[RisuNeko]

Has anyone experienced weight gain, especially around their middle, from propranolol? Or any cognitive effects, like cognitive dulling? Or confusion or forgetfulness? Or poor recall of words?

Let me know! I'm trying to figure out which meds to trim off my list and I know propranolol has been known to cause weight gain, and I'm already obese (i've lost 37 lbs though through diet exercise and metformin) and feel like I don't need 3 medications for anxiety. That's just overkill. The only thing propranolol helped with was my driving anxiety and I feel like I've improved on that in the last year.

[pinkflower17]

See my response to your other posts, but less likely. That's probably the lesser evil of all your meds. Too bad your psych is being weird about your wellbutrin. They've approved both Topamax and wellbutrin combos for weight loss and the Topamax doesn't need to be more than 50 mg/day to be effective, the wellbutrin however, was effective in the 150-300 mg/day range.
Good luck. Sorry you're struggling so much.

[RisuNeko]

Yeah I'm at 75 wellbutrin, which makes no sense. it's doing nothing. I wish it was up to 300! Then it might actually help me focus. I didn't know it helped with weight loss too.

[ChipperMonkey]

Heart meds are known for water retention. I gained a bit of weight on Atenolol. But, it was all water weight as I just felt puffy.

[RisuNeko]

Im now going off the propranolol. Down to two doses a day instead of 3. If i lost a little water weight in my tummy i could fit into those jeans i bought knowing id lose weight soon on metformin diet and exercise.

[pinkflower17]

I'm glad you managed to get off the Topamax. Propranolol can cause weight gain, but it's usually not water retention. I guess it could be in some people. That's more common with calcium channel blockers. It also causes depression in a lot of people, so hopefully getting off that will improve your mood. If I had to guess as to one med that's inhibiting your weight loss, it would be the perphenazine. Most of the first gen antipsychotics are known for their weight gain properties. Maybe something to think about changing? Have you had any improvement with the ADD symptoms on the increased wellbutrin dose?

[RisuNeko]

I'm off the propranolol and the perphenezine now thankfully. Haven't noticed anymore weight loss unfortunately but last week I lost 4 lbs. None this week.

The wellbutrin seems to be helping a little with my mood energy and motivation but I haven't noticed much of anything as far as focus and attention is concerned. I still can't read and homework takes me 4 times longer than it should and I still forget to do a million things at work and make stupid mistakes. And a bunch of other problems like losing things and being really unorganized but those are the most concerning problems right now.

[Captinbipolar]

Propranolol gave me cognitive issues but I have to stay on it for my migraines. I'm on 120mg a day Xr. I didn't gain any weight with it but I'm too skinny anyways. I have noticed the anti anxiety effect wore of very quick for me but it did help my tremors. It seems relatively side effect free now that I've been on it for so long. I did rebel for a while and stop taking it when depressed and noticed I had more energy and focus. Glad to see you got off it successfully with no problems. I wish you the best of luck with your quest to find the right combo of medication.

[RisuNeko]

Thanks. I'm sorry it gave you cognitive issues. I feel like maybe I AM on the right combo of meds now. I'm still having some hallucinations for some reason but so far they don't bother me so I don't see it as an issue. I feel like I'm finally at a comfortable baseline and actually between episodes for once ( haven't been that way for 3 years). It's a good feeling. My mind seems a little more clear. I haven't been having problems finding words and my memory is a bit better. I'm happy to say I feel just fine.

[Captinbipolar]

That's amazing to hear! I'm so happy for you! I know what you mean about feeling normal and still having minor hallucinations. I get that way and mine are always shapes and colors that I see. They never bug me to much unless I'm like that and have to drive! Again so happy for you!

[RisuNeko]

Mine are mostly voices or sounds like footsteps or clanging and crashing except one night i was having weird tactile hallucinations. I just find it interesting that my brain is making things up for me to sense. It makes my life more interesting from a scientific standpoint and that's my favorite standpoint.