anyone taken betablockers? experiences here please!

[fairylights]

i have been prescribed betablockers today for anxiety because after a really nasty crash a few years ago i have become increasingly terrified of going on the motorway (even as a passenger) and have ended up having panic attacks etc..not making it very easy for my dh to get us anywhere! As an adult i have always been fit and healthy emotionally and physically so feel a bit silly taking the betablockers but think its best for the very long journeys we have to take in the next couple of weeks. Just wondering if anyone else has taken them for anxiety and how they found it? Are there any side effects i should worry about? And did you become dependant on them at all?! ta

I took them about 10 years ago when Prozac gave me panic attacks. They did help a little and I did not get addicted to them. I only took them for a couple of months though.

My Dad is on betablockers for anxiety and has been for years. No side effects and the GP has just increased his dose because he said the anxiety was slowly creeping back (he was on the lowest strength tho).

Not sure if they are addictive, I don't think they are. I will ask my friend she is a Pharmacist and get back to you.

Much better than anti-depressents which have horrible side effects (these are prescribed for anxiety also).

thanks! and bump

I took them for a couple of months 2 years ago whilst doing a particularly stressful assignement. I found them helpful and had no side effects. I don't think they cause dependency.

Hi there, be prepared for the anxiety to get worse before it gets better. But it will get better. And if you're feeling better don't suddenly stop taking them - wean yourself off v v slowly.

i am taking them for migraines. i have felt more chilled on them than when i was on ADs and i used to suffer terrible panic attacks.

i am only going to be taking them the day before/on the day of a journey as this is what the dr suggested, do you reckon they will work thay way?!
thanks

Hi, I have taken beta blockers several times for my fear of flying. They really worked and had no side effects and certainly not addictive. I couldn't take Valium or anything like that as I was flying on my own with the dc.

I was advised just to take them on the days I was flying (live in Canada so have to fly sometimes), sounds very similar to your situation. They don't help with 'the head part' of your fear, but they stop the physical symptoms, I was much much better when I used them.

Good luck

I take them for tremor. The only side effect I have been aware of is that as they slow down your circulation, your hands and feet get colder - I get chillblains really easily now! Easily dealt with by wearing socks in bed

i took them 2 days before my finals - half my class were on them. after 1hour 1 went to loo, vomited, diarrhoea, was bright red all over, and almost fainted coming down the stairs. luckily my flatmate took me to hospital and was eyeing up celebs - they were filming hospital watch at the time. so all in all it didn't really help with revision, but would have been a handy excuse if i had failed. still, as i said haf our class were on them and seemed to find them helpful.

I was on them for panic attacks too and they made me feel dizzy and spaced out so I stopped taking them.

I got them to help me pass my driving test (which I had previously failed 5 times due to nerves) - it helped (and I finally passed!!) but I got a huge asthma attack a couple of days later and had to be admitted to hospital, despite my asthma being mild to moderate at the time.
They're very contra-indicated if you have asthma apparently.

I took them for chronic pain. They lower your bp something rotten (mine went down to about 88/40 ish) plus if you are asthmatic they are very bad for you but I guess your GP would take that into account anyway when prescribing.

I didnt have any real side effects though apart from the bp

My DH used to take one occasionally before giving a presentation. He is now on them all the time - to help in control of BP and arhythmia. If you are on them regularly apparently its important you don't stop taking them abruptly but for occasional use I don't think thats an issue.

Good luck with the travel!

They can work very, very well to reduce anxiety.

they are not addictive in any way and are not related to antidepresants or tranquilsers.

they are mostly used to treat high blood pressure, but have a well documented use in treating anxiety, without causing drowsyness etc etc

Fairylights - I take them for exactly the same reason as you. I would happily drive for long distances on the motorway, until I nearly had a serious accident.

They do calm me down. The only effects I've noticed, is sometimes a headache and feeling more tired than usual after a journey. Half an hour after I take one, I feel slightly detached from the world for a while. I'm not dependent on them.

I do sympathise - I would like not to resort to them, because I'm annoyed with myself about the whole problem. I can't jump in the car to see my relatives on a whim, or take the kids somewhere for the day. I feel a rational adult should be able to deal with this problem, and counselling is the next step for me.

Good luck

Sorry, forgot to add - I just take one on the day of the journey, about an hour before travelling, as per your dr suggestion. No need to pop them daily.

mychemicaltoilet (would love to know the history of your name btw!..) it is so reassuring to hear that i am not the only person in the world with this stupid fear - i feel exactly the same as you - that as a rational adult i should be able to get over it, but i can't. And i hate not being able to just jump in the car. Anyway, first step of the mammoth journey tomorrow - by the beg of Jan we will have done 800 miles or so, my poor dh having to drive the whole way!
his family are in newcastle, mine in devon so we are destined to always have to get on the motorway to see anyone!
Anyway, so glad to hear betablockers have helped you and others, really hoping it will do the same for me! Won't be near a computer for a while to update but thanks, and happy christmas!