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Propanolol - side effects?

14 replies

propranololsideeffects · 03/09/2021 13:06

Been taking 20mg propranolol morning and night for about a year - for ectopic heartbeats associated with anxiety - dose been fiddled with a few times. 30mg mirtazapine at bed too .

My blood pressure normally runs low - ie drops to 70/40 or so when sleeping, and I’ve passed out several times - but this is becoming unbearable . I can’t stand up without everything pounding, I’m struggling to stay awake during the day .

GP said she thinks I’ve got a) sleep aponea, b) I’m quite severely anaemic snd c) propranolol side effects .

Had an ECG last week; normal, and lying to standing BP, BP drops from 120 sitting to 90 standing .

GP just said increase fluids ie a pint of water before standing in the morning, salty food, isotonic drinks and try to improve cardiovascular fitness (I’m fat - 21 stone) .

I’m panicking a bit, I can hardly move today (having a period which always makes it much worse); can’t focus on anything and scared I’m seriously ill and it’s being missed .

My mum had similar with beta blockers years ago but ended up in heart blocks, which this obviously isn’t, but so bloody dizzy, it’s horrible . What can I do in the short term to help, is this normal side effects of propranolol?

OP posts:
Mammaaof · 03/09/2021 13:12

I've only just started taking them for anxiety, I've been taking 20mg 3 times a day for the last few days and I've got terrible dry eyes, quick Google says that it can be a side effect! Don't even know if they are doing anything as I am still incredibly anxious!! The more I'm analysing things (which could be completely normal for me) the worse I'm getting x

Comefromaway · 03/09/2021 13:15

That's really interesting because ds has been prescribed propanalol to prevent dizziness associated with suspected migraines.

It's had the happy side effect of helping with his anxiety.

Plumtree391 · 03/09/2021 13:22

I don't like beta blockers, I had them many years ago and it felt as though everything was in slow motion, apart from other symptoms you describe, op. I'm not sure they did anything for me either, I was OK after I stopped taking them.

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Forstarters · 03/09/2021 13:27

When I took it my heart rate went too slow and I got dizzy and red faced

TheCanyon · 03/09/2021 13:34

Ask to be swapped to slow release, I can't take it in 10mg doses without getting palpitations and fainting. But feel much better on slow release.

BabbleBee · 03/09/2021 13:38

I started taking propranolol a few weeks ago for anxiety. My GP has told me not to take it regularly but only if I’m feeling the physical effects of anxiety - chest pain, shortness of breath etc

The only time I’ve had side effects is when I took one as a just in case, and then I felt a bit drowsy and my BP / pulse lowered noticeably. Other than that I’ve had no side effects at all.

PineappleTart · 03/09/2021 13:41

I was on 80mg slow release and I had to reduce the dose as it was making me incredibly dizzy and I collapsed once. It was originally developed to reduce blood pressure from what I recall

blissfulllife · 03/09/2021 13:51

Slow release is much better

KnottyKnitting · 03/09/2021 13:54

I was given propranolol for ectopic too- was fab to start with but then I was just totally dizzy with low blood pressure. In the end I just took them when the ectopics started up and that seemed to work better for me.

Cocolapew · 03/09/2021 13:58

I started them a few weeks ago my Dad has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and I take them if I'm taking him to a hospital appointment etc. They are only 10mg but I take a couple at a time and haven't noticed any side effects apart from the dry eyes.
DD has been on 40mg for years and has no side effects.

Mammaaof · 03/09/2021 17:22

@Cocolapew glad I'm not the only one with dry eyes!! Been to the chemist today to get something for them! Hopefully I won't be on them long, just need to get through the next few weeks x

Cocolapew · 03/09/2021 17:34

[quote Mammaaof]@Cocolapew glad I'm not the only one with dry eyes!! Been to the chemist today to get something for them! Hopefully I won't be on them long, just need to get through the next few weeks x[/quote]
I couldn't figure out why mine were so bad again after hay fever season!

thereisonlyoneofme · 03/09/2021 20:28

Im on 10mg three times a day for irregular heartbeat. I dont have any side effects but dont think they are actually doing much either !

Farevalah · 03/09/2021 20:58

I'm on 40mg 3x day.
When I first started taking them years ago I used to get very cold hands and feet but that eased off.
I find they really help me with anxiety and also I don't get migraines any more.

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