Can beta-blockers make you feel depressed?

[RollerCola]

I've been taking 160mg propranalol for about 2mths for migraines and they're working well.

However, since just before Xmas I've noticed my mood has really started to drop. I feel quite tearful some days, paranoid about my relationship with dh, and just generally very low with that awful feeling of hopelessness.

Could this be a side effect of the bbs or am I just going through a phase of depression? I've felt this way before, a few yrs ago and took anti-depressants for a while which sorted me out.

If it is the bbs are there different ones I could try?

I think they do make you feel a bit low. My DH takes them - a small dose and says they make him feel very flat. Also they make it difficult for him to enjoy exercise, as heartrate stays quite low.

Blimey, I've never really thought about it! I've been taking 10mg propranolol (mickey mouse dose) daily for 18 years (!) and I often go through low patches. Not enough to do anything about it like see a doctor, but low nonetheless.

I am on them for the same thing too - I have MAV - vertigo caused by migraine. I think they are working because my migraines are less frequent although I do still get some. I also still get dizzy but not as often so they are doing some good.

My blood pressure has dropped quite low since I have been on them and I have to have it monitored to make sure it doesn't get any worse.

They make me feel quite down too - sometimes I just have no motivation even when things are going really well. I have all kinds of side effects, cold hands and feet, pins and needles and also don't sleep as well since I have been on them (about 6 months). I also get a lot of aching in my legs. I wish I could stop taking them but I am afraid to incase my vertigo gets worse.

I take 40mg proprananol twice a day for migraines and they have worked a treat I have been taking them for 2 1/2 years and haven't noticed a change in mood tbh, but weight gain yes big time

Betablockers, Hmmmmmmmm
To Richtearecrap
Your cold hands and feet and pins and needles are because the Betablockers interfere with your peripheral circulation!
Betablockers are the drug of choice because they are not addictive, whereas you might ( not you personally ) be much better off with a mild anti-anxiety
medication.
Anybody on Betablockers maybe also noticed a thinning of hair?
If necessary for serious medical reasons, so be it. But for other conditions?
Surely there must be alternatives.

sometimes a low dose of a tricyclic antidepressant like amitriptyline is used for anxiety. I take it for my early hours arthritis pain but it is fab for helping me sleep in general too.

bum - forgot to say that the relevance to the migraine people is that sometimes it is given to people who get migraines as an anti-migraine thingy. (according to Dr Google)

thanks heroutdoors - mine are not used for anxiety - they are migraine prevention meds.
I wish there was an alternative I could take, I am not a fan at all.

Yes Kitten, absolutely!
We must not forget your G.P, sorry, one's G.P will prescribe what he can afford!!

Richtea
Not happy with the pain in your legs.
Please keep Googling for an alternative.
Also, does Immigran still exist.?

Imigran does exist but that is not a preventative - its a painkiller for when you have migraine.

I get dizzy every single day and consultant thinks it is caused by migraine so I have to take beta blockers to prevent them.

Thanks for the replies, I was starting to worry but I think the low feeling might be linked to taking the beta blockers.

I don't really like taking them tbh, I dont like the thought of interfering with my heart rate but my gp seemed to think it was fine. I ran out for about a week at Xmas and I started getting palpitations .

Shame because my migraines are a lot less when I'm on them. Not sure whether to stick them out a bit longer and see if my mood lifts or to go back and ask to change to something else. Does anyone find a low dose of antidepressants work for migraines? By coincidence dh has just started taking 10mg of amitriptyline for hernia pain and I read on the leaflet they could be used for migraine.

Sorry kitten just re-read your post and you have mentioned amitriptyline. May take a trip to gp again.

Ah, sorry RichTea,
Did not realise you get dizzy every day.
Maybe you could try halving your dose?
Good luck.

That's what scares me too RollerCola - because they slow down the heart rate when I do stop taking them I worry that my heart will race and I will get palpitations.

You are never supposed to just stop taking them though, you are meant to slowly wean off them so maybe that is why is happened to you, just the sudden change in not taking them.

Yes RollerCola,
They do interfere with your heart rate, big time. And I can't believe they are being prescribed like sweets by G.P's.

On a very much lighter note, maybe you and Rich Tea should check your Chinese Horoscope!!!!!!!!!!!!??????

I know, I just ran out and with it being Xmas I didn't get chance to get some more for a while. Won't be making that mistake again as the palps were a bit scary.

But that's worrying too as I feel like I'm dependent on them already. My mood was hideous for the first few days without them, then suddenly improved but the migraines came straight back. Once I started taking them again they swapped right back.

Chinese Horoscope??

What dosage do you take richtea?

Roller cola,
Sugar, we must have crossposted.

I have been prescribed every Betablocker under the the sun. Started in 2003.
They do not cure, if lucky, they will keep whatever your condition is at bay.
Or, as I prefer to say "asleep".
Sometimes they can have the opposite effect, and make your condition worse.
This is usually the case with certain types of heart conditions.
Any Betablocker , if taken long term, will have major effect on the heart.

I don't think anyone wants to take them but for me as a severe migraine sufferer who was spending at least one day a week in bed and the rest of the week recovering from the attack there was no alternative in the end, for ten years I had tried everything and spend over a thousand pounds on treatments pills and remedies all I know is now I have a fairly good quality of life back, have managed to keep hold of my job which i nearly lost due to so much time off sick and can now spend time with my dc instead of them helping to take care of me or having to sort themselves out!

I take the same dosage as you RollerCola.

It is worrying the effect they can have on the heart.

Yes Rich Tea,
Chinese horoscope. Putting my head on the block here, but it is worth it.

Look up your year, and day and date of birth, it is quite informative.
With medical conditions.
2012 is the Year Of The Dragon, again.
Have fun.

Do you have a link?

Hello Rollercola , I think it is
www.chinesezodiac.com
Cannot link properly, sorry.