Should I tell nurse about medication

[shouldisay03]

Hi, I've NCed for this post. I have an appointment with a mental health nurse today as a first step to getting help with anxiety which I have put off for many years. I'm wondering whether I should tell the nurse I've been taking propranolol.

It was prescribed to a friend but it did nothing for her so she gave them to me and they help so much. I take one as and when I feel like anxiety is spiralling and it helps immediately. I've run out and have felt a lot worse without them and have had a couple of panic attacks.

I know you're not supposed to take prescription medication that's not yours of course. But I have and I know that it helped. Should I tell the nurse, or keep it a secret? Will my friend get in trouble?

You can buy it through online pharmacies for situational anxiety. Definitely tell the nurse. You don’t have to explain where you got it from, just that it really helps you

I would

I would be honest. It makes it clear how much you have been struggling and that this helped.

I would be honest OP, there is no need to share where you got it from and they’re unlikely to ask. Just say you’re aware it was wrong but it was much needed at the time and it really helped.
For what it’s worth I work in a pharmacy and people come in and tell us they “share” medications with their partners sometimes (usually same brand, sometimes a slightly lower/higher dose) and we never take that further, we just remind them it’s not a good idea because it could give side effects and it’s important prescribers are aware of what you’ve had before. Obviously our advice is also dependent on the type of drug taken, but be honest - all will be fine.

I’m interested in this too as I’ve taken it before for situational anxiety (exams, driving test) and it worked really well with no side effects.

Hi thanks all, just back to update. I did tell her and she sort of laughed and said it's very common. She asked more about how I felt when I took it then prescribed more. She also prescribed sertraline alongside which I hadn't done any research on beforehand so we'll see.

I'm glad to see she took it well. I was going to say that you won't be the first or the last that has done and she'd probably just be pleased it was from a friend and not a dodgy website.