[lonelychick]

Hello all,
I haven't posted in awhile and most of my posts are in the bipolar section, but this one is better here, I think. I saw my pdoc on Tuesday and he wants me on a new med for anxiety. I'm currently on Vistaril and I'm not happy with it. He gave me a list of 4 to research and pick from. None of them look ideal, but I'm just not sure. My choices are chlorpromazine, Zyprexa, Seroquel, and propranolol. All would be PRN. I'm leaning towards propranolol. It's the cheapest and has the least possibility of weight gain, which is really important to me right now. I'm just not sure how effective it'll be. Has anyone taken it as a PRN? How did it work? Side effects? Any input is appreciated! Thanks!

[Mindful55]

Hi - I will anxious to hear how the propranolol works for you. My new GP suggested it and I am currently waiting for a RX to be called in. It will be a daily mediation for me. It is also at a very reasonable price.

What symptoms of anxiety do you experience?

[Stronger]

Hello
You may have more luck posting this in the psychiatric medications forum. It helps also to put the name of the possible meds in the title.

Do you know if they are all benzos (benzodiazepines)? That's a type of med that is often used PRN for anxiety. However, my pdoc refused to prescribe me them because they all have a major potential for addiction and it's easy to become dependent on them. But when we started taking me off Effexor, which has horrible, terrible, awful withdraws, she prescribed me one, lorazepam.
Anyway, you probably didn't need to know all that. ohh well

Good luck, my friend!

Three of those meds are antipsychotics. One is, I believe, a beta-blocker. If you have bipolar-related anxiety (which I have) I can tell you that, for me, Seroquel is quite helpful. If you move this post to the Psych meds board you'll probably get more feedback.

[Mustkeepjob32]

Seroquel is wonderful but makes me really sleepy. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) is similar to Seroquel but I don't know if it works as well for me..

[lonelychick]

Thanks for the feedback. None are benzos. My roommate is in recovery - I refuse to even consider being placed on one until my living situation changes. I'm bipolar but not sure if the anxiety is tied to it or not. As far as symptoms go, I run the gamut. Racing heart is the worst one for me physically but I also get bad nausea that sometimes results in dry heaving. My thoughts race out of control and I can't slow them down. I have problems breathing properly. I shake, get weak, feel lightheaded. Pretty much everything that usually goes with anxiety and panic attacks. I'm going to give the propranolol a try. I'll have my doctor phone it in Monday.

[Travelinglady]

Please let us know how it goes.

[lonelychick]

Thanks. I took some for the first time Thursday night. I'm not sure it really did anything at all actually. I'm only taking it PRN. I probably should've taken it a couple times today, but I didn't. Once I was driving and I didn't want to try it. Once I was just being stubborn. We'll see.

[Mustkeepjob32]

The effects of propranolol should be fairly subtle as it's beta blocker that lowers blood pressure and heart rate. Because of that it can decrease some of the physical effects of anxiety.

[Mindful55]

Just started taking propranolol last week. RX is 40 mg twice daily. I am sorry to say it has not brought down my anxiety. I am glad I had the chance to try it. Back to square one...

I hope for better requests for others that are giving a shot!!