Posted by caleb96 on January 17, 2005, at 19:59:52
In reply to Re: Inderal (propranolol hydrochloride) for anxiety??, posted by sdb on January 17, 2005, at 8:12:02
The beta-blockers are great for stage fright. The're use is endemic among concert musicians because they quench the fight-or-flight syndrome without affecting motor skills. I remember about ten years ago I had to play a Mozart concerto (the piano arrangement) before a large audience. I had recently been put on atenolol for borderline high blood pressure. I took 200 mg of atenolol (4X my prescribed dose) about 1 1/2 hours prior to my turn to perform. I felt very mellow, but clear-thinking and with good motor skills as I practiced. Well, everything went well--I did flub one part but quickly recovered.
My LDL is 90 (very good) after 12 years on atenolol. I can't say much for Inderal because it's been replaced by so many beta blockers. I can tell you that beta blockers will only help your anxiety initially; after you've been taking them a while, your body gets tolerant to them. You won't get the adrenaline rush, but you'll still have just as intense anxiety as before.
Beta blockers are great for "situational anxiety" but won't provide much relief for long-term anxiety. I think the benzodiazepines are best for serious, debilitating anxiety. And I think the long-acting (Valium, Klonopin) are more helpful than the short-acting ones (alprazolam, atavan). Also, some of the antidepressants are good at relieving anxiety--I found Effexor particularly effective, although I no longer take it.
Love and sanity,
Caleb
poster:caleb96
thread:442455
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050113/msgs/443404.html