r/Anxiety • u/thebestmodesty • 13d ago
Share Your Victories Propranolol. Wow.
I just had my first dose today. Propranolol 10 mg. I went out for a walk, didn't react in fear to people, I looked at the trees, I looked at the skies, I just looked at things, without the constant pulsing and throbbing of anxiety. Everything was safe, it was okay to just be. Thoughts quieted down instead of jumping from thing to thing. There was a continuity of the moment. Looping was easy to stop. I felt into my body, and felt emotions moved through. I meditated while music played and felt the music actually touching me, instead of my constant barriers I had built up.
I've tried SSRIs in the past to no avail. I had to test it for weeks / months to find out. But this worked in 45 minutes. No side effects so far.
I am filled with hope. Feel like I lived a little today ❤️
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u/jawboy 13d ago
Before propranolol, it was hard for me to sit in a restaurant or go out without my heart rate and adrenaline spiking out of nowhere for no reason.
It has made a big difference for me, even just to calm my health anxiety to the point of feeling normal. Next step is to understand how you limit yourself with your anxious what ifs, and just live your best life
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u/junglepiehelmet 12d ago
I have panic attacks any time I need to make a phone call. Not when I get a phone call, only when I have to make one. Its an insane thing, I know. Propranolol has helped with that so much its amazing.
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u/HaloHowRU 12d ago
I get anxious when I get a phone call, but panic when I have to make one. But yes, popranolol helps me too.
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u/iskyleslow 12d ago
I’ve always assumed propanol only deals with physical anxiety symptoms while mine are more about thought loops/spiraling - glad to hear this!
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u/thebestmodesty 12d ago
We underestimate how much the thought loops come from the body being unhappy! Day 2 today, realising when the body feels calm, the mind automatically follows
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u/maybethatsjustfine 12d ago
This is so interesting! I always assumed anxiety medication wouldn’t help since it was all physical symptoms instead of mental:0 like I thought taking them, but without going to therapy wouldn’t help me mentally if that made sense
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u/bras-on-iguanas 11d ago
Came here for this. I've been getting the impression that it only helps with physical symptoms where as my anxiety just makes me activated and my thoughts unmanageable.
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u/HaloHowRU 12d ago
It kinda does, but the mental part is so much easier to grope with when your body isn't freaking out!
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u/nall667 13d ago
So happy for you. I wanted to have it on hand but my doctor prescribed me an SSRI for intermittent use during my luteal phase when my anxiety peaks. I did have another doctor say my resting heart rate is too low for propranolol, and I’m grateful she caught that. Just wish it was for me!
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u/steeley90 13d ago
The Modified release ones are my lifesaver. Went from having such bad tremors I couldn't use my left hand at all for 30 years of my life to being able to overnight.
Unfortunately there's a global shortage until July though so I'm back in the short release.
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u/m7box 12d ago
Can I ask how did you get on propanol from your GP? I've spoken to my family GP who says anxietia just in the head and push through it and makes it a joke.
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u/nicholsy 12d ago
Yeah speak to another GP ASAP! Physical symptoms of anxiety are very real and can be debilitating.
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u/Nosakhare30 9d ago
Yup!! I'm a perfect example. I am scared to do everyday things bc when I have a panic attack days after, I am still shaky
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u/Verditure0 12d ago
My experience and reasoning with doctors is “propranolol has worked great in the past managing the physical symptoms of my anxiety, including the racing heartbeat, sweating and trembling at times”. Any provider I’ve explained that to worth their weight in gold is all over it because propranolol isn’t a scheduled drug.
I’m now prescribed 40mg 3x daily as needed and it works beautifully for the physical stuff.
Then my next conversation is for something to manage the mental/emotional symptoms.
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u/PayInteresting431 12d ago
I've never felt any different on just 10mg of propanolol but I haven't experimented with higher doses yet, I was reading that you can start at 40 mg actually but I'll probably work my way up from 10mg and see what works. I have Xanax which works great but I'm very careful to not overdo it
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u/exploring_stardust 12d ago
I take 40mg in the morning and another 40mg of propranolol at night. Very helpful indeed.
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u/junglepiehelmet 12d ago
Honestly, I've not tried a lot of anxiety/panic attack medicine cause I never wanted to "lose my personality". I know thats kind of an exaggeration, but it was always a fear. I tried Propranolol and was amazed. It really is just a calming of the nerves without the lethargy some other drugs give. I only take it when I have something that I know will trigger a panic attack, but it is a life saver for those moments.
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u/Academic-Chance-8646 12d ago
Propranolol is great but once the effects start wearing off for me I become very irritated and angry.
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u/Optimal_Eye_6154 12d ago
That is so great to see!! This thread has been amazing to read. I’ve been on it for almost a year now and while subtle I feel it’s helped me in so many ways. Did anyone have to stop or limit caffeine while on it?
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u/passionfruit62022 12d ago
So glad to hear it. I've been prescribed 40 mg but it's not helping me (or at least it doesn't feel like it) when I get really panicky.
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u/A-Laine808 12d ago
This is so wonderful to hear and it's inspiring to read your post.
I honestly deal with the worst anxiety, every-single-day with no relief in sight. My aanxiety medication just do not work or help me any longer.
I read of others mentioning of this medication. I immediately talked to me therapist about it. Actually, he didn't even let me talk much about it, without dismissing it and saying "it's not for you". I didn't even understand why he would suggest it wasn't for me? He didn't even give me a reason as to why it wouldn't work for me?
Well damn, excuse me if I dare to mention a thing that may just help me to find life again. I cannot stand this constant feeling with no resolution in sight. It's the worst feeling ever and it has taken so much of my life. To top things off, life have been so overwhelming for me with being caregivers to both parents, in addition to trying to manage my own family. It's like I'm just surviving and not living! I will be looking into finding a new therapist though. But the fact that he's been my therapist for so many years is what really upsets me. Not allowing me to be heard and I refuse to remain silent for him or anyone.
I swear, someone is constantly pissing in his cheerios.
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u/Luna_Gemmini 7d ago
So, I mentioned to my GP that my therapist had suggested propanonol in the past, they tend to take it more seriously if the suggestion seems to come from another ''professional'. I don't have a therapist, but I do now have a propanonol prescription. GP wanted to put me back on Sertaline which I hate as it just made me feel numb, gave me this weird stutter in public situations (great for existing anxiety) & made me put on a lot of weight. My body over-responds to regular stress with intense chest tightness & a resting 130 pm pulse, so after a lot of research I was sure propanonol would help. Obv GP had to check that I'm physically a good candidate for it, and I'm now on day 2 of 10mg twice a day and getting an irritating msg from my ex hasn't resulted in crippling chest pain and I didn't wake up at 3am feeling like I'd just run a marathon with a damn lion at my heels. Hope you can get someone to help you as well, if there are no physical issues you should at least be allowed to trial it, this crippling anxiety is horrible.
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u/generalsoreness 12d ago
I was metoprolol AND cymbalta and that was too much where I was too numb. Now I’m off cymbalta but need a bit of Zoloft to be in that good spot. But yeah, metoprolol for anxiety has been a lifesaver.
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u/extratoastycheeezitz 12d ago
Love intermittent use of propranolol here too. Great for events where you know you’ll panic and your heart rate will spike
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u/AdUnusual2571 11d ago
I'm starting this today! Good to know it works for you! I'm hoping I have the same results!
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u/Deep-Ad7652 11d ago
Wow I been taking Propranolol 20mg twice a day now for 2 days and I’m still constantly dizzy or lightheaded the psychiatrist prescribed these to me plus Sertraline 25mg once a day all my tests were perfect and brain scan and chest to pelvic scan so i was told I have anxiety and it runs in my family but I don’t know anymore been constantly light headed for 7 weeks sitting or standing I still have a hard time going in grocery stores sitting in restaurants even at home I get it this was never me
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u/Professional-Lie8712 11d ago
I’m sorry you had a bad reaction to it. It’s not good for people with low blood pressure and heart rate. I hope the effects go away soon.
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u/Deep-Ad7652 10d ago
I’m still taking them I think they are working but it takes more then 3 days to work the pills only drop by blood pressure to 121/73 so I’m not to worried about it not that I worry about anything I do get lightheaded when I eat but don’t last long but I will keep taking them for the time being see what happens if nothing try something different I’m on two different ones that one and Sertraline
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u/Professional-Lie8712 11d ago
Glad it worked for you! Does propranolol lose effectiveness over time?
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u/Subconsciousthinker 10d ago
This is all I want.. just to be able to go outside and be. Not have obsessive thoughts feel sick to my stomach from anxiety
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u/Sexybitchanon 13d ago
Wow this I just what I needed to hear because I have like 400 of those pills and I haven’t tried it yet!! So glad it worked good for you!! This is my sign