Propranolol?

[serenity]

I've seen a few threads on this drug when used by adult MNers which seem pretty positive, but I wondered if anyone had any experiences of it being prescribed to a child?

BF's 12yo DD has severe problems with anxiety (amongst other things) and CAMHS have suggested Melatonin for her sleep problems (which I know has a general MN thumbs up) and also Propranolol to stop the physical side of her anxiety attacks (so she can concentrate on controlling the anxiety itself)

Her parents are happy with the first, but are unsure about the second and want to find out more before agreeing to it. I thought that if anyone's going to give an honest, experienced account of side effects/usefulness it will be you

So, yes/no/causes more problems that it cures?

Thanks in advance!

I take it for work anxiety and it works well.
I don't have any experience of it's use in children though.
I would be a bit wary there are a lot of side effects.
What is the cause of her anxiety?

They're not too sure about the root cause, but she's always been very anxious (and that has shown itself with mood swings and hearing voices/seeing people) and it's made worse because of dealing with other, physical problems (dyspraxia, dyslexia, hypermobility and low muscle tone) She's been diagnosed with depression, and they're trying to find ways of dealing with it that don't involve anti-depressants.

What sort of side effects are there?

There are a lot, sleep problems, cold hands and feet, nausea, tummy pains.

Propranalol is a heart drug and there are anecdotal stories of it causing heart problems out there on the internet. I have been using it for over 10 years and I have got arrythmia which is mild and not dangerous but I think taking the beta blockers has caused it. (no proof of this, just what I think and what I've read of others on internet)

That doesn't sound good

She already has sleep problems, hence the Melatonin (bad spells see her only getting 4/5 hours of sleep a night, which just makes everything else worse)

Bumping for the evening crowd

I had it for anxiety and it did help take the edge off my nerves

It did give me very bad waking nightmares though. Good points are that you can have small doses and it has a very short half life so is out of your system quickly if it doesn';t agree with you, whereas AD's take a few weeks to work and a few weeks to wear off

Thank you I'll pass on what you've said.