Posted by yxibow on September 3, 2008, at 0:30:36
In reply to Can Occasional Propranolol Use Cause Depression?, posted by BGB on September 3, 2008, at 0:05:12
> I have been taking 60mg of propranolol for tremors and anxiety caused by my medications (1800mg Trileptal, 250mg Lamictal, 400mg Wellbutrin SR). Since I found out that it can cause depression a few months ago, and I am already in a horrible depressive episode (I'm BP I), I now take it only 2 or 3 times a week.
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> Do you think that my somewhat infrequent use of propranolol could have any effect on my depression? I feel like I hit rock bottom every day and invariably the next day is even worse. I don't want to take anything that could possibly be contributing to this hell. But, it does give me self-confidence when I am in social situations because it helps so much with the very embarrassing (and occasionally debilitating) tremors. I have Valium and Xanax that I can take, but the propranolol really does work better for the tremors. I take the Valium or Xanax for anxiety, about once or twice a month. A bottle of 30 lasts me a year or two.
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> Thanks, everyone, for your responses! =)Yes, for some people propranolol can cause depression, probably from its blood pressure and pulse lowering, as well as other factors being a CNS depressant somewhat.
But that doesn't mean everyone will, and an occasional use of it may give you a slight headache but I think with all those medications on board (Lamictal and Wellbutrin being anti-depressants) it is unlikely to do it in an occasional (PRN) use.I personally can't get much use out of it unless I take 40-80mg, but I have rather poundage and fast metabolism for some agents.
If you find you're sensitive, I think that taking one agent or another is best rather than both at the same time, which just stacks CNS depressants together.
-- tidings
Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:850006
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080822/msgs/850012.html