[BlueFaith]

Has anyone ever taken this medicine for anxiety? It's called Inderal, but the generic name for it is Propranolol. It's commonly prescribed for high blood pressure also. I'm just looking for some feedback really! Thanks a bunch!

-Jennifer-

[Greenleaves]

Hi MentalPollution!

My pdoc (the one on leave) gave me 5 pills of 40mg Propranolol for anxiety. I've only taken it 3 times. It stops my heart from racing. It's supposed to stop the physical sensations of anxiety but not the psychological, but it does help the psychological symptoms too because I'm not freaking out because my body is freaking out.

Hope it helps you!

Green

[SandyWeb]

Hi Jennifer,

I've taken Inderal LA (long-acting) for about a year and a half. I take 80 mg in the morning, and 80 mg at night. It is part of my "cocktail" for anxiety.

It helps to keep the heart from being flooded with adrenaline. It is one of the meds that they would have to pry from my hands! It really has helped sooo much with the physical symptoms of anxiety.

And like the other poster mentioned, when you don't feel your body freaking....you tend to not freak psychologically either!!

I wish you all the best. Like I said, I take 160 mg daily......which is actually lower than the dose used for migraines....and much lower than for its labelled use for blood pressure.

God bless,

Sandy

[BlueFaith]

Thanks to both of your for your input!! I appreciate it! I also was wondering about one other thing. Am I supposed to feel the effects of this medicine directly after I take it, or is it one of those drugs that you must take for awhile (like days, or weeks, or months) before you feel the effects?

-Jennifer-

[Greenleaves]

I think for the physical symptoms of anxiety it is one of those drugs that act directly after you take it. I don't know if that's the case for controlling blood pressure.

People can take it for performance anxiety...like 30 mins before taking an exam or giving a speech.

I don't know about the long acting type. I've only taken the generic propranolol.

Green

[CedarS]

I take generic Propanolol, 40 mg. twice daily, to help prevent migraines, it has cut down my rate of migraines enough to make a difference. I'd forgotten about the fact that it is also used for anxiety. Now that I think back, I've been calmer since I began taking it also.

I found this on The Anxiety Community

How does it work? Propranolol blocks chemicals, such as adrenaline, and prevents them from increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen use. It effectively reduces autonomic nervous system arousal (e.g. performance anxiety symptoms, palpitations, hyperventilation, sweating, pounding heartbeat, nausea, disabling tremor). Full benefits in a few hours to weeks, depending on severity of disorder.

When I first started taking it, I had to deal with increased dizziness and fatigue, no longer have increased dizziness, and fatigue is back to my usual level.

Sarah

[BlueFaith]

Oh man!! This medicine makes me feel like CRAP right now. I really do hope this goes away SOOOOOON!!!!!! UGH!!

[inkblot]

I take propranolol for occasional heart problems, but once in a while I will take it extra just to relax me if I am anxious. It makes me tired when I take it.

[Greenleaves]

Is it the side effects? Or are you feeling depressed? I think I've read somewhere that mental depression can be a side effect.

[BlueFaith]

yeah, inky, it makes me sooooo sleepy too. Green, I think it's just the medicine. I've been doing pretty well with the depression here lately (thank God). Like I said, it makes me really sleepy, but it kinda makes my stomach feel sick too. I'm hoping that sick feeling stops... maybe I just have to get used to taking it?

-Jennifer-