Light Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 I was wondering if Beta-Blockers would help with my extreme anxiety, i've had panic attacks for years now. Currently on a AD - it's doing sht all - all that i've noticed is that it's taking the adrenaline rushes that was horrid away, but anxiety is still out of control, i guess i should be thankful the adrenaline rushes are gone, but left over from that, i still get the feelings sometimes where i need to pee all the time when i don't or my body does'nt tell me i need to pee badly - anyways it's odd. To the question; Would Beta-Blockers help my anxiety/panic attacks? I most common thing that bothers me with them is the feeling of not being here. I get heart racing aswell - and other but those 2 are the most bothersome ( im tired atm please excuse) I've always had panic attacks for no reason - in the past i've told tdocs and such this - i don't think they thought anything of it, if they did, they didnt tell me but i get panic attacks even at home, where i feel the most safest. I get them out of the blue. I get panic attacks other times too of couse but i just find it strange and feel like i'm the only one who has experienced this? Anyways so far what i've read BB's are mostly for body/ actions / shaking - so maybe it would'nt be any use to me since it's not a 'main' symptom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parapluie Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 I take propranolol, mainly for anxiety. The thing is, it won't help in the moment. And I don't think it would prevent it. But it make them more bearable. It's worth a shot. Plus you can take them before anxiety provoking situations. I take them before speeches, exams, demos, stuff like that. It really helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Beta blockers help mainly with the physical symptoms of anxiety. They will help with heart pounding, chest tightness, and shaking. They won't take away the psychological aspects of anxiety. However, getting rid of the physical symptoms can sometimes be a big help, and I have found that it keeps anxiety from feeding on itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancingteapot Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Yes, they can help. The physical stuff it'll take care of...worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 I also take propranolol and it really helps my anxiety. Also helps headaches and tremors for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
water Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 I take propranolol for my hand tremors. I use Valium as needed, lowest dose, for panic attacks and for performance and social anxiety. They both work wonderfully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velvet Elvis Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 I've had good luck with clonidine but it made me dopey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix_Rising Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 I take 200 mg of metoprolol daily for anxiety and tremors. Like the other posters have said, it helps mainly with the physical stuff and anxiety maintenance. I use it in combination with klonopin and gapapentin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 I also take mine with klonopin and xanax. I noticed the biggest difference though when I started the propranolol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt07 Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 The beta blocker that helped get me through a very difficult anxious period recently was Atenolol. It was really great and it is more selective than propranolol which means less chance for it contributing to depression. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted May 18, 2014 Share Posted May 18, 2014 The beta blocker that helped get me through a very difficult anxious period recently was Atenolol. It was really great and it is more selective than propranolol which means less chance for it contributing to depression. My neuro wanted me to try it for migraines, and I developed bruxism. Good times. Rare side effect, but a lot of Drs. know about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light Posted May 20, 2014 Author Share Posted May 20, 2014 Thank you all heaps for your helpful replys! I take propranolol, mainly for anxiety. The thing is, it won't help in the moment. And I don't think it would prevent it. But it make them more bearable. It's worth a shot. Plus you can take them before anxiety provoking situations. I take them before speeches, exams, demos, stuff like that. It really helps. Ah - interesting - I wonder if any Beta blocker would help in the moment type thing. Beta blockers help mainly with the physical symptoms of anxiety. They will help with heart pounding, chest tightness, and shaking. They won't take away the psychological aspects of anxiety. However, getting rid of the physical symptoms can sometimes be a big help, and I have found that it keeps anxiety from feeding on itself. Nothing worse than when anxiety feeds.. : The beta blocker that helped get me through a very difficult anxious period recently was Atenolol. It was really great and it is more selective than propranolol which means less chance for it contributing to depression. That' would be bloody amazing when it does'nt add to sht that you're already going through! ( F depression! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 Ah - interesting - I wonder if any Beta blocker would help in the moment type thing. Propranolol helps me pretty much right away (I take the immediate release ones). I take 10 mg, 3x/day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koa Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 Propranolol helped me a lot with akathisia when I was first starting risperdal. Akathisia to me is very similar to anxiety, so I would think it would be worth trying, especially if your anxiety is very physical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacelizard Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 I've had mixed success with it. The first time I took it, I felt slightly lightheaded then nothing. But when I took it more recently, it worked great. It made me feel completely calm and relaxed. As other people have said, beta blockers aren't for immediate release and if you have panic attacks or your anxiety just escalates really quickly, it may not be beneficial. The other thing to think about is blood pressure. If you run on the low side, your pdoc might not want to prescribe it as it'll tank your BP and you might pass out. Overall, I think it's worth it to talk to your doctor about because if it works it's something to add to your arsenal that isn't habit forming and you can use three or four times a day. Let us know how it goes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Oddly, the propranolol didn't lower my blood pressure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LikeMinded Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 I've had good luck with clonidine but it made me dopey. IIRC, Clonidine is an *alpha-2* **agonist** (activator!!), although functionally that means it's the same as a beta blocker. It just reduces NE activity by telling the system to not make so much NE, as the alpha-2 receptor is an autoreceptor that tells NE to STFU and GTFO when there's too much of it. But you probably knew that already and likely do not appreciate this bachelor of science in molecular biology lecturing you on the subject. Sorry, but just had to rant there on a chemical basis. Heh. I never tried the BB family myself, but apparently the lungs have beta receptors (and no alpha ones!), and BBs can therefore cause asthmatic reactions. My mother has wheezing on atenolol. I'm not trying this family until proven safe. Clonidine for me it is!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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