Should I be wary of taking propranolol again?

[TealTulips]

I’ve been suffering from anxiety for several months but last week I had an hour long panic attack.

I contacted my GP (first time I’d contacted them about my anxiety). He prescribe ‘some tablets that would help’. Wouldn’t tell me what they were, no discussion of side effects etc.

The prescription was actually for propranolol (40mg x3/day). This seemed ideal, as I felt if I could minimise the physical anxiety symptoms (muscles spasms, tight chest) I could get handle on the emotions.

On the third day of taking it I developed a very tight chest and severe shortness of breath. Ended up seeing the OOH GP who sent me to A&E in an ambulance as my blood pressure was low and my heart rate had dropped to 43.

Hospital determined that my heart and lungs seemed fine and it was most likely the propranolol and advised me to stop taking it.

24 hours after the last dose my heart rate was still only up to 54.

So I phoned the GP again to tell him what had happened and ask how long before the propranolol was out of my system. He just said he would prescribe a lower dose. I said I was wary of taking propranolol again and shouldn’t I at least wait until my heart rate was back to normal. He said no I should take it straight away and the only other option would be antidepressants which would take longer to work and make me feel more ill.

I did pick up the prescription (Saturday) but I haven’t taken it. Surely it didn’t make sense to take something that reduces your heart rate to help anxiety when your heart rate is already very low?
My heart rate is back to normal now.

I know GPs are under a lot of pressure at the moment but both conversations were less than 2 minutes, I didn’t feel listened to or well informed at all and he was very insistent that this was my only option.

I’m still feeling very anxious/panicky but, after what happened, I’m really scared to take even the lower dose but I don’t feel I can contact the GP again as I haven’t done what he advised.

Please speak to a pharmacist, they're the specialists when it comes to side effects. I can't have propranolol for similar reasons, I'm surprised your GP has prescribed it again.

I did speak to the pharmacist with both prescriptions.

When I picked up the first prescription he went over how propranolol worked in detail which is why it seemed ideal.

But with the lower does prescription (even though I explained what had happen with my blood pressure/heart rate/A&E) he said if the GP had prescribe it it will be fine.
He's normally very good and so I was surprised and made me wonder if I was being over cautious.

I have the same it’s a beta blocker.

Phone the Gp and say no - you don’t want a lower dose and ask to discuss alternative.

I've tried many different medications for anxiety over the years and found that nothing worked(including propranolol) except sertraline. It is an antidepressant and CAN take up to 3 weeks to get into your system but I started feeling the positive effects after 10 days.

Everyone responds to drugs differently so may not be the same for you but well worth discussing with your GP (or another GP at the practice).

If you want immediate relief from the physical symptoms of anxiety then breathing exercises are really effective! Google 'Box Breathing' if you haven't heard of it. It helps reduce your heartrate naturally and regulates your breathing.

Thank you

I was made to feel a bit like nobody had ever had such a reaction before (even though surely it's obvious that something designed to reduce your heart rate may be the cause of a low heart rate!).

I'll get back onto the GP to explore other options.

40mg three times a day seems like a high dose to start off with. I take propranolol and the most I have is 10mg three times a day. And it works wonderfully.

I take 10mg first thing then more during the day if I need to. I think you should speak to your gp as you suggested.

I was going to say exactly what @BigTallWacker said. That seems like a massive dose!
I was given 10mg and told to take it as and when I need it (my anxiety isn't constant) and no more than 3 at a time.

Beta blockers made me feel like absolute shit I will never take them again!!!

I take 40mg on a morning once a day. Three times is a lot. Hope you get sorted xx

40mg three times a day is a perfectly normal dose - it’s what I take when my anxiety is bad.

It’s worth getting a second opinion from another doctor if you’re worried.

@Plummer88

40mg three times a day is a perfectly normal dose - it’s what I take when my anxiety is bad.

It’s worth getting a second opinion from another doctor if you’re worried.

A quick look at the nhs page on propranolol for anxiety suggests that 3x40mg is the maximum dose.

I had the same issue with propranolol. Lasted a couple of weeks, then I got used to them and it stopped.

I've been prescribed 40mg twice a day but it makes me far to dizzy so i take 20mg twice a day instead I'm trying to get hold of the doctor to see if we can try another antidepressant as sertraline sent me into this anxious state and it's been 6 weeks now and I cant get out of it

Llh1978 I am the same. I’m constantly dealing with tingling and panic. I have to go to doctors today and I don’t want to leave the house. I have to go though. It’s awful feeling like this. I’ve added venaflexine to merrazipine and I feel awful x hope you get some relief soon x

@Mammy1981 the propranolol do help keep the full on panic attacks at bay I can feel them rising and certain effects of them especially the jaw clenching but I'm waking in the middle of each night with my jaw clenched after a nightmare which happens every night I'm suffering with constant nausea but I cant get past the receptionist to speak to a doctor I just want to feel well again

Yeah I had that with the jaw thing. It went away as quick as it came I’m sure yours will too. I’ve been to doctors today and it went ok. Better than I thought. You keep ringing the doctor and ask for a telephone consultation you have a right to that x

Glad to hear you managed to get there they have me in for a telephone consultation nxt monday as when I say I'm not suicidal it goes down as non urgent but If i click yes to suicidal it tells me to ring 111 who then say we cant help contact your gp 🤷‍♀️

Eeee it’s mad isn’t it. Hopefully you’ll get sorted soon xx