Posted by HannahBeGood on January 2, 2003, at 22:03:39
In reply to Re: What drug worked best for your depression/anxiety? » HannahBeGood, posted by worrier on December 30, 2002, at 22:53:36
Hi worrier-
Sorry took so long to reply. I was first prescribed Inderal (generic = propanolol) after I had my 1st child at 40. I had taken phentermine off and on to help me lose pregnancy weight. When I quit after about a yr., I had terrible bouts of anxiety, and this was *after* I quit taking it. So, after some consideration of my B.P. checks while I was dieting, they slowly rose over time, and worried about the phen-fen situation (i only filled the fenfluramine part of my RX 2 or 3 times, then stopped, due to the sensationalistic news reports that were flying around at the time). The combo WAS an incredible anorexic and I had to force food when I took both at once. Losing weight was a snap.But, as I said a few mos. afterwards I went to my g.p., and we arranged a stress test. I did well, close to top 20% in endurance and I was slim no cholesterol problems. The cardio doc said , Well, you're probly gonna be on meds for life, cuz w/u I think it's simply genetics. I never mentioned the phentermine to either doc. Took 120 mgs SR daily of propanollol or Inderal, forget if the generic came in SR. Within one week my B.P. went from a high of around 160/105 back to my usual 110/60. I titrated off of it later, as I was having no symptoms and wanted to see how my pressure was, and it remained normal to lowish.
I was then prescribed it for chronic headaches, but have only used it 20-120 mgs. a day, as the situation merits. The past yr. has been a hard one and I average about 80 mgs. daily.It doubles as a pain preventative and as a good med for 'physical' anxiety. Performers are often prescribed it so they can control their thumping hearts and sweaty palms during stressful concerts, plays, etc.
Taking a beta-blocker can lower your blood pressure 'too' much, if u're not careful. It also can cause fatigue and depression in some patients. You're doc may have been considering these possibilities, but it wd. be nice if he/she wd. 'share' and explain, if this is the case, no? How is ur BP usually? High, low, just right?
Ask more questions about this med possibility, as I have used it off and on for 5 yrs, and only with good results. One is cautioned not to discontinue use abruptly, but, rather to titrate down slowly, with a dr's guidance. (I think this is a warning that will become ubiquitous with all drugs in the near future. With many it is certainly warranted, but I think we are reaching a kind of mass hysterical paranoia about stopping any drug these days & then suffering unbearable side-effects). I have simply 'quit' many in the past (with no problems at all, before anybody knew any better, supposedly) but, that was before some of the real ass-kickers came along (like Effexor-which I did discontinue after 9 months, but, verrrry slowly and carefully). That was one I did feel withdrawal effects from. But titrating properly and starting lexapro during the FXR drop minimalized the effects to almost nothing.
Let me know how things go for u. All the best~Hannah
poster:HannahBeGood
thread:133272
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021230/msgs/134219.html