Has propranolol helped anyone with the physical symptoms of anxiety?

Saywhatnowhey · 2026-05-29T12:08:49+00:00

I wasn't quite sure if this should go in the mental health, physical health or women's health section so decided to pop in Chat. I have suffered with anxiety my whole life - since childhood. No idea really why I have always struggled with my mental health but a recent adhd diagnosis may shed some light on this but I also have a lot of anxiety sufferers on my mum's side so maybe it's partially genetics and/or learnt behaviour? Either way it doesn't matter so much these days, all I know is that I have spent decades trying to 'fix' it and now in my 50's I just want to learn to live alongside it. I have spent years and years having all kinds of therapy:- CBT, counselling, EMDR, hypnosis, seeing psychologists and psychiatrists. I have tried so many medications, SSRI's, SNRI's TCA's, ADHD meds (currently on Nortriptyline and feel like a zombie so coming off that soon) but most antidepressants really upset my gut, oh yes, I have IBS too - such fun but I suppose that often comes along as an evil twin of anxiety disorders, yay! I am still full of anxiety despite trying all of these therapies and meds (not helped these days as I help look after my mum who is in the advanced stages of dementia). I have come to the conclusion that I can cope with an anxious mind, it's who I am at the end of the day and I can not change that now, I can put in all the coping strategies I have learnt along the way. What I really really struggle with though is the physical side effects from the anxiety, the constant heady feeling, the tight jaws, the 'coat hanger pain' (recent doctor asked if I had made that term up lol), the shoulder, back and hip pain and aches and the coiled spring that I feel I am. I have also struggled with a bad tummy (IBS and functional dyspepsia) for almost 30 years. I always feel so shaky, wired and on the edge of panic all the time. I very much look after myself, I exercise, keep my weight down, I go to bed at a decent time, I only drink water, no nasties in my diet, I am a absolute bore really but still I am physically feeling like shite most days. I have read that propranolol often helps people feel more relaxed within their bodies, I understand it won't do anything for the actual anxiety but I like the idea that it could help me to relax because I often find the more my body feels weird, wired and hurts in places the more anxious I get and then the cycle continues. Has anyone tried this drug and found it helps with the wound up, shaky and panicky feeling? Sorry this is a bit of a ramble btw (thank my adhd).

Original poster

Saywhatnowhey · 01/06/2026 09:51

LifeOfAnxiety · 30/05/2026 16:41

Op re the ‘coat hanger pain’, I suggest Qigong. There are a lot of posters on TikTok doing really helpful videos, just 5 mins a day can help. It can be to do with the stiffening of the fascia due to stress, this really does ease the awful pain and stiffness.

Also, maybe speak to your dentist. Stress can cause teeth grinding at night which can result in awful stiffness and pain in the neck and shoulders.

Quigong really does help with my shoulder pain, forcing myself to do it when weary with stress and exhaustion is a different matter!

I'd like to thank you for suggesting this. I have been doing 10-15 mins off YouTube for the last few days and its really helping to ease the tension in my shoulders and neck.

OP posts:

garlictwist · 31/05/2026 00:46

My GP prescribed it to me. It did fuck all. When I googled it it’s supposed to slow your heart rate but I didn’t notice that.

coolastheproverbialcucumber · 30/05/2026 22:51

Winterwalks90 · 30/05/2026 18:47

Propranolol changed my life. I have a stammer due to my severe anxiety. And it helped me massively. However , I have developed raynauds as a side effect. My GP is now tailoring me off the propranolol because of my severe raynauds. I’ve begged him not to but he’s told me it’s actually not licensed for anxiety anymore.
im now drawing being completely off it. I can feel the physical symptoms of my anxiety coming back and I’m starting to struggle with my speech again

@Winterwalks90

It really doesn’t help my Raynauds either, but my gp
is excellent and knows for me that the benefits of propranolol outweigh the Raynauds.

He did offer me some medication for the Raynauds…I declined it (as it can make you flushed) as I feel I can manage the Raynauds overall…but have you been offered it? Maybe see a different GP if you don’t have any luck.

Blueflutterby · 30/05/2026 18:59

I'm on methliphenadate 56 mg ,no anxiety when it's working and propropnal for the times it's out of my system.so morning and evening.
Both help enormously

Original poster

Saywhatnowhey · 30/05/2026 18:57

Winterwalks90 · 30/05/2026 18:47

Propranolol changed my life. I have a stammer due to my severe anxiety. And it helped me massively. However , I have developed raynauds as a side effect. My GP is now tailoring me off the propranolol because of my severe raynauds. I’ve begged him not to but he’s told me it’s actually not licensed for anxiety anymore.
im now drawing being completely off it. I can feel the physical symptoms of my anxiety coming back and I’m starting to struggle with my speech again

Oh that must be so frustrating for you, has your GP offered up a replacement med?

I too have Raynauds, it runs in my family, I will mention it to my GP and see if she's still ok to prescribe it.

I hope you manage to find an alternative med which can help you.

OP posts:

Winterwalks90 · 30/05/2026 18:47

Propranolol changed my life. I have a stammer due to my severe anxiety. And it helped me massively. However , I have developed raynauds as a side effect. My GP is now tailoring me off the propranolol because of my severe raynauds. I’ve begged him not to but he’s told me it’s actually not licensed for anxiety anymore.
im now drawing being completely off it. I can feel the physical symptoms of my anxiety coming back and I’m starting to struggle with my speech again

Original poster

Saywhatnowhey · 30/05/2026 17:41

Thank you LifeOfAnxiety I will try doing some QiGong tonight. I have had a couple of night mouth guards but I end up biting through them, my dentist has said that she can refer me for some botox in my jaw.

OP posts:

LifeOfAnxiety · 30/05/2026 16:41

Op re the ‘coat hanger pain’, I suggest Qigong. There are a lot of posters on TikTok doing really helpful videos, just 5 mins a day can help. It can be to do with the stiffening of the fascia due to stress, this really does ease the awful pain and stiffness.

Also, maybe speak to your dentist. Stress can cause teeth grinding at night which can result in awful stiffness and pain in the neck and shoulders.

Quigong really does help with my shoulder pain, forcing myself to do it when weary with stress and exhaustion is a different matter!

Shinyhappyapple · 30/05/2026 14:02

WWBWBapparently · 29/05/2026 22:02

I also recognise the same poster (mainly IBS, adenomyosis, endometriosis, parent with dementia). I also see them in Facebook groups for IBS, menopause etc, often the some type of post over and over. I do feel for you, OP - hope you get some peace or find something that will help, it must be awful being consumed by health worries to this extent.

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@Eyesopenwideawake

I think perhaps that if someone has such high levels of anxiety that they repeatedly post, it suggests they are in need of support, and maybe calling them out isn’t helpful, as they probably really need to talk to someone.

Original poster

Saywhatnowhey · 30/05/2026 13:45

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

You are like a dog with a bone, what the hell is your issue? You obviously frequent this board a lot to know so much about what I am posting, it's a mental health support board, yet you appear to have zero empathy for anyone else.

I am worn down to the bone caring for my poor elderly mother who is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's. I have helped care for her for 8 years and watched her die year in and year out. I am mentally and physically worn out and ill from the stress of it all.

I am desperate to feel well and have tried most things suggested to me, I post on here for advice and to seek help from others who may have similar health issues and can offer advice. If I can also offer up any advice to anyone on MN I do because regardless of my own issues I am an empath and want to help people, if I can offer any advice, even if that is repeated advice I do so. I don't have any issues if I see someone posting the same questions, why would that cause anyone concern? It takes moments to type a reply it's not exactly taxing on someone's time and effort.

You, my friend, are the one with the issue, NOT me.

OP posts:

Eyesopenwideawake · 30/05/2026 13:13

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Thebargeonthecanal2002 · 30/05/2026 12:58

Definitely helps with the physical symptoms of anxiety. Along side an antidepressant of some sort, which does also help chill your mind too. Both are a lifesaver for me. Just wish I had tried them sooner.

Ottersideofthebridge · 30/05/2026 12:34

Saywhatnowhey · 30/05/2026 09:06

Thank you. I understand the anxiety over the anxiety thing, I get myself into such a vicious cycle with my thinking, the outside stress I have as a carer, then physical symptoms, then more anxiety over the latter and on it goes. I really struggle to break atm.

I am on a waiting list to have CBT so if I can trial the Propranolol before then hopefully it might help settle me before the sessions start.

Did you find the combination of meds and cbt worked well?

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I did. I'd had therapy as a teen and it didn't achieve much, but once I was on meds and able to feel less anxious I could engage better with the therapy. CBT was really helpful with my thought patterns and viewing things in a different light.

Original poster

Saywhatnowhey · 30/05/2026 10:57

LilacWhisky · 30/05/2026 09:31

And you think this is related to anxiety?? I’ve had this pain since my teens. I thought I had a bad back.. tried all sorts of therapies and painkillers ! The propanol doesn’t help me with this pain unfortunately x

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For me, I do think it probably is anxiety related. I care for my elderly mum who has advanced dementia and my father is a very difficult man to deal with and we clash a lot, I have found since caring for mum and dealing with my demanding father my body's default has become to hold stress in certain areas and this 'coat hanger' area is where I often feel the most pain (and it will radiate through to my chest bone too), I will often become aware that my shoulders are up near me ears and my head will feel like a tonne weight lol!

I do have some lower disc degeneration but I am sure the upper issues are stress and anxiety related.

OP posts:

LilacWhisky · 30/05/2026 09:31

Saywhatnowhey · 30/05/2026 09:17

Thank you Lilacwhisky

The coat hanger pain is in the area shown on this diagram, I know it's tension and stress causing it but it hurts so much, like deep pain. My DH massages the area for me but I seem to be getting it a lot these days, kind of my default setting now.

Edited

Show quote history

And you think this is related to anxiety?? I’ve had this pain since my teens. I thought I had a bad back.. tried all sorts of therapies and painkillers ! The propanol doesn’t help me with this pain unfortunately x

Original poster

Saywhatnowhey · 30/05/2026 09:17

LilacWhisky · 30/05/2026 08:59

@Eyesopenwideawakeis the troll here. Not you.

I find Propranolol really helps ahead of situations that I know will make me feel
anxious. It helps with the clammy hands, shallow breathing etc. it doesn’t take away the swirly tummy feeling though.

Can you tell me what you mean by coat hanger pain please?

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Thank you Lilacwhisky

The coat hanger pain is in the area shown on this diagram, I know it's tension and stress causing it but it hurts so much, like deep pain. My DH massages the area for me but I seem to be getting it a lot these days, kind of my default setting now.

Has propranolol helped anyone with the physical symptoms of anxiety?

OP posts:

Original poster

Saywhatnowhey · 30/05/2026 09:06

Ottersideofthebridge · 30/05/2026 00:04

Propranolol changed my life. I'd had anxiety since I was a teenager, panic attacks, shakiness, feeling sick, needing to wee too much. But a lot of my anxiety was being anxious about becoming anxious - if that makes sense. I was prescribed Propranolol in my mid thirties, finally found a sympathetic GP who felt propranolol would break the cycle.
It did stop the symptoms, but made me feel tired at first and I had no second wind when exercising, but it soon passed.
I took it for about 6mths, tapering off after that and then only taking it if I felt anxious. I also had CBT, which I felt I could access better then. I haven't needed the propanolol for 20yrs now, I carried it round with me for a few years, just knowing that there was something I could take if I started to spiral had a huge psychological effect. I'm rarely anxious these days and I have a lot to be anxious about!

Thank you. I understand the anxiety over the anxiety thing, I get myself into such a vicious cycle with my thinking, the outside stress I have as a carer, then physical symptoms, then more anxiety over the latter and on it goes. I really struggle to break atm.

I am on a waiting list to have CBT so if I can trial the Propranolol before then hopefully it might help settle me before the sessions start.

Did you find the combination of meds and cbt worked well?

OP posts:

PinkEasterbunny · 30/05/2026 09:01

coolastheproverbialcucumber · 29/05/2026 17:10

Yes. It’s been immensely helpful for me. My gp described it as stopping the ‘domino effect’…so even when your mind is anxious, your body doesn’t follow.

This is exactly how I would describe it too. I suddenly developed driving anxiety, I blamed the menopause, but propranolol got me back behind the wheel

LilacWhisky · 30/05/2026 08:59

Saywhatnowhey · 29/05/2026 22:26

Why do you always and say these things? You make me out as though I’m some MN troll who is always asking the same questions, I really don’t. I’m not posting for the fun of it, I’m genuinely struggling with many things in my life and asking for real life experiences from people who are going through similar issues.

Do you post these responses to try to make me feel bad about myself or to make me look like an idiot? You know you can just scroll on by, you aren’t obliged to comment.

Show quote history

@Eyesopenwideawakeis the troll here. Not you.

I find Propranolol really helps ahead of situations that I know will make me feel
anxious. It helps with the clammy hands, shallow breathing etc. it doesn’t take away the swirly tummy feeling though.

Can you tell me what you mean by coat hanger pain please?

LilacWhisky · 30/05/2026 08:56

Eyesopenwideawake · 29/05/2026 17:46

You have really good responses every time you post, yet you keep revisiting the same issues. Has any of the advice over the last few years helped?

And? Who are you? The Mumsnet police? So what is she posts multiple times? This is a free and open forum. If you don’t want to read her posts, just skip them! There’s plenty more. So unnecessary unkind.

Original poster

Saywhatnowhey · 30/05/2026 08:53

80smusicandavoulevant · 29/05/2026 23:43

Don’t listen to @Eyesopenwideawake OP!
Shes trying to make you feel bad. I Can't stand people like that.
I live exactly like you, in fight or flight 24/7 tight chest, dizzy, shallow breathing, extreme fatigue, ectopic beats and panic attacks daily.
I’ve been the same since I was 10 years old, and like you I’ve tried everything.
i take propranolol and have done for years. I only take 20mg twice a day and it does take the edge off the panic.
you're not alone in what you are going through and it is completely debilitating.
Its caused me to be agoraphobic and unable to leave my house.
give it a go OP it could make the world of difference xx

Thank you so much for your understanding, I am sorry you also struggle. I totally get it, the physical symptoms are so difficult to deal with and that makes my mental health worse and so the cycle goes.

I have trialled so many medications and am currently on Nortriptyline for my IBS but it makes me feel like a confused zombie which is a shame as it is helping my gut issues somewhat, I seem to be so super sensitive to meds.

I have a review appointment with my GP next week so I will ask her about the Propranaolol.

Thank you again for your advice x

OP posts:

Ottersideofthebridge · 30/05/2026 00:04

Propranolol changed my life. I'd had anxiety since I was a teenager, panic attacks, shakiness, feeling sick, needing to wee too much. But a lot of my anxiety was being anxious about becoming anxious - if that makes sense. I was prescribed Propranolol in my mid thirties, finally found a sympathetic GP who felt propranolol would break the cycle.
It did stop the symptoms, but made me feel tired at first and I had no second wind when exercising, but it soon passed.
I took it for about 6mths, tapering off after that and then only taking it if I felt anxious. I also had CBT, which I felt I could access better then. I haven't needed the propanolol for 20yrs now, I carried it round with me for a few years, just knowing that there was something I could take if I started to spiral had a huge psychological effect. I'm rarely anxious these days and I have a lot to be anxious about!

Contrarymary30 · 29/05/2026 23:45

Yes it helps very much with the symptoms of anxiety .

80smusicandavoulevant · 29/05/2026 23:43

Don’t listen to @Eyesopenwideawake OP!
Shes trying to make you feel bad. I Can't stand people like that.
I live exactly like you, in fight or flight 24/7 tight chest, dizzy, shallow breathing, extreme fatigue, ectopic beats and panic attacks daily.
I’ve been the same since I was 10 years old, and like you I’ve tried everything.
i take propranolol and have done for years. I only take 20mg twice a day and it does take the edge off the panic.
you're not alone in what you are going through and it is completely debilitating.
Its caused me to be agoraphobic and unable to leave my house.
give it a go OP it could make the world of difference xx

Original poster

Saywhatnowhey · 29/05/2026 23:20

Eyesopenwideawake · 29/05/2026 22:52

I “always say these things” because you post so very frequently about the same issues and I feel a bit sorry for the posters who give you their time and insights which don’t appear to make the slightest difference.

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I can absolutely assure you that I take on board everything suggested by others on this forum, do you honestly think I enjoy feeling like utter shit every day? You have zero idea how much effort I put into trying to feel better, you do not live my life or see the effort I put into feeling well, who the fuck want to feel like this every day?

The whole point of forums such as MN is for people to discuss and offer up or ask for advice and help? So what advice and help are you currently offering me? That I shouldn’t post on here simply because I’ve previously asked questions about my health issues?

I fully appreciate any advice given to me so please do not try to imply that I am on here on a regular basis asking the same questions just for kicks or to waste people’s time.

OP posts: