Has propranolol worked for anxiety for you?

[bigbells]

I suffer from situational anxiety and panic attacks. I'm fine at home but if I'm in uncomfortable or new situations I have attacks with very unpleasant physical symptoms - sweating, shaking, retching and urgently needing a toilet. The fear of these symptoms has kind of made me a bit of a prisoner in my own life. I won't do certain things or go to certain places because I'm scared of having an attack. Especially the toilet element which is very real and very urgent. But when I'm home in my own surroundings I'm fine and don't feel anxious at all.

Anyway I've tried many things over the years to try and beat this. CBT, citalopram, exercise, yoga, talking therapy...nothing worked. Then I requested propranolol from my mental health nurse who agreed it might help. I was given 10mg to take on an as and when needed basis and it did nothing to alleviate my symptoms so my nurse said I could take two at a time making it a 20mg dose. I still don't really feel much different. It's like the panic sensation is dulled a bit but it isn't really stopping the retching or bowel issues which are the most distressing for me.

I'm wondering if it may improve or if I need a higher dose. Or if I'm just doomed to feel like this forever. Has anyone else had any success with propranolol or other beta blockers for anxiety attacks and physical symptoms of panic?

40mg, up to three times a day. Worked wonders for my physical symptoms which in turn stops the anxiety spiralling. I always take one at bedtime because that’s often a trigger point of the day for my anxiety, and other times as and when needed. I think you’re probably not taking enough.

I’m the same.
I take a 40mg tablet 20-30 mins before going somewhere anxiety inducing. My prescription is 40mg up to 3 x a day too, although I sometimes cut one in half if I’m feeling a bit jittery but am safe at home, it just takes the edge off.

This is probably a very stupid question but since I only have 10mg tablets and am taking them on an as and when needed basis (rather than daily as others do) is it safe to take 3 or even 4 together? I do plan to ask for the dosage to be increased when I next see my nurse but in the meantime I have a large stockpile of 10mg tablets and wondered if it's ok to just take more of them. Would 4 x 10mg have the same effect as 1 x 40mg?

I found it helped relieve the physical symptoms of my anxiety a little. So whilst my anxiety was still there, they stopped me feeling as shaky and sweaty etc when I did become anxious.

But that’s all they’re designed to actually do. They basically just slow your heart rate down so the physical affects of the anxiety are minimised. I found they worked a little.

I was told to take them daily regardless.

If you’re only taking them as and when, that may be why you’re not feeling the effects of them.

If you’re only taking them as and when, that may be why you’re not feeling the effects of them.

the opposite @browneyes77 I started off taking a lower dose 3 x each day. Then, as I got to used to them, I needed a higher and higher for them to become effective until I was taking 40mg 3x a day.

10mg is just a low dose & any effects effects wear off after around 4 hours.

When I got to a better place in my life I did reverse titration to come off them. It’s only since my anxiety has become problematic again that I have started taking them but I stick to as and when needed simply because taking them 3x each day has caused me permanent tinnitus. The more I take the louder it gets so I stick to as and when.

But yes @bigbells 4 x 10mg will be the same dose as my one x 40mg tablet.

Yes but you were still taking them each day

I can take up to 30mg a day, I've found that when I need one I need to take them over a 3 or 4 day period otherwise the anxiety I was feeling first off comes and bites me on the arse. After a few days I stop taking them until I need to.

Yes, taking 4 of your 10mg is exactly the same as one 40mg pill. I do think you should try 3 and see how you get on, you can then always try 4 the next day. 40mg is the pretty standard dose for preventing the physical panic attack symptoms. I think they are a miracle drug, literally couldn’t panic if I wanted to when I take mine.

I have 40mg at a time OP, 10mg is a tiny dose and probably just not enough to counter the Adrenalin flooding your veins!

You mentioned your gastro situation several times so I was wondering if this is what has triggered your anxiety? I have gastro issues and suffer from Bile Acid Malabsorption. I am on meds for this and it has really helped me with the urgency etc. My mind still plays tricks on me though when I go to leave the house. When I do have tense situations like having to fly or something I prefer 1/2 of a diazepam or something but docs are so difficult to persuade.

Works amazingly for me. It doesn't change your mental state, just masks outward symptoms of anxiety ie. blushing, shaking. That's all I need. Sertraline otoh didn't work at all.

*but I take 40-80mg