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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on February 8, 2014, at 8:44:21
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone here has heard of Atenolol successfully being used for anxiety?
Propranolol works relatively well, but a) depresses me, and b) causes physical fatigue and really bad hypoglycemia. I also find it way harder to fall asleep.
I could handle the former for now, but not the latter .. I have to eat every 3 seconds to remain even-keeled. Oh, and I'm referring to the physical side of anxiety -- agitation, dyspnea, muscle tension etc.
Thanks!
Posted by Phillipa on February 8, 2014, at 8:50:17
In reply to atenolol for anxiety/panic?, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 8, 2014, at 8:44:21
Years and years ago took Lopressor low dose and it caused such fatigue I had to go off it. Took it for about three months maybe longer. This is a similar med isn't it? Will google. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on February 8, 2014, at 8:52:53
In reply to atenolol for anxiety/panic?, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 8, 2014, at 8:44:21
It does list constant hunger as a side effect to be reported to doctor. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on February 8, 2014, at 9:17:44
In reply to atenolol for anxiety/panic?, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 8, 2014, at 8:44:21
> Hi,
>
> I was wondering if anyone here has heard of Atenolol successfully being used for anxiety?
>
> Propranolol works relatively well, but a) depresses me, and b) causes physical fatigue and really bad hypoglycemia. I also find it way harder to fall asleep.
>
> I could handle the former for now, but not the latter .. I have to eat every 3 seconds to remain even-keeled. Oh, and I'm referring to the physical side of anxiety -- agitation, dyspnea, muscle tension etc.
>
> Thanks!Someone here has used atenolol successfully to treat many of the same symptoms you describe. I hope they see your post.
Would you consider your childhood problematic with respect to developmental PTSD (physical abuse; emotional abuse; neglect)? I understand that this is very personal information. You really don't need to share it.
http://www.positivehumandevelopment.com/developmental-ptsd.html
My past would qualify as developmental PTSD. I respond well to prazosin 25 mg/day. It helps with depression and anxiety. Prazosin, in part, acts as a sympatholytic, albeit through a different set of NE receptors than NE beta blockers do. Atenolol acts peripherally only, whereas prazosin enters the brain readily and acts centrally as well as peripherally. Prazosin has been shown to benefit those with adult PTSD whose onset follows an acute traumatic event.
- Scott
Posted by Hugh on February 8, 2014, at 10:29:56
In reply to atenolol for anxiety/panic?, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 8, 2014, at 8:44:21
I've taken both atenolol and propranolol, for anxiety and for mitral valve prolapse. Atenolol is a much cleaner drug. It doesn't cause as much fatigue as propranolol. And I can think more clearly on it. But I would say that propranolol is the more effective of the two for anxiety. Atenolol is certainly worth trying. Just recently I discovered that the supplement monolaurin (made from coconuts) enhances the effects of atenolol.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on February 8, 2014, at 10:37:59
In reply to Re: atenolol for anxiety/panic? » g_g_g_unit, posted by SLS on February 8, 2014, at 9:17:44
Thanks, Scott. Yes, there is definitely an element of childhood abuse to my case, though I couldn't say whether it qualifies as PTSD.
I actually have some Prazosin that I bought online, but it's a pretty small stash. I've tried 2-3mg at a time and do find it quite effective for anxiety. But I'm still dealing with akathisia/restlessness and was told by someone that alpha-1 antagonism can actually exacerbate movement problems, so have tried to use it sparingly.
It's definitely something I would want to revisit in the future, though, hopefully when things are more under control.
> Would you consider your childhood problematic with respect to developmental PTSD (physical abuse; emotional abuse; neglect)? I understand that this is very personal information. You really don't need to share it.
>
> http://www.positivehumandevelopment.com/developmental-ptsd.html
>
> My past would qualify as developmental PTSD. I respond well to prazosin 25 mg/day. It helps with depression and anxiety. Prazosin, in part, acts as a sympatholytic, albeit through a different set of NE receptors than NE beta blockers do. Atenolol acts peripherally only, whereas prazosin enters the brain readily and acts centrally as well as peripherally. Prazosin has been shown to benefit those with adult PTSD whose onset follows an acute traumatic event.
>
>
> - Scott
>
Posted by phidippus on February 8, 2014, at 16:55:15
In reply to atenolol for anxiety/panic?, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 8, 2014, at 8:44:21
A better bet for anxiety would be Pindolol - it is also a 5ht1a agonist.
Eric
Posted by alfbarks007 on February 10, 2014, at 10:05:48
In reply to Re: atenolol for anxiety/panic? » g_g_g_unit, posted by phidippus on February 8, 2014, at 16:55:15
I was taking atenolol 12.5 mgs for blood pressure and I would get up in the morning always stressed out with anxiety and take the pill and sit and watch the news and feel the anxiety leaving my body. Unfortunately it was making my pulse too low at 48 thus causing some light headedness so I went down to 1/4 of a pill and it didn't help my blood pressure as much so Dr. added in Losartan which I do not like at all and it didn't help much at 25 mgs plus the atenolol. I now take a beta blocker called betaxolol and it works good for anxiety but I still have a lot of anxiety from other issues that it seems nothing can touch except good ole valium 2.5 mgs is works wonders for me as needed.
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