Stopping propranolol ttc

[Dan82]

Hi I really need some advice. I take 40 mg of propranolol every day for anxiety and panic attacks I’ve been taking it for 4 years and it makes me feel calmer. I’m ttc and my doctor has told me stop taking it as it would be harmful to the baby. I’ve tried to not take any this week but I’ve been feeling really anxious and panicky all day. I wanted to ask if anyone else stopped taking propranolol and felt worse? Has anyone taken them while pregnant? I was thinking of trying a lower dose 20 mg I feel i need something to make me feel calmer I can’t cope without them and don’t know if I could go 9 months without taking anything I feel like telling my partner I don’t want any kids. Please has anyone got any advice

Hi i couldnt read & leave, please go back & see your doctor & tell them how u are feeling, are u pregnant or just trying? If u are trying i think u should hold off until your in a better frame of mind, if u think u could be pregnant then please dont take any medication until u talk to your doctor. Sorry i couldnt help with much advice i hope someone comes along to help x

Hi! I was on them before I got pregnant and I stoped taking them as they can cause harm. I’ll be honest I do feel a bit edgy without them but not as bad as I thought I would. I’ve tried to find some other techniques to cope and just generally avoid situations that might set my anxiety off. Booze / hangover (gins at weekend) use to make my anxiety much worse, not sure if that affects you, but obviously not drinking now and that has really helped.

Slightly concerning as I take them and am currently pregnant. Doctor has said they were fine to continue. I don't get anxiety day to day but I do get palpitations and voice shaking when I'm overly nervous, only ever at work when doing large presentations which is a lot unfortunately and got prescribed them a few years ago to help. They are life changing and I don't feel nervous at all, stopped the palpitations and voice shaking and trembles.

I'm over 6 months and I've been taking probably on average 1 or 2 a week the whole time. The doctor gave me another prescription a couple of months ago. Did anyone's doctor who told them not to take them advise them why? After some googling it seems they are the drug of choice for women that use them as beta blockers for heart conditions at much higher dosages, so wondering why your GPS have said they're unsafe 🤔

My understanding is that there isn't enough research to say whether they are okay or not. My gp initially said they would be fine to take ( I was taking about 3 10mg per week) but then when she called the local obstetrician to check they said they advise against, only because there hasn't been enough research to say its safe. I remember feeling so stressed, thinking how can I possibly get through 9 months without them but then my gp put me in sertraline instead and it has worked wonderfully for me and I haven't felt a desire to take a beta blocker since.

I would advise going back to your gp and telling them how you feel. If you do decide to come off them then I would probably try weaning myself off them gradually rather than straight away, if you are not pregnant already.

Good luck, I know it feels so hard but you can do it! X

Hi imiss - I cant remember what reason they gave just that it was a definite no. I’m sure your gp knows what they are doing though!

Sorry, but that is such bad advice. If you have been taking it for 4 years, you HAVE to taper the dose down little by little as your body has adjusted to you taking that dose and stopping cold turkey will cause a rebound just like you have been feeling. You are lucky you havent been getting palpitations etc. Please start taking it again and reduce your dose by 5mg a week for 8 weeks. If your side effects come back, go even slower.

I dont know at all if its contraindicated for pregnancy, so cant advise on that at all