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Propranolol and OCD

11 replies

roundandrounditgoes1234 · 30/06/2022 08:07

My OCD and anxiety are spiralling out of control
I've had counselling and CBT and know the strategies but when its happening I cant seem to apply them and my thoughts become irrational and I question and ruminate on every action that I make and I pull a part in to minute detail. This is exhausting as it takes twice as long to get any work done as im easily distracted and cant focus and spend my time worrying, I cant apply myself
My OCD is generally about the fear of harming someone inadvertently with either germs or since covid is on the rise again I'm convinced I could be passing it around without knowing. I had calmed down about covid as restrictions loosened but this seems to have fired up again since its in the media all the time and a friend I was with had it a few weeks ago which put me on high alert again - of course I tested and tested and became obsessed and constantly seeking reassurance which is exhausting for everyone and put a tension in the house. In the end on my requests DS had to hide the tests so I couldn't test any more. This is till praying on my mind and I am trying desperately not to test as I dont need to as no symptoms. I then start obsessing about conversations I've had a work with people and whether I have said and done the right thing - again drive Dh mad with reassurance and run the whole conversation/ meeting through my head so many times I cant sleep. I was prescribed Propranolol to take when I had severe anxiety to calm me down and I've just taken one - only the second I've ever taken. I wonder if anyone else has experience of taking this and also aside from the usual fresh air, exercise and resting had any other ideas that have helped them switch off either prescription or otherwise. Would love more counselling but its too costly.

OP posts:
USaYwHatNow · 30/06/2022 08:27

I take propanalol for different reasons, but I have commented to people before that I didn't realise just how anxious I was until I started taking them. On propanalol everything is much eeeaaasierrrr to deal with and I don't feel as fraught. Personally it's worked really well for me and I saw an almost immediate effect.

GetOvaIt2 · 30/06/2022 08:36

Yes and they were life changing. Tried multiple drugs / combinations of drugs before, this was the only thing that worked. I hope you get it under control fast.

DiamanteFan · 30/06/2022 08:39

I've got anxiety and high BP but take propanolol mostly for the BP. I find it very helpful in reducing the physical symptoms of anxiety, stomach churning etc.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 30/06/2022 08:44

I also found it helpful. It holds back the rising tide of anxiety and takes the edge off things just enough.

roundandrounditgoes1234 · 30/06/2022 12:46

Thanks everyone - I will persevere my dose is 40mcg up to 3 times a day but so far I’ve only taken 1 a day - scared to take more !

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Ilovedogs1 · 30/06/2022 17:39

Hi OP,
Are you on any other meds such as antidepressants? I have OCD and I'm on sertraline. When I'm particularly bad the doctor prescribes me diazepam

Susanmartha · 30/06/2022 18:00

Yes I am now six weeks into taking propranolol for anxiety/OCD, particularly for a continuously racing heartbeat which I'm embarrassed to say had brought my life almost to a standstill.

I started out with just one tablet, and have increased to three 40mg tablets a day, it does help by physically reducing my symptoms so that I can step back and think a bit more logically about things.

I did need to get up to three tablets a day to really feel the benefit though, and I'm still not at what I'd consider an acceptable level of anxiety, but I'm back being able to function in terms of basic life skills.

Don't be scared to take more than one tablet, I have health anxiety as well, and worried myself into the ground over each dosage increase, but I wish now I hadn't taken so long to work myself up to three tablets! I honestly think propranolol will help you to be able to apply what you had previously learnt via CBT, when your brain is gripped by anxiety it doesn't matter how great your counselling was you simply can't find and apply the information.

pastypirate · 30/06/2022 21:51

I take propanalol it does help a bit. I've had cbt too but I've deteriorated and I'm broken by anxiety

roundandrounditgoes1234 · 30/06/2022 23:08

@Susanmarthathanks I will bear that in mind, it’s not so much my heart racing more my mind racing and then I get trembly feel sick can’t focus and lose the plot @Ilovedogs1 I’m not on any other meds aside from herbal ashwangada and magnesium Rhodeola and vitamin plus HRT. Tbh all this kicked off with peri menopause

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Ilovedogs1 · 30/06/2022 23:21

Hi OP
Can I ask how old you are? My OCD episodes seem to be more regular lately and I have thought it could be hormonal

roundandrounditgoes1234 · 01/07/2022 07:08

@Ilovedogs1 52

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