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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Rakken on January 10, 2002, at 15:45:23
I hear that beta blockers like propanolol decrease the amount of bloodpumped to the heart each revolution. It doesn't sound very healthy or safe for your body or cardiovascular system. The reason I ask, is I'm considering giving it a try for aiding anxiety. I haven't heard of an instance where it hasn't helped in that area. What possible side effects are there? And are there any irreversible long term effects from it? I take Adderall and clonidine currently. How fast does it take to work and is it that noticeably helpful? How good does it work? Would it be more effective than say klonopin or ativan? Thanks in advance!
Posted by IsoM on January 10, 2002, at 16:37:56
In reply to Inderal, posted by Rakken on January 10, 2002, at 15:45:23
I tried Inderal (propanalol) years ago for migraines. Dosage was started low & slowly upped. When it reached a certain dose, it precipitated a full-blown asthma attack that lasted a day & half & wouldn't respond to any asthma medication. It was exhausting as every breath was a fight & I couldn't sleep the whole time or lay down.
What was strange is that I don't even have asthma. Perhaps I have a predispostion to asthma & that was enough to trigger it at a critical dosage level, but beta-blockers are contraindicated for asthma patients. I now carry a warning with me about use of beta-blockers in case of an emergency.
Bad news is that it never helped my migraines or made me calmer. But it has helped others.
> I hear that beta blockers like propanolol decrease the amount of bloodpumped to the heart each revolution. It doesn't sound very healthy or safe for your body or cardiovascular system. The reason I ask, is I'm considering giving it a try for aiding anxiety. I haven't heard of an instance where it hasn't helped in that area. What possible side effects are there? And are there any irreversible long term effects from it? I take Adderall and clonidine currently. How fast does it take to work and is it that noticeably helpful? How good does it work? Would it be more effective than say klonopin or ativan? Thanks in advance!
Posted by JGalt on January 10, 2002, at 17:33:23
In reply to Inderal, posted by Rakken on January 10, 2002, at 15:45:23
I'm currently using Inderal. It seems to work well for me against occasional situational anxiety
and occasional insomnia. I don't take it everyday, I did, but then my chronic congestion started getting a lot worse so I stopped and don't use it more than two consecutive days now. For situational anxiety or times when your heart seems to be going a lot faster or harder than it should. For me it takes about .5-1 hr to start working at all, best results from there seem to come on pretty rapidly, effects fade significantly after 4-5 hrs. Long term health complications, I find that idea very unlikely if you only use them on an occasional basis (coupla times a week). But if you have generalized anxiety disorder, then I believe you'd be best in looking at other things first to see how they work with you (like xanax or klonopin, both are much better for generalized anxiety disorder).JGalt
JGalt
> I hear that beta blockers like propanolol decrease the amount of bloodpumped to the heart each revolution. It doesn't sound very healthy or safe for your body or cardiovascular system. The reason I ask, is I'm considering giving it a try for aiding anxiety. I haven't heard of an instance where it hasn't helped in that area. What possible side effects are there? And are there any irreversible long term effects from it? I take Adderall and clonidine currently. How fast does it take to work and is it that noticeably helpful? How good does it work? Would it be more effective than say klonopin or ativan? Thanks in advance!
Posted by Chocoholic on January 10, 2002, at 18:39:06
In reply to Inderal, posted by Rakken on January 10, 2002, at 15:45:23
>
I just about ate Inderal after the Sept. 11th disaster---I was so anxious about everything around me. I also take it occasionally before I perform for stage fright or for other stressful situations that trigger my "fight or flight" response. It seems to have a pretty quick onset of relief. My only side effects are dry mouth and sedation if I take too much (it can help for insomnia on an occasional basis but you build up tolerance). Hope this helps--Chocoholic
I hear that beta blockers like propanolol decrease the amount of bloodpumped to the heart each revolution. It doesn't sound very healthy or safe for your body or cardiovascular system. The reason I ask, is I'm considering giving it a try for aiding anxiety. I haven't heard of an instance where it hasn't helped in that area. What possible side effects are there? And are there any irreversible long term effects from it? I take Adderall and clonidine currently. How fast does it take to work and is it that noticeably helpful? How good does it work? Would it be more effective than say klonopin or ativan? Thanks in advance!
Posted by Beliala on January 11, 2002, at 19:20:16
In reply to Re: Inderal, posted by Chocoholic on January 10, 2002, at 18:39:06
I took Inderal for social phobia several years ago. As with everything else I've ever taken, it didn't help that problem in the slightest - it just made me extra tired and spacey.
Beliala
Posted by Bekka H. on January 12, 2002, at 2:47:00
In reply to Inderal, posted by Rakken on January 10, 2002, at 15:45:23
Many of my musician friends used to use Inderal for stage fright. It was much better than valium-type medicines (benzodiazapines) for controlling symptoms of stage fright without the side effects of the anti-anxiety drugs. When I say that my friends used to use it, I'm referring to twenty years ago (yes, Inderal has been around at least that long), and I don't know whether it's been replaced by better medicines. I knew several superb musicians back then who were severely handicapped by stage fright until they began using Inderal.
Posted by JGalt on January 12, 2002, at 22:34:56
In reply to Inderal, posted by Rakken on January 10, 2002, at 15:45:23
One other thing I thought I'd comment on:
"I hear that beta blockers like propanolol decrease the amount of bloodpumped to the heart each revolution. It doesn't sound very healthy or safe for your body or cardiovascular system."
That statement is a little off base. What inderal and other beta blockers do is act like a short circuit on the adrenaline/ fight or flight system, telling it that everything is going just fine. If you've ever used ephedrine, they act in almost the exact opposite way of that. While it is true that they lower blood pressure (that's what they're original exclusive use was), this effect is primarily from lowered beta type adrenaline receptors found in the brain and heart. In other words, its effects are completely stopped after a few days (99% of effects will be stopped in a few hours)
JGalt
Posted by djmmm on January 15, 2002, at 17:25:34
In reply to Inderal, posted by Rakken on January 10, 2002, at 15:45:23
> I hear that beta blockers like propanolol decrease the amount of bloodpumped to the heart each revolution. It doesn't sound very healthy or safe for your body or cardiovascular system. The reason I ask, is I'm considering giving it a try for aiding anxiety. I haven't heard of an instance where it hasn't helped in that area. What possible side effects are there? And are there any irreversible long term effects from it? I take Adderall and clonidine currently. How fast does it take to work and is it that noticeably helpful? How good does it work? Would it be more effective than say klonopin or ativan? Thanks in advance!
ok..here is the low down on Inderal (Propanolol)...I have been taking it for 1.5 years, for a tremor in my hand and social phobia, and for what its's worth, I think it's fabulous.Inderal is a non-selective beta-blocker..it blocks both alpha and beta receptors in the heart and vascular smooth muscle. What is unique about Inderal is that it is a œ-adrenergic antagonist that competes with neutotransmitters (passes blood brain barrier)
in english:
in the heart: blocking œA-receptor= decrease heart rate, cardiac output, blood pressureInderal stops your "fight or flight" response...the feeling you get when someone scares you or when you are speaking in public,etc.
it is a perfectly safe drug, and actually very good for your heart, it decreases the workload on your heart, allowing it to slow down a bit (like from a sprint to a jog)
..and it blocks the norepinephrine receptors in your brain, acting as an antagonist(fits in receptor, but does not exert any effect)
...so, under normal conditions (anxiety), as norepinephrine is released and binds to the receptors, that "connection" = anxiety
with Inderal blocking those receptors, no "connection" is made = no anxiety
Posted by hildi on December 14, 2002, at 17:03:24
In reply to Re: Inderal, posted by djmmm on January 15, 2002, at 17:25:34
> > I hear that beta blockers like propanolol decrease the amount of bloodpumped to the heart each revolution. It doesn't sound very healthy or safe for your body or cardiovascular system. The reason I ask, is I'm considering giving it a try for aiding anxiety. I haven't heard of an instance where it hasn't helped in that area. What possible side effects are there? And are there any irreversible long term effects from it? I take Adderall and clonidine currently. How fast does it take to work and is it that noticeably helpful? How good does it work? Would it be more effective than say klonopin or ativan? Thanks in advance!
>
>
> ok..here is the low down on Inderal (Propanolol)...I have been taking it for 1.5 years, for a tremor in my hand and social phobia, and for what its's worth, I think it's fabulous.
>
> Inderal is a non-selective beta-blocker..it blocks both alpha and beta receptors in the heart and vascular smooth muscle. What is unique about Inderal is that it is a œ-adrenergic antagonist that competes with neutotransmitters (passes blood brain barrier)
>
>
> in english:
> in the heart: blocking œA-receptor= decrease heart rate, cardiac output, blood pressure
>
> Inderal stops your "fight or flight" response...the feeling you get when someone scares you or when you are speaking in public,etc.
>
> it is a perfectly safe drug, and actually very good for your heart, it decreases the workload on your heart, allowing it to slow down a bit (like from a sprint to a jog)
>
> ..and it blocks the norepinephrine receptors in your brain, acting as an antagonist(fits in receptor, but does not exert any effect)
>
> ...so, under normal conditions (anxiety), as norepinephrine is released and binds to the receptors, that "connection" = anxiety
>
> with Inderal blocking those receptors, no "connection" is made = no anxietyHi- are you still taking that inderal and how is it working for you still? How much each day do you take and do you think It could be an alternatives to benzos (which I take now and give me many side effects, wear off too quickly, and I am having an increased tolerance to them.
Please respond.
Thanks, Hildi
Posted by Krysti on December 14, 2002, at 19:31:59
In reply to Re: Inderal » djmmm, posted by hildi on December 14, 2002, at 17:03:24
Hi,
Just wanted to make a comment. I tried Inderal for anxiety a while ago. It did work, but I had to go off of it because my heart rate became extremely low - I felt like I was going to pass out a couple of times. Good thing I read on the internet to watch for that because my doctor never told me to check my pulse or anything when I went on it. The info I found on the internet said if your pulse was under 50 beats a minute, to quit taking it IMMEDIATELY and to call your doctor. Mine was at 45.
So, just be careful if you decide to try it.
Good luck to you : )
Krysti
Posted by hildi on December 14, 2002, at 21:40:18
In reply to Re: Inderal » hildi, posted by Krysti on December 14, 2002, at 19:31:59
Posted by IsoM on December 15, 2002, at 2:53:21
In reply to Re: Inderal » djmmm, posted by hildi on December 14, 2002, at 17:03:24
And any beta-blocker can precipitate asthma in those suspectible to asthma (even if you don't have it). I've been tested for asthma & allergies & don't have either, but when I took Inderal (propanolol), I had a severe asthma attack that wouldn't even respond to asthma meds. It was a very scary 1 1/2 days of trying to get enough air.
Posted by djmmm on December 15, 2002, at 14:02:18
In reply to Re: Inderal » djmmm, posted by hildi on December 14, 2002, at 17:03:24
I still take Inderal, 40mg (slow-release), about everyday...I can't say enough good things about MY experience with this beta-blocker. It has been an integral part in my recovery from social phobia.
Luckily, I do have the experience of taking both Klonopin and Xanax, in the past, so I can compare them...as far as the physical effects of anxiety, I think beta-blockers are far superior. Inderal prevents me from blushing, my heart from racing, tremors, and sweating.
The Benzo's were not nearly as effective (for me) but generally, they are better for the psychological aspects of anxiety. I never liked the feeling of being on Klonopin or xanax, I felt slow, tired, and they didn't help with the physical symptoms of anxiety (except the tremors)
As far as replacing a benzo? I think it depends on the type of anxiety you suffer from, like I said, Inderal has worked wonders for my social anxiety, but only because a lot on my anxiety was based on physical things (blushing, etc) I doubt that beta-blockers would be effective for a generalized anxiety disorder, they may have some use for panic attacks.
Posted by hildi on December 20, 2002, at 21:36:06
In reply to Re: Inderal, posted by djmmm on December 15, 2002, at 14:02:18
> I still take Inderal, 40mg (slow-release), about everyday...I can't say enough good things about MY experience with this beta-blocker. It has been an integral part in my recovery from social phobia.
>
> Luckily, I do have the experience of taking both Klonopin and Xanax, in the past, so I can compare them...as far as the physical effects of anxiety, I think beta-blockers are far superior. Inderal prevents me from blushing, my heart from racing, tremors, and sweating.
>
> The Benzo's were not nearly as effective (for me) but generally, they are better for the psychological aspects of anxiety. I never liked the feeling of being on Klonopin or xanax, I felt slow, tired, and they didn't help with the physical symptoms of anxiety (except the tremors)
>
> As far as replacing a benzo? I think it depends on the type of anxiety you suffer from, like I said, Inderal has worked wonders for my social anxiety, but only because a lot on my anxiety was based on physical things (blushing, etc) I doubt that beta-blockers would be effective for a generalized anxiety disorder, they may have some use for panic attacks.
>
> You sound exactly like me-as far as the way the benzos are not helping with my anxiety-actually they make me more nervious unless I take a slew of them, and them I am numb and dumb, uncoordinated. I am serious, I have to take so much of the benzos to have any effect and then it barely even covers the anxiety.
I do have inderal-(propranol,is that spelled right?) but I wanted to know more from others before taking it. I have tried it once or twice and I did get very sleepy. Does this pass?
Also, do you take other meds? I take a low dose of prozac-I wish I could find a good anxiety med that worked on my depression as well-I had hoped xanax would do that, but far from it it has turned out!
Thank you so much for your response. I am glad to hear from someone who reacts much as I do to the benzos- I was wondering what the heck was wrong with me for why none of the benzos do it for me.
Take care and thanks again,
Hildi
This is the end of the thread.
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