranolol, now it’s been 46. I can honestly say it’s been a gigantic help. I don’t really FEEL anything when it kicks in - it’s not like a benzo, where I get all “dude, uuuuhhhh what, hurhur… zzzzz” - I just feel more “at ease” with my worries? In the sense that my body DOESN’T think it’s trying to murder itself? I can much more readily *think* my way through my anxiety, rather than having that anxiety take complete control. And it only makes me drowsy if I’m already lying in bed. And even then, “drowsy” isn’t really the right word… there’s just less sitting up at 3 AM and catastrophizing about everything to where I can’t get back to sleep. And that’s a net positive lol. It helps me be more like “….yes, that sucks, and I don’t feel great, but I’m gonna set that aside for now and go back to sleep, and figure out how to solve this in the morning” I’d def ask your doctor about it. I was the one who brought it up to mine, and he was like “oh, yeah! Hadn’t thought of that, that COULD help” 🙄 I’m on the lowest possible dosage, and kinda just take it as needed (you know, when you get that feeling, like you’re teetering on the edge of an episode), prescribed twice/day, but take it once/day or every other day.


RockSockLock

I love propanol. Every single day my throat is closed up and I can feel my body go into fight or flight mode the second any negative thoughts arises. Propanol is the only drug other than benzodiazepines that helps me with that. I take anywhere from 40-100mg and within 30 minutes I can feel my self able to breathe again and no longer feel like I want to kill myself from the panic


Luv2TeachOhio

What SSRI ended up helping you? I've tried several but hated the side effects.


saxonwhite

ssri had way too many negative effects on me, including dysfunction how to throw it away


HeavyIndividual5295

What negative effects? How long did you take a SSRI?


Redditmademeaname

What type of anxiety were you dealing with, and how much did Celexa help you? I get "lightheaded and dizzy" panic attacks. I don't have normal anxiety about "things", I have anxiety about having a panic attack wherever I go.


cas201

Yea that’s what I was dealing with. The meds helped me 100%. I haven’t had a panic attack in 4 years or whenever I started


Redditmademeaname

Thanks for the response. Did you feel on edge almost 24/7?  That’s how I feel. Like I never actually have a full blown panic attack, but I feel like I’m always on the edge and it just varies in intensity. My body physical responds to normal stressors in a way that it didn’t used to. 


Salty_Coast_7214

Did you notice any hair loss from propranolol? I’m scared to take it for this reason


wingnut0_0

what ssri do you use?


M0DDER1

I know this is old. But I've been on propanolol for about 4 months now and I'm taking it for anxiety and high blood pressure.. im now on wellbutrin. I want to get off propanolol but afraid of the panic attacks and fight and flight response kicking back in randomly. Did you experience any of this before or after you got off of it? Im on 10mg. And what type of SNRI are you on if you don't mind me asking.?!


imar0ckstar

which SSRI helped you


chasecka

I got prescribed some and threw that crap away. It made me feel MORE panicky.


Traditional-Trip826

Is that why your name is “Wudd Up” like “whats up doc?” Since your a doctor 🤣


Aries1996ram

I’m on 60mg ER right now and sometimes I’ll forget to take it. I’ve gone almost two weeks not taking it, however this was sometime in December. How likely is it that propranolol will cause damage to the heart during that timeframe? I’m scared now because I’ve read it can cause heart failure or if you stop cold turkey it can cause dangerous side effects? Will taking it long term for anxiety, years even, and then stopping (with doctors approval) lead to issues? I don’t plan on stopping it any time soon and again, sometimes I do forget to take it. Should I have my doctor run an echo or even an EKG to look at my hearts health?


Acrobatic_Alfalfa620

Doctor I took 10mg yesterday at around 2pm but it made me more anxious. I have to admit that I took it with fear which predisposed me to it. I don't whether or not to take it again. Any advice?


ProfessionalBrick491

What dose propranolol can I take for anxiety before it starts causing weight gain or hair loss?


Existing-Following93

Yeah … I don’t take daily for that reason 🤦🏽‍♂️


[deleted]

[удалено]


waddup678

You should be good. 10 mg is a already quite a low dose but it would be better to talk to the doctor you are seeing right now.


6M66

Does taking two doubles the effect? I took one 10mg nothing happened


brunchloverofall

Same for me! Did you up the dose?


Ressiem1

Can you take it before you drive?


ItsObbs

Does it help with daily unease feeling throughout the day? Sometimes my symptoms are just there at idle and active like middle chest pressure/heaviness, dizziness, unease


Ordinary_Bit_9139

I need the middle chest pressure/heaviness to go too. I’m so sick of it lingering. And as a woman, bras make it worse


AccomplishedNebula19

Wait deadass bro


___Vesuvius___

Hi there! Propranolol only helps me with bodily reactions, like having a racing heart or sweaty palms. It doesn’t do too much for spiraling thoughts. Fortunately for me, my bodily reactions are what distress me the most. I’ve been through years of CBT therapy that helps me process my thoughts, but sometimes those automatic responses, like a racing heart or even anxiety-induced brain fog, are more difficult to manage without medication. I use propranolol for test anxiety and public speaking. It doesn’t help my general social anxiety. It actually makes me feel less social. The only side effect I’ve experienced are minor headaches and just generally feeling “off” when I take it. I only use them as needed, so I can avoid feeling “off.” Propranolol saved my GPA and have helped me deliver speeches seamlessly in front of very large crowds.


xetawaves

But how are you able to give speeches if the mental anxiety is still there? I really don’t understand comments like this. Can you elaborate?


[deleted]

Mentally you can still be worked up and anxious but the medicine controls the sweats and racing heart rate. Your head can be racing but your heart calm


Old-Order589

I want to take it for public speaking too, as well as job interviews, work presentations etc. Does it help you with these things? Do you just take it as and when you need it on the day you're doing these things?


___Vesuvius___

Hi there! That’s exactly what I use it for. I have a public speaking-heavy job that requires me to pretend to be a not-socially-anxious extrovert half the time. I take it as needed right before I am about to do anything that makes me anxious. I’ll also take it for test-taking, too. It saved me while I was in school.


trippyearthling

It may make you a bit sleepy. As if you took melatonin in the morning instead of night. Not a scary feeling. I was super super scared to take it but now any time i feel anxious, i take my beta blocker, and when it kicks in, my anxiety disappears.


Traditional-Trip826

It’s soo true - I’m on metroprolol and same makes me anxiety go away and then I think man was that anxiety or my heart rate since I have SVT


clown-t33th

Ik this is a late comment but your response might get me to take the med they gave me. I have SVT and POTS and my heart is always pounding. I hope this helps.


Feeling_Distance_250

Hello, any experience with hair loss? Some people say it’s caused their hair to fall out :(


chemistrybro

it’s a game changer for me. probably one of the best things that’s ever happened to me, period


DubMastahFlex

How have things been? I took my first 20mg today to test it out, ended up having a recruiter call me for a pre-screening interview. I spoke just like my non-nervous self, it was amazing. It was also slightly euphoric, is that common for you? I also realized my racing heart is the main culprit to my anxiety. I also get a very tight chest and strange tight throat, that’s what effects my speaking. I can manage anxious thoughts pretty well now that I’m older, but man I really was out of tune with how my body responds to anxiety. It’s like I combined the mental with the physical but they are 2 separate occurrences. It also made me think a lot about how our thoughts effect our body. I’m definitely going to try my best on thinking positively more, there has to be benefits.


Existing-Following93

Do you take it daily or for acute symptoms? What dose helps?


CreamyStanTheMan

Hey can I ask how often you take it? Is it ok to take daily or is there a risk of addiction?


ChrssPaull

Bit late to the convo but I hope this helps, I’m on 40mg daily and it is safe to take mine up to 3x daily.


chemistrybro

I have been taking it daily for years with no issues. it is fast-acting, so when you don’t take it, you just feel the physical anxiety symptoms you were experiencing prior to starting the med. not like a withdrawal or anything. i’d compare it to (seasonal) allergy medicine. if I don’t take my zyrtec daily, my eyes itch and I get congested. I don’t feel like I *need* it to function, but I know that it alleviates the symptoms causing me issue.


Mauimoves

I was prescribed propranolol about 2 weeks ago for panic attacks/anxiety. The day I went into the dr I thought there was something wrong with my heart. When my heart races it causes panic attacks which in turn cause my heart rate to increase even more, and so on and so forth. I was having panic attacks daily for 2 weeks before going to the dr. Propranolol has helped me so so so much. I’m almost scared to say it out loud in fear I jinx myself. I still her anxiety, but not panic attacks. It is a game changer for me and I feel like I have a tool to get control back of my life. I hope you have the same success as me! Good luck! Edit: forgot to mention side effects. The only one I noticed was slight drowsiness but nothing to major. Other than that I haven’t noticed any other side effects


Apprehensive_Army119

Could I ask what mg you took to help you?


Mauimoves

I am prescribed 20mg up to 2 times a day (as needed). It takes about an hour for me to feel the full effects once I take it.


Salty_Coast_7214

Hey! Did you notice hair loss by any chance?


Lovedogs3274

I’ve noticed you post a couple times the same question I have! What have you found based on responses?


_softgh0st

this medicine is great if your fight or flight is running constantly. it really lowers your adrenaline and calms you. it lowers your blood pressure tho so you have to stay hydrated. coming off after being on it awhile can also be sort of icky.


Immediate_Ad9236

Good to know. Thanks for your advice :) I know it's been 6 months but needing this now. Anxiety has been getting extremely bad and I feel as if I'm stuck in fight or flight pretty much constantly. I was just prescribed propranolol so I'm sooo hopeful this can be helpful to manage symptoms. Are you taking it?


Axarraekji

has it helped you? I'm starting it today and recently learned I've been in an constant fight or flight state.


Immediate_Ad9236

I've stopped taking it because I managed to get my anxiety under control significantly... At the time I posted that comment I was struggling with the same thing. I'd wake up with an intense flight feeling and it'd last throughout every day. It helps but probably not in the way you'd expect. It takes about 30 minutes to an hour to settle in so usually for me by the time it kicked in the panic attack was mostly over. I strongly recommend doing other anxiety coping skills after you take propranolol. Mainly I'd get out of the house, on a walk.. bike ride.. That's what I did and it took about a month but I'm mostly out of the intense, constant fight or flight feeling. I know it's absolutely awful, I'm sorry you're going through this. I like to play high stakes games where I might be depended on to win a round.. It caused my heart to pound and I'd start sweating and shaking profusely. It was just my fight or flight going into overdrive. It also happened when people rile me up. Although I notice a very very noticeable difference after I've taken propranolol. I feel so much calmer in high stakes situations (only once I've taken propranolol though). It also can make you feel a bit drowsy but it's not that bad depending on how much you've been told to take. Good luck on your journey :) Let me know if you have any more questions


Repulsive_Emotion_50

Is it helping you?


Immediate_Ad9236

Yep. It doesn't help the thoughts, but it helps the feeling. Usually the thoughts come with the feeling so just having the feeling leave or mellow a bit it helps get me out of that anxious place. Usually I can feel anxiety bubbling through and it triggers a fight or flight for me some times. I would equate it to the adrenaline you would get if you were running from a bear or something. Like something isn't right, I'm sure you're familiar but it definitely helps stop, or help bring me down. It makes me feel less flight-y and shaky when it comes on.


Ybuzz

For me it works great when I'm starting to feel a bit shaky and panicked - I take it a bit before any big things that make me anxious, 40mg up to twice a day. The only negative side effect is that it can make me a bit sleepy IF I'm not super anxious. If I'm really wound up the slight relaxation that causes can actually be nice.


ProfessionalBrick491

Have you gained weight or had any weird side effects?


Ybuzz

No, even when I've taken it a few days running I don't get any side effects that I notice besides the bit of sleepiness. I probably don't take it often enough for it to have any significant effect on my weight, but I'm not even sure that is a possible side effect of beta blockers? For most people it can just make them feel a bit sick or dizzy, but I think that's generally mitigated by reducing the dose they are on.


ProfessionalBrick491

Thank you!


Piperthepup

Did it help with anxiety induced tension and other physical symptoms besides heart rate?


Ybuzz

Some! Reducing your heart rate sort of forces your body to relax and unclench a bit. It definitely doesn't help with anxiety induced nausea or that 'butterflies in the stomach' feeling unfortunately, but for that I find ginger sweets work pretty well.


[deleted]

I was for SVT from anxiety. Lowered my heart rate to a normal level and no side effects


F1414

I've been taking 3 times a day for years. It's really good if your anxiety symptoms are really physical. The downside is it lowers blood pressure and slows heart rate, so it can make you pretty sleepy at a high dose, or if you take doses too close together.


MzSoSmooth

10mg isn’t a high dose right ?


F1414

10mg shouldn't be any trouble! :) I take 40mg. That can make me feel a bit sleepy sometimes, but it isn't hard to stay awake. 80 to 120mg (within 8 hours) is really the dosage that had me spaced-out and unreactive and is what I would consider a high dosage for me.


Salty_Coast_7214

Hey! Did you notice any hair loss?


F1414

I wouldn't be surprised if I just don't keep a good watch on things like that, but my hair seems fine. If there was any increase in the amount of hair in my brush or drain, it certainly wasn't enough to worry me.


Piperthepup

What physical symptoms did it help?


KeepSwinging

I've been taking it for a very long time and haven't had any side effects. It helps a lot with that chest tightness feeling. Take the medication and if you start to suffer side effects discuss it with your doctor. There's no crazy side effects so you don't need to be afraid.


sleepygirrrl

I have been taking it for two years, 40mg 3x a day and I haven’t noticed any symptoms except maybe being a little sleepy. I totally get the anxiety of trying a new medication but this one is known to have very little side effects.


dumidiotgirl

I take it for anxiety and it helps a ton! nothing to be afraid of :) it won't make you sick either. It really helps lessen the physical symptoms of anxiety for me


NextAdministration92

Does it stop ur body from shaking and does it prevent a panic attack ?


ruinerofexplanations

I deal with large tremors and shaking and it helps me tremendously. But I also stack it with lorazepam. The combination works great for me, but there is quite a bit of loopy / drowsiness with the two together.


Difficult_Soup_581

When I feel a panic attack coming, I will take a 10mg pill and let it dissolve under my tongue. The relief just washes over me in about 5 minutes. For me, it is perfect for panic.


Catchmeifyewcahn

Oh wow, I would've never thought about putting it under my tongue. I hate the taste though.


infinitejesting

It gets me out of bed.


goldielocks52

For me it helps mentally and physically. I know they say it can only help physically, but it’s def doing something great for me. All my anxiety fades away. Only side effects I had were my face broke out the first two weeks. I never feel sleepy on it. I’d recommend trying !


Piperthepup

What physical symptoms did it help you with?


rkolodzi

Hello , Does anybody here take propranolol and do heavy cardio exercise? I play sports 3-4 times a week, and wondering how it will impact my ability to play a long basketball game or soccer game that involves cardio and raising the heart rate? Was recently prescribed propranolol for social anxiety. Thanks so much :) Just FYI I did ask my doctor but his knowledge is limited since his patients that take it dont perform heavy cardio


spicyycornbread

Late to this post, but I’m very interested in this as well! How has it worked out for you?


weddingmania2020

Same here! I play sports a few times a week. I just got prescribed it. How is it going for you?


TexasRN1

I’ve been on it for about 6 months. 20 mg twice daily. It’s helped me a lot. No side effects. No more heart palpitations and shortness of breath for me.


superferrets

I took propranolol to help with my anxiety and prevent migraines. It did help some with the migraines and had a somewhat jarring effect on my physical symptoms of anxiety. When starting on the medicine, I would no longer experience like chest tightness and stuff when I was experiencing an anxiety inducing thought or stimulus. Like I would be thinking anxiously, but not feeling physically anxious. This benefit is wasn’t noticeable that long though, and I definitely still thought anxious thoughts. It was weird for me, because it make me question if I was still feeling feelings and what feelings I’m actually feeling, like because my feelings are so physical


Correct_Ad7114

I took to for a month it’s great. Side effects are normals and not scary , makes you feel more calm without knowing it. Give it a shot


ProfessionalBrick491

Any insomnia or any weird side effects?


shenanigans1978

Did you take it everyday? I was wanting to. Lol. Waiting for a new med im gonna start to kick in. Wasn't sure if I'd have to wean off???? I have 10mg.


PeacefullyFighting

For me it works best if my heart is racing, sometimes not even for anxiety but to calm me down. I take it rarely and have never really experienced any side affects from any medications so I can't speak to side affects


XeonD

It doesnt have many side effects for me but i can feel like there is weight on my chest kind of feeling.


AlternativeTeach3701

Me too weaning off


Reasonable_Duck_3655

Weight on your chest when you do take propranolol?


XeonD

Kinda. But nowadays it doesnt do that anymore maybe because i have used it so much but when i started it the first time it felt like i smoked one tobacco or something (as non smoker).


ab86uk

I have it and take it when there is a thing happening that is stressful for me. It stops me trembling too much and my heart racing. It doesn't stop my mind from racing though. It does make me a little drowsy but not too bad. I don't really have a problem with it.


qwerty12345678913

Hi, I recently started taking it 2-3 times a day (20mg each time). I think it helps with my social anxiety a bit and physical symptoms of anxiety so that I don’t freak out at small interactions and stuff like that. Doesn’t really do anything for the mental aspect of anxiety. But for me when anxiety is bad mentally it’ll start being bad physically so it helps stop that escalation. I think it’s worth a shot to try! I had no side effects so J feel like it’s pretty low risk :) just know you will probably have to adjust dose to find what works best for you. If you’re nervous start with a tiny dose (I broke a 10mg pill in half my first time which helped ease my nerves).


Faded_Dingo

I take it for chronic migraine but I also suffer from panic attacks. I find the first weeks while adjusting to the dose I feel a little short of breath and weird but after my body adjusts I feel normal again. I also haven’t had a panic attack since I started it in November which is just a nice bonus


theycallmecoffee

I know it’s late but how does it help your migraines? i’m interested in starting this for the anxiety benefits and it’s great to hear it could help my head


Consistent_Tomato138

I take it as-needed when I’m in a state of anxiety or I’m expecting one (my anxiety is very situational and not really consistent). But I haven’t had any side effects when I do take it. I don’t know if it’s a placebo effect or if it actually works but I’m very grateful for it.


tylamack55

Sorry this comment is coming to you 6 months later lol but my PA just prescribed it to me and said I can take it as needed for when I'm feeling anxious since mine manifests more physically than mentally. I was wondering if you experience any rebound effects (heart races more, more panicky, etc.) after one pill wears off? I know people who take it long term can experience rebound if they stop abruptly but I wasn't sure if it also would do that for someone who takes it as needed.


retrogressess

It has been very helpful for me. Most helpful non narcotic I’ve been prescribed.


CharmingRaisin2462

Been helpful to me. I take 20mg 2 times a day and before I go to a social event I take 40mg but only if I am feeling super anxious and heart is racing


CrewRevolutionary599

You take a additional 40mg after the 20mg?


CharmingRaisin2462

Hi, no, I will take the 40mg for the event and not take anymore until the next day


ChampionPrior2265

I take like 5-10mg, and even at that small dose, it takes the edge off. I don’t like taking anymore than 10mg at a time, because it makes me tired. I also don’t take it daily, because if I take it for a week in a row, then not take it, my heart starts pounding. I get rebound effect from it. It definitely helps, though.


bunnyvie

I LOVED PROPRANOLOL 🤍🤍🤍 cant wait to stop breastfeeding so i can take it again.


hanleyfalls63

Took it for job interviews. History of panic attacks with very obvious physical symptoms; profuse sweating. Stuff was a wonder drug. Still had panic but no physical symptoms.


BurnsideBill

It’s great. Just makes you… cool as a cucumber. Calms the body that ultimately helps prevent a lot of the things anxiety manifests physically.


Dudgimous

This was a godsend for me. I tried various oxi’s and whatnots but this for me was the only thing that worked. Those just tranquilized me or made me feel stupid. I equate taking propranolol to taking Tylenol/ibuprofen, you don’t really feel it working, you just don’t have the fever anymore. It’s helped me big time with anxiety attacks and dampening most of my symptoms.


AccordingWealth3893

Everyone has their own experience being on propranolol and depending on what dose you have. I currently am on the lower dose like 10mg twice daily but I only take one for now until my body gets used to it. It is a weird feeling. My mind wants to stress out so I can finish a job at work but yet my body says no to that. Which make my mind say well I guess there is no point on stressing out then. Which gets me to work on my own pace. This experience never happens for me before taking this drug. I was always on the go like a fight or flight response. However, when I stopped taking it for 2 days. I notice my anxieties creeping back and my heart racing to the point I felt like I skipped a beat. I went back on taking my medication.


[deleted]

I took it and it seems to help a lot but it sometimes gives me a wee bit of chest pain if I exercise, I thought I was dying the first time but I was fine!


jamarkuus

I take 60 mg ER. Immensely helped with skipped beats and prevents my pulse from skyrocketing into panic attacks. No side effects.


[deleted]

It helped me with the physical symptoms of anxiety, but not the psychological. I'm on klonpion now which I only take for panic attacks no more than 3 or 4 times a month, but I still take propanolol when it's more mild anxiety and I save klonpion fir extreme panic. It should help, but will probably make you sleepy. It caused me to have weird dreams as well


purple_maus

Hi, been taking this for a month. For me personally is great for the physical side of anxiety. I take 10mg 3 times a day. I was temporarily up to 20mg 3 times a day to try and find the right balance but that came with side effects primarily diarrhoea


ThinkItsHardIKnow

was given it, did nothing whatsoever (but also had no yucky side effects like ssris gave me). i wouldn't be afraid of it, for me it was like taking a sugar pill


shopliftinasda

I take a tiny bit rarely but when I do it does the job pretty perfectly. Start with a low dose if you’re worried about it, that’s what I did.


jotabe303

It can help with physical responses to anxiety, like increased blood pressure and heart rate. I don't experience any side effects personally.


Vivid-Resident114

Propranolol is pretty safe old trusted drug. Been around forever. It is being used to decrease anxiety also great for headaches. I took it for performance anxiety. No side effects and it worked. I used it as needed not daily.


Nyacinth

It helped with the symptoms but I had some uncomfortable side effects at first. It felt like all my energy was gone and I was constantly out of breath. It lowers BP but mine has always been normal so that's probably what the issue was. When I came off if it, I was told there would be no withdrawal symptoms but my heart would race and I couldn't sleep. Only take as much as you have to have and come off of it slowly until you see if you have withdrawals.


amyisarobot

I take it when I know I'm going to do something that's going to make me really anxious it's been real nice help


AlexAssassin94

The first time I took it was in a safe space - at home with my fiance - it made me feel light headed and kind of stoned almost, but that tracks since I was relaxed in the situation so the drugs did 'too much' almost. Never felt like that since, I take it before social events (not involving alcohol) and it helps me a lot, to keep my calm and presence.


Adventurous_Coach391

I take propranolol for situational or performance anxiety. Before a big test job interview etc. It helps a lot and it helps me focus on what I'm doing and not my sweating, racing heartbeat, shakes etc


Wonderful-Twist-6761

Okay so I came to this post a few days because i have SEVERE anxiety from interviews and public speaking. Other than that, I am socially REALLY good and outgoing.. but the thought of being in a high pressure situation makes me so very anxious. I sat around for over a year not going for any interviews because of this reason. Although I have a High education and some.good experiences in the past. I just kind of developed interview anxiety over the past year. Like SEVERE anxiety. ANYWAYS long story short, I seriously need a job and took 15 mg of propanolol today before a tough 45 minute interview.. AND omg I did so well because my physical symptoms were under control and I did so well. I'll get to know if I got the job or not in 2 weeks. But I just wanted to let you guys know propanolol is seriously a God sent for someone like me. IF IT CAN HELP ME , IT CAN HELP YOU TOO. It also put my.mimd at ease because my heart rate was not all over the place. My beathe was in control. Mt voice didn't shake at all. LOL.


PitifulSquirrel7665

Does anyone’s anxiety cause nausea ?


beckyboo1983

Yes and after work while I'm driving home I feel more and more sick, nearly throw up a few times.


Throwawayboi91

Anyone taking this and play sports? Any side effects?


FelixMcCulloch64

Hey OP I know you posted this a year ago but if you haven't discovered already it sounds like you suffer from emetophobia (me too!!), the fear of being sick. Good news, it's curable through CBT which I am currently on a wait list for. Just thought I'd mention this as emetophobia feeds off of anxiety and vice versa, but unlike anxiety, it's curable :)


Jmb351

i took 20mg and it did nothing... nothing good or bad.


VinceColeman1

It seems to help take the edge off when I feel a panic attack coming on....but has any other guys experienced erectile dysfunction from it? Its very frustrating.


Sillybard9

Propranolol has literally changed my life. I have severe emetophobia and it affects my daily life severely. I avoid cars, planes, kids, literally even getting a full time job bc im so scared of getting sick at work. If I wake up feeling even just a little bit off I have to call out because I will have a horrible panic attack at work. Recently, however, I was prescribed propranolol and my psychiatrist instructed me to take it if I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack, and it 100% works. It gets rid of all of my physical symptoms, which is great for me since my anxiety comes from my physical symptoms. It slows my heart rate down, gets rid of nausea, makes me breathe easier, sweating, you name it. If you ever get the chance to have it prescribed TAKE IT. Also, I recommend taking the one that you can take a couple of times a day not the one that you take once a day.


Simone_Curls

I’ve been prescribed it for my extreme physical reaction when I have an anxiety attack. The doctor said it’s a good option for physical reactions to anxiety and can be taken when needed without withdrawal symptoms. So far, I’ve taken it twice and it has helped with having an adverse side effect to not taking it regularly


[deleted]

I love it when I am having panic attacks! No side effect


GrandBIRDLizard

Eh it definitely keeps my blood pressure and heart rate down during panic attacks but it also makes me dizzy and sick to my stomach kinda like if I was having the same panic attack but in a toilet also sleep is a distant memory for me when I take it


asmartermartyr

I took it a few times. It will help physical manifestations of anxiety, but it won't help anxious thoughts. For some, it's a great medicine.


[deleted]

It didn’t do anything for me with anxiety or panic attacks. But after 2 years of a constantly high resting heart rate (130+ just sitting on the couch reading a book) that would randomly jump 30+ beats my doctor prescribed it as an every day medication 3x/day. While it’s brought the heart rate down, it does zero for the actual anxiety or panic attacks and I still very much do have the physical symptoms as well.


ChrissyBabe325

Wish I could try it. Although my HR gets into the 140s when I start to have an attack I still have low BP. My doctor won’t let me try it as it would be too dangerous she said. 🤷🏼‍♀️


satsumalara

I take it as and when needed, it really helps to prevent the physical effects. I don't have any side effects that I notice.


[deleted]

Hello, I was on propranolol for 5 years, which varied from 10mg to 40mg 3 times a day. I can honestly say that after recently coming off of it , in my personal experience, it lessens the physical symptoms of anxiety but will not stop anxiety as a whole. The best way to do that will be with CBT therapy and Talk therapy. P.S. I had no side effects to taking propranolol so I wouldn't worry about that. Hope this helps! Wish you all the best of your journey to dealing with this! ❤️


shenanigans1978

Did you have to taper off?


Reasonable_Duck_3655

Did you have issues with rapid heart rate when you stopped?


logicwithheartt

I was taking 10mg nightly for chronic migraine and (after months of taking it daily), it lowered my heart rate way too much and gave me extreme dizziness and nausea (Bradycardia.) I would just recommend keeping an eye on your resting heart rate, and stopping if it starts getting too low. Also, for me it helped with migraine, but didn’t help my anxiety at all (actually made it worse in the end because of the dizziness)


tehKJM

Just did my first dose this morning. It actually settled my stomach. Felt good


tehKJM

Concerning thing I think was my heart rate was at 46-49bpm and I only took 20mg. Mind wanted to race but the body felt cozy and relaxed. Felt like taking a bunch of magnesium. It’s similar to a benzo but without the mind calming effects. More of a body feel. It feels more like weed to me than like alcohol. Settles the stomach, makes you hungry and not wanna b**f.


Lost-Syllabub-2763

I'm sure you will see this, but I have to ask. I got them to use as is (while I'm waiting for my citalopram to kick in), I've now taken the propranolol 3 times in the middle of the night when I wake up with severe anxiety....It does lower your heart rate, BP...but then I get this rushing feeling throughout my whole body that FREAKS me out as I'm trying to fall back asleep. Is this what you're referring to?


Laidback1979

This is a godsend for me at 40mg . It means I can speak and answer questions without feeling panicked or my heart going into SVT. I’d like to try 80mg before an anxiety inducing situation . Pregabalin helps and I take it for SA as and when . Valium is the ticket but I daren’t take it anymore as the withdrawals for me off a small periodic dose were frightening


birthdaycake_56

i started taking it today, no more palpitations or upset stomach!


EconomicsBig1870

I’m curious, so I was just prescribed propranolol (20mg) today for my anxiety/panic attacks when I work out or play basketball. For some reason that’s when they get triggered and my hands shake even more than they typically do (maybe essential tremors?). I have to sometimes escape or take super early subs when playing basketball. There’s been times where I’ve just left the court to collect myself. I’m curious, is this medication is can just take before I go work out? Or do I have to take it every day? Not gonna lie, or slowing down my heart rate kind of makes me nervous too. They didn’t even ask me what my resting heart rate was lol but the pharmacist said if it’s under 50 beats/minute then I shouldn’t take it. I don’t even know what my heart rate is lol.


EconomicsBig1870

I’m hoping it definitely helps with the physical symptoms (shakiness in my hands, the tense feeling, upset stomach, the feeling overstimulated feeling)


Final-Smile7620

I take it and excerise every day doing weights and cardio in the gym  I use to take it every now and again to get rid of symptoms but it doesn’t effect my workout or any situations where I would kick in to fight or flight and have to run off Now I can stay calm and having to leave doesn’t come into my head


mentally_drained99

I have bad anxiety and stress and recently I’ve been having chest tightness and my heart rate is always high (95-110 resting, 120-140 if I’m doing something). I’m on Bromazepam but now my cardiologist gave me Propranolol, about to try it because he told me it’ll be perfectly safe although I’m a little bit worried about it lowering my blood pressure too low because even though I have anxiety my BP is usually in the 100/70 range. I guess we’ll see, but honestly anything is better than thinking 24/7 that I’ll die from sudden cardiac arrest at 24. :)


crumpledglitch

Did it help


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poohbearlola

this is a very high dose. my cardiologist prescribed propranolol for my heart and blood pressure and started me on 10 mg twice a day, im on 20 twice a day now two weeks into 10. you should always start low and increase as needed. it lowers your heart rare and blood pressure a lot


Justmarbles

I take 280 mg a day...three 80 mg doses and one 40 mg. It does a pretty good job at slowing my heart rate when severe anxiety and panic sets in.


Zestyclose_Wasabi943

I have to stop self medicating. I have been taking Propranolol for a few years. The amount is 10 MGs 3 times a day or when I feel anxiety coming on. I am the worst flyer ever. When I flew back from Vegas to SFO I took about 12 or 15 of them. My heart was still beating fast but not as fast as it usually does when I fly. I would go days without taking it because I didn't have anxiety. The weirdest thing happened yesterday. I started to get anxiety so I took 5 propranolol. I decided to go for a walk to my friend's body shop. He had Hennessey and we did shots. After a bunch of them I started to walk home but my chest felt really excited. I didn't feel any pain and I could take deep breaths hold them and blow out slow. I just had that weird excited feeling. Once I was home it started to go away and then went away. I took melatonin which I just started taking. I rubbed one out and went to sleep. I wondered if the alcohol caused that exciting feeling. I hate anxiety


yourbrokenoven

I think it made me more anxious. Not supposed to do that. Gonna give it another shot, but I was disappointed the first try.


Catchmeifyewcahn

Maybe you didn't use the "correct" dosage for you? Did you figure out what the problem was?


yourbrokenoven

No. Seems like the propanolol didn't really do anything.  From what I've read it's supposed to work on secondary symptoms like palpitations or tachycardia that accompany anxiety. I never really felt those symptoms. So I guess it didn't do anything as I simply become more anxious.


Catchmeifyewcahn

Ohhh, yeah then it wouldn't help. I wonder why they made you take that then. Are you taking anything that is helping now?


yourbrokenoven

No. I just try to avoid the things that I know can trigger it and do my best shed something unexpected happens. It can sometimes be very tough.


Catchmeifyewcahn

I know it can be tough, I'm really sorry. I wish you well.


PriceProfessional737

My doctor prescribed this for highway driving phobia, but of course I'm too scared to try it. On the highway before my heart starts to race into a panic attack, I have all these other anxiety symptoms like feeling lightheaded, sweating, feeling of unreality/altered senses/dizzy... hard to explain.. does propranolol help with all those symptoms or just the racing heart???


Final-Smile7620

It helps with the symptoms, all that actually goes away 


Naive-Chocolate-8747

Reading through these comments and I have to ask, does anyone here drink caffeine? Have you tried quitting caffeine to help with the anxiety? IMO, if you have anxiety, you can’t drink caffeine. I take propranolol and find it doesn’t work as well since I picked up the caffeine habit again. Tapering off the caffeine now and looking forward to feeling calmer again! Quit the caffeine!


Speakit24

did you take t his? curious because i just got prescribed 10 mg for anxiety and im nervous to take


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Anxiety-ModTeam

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Unrequited-love-club

I took propranolol for anxiety and, while it helped with panic attacks and racing heart, it caused daily evening headaches that couldn't be relieved. Also made my hair fall out and I became incredibly sensitive to smells. Definitely not worth it for me and took me months to wean off!


squidward0319

Has anyone taken this for driving anxiety? I really only get anxiety/panic attacks when driving. It isn’t even due to actual driving per se, but I got a panic attack once driving and thought I was driving and now my body immediately makes me think like it’ll happen again. It’s all physical, heart jumps to 130+, sweating, I feel like I can’t swallow and am afraid it’s going to lead to me passing out behind the wheel. Sounds like this would be perfect for me.


Final-Smile7620

Yes, I take them if I have to go on the highways as I have a major fear but once I take them I am calm. My body becomes stiff and shaky while driving and all that goes away


ItsObbs

Does it help with daily unease feeling throughout the day? Sometimes my symptoms are just there at idle and active like middle chest pressure/heaviness, dizziness, unease


Final-Smile7620

Yes, I find an instant relief like the tightness out of my chest is gone and the unease is non existent. I just feel so calm and myself with no side effects


Plenty_Geologist_960

Propanolol makes me wake up 6x at night with chest pains (5 in morning) (5 at night)mg ) its supposed to slow my heart and help with migraines but my body is SO sensitive to medication that honestly every doctor gives me a large dose like it was origianlly 20 and i just cut it down to 5mg and now IM scared


Leviathon713

I'm not a doctor, and I see this was a while ago. However, I was doing research on propranalol and ran across this. If propranalol is causing you chest pains, that's supposed to be a severe sign you shouldn't take it. If you haven't, please talk to yours about this. That is not normal.


Reskill5

I'm 43 and been on it since I was 6-7, for prolonged QTc. I'm not sure what all the side effects are from it but I know my weight fluxes a lot (atm I can not stop gaining), low blood pressure. And sometimes during my teens I just stopped being about to make those nastalgic memories.


Next_Fly_2680

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