Propanolol

[southernbelle125]

Ive just been prescribed Propanolol for chronic anxiety that’s causing lots of issues with my digestive system. I feel sick a lot of the time, struggle with food, get a lump in my throat, have I indigestion etc.

Ive read it doesn’t stop the actual anxiety, but just helps with the physical symptoms such as shaking and sweating. Can’t see how this is going to help my digestion, but wondered if anyone else had been prescribed it for this.

TIA

You’re right that it doesn’t stop the anxiety, but by calming your physical symptoms it give you space to regulate yourself.
don’t underestimate how much your physical symptoms affect how you’re managing your anxiety.

for me it just slows everything down just enough that I can sit and talk myself through the panic

I use propanolol as and when needed. It's correct that it only settles physical symptoms so racing heart, sweating, shaking etc but as a result it does allow you then stop thinking about how horrible you feel and focus on other things and therefore move away from your anxious thoughts. For me it works about 80% of time. I'm also on citalopram as a base.

Used it for years and most of my anxiety is in my stomach. I do find it quite effective it helps calm your heart rate down so you do not suffer that horrible flight or fight feeling,. I also found that breathing techniques help as when you feel yourself getting upset then you can take control. there are lots of techniques on line try the MIND website

I started it a few weeks ago and the digestive symptoms did settle after about 10 days. I have to make sure I’m eating regularly (even if I don’t feel like it) and that helps too

It helps a lot with the physical side so calms heart racing etc so I am finding it helpful. My anxiety is thyroid related so hoping once that issue is sorted I can come off it

I used to wretch horribly with anxiety and propranolol made a huge difference pretty much immediately. I was prescribed sertraline too which helped with anxiety in the long term.