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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be anxious about starting anxiety medication?

34 replies

ThornAmongstRoses · 28/12/2020 15:17

I’ve had a rough 18 months with my health which has now led to me having a diagnosis of anxiety.

I was prescribed Propanolol last week and I still haven’t mustered up the courage to take my first dose.

I’m anxious to take something that may help my anxiety. It’s nonsensical.

I guess I’m scared of side effects, or maybe I’m scared that it won’t make any difference.

Part of me is scared that I need medication for anxiety just to function normally.

Anyone else been in the same boat?

What made you take the leap and take that first tablet?

Why am I so scared to take it Sad

OP posts:
EddieVeddersfoxymop · 28/12/2020 15:18

Same here. Prescribed Sertraline but cannot go there. Scared of the side effects, scared of being reliant on a medication to function and scared of losing a sense of "me". Although I'm so far removed from "me" right now that the last worry is a ridiculous one!

thefourgp · 28/12/2020 15:24

I kept telling my doctor I didn’t need it for a long time and eventually I had to take it in order to improve the physical symptoms the anxiety was causing me. It made me sweat excessively but it was worth it. I stopped taking it last month after using it for a year. I could not have improved my physical and mental health without it. It’s not the only reason I’m better but it was an important part. Start on a lower dosage and adjust it. Also, the first week or two you take it, your anxiety will slightly worsen until your body adjusts. This is normal.

Stripesnomore · 28/12/2020 15:28

Propranolol helps control physical symptoms of anxiety. It won’t change anything about your brain, thoughts or feelings. It isn’t a big deal to take it. It isn’t like being on SSRIs or similar.

thefourgp · 28/12/2020 15:28

Sorry, I should have said the setraline really helped me. I was put on propranolol at first which just made me extremely tired and I don’t think that helped me. The doctor kept increasing my dosage until I was on the highest. I would wake up tired and sleep during the day. It did not help my anxiety. It was setraline prescribed by another doctor that helped me. Everyone’s body is different though and you may need to try different drugs to see what works for you.

DioneTheDiabolist · 28/12/2020 15:30

Of course you're anxious OP, you suffer from anxiety. Please take the medication and see how you feel in a couple of weeks.Brew

Original poster
ThornAmongstRoses · 28/12/2020 15:33

I’m currently off sick and if can’t get on top of my anxiety, and my health in general, I just don’t know what I’m going to do.

It feels like my life as I know it is hanging by a thread.

OP posts:
Sunshinegirl82 · 28/12/2020 15:34

I felt similarly but my anxiety had got to the point that I was struggling to do my job so something had to be done. I figured I couldn't feel much worse! GP prescribed paroxetine and it has made a huge difference. Some very minor side effects initially but 5 weeks in I feel so much more myself.

Original poster
ThornAmongstRoses · 28/12/2020 15:37

The thing I’m confused about though is that people have said it doesn’t actually prevent a panic attack from happening, it just softens it if it does happen?

But I don’t want them to happen in the first place Sad

OP posts:
PolarnOPirate · 28/12/2020 15:37

I’m on my second month of sertraline for anxiety and it’s great, honestly it’s so brilliant when you realise that feeling anxious all the time is not normal and a life without anxiety is achievable. Took half the dose this month which isn’t cutting the mustard so I’ll have to go back up and add in an anti-jaw-clenching drug apparently as that was a huge side effect for me. Good luck!

HansSolo22 · 28/12/2020 15:44

I was prescribed propranolol at the start of this year after a very bad episode of labyrinthitis and a subsequent much milder episode but it left with with horrible anxiety which I found absolutely crippling. I take the propranolol when required but it really helps me.

I may go for months without needing any, then the dizziness comes back and with it comes the anxiety so I may then need to take it every day for a few weeks. It stops that racing heart feeling and generally calms me. I had no side effects whatsoever.

It is worth trying it, anxiety (especially health related) is a horrible thing to live with. I hope you are able to find something that helps you.

CandleWick4 · 28/12/2020 15:45

OP I was the same as you. I was prescribed propranolol and had it for over a year in my drawer because I was too scared to take it. Eventually my anxiety peaked and I took it. Best decision I ever made. Palpitations stopped, the constant knot in my stomach went away and I felt like myself again. I still have anxiety and anxious thoughts but it’s manageable and I don’t ‘spiral’ anymore. No side effects other than I get out of breath easily. Give it a go OP.

twinklychristmaslights · 28/12/2020 16:10

Propranolol has been AMAZING for my anxiety. It stops the physical effects of anxiety snowballing. Honestly, it's brilliant and I've had zero side effects. I take a slow release every day.

There is nothing to fear with it I promise - it stops the release of adrenaline and has zero effect on the brain.

chaosisaladder · 28/12/2020 16:14

Like a PP said, the propranolol will just help with the physical symptoms (heart racing, sweating) but not the thoughts that trigger the physical symptoms. Give them a go the next time you feel a panic attack coming on and see what you think. Good luck.

Original poster
ThornAmongstRoses · 28/12/2020 16:16

My GP told me that if I take one it will start to work in 20-30 minutes.

But with me, I’m fine one minute and then in a full blown panic the next minute, it comes on like a light switch - it just seems pointless to take one if I still have to be in the state of panic for 20+ minutes before I start to feel better. I just want them to stop happening and it seems Propanolol can’t actually do that?

OP posts:
HansSolo22 · 28/12/2020 16:47

I found it works really quickly so when I need it, it works almost instantly as I know it's going to work (bit of a placebo I guess) if your see what I mean?! If I'm going through a really severe period of anxiety, I'll take 3 doses a day which pretty much prevents it happening.

ssd · 28/12/2020 20:28

Can I ask others what dose of propranolol others take if they get health anxiety, I can go from zero to total panic in seconds like the op, taking 2 x 10mg propranolol doesn't really help as much as dislike,can anyone recomend what dose to try?

ssd · 28/12/2020 20:28

Sorry op, I hope you dont mind me asking on your thread.

Original poster
ThornAmongstRoses · 28/12/2020 20:33

Sorry op, I hope you dont mind me asking on your thread.

Of course not, we’re all in the same crappy boat Flowers

OP posts:
1FootInTheRave · 28/12/2020 20:46

Sertraline allows me to live a normal life.

partyatthepalace · 28/12/2020 20:55

I started 50mg Sertraline a couple months back, quite common to have a rough time with side effects for a couple weeks but I didn’t. It’s a regular dose rather than what you are describing.

I think it’s normal to feel anxious, we hear such horror stories about addiction, but it doesn’t sound like you are on a big dose - certainly isn’t going to stop you being you.

I was so anti I never even thought of medication cos I’ve always just coped with anxiety. Then someone said I was being daft , I saw the GP - he said I was deffo anxious and happy to give to me if I also did CBT.

It’s really steadied my emotions, I feel better and am making progress w CBT.

Used well medication can be a very good thing I reckon.

kelly14 · 28/12/2020 21:02

Doesn't mean you will be on it forever, it's just supporting you through a difficult time.

My baby has been on liquid propranolol since 3.5 months old and still is now at 14 months as it's also used to treat birthmarks, she has had no side effects and though it might bring you some Reassurance if it's ok to treat babies for a different thing that it can't be that bad for adults to use to treat anxiety.

I hope you feel better soon x I live with anxiety so know how you feel x

Cornetttttto · 28/12/2020 21:06

Sertraline saved my sanity. You deserve to live a life that is balanced and free from anxiety.

HiveQueen · 28/12/2020 21:09

What persuaded me was that I wasn’t being the mum or the employee that I used to be and wanted to be. If I’m my normal self, which I need the meds for at the moment, I can cope day to day without feeling I’ve let down my children or colleagues (which was adding to my anxiety). I hope you make the right decision for you.

bonzo77 · 28/12/2020 21:13

I’ve started citalopram for mine. Initial dose too high and made me feel very odd. But just knowing I was doing something for the anxiety made me feel calmer and more in control. Nearly a week now on a lower dose. Hoping it’ll kick in soon.

FirewomanSam · 28/12/2020 21:14

I was given propranolol this year too and I was terrified to take it, but my mum was with me when I picked up the prescription and she basically took the leaflet off me (so I wouldn’t get myself even more worked up reading all the side effects) and begged me to just take one and see how I felt. It really really does help. I don’t take it every day but I’ve taken it a few times when I’ve just been super overwhelmed and it’s been amazing.

A therapist explained it to me quite well, adrenaline makes your heart race along with all sorts of other physical symptoms, and the tablets just help break that cycle. As your heart rate comes down, the other physical stuff kind of falls into place too. It’s the same idea as doing deep breathing or something to calm your heart rate, it just helps things along a bit.