Propranolol

[Trillipse]

anyone got any good experiences of using beta-blockers to combat the somatic symptoms of stress?

and what about websites offering details of "Coping Strategies" ?

[january_bug]

I was prescribed them for migraine and lasted less than 10 days.  Had awful side affects including scary dreams, pins and needles, and a panic attack that ended up in A&E. 

Sorry that that's not the answer you were looking for, but seems only fair to present the other side. 

I know they can be very good for many people though... good luck.  I'm sure you'll get through this difficult time.  The BBC usually offers sensible advice, as does the NHS website.  Good luck with it all.  :-)

[delilahcat]

Have only taken the odd one for things like taking driving test, singing in public, appearing on TV but found them incredibly helpful as did 3 other people I'd recommended them to for similar occasions. Didn't experience any side effects (in fact was told by my doctor that they don't have any side effects), so this is completely different from january bug's experience, but this is probably because I didn't take more than 2 for each occasion I needed them. Sorry if this isn't much help!

[january_bug]

I didn't make my side effects up.  I was meant to be on a course for a long period of time and was taking 4 a day I think.  They come in different strengths and when I started to feel ill I checked the long list of side effects. 

So once again, I'm not a hypocondriac (however that's spelt), and I wasn't making it up.  I shall know to keep out of this section in future... eh?

[LiverpoolLou]

I took Propranolol about 8 years ago for panic attacks...must admit they had no affect on me, by that I didn't feel any ill affects, but also saying that I didn't think they did anything for me at all...When I was prescribed them my doctor told me just to take them when I need them. Some months later I went for a review by the medical board, and was asked about the medication I took, I said Propranolol....when asked how I felt on them I said, I didn't feel any different.....when asked how often I took them I said my doctor said whenever I need to...the medical examiner then said...they really don't have any affect if you don't take them on a regular basis.

January..don't stop using this topic...you gave your experience of them.....how do we learn about things if people don't tell us their experience. Not everything agrees with each individual.

[january_bug]

Hey LiverpoolLou - hope it's stopped raining.  It's not that my opinion wasn't agreed with.  It's that I don't appreciate being made out to be a liar and a hyperchondriac. 

I'll reiterate - when taking them for migraine (and so far I'm the only person here to have done that), I was taking them 4 times a day, along with 2 paracetamol and one double strength nurofen every time.  I followed the doctor's instructions carefully, and in the packet for the strength I was given, there WERE side effects.  There are side effects to EVERY drug, to suggest otherwise (although I'm not saying it didn't happen) would be, in my opinion, bordering on negligent. 

[Trillipse]

Whoa! easy there J-bug!

What was all that about?

D-Cat was just saying that her experiences were different from yours, surely?

Or do the two of you have a history of animosity?

[Trillipse]

btw, thanks for all your replies:

i've been prescribed them 40mg/day for the stated reason, and so far, so good...

[Albert Park]

I've been on them, for Migraine prevention, and have had no ill-effects with both pills and slow-release capsules.

[Mommavic]

I was on them for a few months for my migrains and had no ill effects, and it didn't sort the migrain out either, i'd stop taking them

[january_bug]

No history of animosity, no presence, and no future I hope (dodgy spelling on my part, sorry!).  I'm just sensitive about these things, and took exception to the 'well my doctor said there aren't any side effects' bit that just seemed to imply a thought that I was making it all up. 

Anyway, I do hope that these, or some tablets work for you soon Trillipse.  Taking them "as and when" my prevent the build up in the system that caused the side effects that some people experience when taking them in the prescribed way that I was. 

Good luck and take care! :-)

[delilahcat]

I've been away from answer

[delilahcat]

I've been away from AB for a while and have only just looked on here and am horrified by january bug's reaction to my reply. As people have pointed out, I was only saying that my experiences were different from his/hers.

I've re-read my reply and nowhere can I see that I said or even implied that january was lying or being a hypochondriac. Thought the idea of AB was to share our experiences.

It feels really horrible to be vilified by someone you've never met for something you haven't done - maybe it'll be me who keeps out of this section in future!