Propranolol for migraines

[Sosigsandwich]

I've been prescribed Propranolol by my Neurologist for chronic headaches. Does anyone else take these? Do you find them effective? I hate taking tablets... As in pumping them into by body not physically taking them and feel a bit chewed about it. I do need my headaches to stop though!!

Yep, I've been taking 80mg per day (40mg am, 40mg pm) for years - it definitely cuts the frequency of the migraines down considerably.

It reduces your heart rate and blood pressure so you might feel a bit tired and lightheaded at first, especially if you exercise - but you'll get used to it, the effect is temporary and your body adapts.

It certainly works as a preventative.

I tried it a few years ago but didn't like it, can't remember why now!
I am now on 20mg amitriptyline as a migraine preventative instead, which I take at bedtime because they can make you sleepy (great for me as I have had problems sleeping in the past!). I still get the migraines but not as much, not as bad and don't last as long.

DD2 had them when younger. The first week she was completely wiped out and zombified. Then the second week a little better. Then suddenly the side effects cleared and she was back to her normal self, but without the debilitating cluster migraines she had been suffering from.

I took them but then came off them. They did weird things with my sleep.

When I first took them I had three days of shocking migraines. Ended up in tears with the GP on the phone. My prescription was doubled (can’t remember from what and up to). Fourth day was better but as I said sleep was weird. Took an age to fall asleep, slept for about an hour, woke and was awake for 2 hours. Slept but not a proper sleep and then awake again.

Yes I've taken 40mg Propranolol for migraines for about 9 years now. I do still get terrible headaches, but I've only had 2 full blown migraines (aura, vomiting etc) since.

DS takes 40mg twice a day and it has dramatically reduced the frequency and severity of his migraines. No serious side effects. He still gets the occasional bad one but it has improved his quality of life.

That all sounds really positive overall. The only slight concern I have now is that they appear to be for migraines where as I definitely class mine more as a headache and the doc did too. I guess I've got nothing to lose by trying. Amitriptyline is the next one I would try if I don't get on with these. Thank you all.

How did you get on with the propranolol, OP?
I'm starting it today after giving up on amitriptyline as I could barely wake up in the morning I was zombified!
My starting dose is 10mg twice a day

I tried it but kept feeling breathless and having panic attacks, I was having about 15 day.