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Original poster

Question about beta blockers instead of anti depressants

43 replies

fatoneatthegym · 06/01/2019 18:20

I'm going to my GP tomorrow.

I know beta blockers can stop the physical symptoms of anxiety, but do they also help your mind or at least give you more space to think? If not, I think I'd rather take St John's Wort as I'd rather not take ADs again if at all possible.

I've been under a lot of stress recently do please be kind as I'm trying to stay calm here.

OP posts:
BifsWif · 06/01/2019 18:23

I can cope with my thoughts a lot better when I’m not having a panic attack, so yes beta blockers helped me immensely. I have just started councilling/CBT alongside them as it’s important to me that I deal with the cause. I also try to do mindfulness excercise and yoga, but that’s intermittent. Propanalol really made a massive difference to me. Be kind to yourself Flowers

Original poster
fatoneatthegym · 06/01/2019 18:26

In the past I have tried both (not at the same time) but it was a long time ago.

OP posts:
BifsWif · 06/01/2019 18:26

Has something triggered the anxiety?

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Original poster
fatoneatthegym · 06/01/2019 18:27

I think so.

OP posts:
BifsWif · 06/01/2019 18:30

Maybe try the beta blockers first and see if that gives you enough head space to work through the cause? I would always try those before anti depressants just because there are no side effects.

SprogletsMum · 06/01/2019 18:31

My gp only offered me beta blockers.
My nan passed away and the slight anxiety I have always had exploded into constant panic attacks, my heart rate was always at least 130. I was crying all the time and really struggling. The beta blockers have helped with the panic attacks which has allowed me to start dealing with the grief. Local mental health services were only willing to offer bereavement counselling which has a 12month wait for one to one sessions, and I know I wouldn't get anything out of group sessions, so I'm dealing with it by myself.

PineappleTart · 06/01/2019 18:32

Propranolol made a huge difference to the physical side of my anxiety and gave me more 'space' for want of a better word

Original poster
fatoneatthegym · 06/01/2019 18:34

Do you take it in the morning or the evening? I can't remember.

OP posts:
BifsWif · 06/01/2019 18:37

I take 10mg 3 times a day, 4 if needed, so morning noon and evening. When I first took them I waiting until the weekend because I’d heard they could make you quite tired, but I was fine.

Original poster
fatoneatthegym · 06/01/2019 21:13

I think I need to rehearse what to say to my GP.

OP posts:
BifsWif · 06/01/2019 21:21

Could you write it down or show them this thread if you’re struggling to put it into words?

clouise2018 · 06/01/2019 21:53

I tried propanolol, yes it helped massively with the physical symptoms of my anxiety but didn't do much for the mental side of things.

Ended up taking a combination of that and AD for just over 12 months and it did wonders for me :)

Biologifemini · 06/01/2019 21:57

Propanolol got me through stuff, although I wasn’t depressed
I took a higher dose than mentioned - I’d also say avoid taking late afternoon as it inhibits melatonin production and so disrupts sleep
A mild sleeping pill from the chemist or melatonin over the counter can help too

fatpatsthong · 06/01/2019 22:12

I had this very appointment last week. I have agreed to give the beta blockers a go first and go back for a follow up in a few weeks as wanted to avoid anti ds (not found them too useful in the past).

I am on 40mg up to 3 times a day. I take them when I feel the symptoms start. So far I have only had to take 1 a day and in fact today nothing at all. DH pointed out I haven't cried for almost 4 days now, I am much less aware of my butterflies and per my Fitbit my heart rate has calmed down.

I have felt well enough to take some positive actions - yoga, time out side, walk/run every day.

I am on the cbt waiting list and taking magnesium supplements as well (suggested by go who was ace).

Sleep is still tricky and so far I've been able to wfh rather than go into the office which will be a big test.

So yes, very early days but seem to be helping.

Original poster
fatoneatthegym · 06/01/2019 22:24

fatpatsthong Thank you. What other supplements would there be? I was taking vitamin d which helped for a couple of weeks but now everything's gone wrong again.

OP posts:
fatpatsthong · 06/01/2019 22:35

I am doing

Vit d
Iron
Magnesium

I am often low in iron/vit d and my gp
did some blood tests to check on these last week so I figured I'd plan ahead.

Magnesium has some pretty good evidence behind it but you need to make sure it's the right kind.

I'd say the yoga/running has already made a big different. I've done both (badly) before so getting back in the habit. And time outside too.

My GP suggested looking at gut health because of the link between gut and serotonin production. She suggested I read the Micheal Mosley gut health book which I found interesting.

Hope you feel better soon. It's utterly shit.

Original poster
fatoneatthegym · 06/01/2019 22:36

Can you just buy a multivitamin or does it have to be separate stuff for each one?

OP posts:
gamerchick · 06/01/2019 22:42

I just take the beta blockers, long term sustained stress just took its toll. I don't suffer from depression and the stress is unavoidable.

I take it as and when I need it. I exercise also which has the same effect so I might not need the BB some days and others I might need 3. Ive woken in the night and needed one, it doesn't effect my sleep thankfully.

I don't really get the head thing so can't comment on that. I'm not anxious about anything in particular.

It really is worth a try.

fatpatsthong · 06/01/2019 22:52

I have separate ones but you may be able to get in a multi vit. I think I'd probably check on the magnesium tbh as from what I read/discussed with my gp, it does need to be good quality to get absorbed.

My gp was really good at this stuff - she's the practice mh expert. do talk it through with your gp tomorrow and get a plan you are happy with.

Original poster
fatoneatthegym · 06/01/2019 23:18

Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
fatoneatthegym · 07/01/2019 09:52

I just went to my GP and she said beta blockers wouldn't help so she didn't give me a prescription for anything. I did know what to do now. She's not one of these GPs who dishes out antidepressants, I know some GPs give them out all the time but mine doesn't. She even said that vitamin d wouldn't help. I'm going back to see her next week but I don't know what else to do.

OP posts:
BadlyAgedMemes · 07/01/2019 09:57

Did she not mention talking therapies at all? You can probably self refer, if that's something you think might be useful, but odd if GP didn't mention them.

Original poster
fatoneatthegym · 07/01/2019 10:13

She did but I've already been going to counselling for a couple of years anyway.

OP posts:
BadlyAgedMemes · 07/01/2019 10:44

Ahh... Sorry if you mentioned that and my reading skills suck!

DH finds propanolol works quite well for his anxiety symptoms. Did the GP give any particular reasons for why she thinks they wouldn't suit you? (I can't take them because I have asthma.)

I haven't really found a great help for anxiety, since diazepam isn't really the done thing these days - for good reasons. (Alprazolam used to help me before I moved here, but I was on a high dose.) ADs help my depression, but not so much anxiety, and as you said, have side effects. If you ever wanted to, you could of course try different kinds to find one where the side effects aren't as bad.

The best thing to help I have personally are breathing techniques and some mindfulness, but I'm not having actual panic attacks these days, and I doubt it's something that's easy to do while that amount of acutely anxious. There's something called box breathing , or square breathing, that I do when anxiety starts to rise its head, and I find it can quieten down many of the physical symptoms.

Bluntness100 · 07/01/2019 10:48

What did she say would help?