Has propranolol helped anyone with the physical symptoms of anxiety?

[Saywhatnowhey]

I wasn't quite sure if this should go in the mental health, physical health or women's health section so decided to pop in Chat.

I have suffered with anxiety my whole life - since childhood. No idea really why I have always struggled with my mental health but a recent adhd diagnosis may shed some light on this but I also have a lot of anxiety sufferers on my mum's side so maybe it's partially genetics and/or learnt behaviour? Either way it doesn't matter so much these days, all I know is that I have spent decades trying to 'fix' it and now in my 50's I just want to learn to live alongside it.

I have spent years and years having all kinds of therapy:- CBT, counselling, EMDR, hypnosis, seeing psychologists and psychiatrists. I have tried so many medications, SSRI's, SNRI's TCA's, ADHD meds (currently on Nortriptyline and feel like a zombie so coming off that soon) but most antidepressants really upset my gut, oh yes, I have IBS too - such fun but I suppose that often comes along as an evil twin of anxiety disorders, yay! I am still full of anxiety despite trying all of these therapies and meds (not helped these days as I help look after my mum who is in the advanced stages of dementia).

I have come to the conclusion that I can cope with an anxious mind, it's who I am at the end of the day and I can not change that now, I can put in all the coping strategies I have learnt along the way. What I really really struggle with though is the physical side effects from the anxiety, the constant heady feeling, the tight jaws, the 'coat hanger pain' (recent doctor asked if I had made that term up lol), the shoulder, back and hip pain and aches and the coiled spring that I feel I am. I have also struggled with a bad tummy (IBS and functional dyspepsia) for almost 30 years. I always feel so shaky, wired and on the edge of panic all the time.

I very much look after myself, I exercise, keep my weight down, I go to bed at a decent time, I only drink water, no nasties in my diet, I am a absolute bore really but still I am physically feeling like shite most days.

I have read that propranolol often helps people feel more relaxed within their bodies, I understand it won't do anything for the actual anxiety but I like the idea that it could help me to relax because I often find the more my body feels weird, wired and hurts in places the more anxious I get and then the cycle continues.

Has anyone tried this drug and found it helps with the wound up, shaky and panicky feeling?

Sorry this is a bit of a ramble btw (thank my adhd).

Yes. It’s been immensely helpful for me. My gp described it as stopping the ‘domino effect’…so even when your mind is anxious, your body doesn’t follow.

Propranolol helped me hugely through a number of difficult periods. It stopped the panic, the shallow breathing etc and, when my body is calmer, it means my thought’s didn’t race as much.

However, it did give me tinnitus. It is listed in the leaflet as possible side effect, I still would have risked it and taken the propranolol though. I was on max dose 3 x a day when that started.

I do still have the occasional small dose if dealing with difficulties. Almost needed some today. I thought on the way home that I would have one when I got in, but I feel less jittery and calmer now I’m safely at home.

Worth a try op.

Yes. It’s so helpful. It works very quickly too and has had minimal side effects for me. It stops the palpitations, the spaced/heady/dizzy and floaty feelings, the nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. It has helped me to get my life back.

Yes it helps me hugely and I wouldn’t be without it. I’ve had anxiety all my life and I’m in my 60s now. It’s the only thing I’ve found that helps my shakiness and panicking. I also have IBS which I’m sure is related

You have really good responses every time you post, yet you keep revisiting the same issues. Has any of the advice over the last few years helped?

Hi OP, I know this isn't answering your question and I know you have tried many different approaches and therapies.
One that I found helpful after trying many others is IFS (Internal Family Systems)
https://ifs-institute.com/

Propranolol got my life back on track. It stopped the racing heart, the fight-or-flight feelings, and helped me learn to relax. It would be my number 1 suggestion for generalised anxiety, which is what I believe you are describing

I also recognise the same poster (mainly IBS, adenomyosis, endometriosis, parent with dementia). I also see them in Facebook groups for IBS, menopause etc, often the some type of post over and over. I do feel for you, OP - hope you get some peace or find something that will help, it must be awful being consumed by health worries to this extent.

I take high dose vitamin B complex tablets (the Natures Aid ones). They were suggested by a GP as being good for the immune system but unexpectedly I found them really effective against anxiety.
Would definitely recommend you give them a try.

I do already have bad tinnitus but right now I’d put up with that rather than this whirlwind of anxiety roaring around my body. I will ask my GP if it’s safe to take if you have existing tinnitus though.

I have all of those symptoms, I am desperate to ease them. I have a GP appointment next week, I will definitely ask about this drug.

That’s good to know, I get so much panic and shakiness. Do you find it helps your IBS?

Why do you always and say these things? You make me out as though I’m some MN troll who is always asking the same questions, I really don’t. I’m not posting for the fun of it, I’m genuinely struggling with many things in my life and asking for real life experiences from people who are going through similar issues.

Do you post these responses to try to make me feel bad about myself or to make me look like an idiot? You know you can just scroll on by, you aren’t obliged to comment.

Propranolol didn't help at all with the physical symptoms of my anxiety - mainly nausea and vomiting which can be severe. My minor symptoms are insomnia and shaking. It didn't help with those either. All it did was worsen my low blood pressure.

Yes I think it does help. I’ve no medical evidence to back that up but I don’t seem to suffer with stress-based stomach problems when I take it

Yes, I do ask on here for advice and support as I care for my dementia ridden mum which is beyond stressful and the elderly parent section is full of helpful people in the same situation and yes, I do have some health issues which I’ve sort advise about on MN but I am not on FB so you won’t have ‘recognised’ me on there.

Bloody hell, I started this thread to ask people’s experiences of a medication and I’m getting accused of being some trolling nutcase with severe mental health issues.

Did the tinnitus go away once you stopped Propanolol? 🙏

I “always say these things” because you post so very frequently about the same issues and I feel a bit sorry for the posters who give you their time and insights which don’t appear to make the slightest difference.

I can absolutely assure you that I take on board everything suggested by others on this forum, do you honestly think I enjoy feeling like utter shit every day? You have zero idea how much effort I put into trying to feel better, you do not live my life or see the effort I put into feeling well, who the fuck want to feel like this every day?

The whole point of forums such as MN is for people to discuss and offer up or ask for advice and help? So what advice and help are you currently offering me? That I shouldn’t post on here simply because I’ve previously asked questions about my health issues?

I fully appreciate any advice given to me so please do not try to imply that I am on here on a regular basis asking the same questions just for kicks or to waste people’s time.

Don’t listen to @Eyesopenwideawake OP!
Shes trying to make you feel bad. I Can't stand people like that.
I live exactly like you, in fight or flight 24/7 tight chest, dizzy, shallow breathing, extreme fatigue, ectopic beats and panic attacks daily.
I’ve been the same since I was 10 years old, and like you I’ve tried everything.
i take propranolol and have done for years. I only take 20mg twice a day and it does take the edge off the panic.
you're not alone in what you are going through and it is completely debilitating.
Its caused me to be agoraphobic and unable to leave my house.
give it a go OP it could make the world of difference xx

Yes it helps very much with the symptoms of anxiety .

Propranolol changed my life. I'd had anxiety since I was a teenager, panic attacks, shakiness, feeling sick, needing to wee too much. But a lot of my anxiety was being anxious about becoming anxious - if that makes sense. I was prescribed Propranolol in my mid thirties, finally found a sympathetic GP who felt propranolol would break the cycle.
It did stop the symptoms, but made me feel tired at first and I had no second wind when exercising, but it soon passed.
I took it for about 6mths, tapering off after that and then only taking it if I felt anxious. I also had CBT, which I felt I could access better then. I haven't needed the propanolol for 20yrs now, I carried it round with me for a few years, just knowing that there was something I could take if I started to spiral had a huge psychological effect. I'm rarely anxious these days and I have a lot to be anxious about!

Thank you so much for your understanding, I am sorry you also struggle. I totally get it, the physical symptoms are so difficult to deal with and that makes my mental health worse and so the cycle goes.

I have trialled so many medications and am currently on Nortriptyline for my IBS but it makes me feel like a confused zombie which is a shame as it is helping my gut issues somewhat, I seem to be so super sensitive to meds.

I have a review appointment with my GP next week so I will ask her about the Propranaolol.

Thank you again for your advice x

And? Who are you? The Mumsnet police? So what is she posts multiple times? This is a free and open forum. If you don’t want to read her posts, just skip them! There’s plenty more. So unnecessary unkind.

@Eyesopenwideawakeis the troll here. Not you.

I find Propranolol really helps ahead of situations that I know will make me feel
anxious. It helps with the clammy hands, shallow breathing etc. it doesn’t take away the swirly tummy feeling though.

Can you tell me what you mean by coat hanger pain please?