Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Kathleen on December 06, 2013, 03:51:18 PM
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Hello ladies.
I saw a different GP recently and told her that I'd been taking 10mg of Propranolol, a beta blocker, every morning to help with anxiety. She said this wasn't a good idea and these drugs should only be used for short term relief, when facing an exam for example. As a consequence I've stopped using them and now only take an anti-depressant ( I'm not on HRT). Could this be right do you think? The doctor who prescribed them has left the practice and his advice was to take one or two as required for anxiety, well as I am anxious most mornings I thought I was doing the right thing but maybe not? My problem now is of course I feel anxious and on edge throughout the day and my heart is often palpitating. I did mention Diazepam as a replacement but she refused to consider it, saying I should try Red Clover or Black Cohosh instead. I said that I understood that Black Cohosh can cause liver problems and she said it would be alright as a lot of the magazines recommended it! I felt like asking if those magazines included The British Medical Journal but by then I'd given up on the consultation and wanted to leave asap.
So, to return to the point, do any of you ladies have experience of Beta Blockers and dosage? Any information would be gratefully received.
Many thanks and take care.
K.
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I take exactly the same amount of propanolol as you did. My GP has put me on a repeat prescription and is happy for me to take it for as long as I want. I was also told that I could double the dose if I wanted. I haven't as it makes me feel funny.
I think it helps me as if I forget I don't feel as good as when I take it.
It can be used safely long term as far as I am aware and is not addictive. I would go and see another GP if I were you.
Honeyb
X
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"I said that I understood that Black Cohosh can cause liver problems and she said it would be alright as a lot of the magazines recommended it!"
I think it might be a good idea to change your GP.
I had been given 10mg to try and help with nerve pain.
Nothing was said about using it for short term use only.
I didn't take it for very long cos it didn't reduce pain.
It did really reduce my blood pressure (which wasn't needed), to the extent that I nearly passed out when standing up, I stopped using it. No benefits just problems which hadn't existed previously. But it may work for you, we are all different.
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Black Cohash does have side effects and is not guaranteed to work.
I take 40mg beta blocka each night at 9.00 p.m. (well of course it is ::) ) to avoid that awful panic surge in the mornings. Works usually . Some people do react to Propranolol though, making them hyper rather than having a calming effect.
Change your GP! :-\
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Thank you ladies for your replies.
I will certainly avoid that GP in the future. According to the surgery a replacement for my registered Doctor is expected to arrive soon so I think I will make an appointment with him/her asap.
This forum is such a great place to come for advice and support, thank you once again ladies.
Take care.
K.
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Hi
I have been taking Propananol for a long time....use it for an essential tremour.....also works great for menopausal anxiety....... change GP and find one who has a little more insight into helping us ladies xxx
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Hello Maggies and thank you for your reply.
I will certainly be seeing a different GP in the future!
Take care.
K.
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Have read your post again, crikey, I take 40mg at night and if necessary, another 40mg in the morning ::)
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Hello CLKD.
I know what you mean, we were only talking about 10 measly milligrams after all!
I recently heard of a young woman who was prescribed 10mg three times daily for palpitations and as she is only 20 I doubt she is struggling with the adrenalin surges that menopause brings. She must be a damn sight calmer than I am at the moment, but then again who isn't!
Thank you for your response and take care.
K.
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Age is no barrier, sadly :'( - I had my first panic attack at age 3.
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I was prescribed the lowest dose beta Blockers five years ago when I stated with panic attacks, I only took one and it frightened the life out of
me, my arms and legs felt as if they had lead weights attached to them and my head felt so strange, never again! I couldn't take ADs either.
I managed my own way to get over panic attacks and anxiety but it took a few years.