Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: JoannFran on October 28, 2024, 03:32:57 PM

Title: stopping Beta blockers (propranolol) withdrawal?
Post by: JoannFran on October 28, 2024, 03:32:57 PM
Hi everyone

I'm 49 and perimenopausal.  I've been having really bad anxiety and ectopic heart beats (PVCs) for the past couple of years.  I was originally given propranolol for the racing heart and anxiety feelings 2 years ago,  but I've since realised after doing a lot of research that the propranolol could be contributing to the PVCs/ectopic beats.  With the go ahead from my Dr I started to taper down a few weeks ago and all has been ok (PVCs are definitely much less).  I've gone from 80mg and now down to 15mg per day (3 x 5mg).  I've done this by slowly dropping over the past couple of weeks.  I was sitting on the sofa just now and could feel my heart start to flutter and when I look on my apple watch it was 137 BPM.  It stayed like that for about 20 seconds and then came down.  Freaked me out a little bit but I'm guessing this is the rebound/withdrawal symptoms?

Anyone had any experience of coming off beta blockers and how did you do it?  How long does withdrawal last?

Thanks so much!
Title: Re: stopping Beta blockers (propranolol) withdrawal?
Post by: CLKD on October 28, 2024, 05:48:35 PM
Initially I was taking 80mg 3 times a day for 3 weeks: then down to 40mg twice a day, then 40mg at night for a few years followed by dropping to 20mg at night.  When we went into lockdown I was getting back ground headaches on waking so to C if it was the BB or Covid, I stopped. 

Certainly they helped ease the early morning anxiety surges.  I haven't missed the effects in the last couple of years.

I have never been aware of any palpitation-like feelings. 
Title: Re: stopping Beta blockers (propranolol) withdrawal?
Post by: JoannFran on October 28, 2024, 07:13:23 PM
Thank you CLKD, I hope you're well.

Did you just stop the 20mg or taper down at all?  Did you feel any increase in anxiety after stopping?

Thank you!
Title: Re: stopping Beta blockers (propranolol) withdrawal?
Post by: CLKD on October 28, 2024, 08:07:01 PM
I think that I took 20mg on alternate nights for about a week then stopped.  I've been fine, also I do have an emergency anti anxiety medication for when I'm floored and unable to function: this knocks me out or enables me.