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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 tendency on April 6, 2005, at 10:43:58
anyone have experience using beta blockers for anxiety? pros? cons?
Posted by Bill LL on April 6, 2005, at 11:10:20
In reply to beta blockers for anxiety?, posted by tendency on April 6, 2005, at 10:43:58
Yes. I just started on Toprol (aka Lopressor) last week. For the first time in my life, my anxiety related chest discomfort has been relieved. With the relief in anxiety, I am also able to better concentrate.
There have been no cons for me. Depression and tiredness are listed as side effects for beta blockers, but more recent studies have shown that depression does not increase with the use of beta blockers. I have not had any side effects at all. I just feel more comfortable.
> anyone have experience using beta blockers for anxiety? pros? cons?
Posted by Spriggy on April 6, 2005, at 11:11:00
In reply to beta blockers for anxiety?, posted by tendency on April 6, 2005, at 10:43:58
I have wondered about that. My doctor actually mentioned it to me yesterday if my thyroid test shows super high overactive thyroid.
He mentioned something that started with a P... like poperonel. I have no idea..
Anyone else here know if it helps?
Posted by tendency on April 6, 2005, at 11:24:26
In reply to Re: beta blockers for anxiety?, posted by Spriggy on April 6, 2005, at 11:11:00
> I have wondered about that. My doctor actually mentioned it to me yesterday if my thyroid test shows super high overactive thyroid.
>
> He mentioned something that started with a P... like poperonel. I have no idea..
>
> Anyone else here know if it helps?he was probably talking about propranolol which is a fairly common beta blocker. im going in to see pdoc today and get a script for one to try out.
ill report back on how it's going.
Posted by D minor on April 6, 2005, at 11:26:55
In reply to beta blockers for anxiety?, posted by tendency on April 6, 2005, at 10:43:58
I found Inderal/propranolol good for the physical symptoms (tremor, etc) but not so helpful keeping my mind at ease
dm
Posted by ed_uk on April 6, 2005, at 11:31:34
In reply to Re: beta blockers for anxiety?, posted by D minor on April 6, 2005, at 11:26:55
Hi,
Yes, I've tried propranolol for anxiety, it didn't relieve my symptoms at all, not even the physical symptoms. It made me very fatigued and my eyes felt dry and uncomfortable. I'm sorry I don't have anything positive to report!
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by tendency on April 6, 2005, at 11:37:49
In reply to Re: beta blockers for anxiety?, posted by Bill LL on April 6, 2005, at 11:10:20
> Yes. I just started on Toprol (aka Lopressor) last week. For the first time in my life, my anxiety related chest discomfort has been relieved. With the relief in anxiety, I am also able to better concentrate.
>
> There have been no cons for me. Depression and tiredness are listed as side effects for beta blockers, but more recent studies have shown that depression does not increase with the use of beta blockers. I have not had any side effects at all. I just feel more comfortable.
>cool, thanks for the info. that's what im looking for - relief from the physical symptoms. i have a near constant feeling of tightness in the chest along with 'buzzing' energy in solar plexus (not comfortable energy) that I'm looking to obtain relief for. sounds like beta blockers will do the trick.
Posted by rod on April 6, 2005, at 15:22:50
In reply to beta blockers for anxiety?, posted by tendency on April 6, 2005, at 10:43:58
> anyone have experience using beta blockers for anxiety? pros? cons?
yes. i tried propanolol. (Inderal)
A few years ago, a supersamrtgenius :D pdoc gave me a box of inderal. And said I schould take it 3 hours befor an oral exam. Well, so I did and got totally depressed within 1 hour.... but I have passed it anyway.
If you have anxiety without depression it might work for you. But hands off for depressed people in my opinion. depression is an official side effect of such drugs...
thats my story of saying hello to mr. ideral...
oh my
Roland
Posted by Mark H. on April 6, 2005, at 15:40:56
In reply to beta blockers for anxiety?, posted by tendency on April 6, 2005, at 10:43:58
I take pindolol (another beta blocker) as an adjunctive in the treatment of bipolar II disorder. On the positive side, pindolol tends to block the effects of my over-production of adrenaline, and it potentiates the effects of Effexor, allowing me to use a fixed dosage (when in the past -- before pindolol -- I had to keep increasing the amount of Effexor to achieve an anti-depressant effect).
On the negative side, it definitely limits my heart/lung capacity, and I get winded from even the most slight exertion. This of course has led to my becoming even less active and more out of shape. Beta blockers also affect sexual function in men (as can anything that lowers blood pressure). Of course, medications like Viagra and Cialis can help with this.
All that said, the overall effect in conjunction with Effexor is worth the downsides to me.
I realize these comments are not about anxiety, but I thought my nine years worth of experience taking a beta blocker still might be useful to you.
Best wishes,
Mark H.
Posted by emme on April 6, 2005, at 16:24:17
In reply to beta blockers for anxiety?, posted by tendency on April 6, 2005, at 10:43:58
A low dose of atenolol cuts the physical symptoms of anxiety. As far as I can tell it hasn't worsened my depression. I think a low dose helps with exercise b/c I'm not expending as much energy on nerves.
Posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2005, at 19:04:36
In reply to Re: beta blockers for anxiety? » tendency, posted by emme on April 6, 2005, at 16:24:17
I was given 25mg of lopressor to "ready" me for paxil as I was so anxious. All it did was make me tired. As a matter of fact, that is probably why I ended up needing the paxil which made me sick as a dog for about 3 months. Hated a beta blocker. Also if you excercise your heart rate won't go up and I was told that this is dangerous. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by emme on April 6, 2005, at 20:01:41
In reply to Re: beta blockers for anxiety?, posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2005, at 19:04:36
> Also if you excercise your heart rate won't go up and I was told that this is dangerous.
I hit target heart rates w/ absolutely no problem.
Posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2005, at 20:16:31
In reply to Re: beta blockers for anxiety? » Phillipa, posted by emme on April 6, 2005, at 20:01:41
Wow! And I was jogging at the time. And no matter what I did my pulse rate wouldn't go above 80. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by sdb on April 7, 2005, at 13:29:11
In reply to beta blockers for anxiety?, posted by tendency on April 6, 2005, at 10:43:58
for long tearm treatment try:
nadolol (less sideeffects than propranolol and long acting)or oxprenolol retard (slow trasicor)
for short tearm use:
pindolol or oxprenolol
most beta1 selectives are only effective in huge dosages, i can not recommend it.
This is the end of the thread.
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