![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tina1 on May 24, 2000, at 22:16:30
Hey bud: What can you tell me about propranolol as an anxiety cure? Just read something about it and got totally confused, I thought it was a blood pressure med. Thanks--Tina
Posted by kazoo on May 25, 2000, at 1:42:09
In reply to CAM!!! What's Propranolol, posted by Tina1 on May 24, 2000, at 22:16:30
> Hey bud: What can you tell me about propranolol as an anxiety cure? Just read something about it and got totally confused, I thought it was a blood pressure med. Thanks--Tina
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Greetings to Tina1.
Propranolol is the generic name for INDERAL, a beta-blocker given to those with heart problems. It's a rather
old drug, rarely used because of the newer ones on the market.
Some time back it was serendipitously discovered that concert musicians, who took the drug prior a performance,
would overcome stage fright (of course, being a musician before the public is a frightening experience).
Psychiatrists sometimes dole it out for anxiety relief. Though this drug does work for many people, it did not
work, nor help, me. I couldn't cope with the side effects and flushed it after a couple of weeks.kazoo
Posted by paul on May 25, 2000, at 12:28:03
In reply to Re: CAM!!! What's Propranolol, posted by kazoo on May 25, 2000, at 1:42:09
propranolol is also the anti-tremor drug given to lithium users who experience bothersome hand tremors. i use it because when i was on wellbutrin, i shook like a leaf and my not-worth-a-damn wish-he-was-a-doctor refused to believe both the literature and my wavering hands that wb was the cause, which it was. thanks to this heartless arse, i have a regularly recurring tremor which propranolol relieves most effectively. it does seem to have a bit of anxiety-reducing power as well. gd lk
pcl
Posted by NikkiT on May 25, 2000, at 14:36:15
In reply to CAM!!! What's Propranolol, posted by Tina1 on May 24, 2000, at 22:16:30
Tina!!!
This is the beta blocker the pdoc has me on to counter act the panic attacks / anxiety. he justc hanged my effexor to Dutonin, but is keeping me on these.
not sure if it's helping, will keep you updated now I'm off the effexor (pdoc thinks the effexor was causing the panic)
keep in touch, we seem to be in pretty similar positions...
Nikki xx
> Hey bud: What can you tell me about propranolol as an anxiety cure? Just read something about it and got totally confused, I thought it was a blood pressure med. Thanks--Tina
Posted by z on May 25, 2000, at 15:04:00
In reply to CAM!!! What's Propranolol, posted by Tina1 on May 24, 2000, at 22:16:30
hi tina,
propranolol has helped me greatly!! i take it
about an hour and a half before i have to perform
onstage or go to an audition. in turn, i don't get
as nervous when performing--my heart doesn't race,
my voice doesn't shake, i don't sweat as much, etc.
my understanding is that it doesn't actually treat
the anxiety, but eliminates the disabling symptoms
of anxiety (which usually increase one's initial
anxiety). my doctor also said that i should not
take it regularly--only as needed. for a potential
side effect of it is depression.hope this helps!
-z
Posted by Cam W. on May 25, 2000, at 23:23:53
In reply to CAM!!! What's Propranolol, posted by Tina1 on May 24, 2000, at 22:16:30
> Hey bud: What can you tell me about propranolol as an anxiety cure? Just read something about it and got totally confused, I thought it was a blood pressure med. Thanks--Tina
Tina - The fence builders cut our phone line yesterday and it was just restored about 1/2 hour ago. Sorry that I could not answer sooner.
Low dose propranolol seems to have good mood stabilizing effect in many people. I have also seen it work wonders in people with migraines and have been tempted to try it for stage fright before a presentation (haven't yet).
Doses used for the above indications are much lower than are used for hypertension (it is a ß-blocker).
One thing to watch for when starting it is orthostatic (postural) hypotension. That is when you get up from a sitting or lying down position too fast and feel dizzy or faint. This usually only happens at the start of therapy. To avoid it you should get up slowly (eg when in bed, sit up slowwly and sit on the side of the bed for a minute or two before standing up slowly. This gives the veins in your legs a chance to close (ß-blockers slow the reaction time of your veins contracting). Basically what is happening in the when you get up fast your blood pools in your legs and leaves your head, causing fainting and dizziness (this is due to gravity). Your body will adjust to this side effect after a week or so.
I have been surprized how well propranolol has work for preventing migraines and as an augmenting agent (or sometimes by itself) to stabilize mood.
Doses for mood stabilization are generally 60mg to 80mg daily. This can be taken 3 or 4 times daily (20mg at a time) with the inexpensive short-acting version or once daily as 60mg (80mg) long-acting version.
Hope this helps. - Cam
P.S. Our nurses and support staff have initiated a job action (strike), so I will be too busy to post for the next little while, as I have to take care of all medication problems, refill requests and help follow those clients who were released early from the hospital because of the strike. Fun times! There are about 7 of us doing the work of 70. - C.
Posted by Orin on May 26, 2000, at 0:00:45
In reply to Re: CAM!!! What's Propranolol, posted by NikkiT on May 25, 2000, at 14:36:15
Based on my experience with it, I'd advise avoiding propranolol if you are being treated for depression. It really can push back into an episode. In fact, I'd avoid it if you have hypertension. It just slows everything down too much, esp. heart rate and thinking ability. Atenolol, another beta blocker, also can mask anxiety symptions, and it feels more refined. But its a prodepressant too.
Posted by Cam W. on May 26, 2000, at 7:06:47
In reply to Re: CAM!!! What's Propranolol, posted by Orin on May 26, 2000, at 0:00:45
Orin - At a 60mg to 80mg daily dose there is little risk cognitive impairment or decreased heart rate. I have never seen a depressive relapse, just the opposite. In theory it can happen, but again, I believe the doses to be too low for it to be a trigger. I have found that atenolol does not work near as well for mood stabilization or migraines. Propranolol is a very safe drug (safer than MAOIs, lithium or even clozapine) when taken in lower doses (ie not overdosing on). Doses for hypertension are 120mg to 160mg daily. When augmenting something like lithium at bedtime, I have seen 20mg of propranolol in the morning work like a charm.Sincerely - Cam
Posted by Tina1 on May 26, 2000, at 15:29:37
In reply to What's Propranolol, posted by Cam W. on May 25, 2000, at 23:23:53
Does anything else (like celexa, Xanax or serzone) cause orthostatic hypertension? I have had this condition for many years but never knew it had a name. Every single time I get up from sitting or lying down I get dizzy, sometimes have to fall to my knees. Always been that way. My blood pressure is 110/70, a little low but could that be the problem or could it be the meds I'm on?
> Hey bud: What can you tell me about propranolol as an anxiety cure? Just read something about it and got totally confused, I thought it was a blood pressure med. Thanks--Tina
>
> Tina - The fence builders cut our phone line yesterday and it was just restored about 1/2 hour ago. Sorry that I could not answer sooner.
>
> Low dose propranolol seems to have good mood stabilizing effect in many people. I have also seen it work wonders in people with migraines and have been tempted to try it for stage fright before a presentation (haven't yet).
>
> Doses used for the above indications are much lower than are used for hypertension (it is a ß-blocker).
>
> One thing to watch for when starting it is orthostatic (postural) hypotension. That is when you get up from a sitting or lying down position too fast and feel dizzy or faint. This usually only happens at the start of therapy. To avoid it you should get up slowly (eg when in bed, sit up slowwly and sit on the side of the bed for a minute or two before standing up slowly. This gives the veins in your legs a chance to close (ß-blockers slow the reaction time of your veins contracting). Basically what is happening in the when you get up fast your blood pools in your legs and leaves your head, causing fainting and dizziness (this is due to gravity). Your body will adjust to this side effect after a week or so.
>
> I have been surprized how well propranolol has work for preventing migraines and as an augmenting agent (or sometimes by itself) to stabilize mood.
>
> Doses for mood stabilization are generally 60mg to 80mg daily. This can be taken 3 or 4 times daily (20mg at a time) with the inexpensive short-acting version or once daily as 60mg (80mg) long-acting version.
>
> Hope this helps. - Cam
>
> P.S. Our nurses and support staff have initiated a job action (strike), so I will be too busy to post for the next little while, as I have to take care of all medication problems, refill requests and help follow those clients who were released early from the hospital because of the strike. Fun times! There are about 7 of us doing the work of 70. - C.
Posted by Noa on May 26, 2000, at 15:56:24
In reply to Re:Orthostatic hypertension, posted by Tina1 on May 26, 2000, at 15:29:37
Tina, do you mean orthostatic hyPOtension, ie, low pressure?
I got that when I was on high doses of regular effexor. It occured when I stood up, or even when I laughed hard. I would start to black out. Interestingly, it doesn't happen with effexor xr.
I have also had it at times when I was anemic. I can't tell you I understand what causes it. Someone else here probably can.
Posted by Cam W. on May 26, 2000, at 19:03:26
In reply to Re:Orthostatic hypertension, posted by Tina1 on May 26, 2000, at 15:29:37
Tina - Yes,what you are describing sounds like it could be orthostatic hypotension. Some people have it naturally, but usually it is medication-induced. Serzone, and to a lesser extent, Xanax and Serzone may also cause this, but not as frequently as propranolol (esp. at higher doses). It is not usually dangerous, unless you hit your head when you fall. Basically what is happening is your body rises in elevation and your blood is left behind at the lower elevation. - Cam
Posted by Orin on May 27, 2000, at 1:30:25
In reply to Re: CAM!!! What's Propranolol - Orin, posted by Cam W. on May 26, 2000, at 7:06:47
>Cam:
Thanks for extra information on propranolol. I wish I'd received the same benefits from the drug.
I was on propranolol from 1978 to 1980. For hypertension. Don't precisely remember the dose, but 80mg/day sounds familiar. I thought it had a great added benefit of keeping my panic attacks from hitting with full force. It was like adding a resistor to a circuit. It induced bradycardia--at one dose my pulse rate was in the low 40s.
It impaired my memory.During 1979 I went into an extended depressive episode that did not begin to remit until another doc took me off the drug. The doc and I later blamed the drug for starting that one. I recently convinced a long time propranolol user to try a newer antihypertensive. She reported improvement in mood with more energy.
The idea that certain conditions will respond to inderal plus lithium is a new one for me and very interesting.
Best regards. Orin
Posted by Cam W. on May 27, 2000, at 21:54:05
In reply to Re: CAM!!! What's Propranolol - Orin, posted by Orin on May 27, 2000, at 1:30:25
Orin - Thanks for your info on your experiences with propranolol. Every little bit helps to get a clearer view of the big picture. Thanks for the impaired memory part. We have one guy taking it who keeps forgetting his appointments (didn't until last year, and I believe that was when he was started on propranolol). I'll have to mention this to his doc. Thanks again - Cam
Posted by NikkiT on May 30, 2000, at 11:33:05
In reply to Re: CAM!!! What's Propranolol - Orin, posted by Cam W. on May 26, 2000, at 7:06:47
getting a little worried now!!! I've a history of low blood pressure (and low temperature wierdly!!), and my pdoc has put me on propranolol, 50mg am, and 50mg pm. I've been blacking out, or nearly blacking out ALOT over the past couple of weeks, and getting strange head sensations... Also, for the past week, when ever I have a cigerette, I can feel all the bloody pumping around me and hear it in my ears.
I asked my pdoc to check my blood pressure but he just dismissed it, and then I forgot when I was at my regular docs this morning. I gotta go back next week (also forgot to get my contraceptive pill prescription!), and they always check BP when you get more pills...
Forgotten what my point was... think it was a question, but sorry.. It's gone..
Nikki
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.