Doctor won't give me Propranolol

[bernieaa]

Not sure why as Google says it's ok. 22 weeks pregnant and having panic attacks

Google says a lot of things and does not, as far as I know, have a medical degree. What reason did the doctor give for refusing you them?

Do you have asthma or anything? Without your medical history, we're shooting in the dark, you'd have to ask the doctor to be sure.

No I have no issues. He says it's not safe in pregnancy.

Your doctor does the prescribing, not you.

I've already got the pills by the way.... just asked him if it was ok.

Other women on this forum have been taking it whilst pregnant. It's for occasional panic attacks.

And doctors can be wrong.

Where did you get the pills?

Then seek a second opinion from a difficult doctor.

As can strangers on the internet, but a doctor is a whole lot less likely to be wrong.

Unless your GP prescribed them you shouldn't be taking especially in pregnancy without consulting with a medical practitioner

@HarrietJet from the doctor, before I was pregnant.

Your doctor is correct https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/propranolol-hydrochloride/#pregnancy

They can slow your heart rate down which I wouldn't like to risk in pregnancy, also lower your blood pressure, your GP may know more about your physical health than the person who supplied them.

Doctors can be wrong yes, but they are much more likely to be right.

My GP told me it was one of those things where they couldn’t be sure because there’s no testing (as obviously it would be unethical to test on pregnant woman). Some people have to take it for heart conditions and nothing has been reported but not formally tested. He prescribed me but it was up to me whether I took it, I decided not to and got a lot of rescue remedy!

Propanolol lowers your heart rate and blood pressure, I'm not surprised this is considered unsafe during pregnancy. You should trust your doctor, not google or people on Mumsnet.

The thing is OP, your personal medical history could mean that a medicine that is suitable for others, is not as safe for you. None of us know your medical history like your doctor does.

This is why it's really not good to follow generic internet advice.

However, feel free to seek another medical opinion (in real life... from a doctor who can assess you properly - unlike us!)

There are no consequences for Google or anyone online telling you "it's fine!" if you then subsequently die or miscarry.

If you must, get another opinion from a different medical professional, but don't make decisions about your health based on googling. And definitely don't make decisions that can impact the health of your unborn child based on googling.

Now I've seen you post that you got them prior to pregnancy I amend it to 'your GP may know more about your current physical health'!

Seriously lovely- I'm on beta blockers and apart from the fact you shouldn't take anything when pregnant without checking it out- you can get nasty side effects- they give me weaker leg muscles , sore eyes and make me feel lethargic- on top of pregnancy I'm not sure you want to be dealing with any grim side effects

The doctor is legally responsible for any prescription he or she writes. Therefore, if he doesn’t happy at giving them to you, he doesn’t have to.

I've already been prescribed it and there is nothing in my current pregnancy to suggest I should avoid this medication.... especially as others have been prescribed

Doctors have trained and studied for around ten years to be an experienced GP . prescriptions are on a case by case basis unlike Google. Listen to the highly trained professional and don't diss their years of study and experience.

He said it's not safe in pregnancy, not that I can't have it due to my medical conditions. So why are others prescribed it

Are you medically qualified? I suspect not.

Can't take it while breast feeding either

Lovely, please don’t take them.

Other people have no choice but to take them. For example they might have heart failure and the risk of them not taking them is the death of them and the baby, over the risk of it being teratogenic or affecting foetal growth. So in that case the risk is there but the risk of not taking them is higher.

In your case there is no need to take them, over the risk to your unborn baby. Please don’t do this.

Your Gp can help with a referral to the maternity mental health team, or better still speak to your midwife about your anxiety. There is help available, it’s just not this medication,