[Cnytroxy1973]

My New P doc just prescribed Propranolol for me. It's actually a Blood Pressure med. I am on Effexor and it has a tendency to raise your blood pressure. He also prescribed it because it has been know to reduce Anxiety. I am suppose to take it 2x a day but my pharmacist told me to start out taking it 1x a day at night for a couple of days because it is going to knock me out. I have taken it 2 nights in a row now but not in the AM yet. (will start in the AM tomorrow).I feel a little less anxious. I was wondering if anyone else has been on it and how they felt on it?

Thanks!

I've recently been prescribed it, too, to go alongside an antidepressant that was causing me more anxiety. Been on Propranolol for about 5 weeks. I haven't had any full-on panic attacks since, and I've really noticed a reduction in the anxiety I've been feeling, and the physical symptoms of that anxiety. Day to day life has been much easier.

I have just had a rough few days because of something that happened, so it's not a total 'cure', but I know I'd have been much worse without the medication, from past experience.

I have been sleeping a lot, so perhaps it is 'knocking me out', but then I tend to sleep a lot because of my depression anyway. It's hard to say. When I am awake though I'm fully alert, not at all drowsy.

It's apparently the drug they prescribe to singers and actors for stage fright. I figured, if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me! lol.

Meds affect different people in different ways though, so I guess the only thing you can do is try it. Hope it works out for you

[Inedible]

Propranolol is great for reducing negative emotions. It has side effects on the amygdala, the section of the brain that processes fear and even anger. It even helps with traumatic memories; if you review them while taking propranolol it makes them less traumatic.

[porcupine2]

I was on propranolol for several years, but when I started getting enema they wanted me to switch to atenolol/chlorathoradone which is a combo beta blocker and diuretic. I had a terrible time weaning off the Prop. Even when I was down to taking 1/8 of a pill I was having terrible reactions. I personally would never go back on it again, even though it did help. I just never want to have to go through something like that again. I never got sleepy from it but it did help with anxiety.

[Cnytroxy1973]

Thank you all for your input! I am finding that it is helping with my anxiety so far so good!

[sunrise]

It is sometimes prescribed as a "take as needed" med for upcoming anxious situations. People with stage fright might take it before a performance. I had a prescription for it at one time and would take right before anxious situations I had coming up to help me be calm through them. I can't remember if it helped me with anxiety in those situations or not, but it made me feel better to know I had something in my pocket I could take something that was supposed to help. I had no side effects.

Yes, Effexor can raise blood pressure in some people. Has it raised yours? I would be cautious about taking blood pressure medication regularly without knowing I had a need for it. If your blood pressure is on the high side and it has increased since beginning Effexor, then it could be a good choice. If your blood pressure is on the low side, it might not be the best choice. Be sure to coordinate with your primary care provider, especially if your Pdoc is not monitoring your blood pressure regularly.

[Cnytroxy1973]

Sunrise,

My BP was a little on the high side when I wasn't taking Effexor (even w/ diet and exercise) then I started the effexor and it went up almost instantly. I have a family history of High BP so my P doc said it was a good choice for me...

It calms me down but doesn't knock me out like I though it would.