Posted by utopizen on January 9, 2003, at 8:33:11
In reply to beta blockers for anxiety??, posted by biovsenvio? on January 9, 2003, at 6:35:17
> anyone have any lick with beta blockers for anxiety...short term/long term..inderal, propranol?? also...what side effects go along with these meds... weight gain?? thanks- jodi
>I think Inderal is Propananol's brand name.
Anyway, try it out. I remember a couple times popping the things a year ago and becoming very talkative and outgoing. All it does is supress adrenaline function, so I don't know how to explain this-- but I'd like to get another script and try it out, this time measuring what dose I take.
It'll probably give pretty bad dry mouth, which isn't good since people who take it for anxiety typically use it as needed for public speaking, which requries lots of saliva. Um, thankfully I have a dry mouth pill, but you'd have to talk with your doctor on that one.
Anyway, it slows down your heart, so don't pop them like I did, I'm just a crazy experimental kid. And frankly, I couldn't explain why it would make me talkative. And don't take it if you do sports, obviously. Also, it's contraindicated in some depressants due to heart slow-down, since the combined effect of one depressant slowing down your heart along with a beta blocker could possibly stop your heart. But taking, say, the typical anti-anxiety dose of 20mg, as needed, according to my pharmacist, is not an issue. That's more of an issue with people who take it for their heart, who take 60-80mg regularly.
Basically, all your physical symptoms will go away at the correct dose. Sweat palms, racing heart, that stuff. But it will only reduce anxiety if your anxiety is a result of your
body getting nervous upon realizing your palms
are sweaty, etc., which is something you won't know about until you try the beta blocker. If it doesn't work, it simply means your anxiety is more complicated, and CBT + drug treatments are a good option.
poster:utopizen
thread:135058
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030106/msgs/135067.html