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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by saturn on October 18, 2006, at 21:55:54
My worst manifestation of social phobia/situational anxiety is a strong and rapid heart rate.Usually this is treated with a beta blocker.
I'm wondering if an appropriate benzo dosage could serve to prevent the need for a beta blocker by preventing the brain states that lead to peripheral symptoms.
Any thoughts or experiences? I'd much rather use a benzo prn than a beta blocker if it would be at least modestly comparable in preventing physical symptoms of anxiety. Peace.
Posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2006, at 22:35:07
In reply to benzo vs beta blocker, posted by saturn on October 18, 2006, at 21:55:54
When I was working as an RN expert witness in court I'd take an extra xanax before entering the courtroom. It helped. Love Phillipa
Posted by Izzy50 on October 18, 2006, at 22:56:59
In reply to Re: benzo vs beta blocker » saturn, posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2006, at 22:35:07
I have taken propolanol with little results.
My doc is now prescribing a bezo.
Seems to work better, but makes me sluggish.
Posted by bassman on October 19, 2006, at 18:05:01
In reply to Re: benzo vs beta blocker, posted by Izzy50 on October 18, 2006, at 22:56:59
Beta blockers make me feel like I'm in a fog, maybe even a depressed fog. My current doc won't prescribe one for me because my normal pulse is 45 and she feels it really doesn't need to be slower. :>} But beta blockers do work better than benzos for a pounding heart. If you try a benzo, I'd try Xanax-I think you need a lot of soothing to keeep the heart from pumping loudly- panic disorder guys use it for just that on a regular basis.
Posted by sdb on October 19, 2006, at 21:05:36
In reply to benzo vs beta blocker, posted by saturn on October 18, 2006, at 21:55:54
Interestingly diazepam has slight cardiodepressant action. Your heart will beat "smoother".
Nadolol (betablocker) is an option for longterm treatment. It is indicated for migraine prophylaxis and longterm antihypertensive. It does not cross blood-brain barrier easily and it is not metabolized.
The bad thing is that if you have once taken a benzo you will not be willing to do it without anymore. You will simply become lazy to anxiety provoking situations.
Posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2006, at 21:25:34
In reply to Re: benzo vs beta blocker, posted by sdb on October 19, 2006, at 21:05:36
Not true for me I fight taking the benzos and practice desensitization daily. Love Phillipa
Posted by sdb on October 19, 2006, at 21:43:30
In reply to Re: benzo vs beta blocker » sdb, posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2006, at 21:25:34
dear phillipa
I think it depends on your character, you're probably a hard fighter :-) ???
Staying on the lowest possible dosage depending on your situation could be a good strategy.
how much val. do you take daily?
Love sdb
Posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2006, at 21:52:31
In reply to Re: benzo vs beta blocker }} Phillipa, posted by sdb on October 19, 2006, at 21:43:30
20mg at bedtime been on it for over 30years. And I am a hard fighter. When I want to stay in bed I get up . Won't give up a fight I know I can win. Love Phillipa ps my dose hasn't changed has actually gone down in those years as one time a pdoc had me on 20cc of chloral hydrate, klonopin, and xanax at bedtime. And xanax and klonopin during the day too.
Posted by sdb on October 19, 2006, at 22:05:24
In reply to Re: benzo vs beta blocker }} Phillipa » sdb, posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2006, at 21:52:31
> 20mg at bedtime been on it for over 30years. And I am a hard fighter. When I want to stay in bed I get up . Won't give up a fight I know I can win. Love Phillipa ps my dose hasn't changed has actually gone down in those years as one time a pdoc had me on 20cc of chloral hydrate, klonopin, and xanax at bedtime. And xanax and klonopin during the day too.
You seem to be a fighter and it's possible to be a winning fighter... stay the course to be a winning
fighter!!!Val. will be more effective by time if you're ageing due to slower metabolism.
love sdb
Posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2006, at 22:42:31
In reply to Re: benzo vs beta blocker }} Phillipa » sdb, posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2006, at 21:52:31
Thanks I needed to hear that. Love Phillipa. Ps how bout an e-mail when you get time?
Posted by saturn on October 20, 2006, at 7:01:06
In reply to Re: benzo vs beta blocker }} Phillipa » sdb, posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2006, at 21:52:31
a test run of 25 mg atenolol and .25 niravam for an upcoming "event"...didn't notice much, but then again I wasn't in a stressful situation when I took it. Doc said I could double up on either one. Hopefully just knowing that I'm on both of them in itself will help to chill me out. I'm wondering though which one I should double up on if only one. Thanks for the responses. Peace...Saturn.
Posted by bassman on October 20, 2006, at 7:34:06
In reply to Re: benzo vs beta blocker, posted by sdb on October 19, 2006, at 21:05:36
Good point-you have to get on a schedule with benzos and then not violate it no matter what. Then your use will go down with time, at least in my experience. If you start saying, "I'm going to be anxious because I'm going to do activity X" and take more benzo in preparation, you're in trouble. The idea is to stay functional, not to be eternally comfortable.:>}
Some of us have the opposite problem-as soon as I start to feel a bit comfortable, I start withdrawing benzos...which is O.K. until I get crazy and decide to see how low I can go and therefore, how miserable I can make myself.
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2006, at 19:32:11
In reply to Re: benzo vs beta blocker » sdb, posted by bassman on October 20, 2006, at 7:34:06
sdb,I do that too!!!!Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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