Propanalol - anyone have weird side effects?

[Tarrarra]

I've been having migraines for nearly 2 years now and having tried topiramate unsuccessfully the gp has put me on 40mg of propanolol twice a day. Have been on it for around 4 weeks now. I'm really struggling with it. I feel tired and dizzy but not so I can't function but I could live with that. My skin is flaky on my hands where I used to get psoriasis but again I can live with that. However, I've had joint pain in my hip and numbness and shooting pains in my leg for the last week in my leg - and that I can't live with. It may be a coincidence, but the gp has just said to keep going as he can't prescribe anything else or refer me to the headache clinic until I have given it a go for another week. He said it might just be an injury from running. I am seeing the physio who has been lovely and I have exercises. I've had to stop running and am finding that hard! I'm just in a quandry really as I don't know whether to stop or reduce the propanolol.

I just wondered whether anyone else had had similar odd side effects on propanolol?

I was given it many years ago and had horrible side effects (as well as it not doing anything for me in the first place). I can't exactly explain how I felt but it was just plain weird, uncomfortable and everything was in slow motion. When I stopped taking it I was OK and the original problem had run its course anyway :-). What I described I have heard from others too but I daresay it suits some.

No. It sorted my nearly continuous migraines.

I felt weird at first but it did settle. I'm on 80mg slow release for anxiety/blood pressure. Vivid dreams was made one side effect

Oh yes am struggling to get to sleep and when I do I get the peculiar dreams. 😃

Reassuring that the effects might settle, so will definitely give them another week or two. So hard to know!

Thanks for all the replies so far x

I'm pretty sure it can come in a lower dose so if it helps but you have side effects ask about reducing the strength I'm pretty sure you can get 10mg tablets

Do you have a decent level of vitamin B12 op? Migraines that don't respond to treatment can be caused by a B12 deficiency. It's just that when you mention shooting pains and numbness, my first thought was b12 as these are common signs/symptoms of it.

I have had my bloods done which showed folate deficiency but was told everything else was within normal range.. That said, I didn't see what the other levels were.

@Tarrarra if there is a folate deficiency, your body won't be able to use any b12 correctly so I assume they've told you to correct the folate deficiency with supplements? If not, they really ought to have or prescribed some. Definitely ask for a b12 test before you start any folate though. Worth a look on this b12 site started by an expert patient. She has sections on the link between folate levels and b12 (iron too I think) www.b12deficiency.info/signs-and-symptoms/

I've been on high dose folates on prescription for a while and now just on an over the counter dose. Fairly sure b12 was checked and OK. But I think I will ask for a follow up blood test. Thanks for the link, I will have a read..

I had a physio appointment today which really helped, so will see how I go over the next few days..

healthylife when I was on betablockers, I was given 'Half Inderal', that could be a lower dose than Tarrarra has. I wasn't deficient in any vitamins and minerals.

I hope you will soon be better, Tarrarra.

Thanks, still not right so continuing with physio. Have decided to reduce the dose and am trying to get hold of Dr tomorrow to discuss....

My heart rate dropped to 36bpm, felt a bit tired..

I hated it, made me dizzy and sick.

I was given Propanalol for migraine years ago. Let's just say it did not go well

I developed phlebitis ( inflammation in the veins of my legs) which needed treatment with anti inflammatories and a stomach lining protector.

The anti inflammatories gave me an ulcer anyway

Needless to say I stopped taking it and I'm now very wary of taking any medication.

I'm on it for high BP and tremor, and it makes me tired and I feel like I'm wading through treacle.

Can't help re joint pain but am selfishly interested in your outcome as I have arthritis in lots of places and I feel things are getting worse, never thought it could be medication related.

I think that after 4 weeks you would have got used to any side effects, so glad you are getting back in touch with GP. I wonder if you could split the dose into 4 x 20, if that would help? With the fatigue symptoms if nothing else. Within that you might be able to jiggle the doses around so you take more at night and avoid side effects in the day? To be discussed with your GP of course!

I take more at night and less in the day and my B.P. is acceptable. I take 3 doses between 6pm and 4am including one when I wake in the night and (with other meds as well) it still helps the tremor in the day, even though my daytime dose is minimal. I can only take a tiny dose when I wake up or I just want to go straight back to sleep!

I take 40mg 3x day for migraines and panic attacks.

I have freezing cold feet a lot of the time. Even with 2 or 3 pairs of socks, including heat holders, they are icy cold to touch.

My hands are dry and flaky where I used to have eczema and my hip and knee pain has returned. I didn't associate these with medication but its possible!

The benefits far outweigh the side effects for me.

I have freezing cold feet a lot of the time. Even with 2 or 3 pairs of socks, including heat holders, they are icy cold to touch

That'll be the reduced blood flow in your legs which is a side effect. That's what gave me the phlebitis