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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sabre on May 15, 2005, at 20:31:06
Hi
Just wondering, has anyone had ANY success with calcium channel blockers for anxiety disorders?
Thanks
Sabre
Posted by Bill LL on May 16, 2005, at 13:58:03
In reply to calcium channel blockers, posted by sabre on May 15, 2005, at 20:31:06
I don't recall reading anything that suggested that calcium channel blockers would help with anxiety. But I am not an expert on this. Is there a particular one that you are thinking of?
I know that beta blockers help a lot with the physical symptoms of anxiety (but not the worrying part of it). I personally take one (Toprol XL which is the same as Lopressor) and it does relax the anxiety I feel in my chest. Another type of blood pressure medicine, Clonodine, is also used for anxiety.
> Hi
> Just wondering, has anyone had ANY success with calcium channel blockers for anxiety disorders?
> Thanks
> Sabre
Posted by ed_uk on May 16, 2005, at 16:07:57
In reply to calcium channel blockers, posted by sabre on May 15, 2005, at 20:31:06
Hi Sabre,
It's good to 'see' you again :-)
Verapamil might be effective for a rapid heart rate or palpitations. I doubt it would be effective for any of the other manifestations of anxiety.
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by sabre on May 17, 2005, at 2:09:37
In reply to Re: calcium channel blockers » sabre, posted by ed_uk on May 16, 2005, at 16:07:57
Hi Bill and Ed
Thanks for the replies.I have been busy changing jobs...again.
I have been limping along on Propranolol but I find I just end up feeling fatigued and depressed after taking it 3-4 X per week for work but I haven't found anything better.
After trialing Reboxetine, I found it great for around 4 days but then I ended crashing in a black hole. In the last week I have tried taking a small amount (.5g) 3 days apart and I found it acts like an upper.
I suspect the Prop. sucks the noradrenaline out of the system and the Rebox just replaces what's missing. Once the Rebox - NA gets to normal levels, any excess either causes a down regulation of the NA receptors or I get an overdose of NA... causing ugly depression at about day 3/4. Although I can't imagine downregulation occurring in 4 days??
I started researching beta blockers this week and found they do block NA reception. In addition, I assumed that if I took a beta blocker one day that by the next they would not affect exercise performance. Wrong. Apparently the beta blockage can extend to the next day (not at the same strength of course). I also discovered that exercise increases the level of bb in the plasma. I'm not sure if that means it intensifies the bb action though.
What beta blocker has the shortest half life?
I started looking at ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers as an alternative because sports med drs often prescribe them in preference to beta blockers for hypertension (not that I have hypertension) because they have less of an effect on aerobic power.
I found these articles:Calcium channel blockers for anxiety disorders?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8986318Neuropsychiatric effects of cardiovascular drug therapy. (The calcium-channel blocker verapamil has been used as an adjunctive treatment in patients with bipolar disorders.)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12620132Effects of verapamil and atenolol on exercise tolerance in 5,000 m cross-country running: a double-blind cross-over study in normal humans.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=1696662Controlled study of verapamil for treatment of panic disorder.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=2450479I was also thinking of trying Atenolol. According to this article, it doesn't affect aerobic power although I have read otherwise:
Hypertension in Athletes and Active Patients
http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1999/04_99/macknight.htm
Hope your studies are going well, Ed.sabre
Posted by sabre on May 17, 2005, at 2:20:18
In reply to Re: calcium channel blockers » sabre, posted by ed_uk on May 16, 2005, at 16:07:57
Sorry, Ed
I just started reading the posts up the list. Have you dropped out of your studies? I know how hard it is to study when you're battling inside.
Could you reduce your work load...stretch the degree out as long as possible?
sabre
Posted by ed_uk on May 17, 2005, at 9:50:29
In reply to Re: calcium channel blockers, posted by sabre on May 17, 2005, at 2:20:18
Hi Sabre!
>Have you dropped out of your studies?
No, I've not dropped out. I've done a bit of work today so I'm feeling a bit better. My first exam is next Tuesday. I'm going to start Parnate soon, a friend is sending me some tablets from abroad.
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by sabre on May 18, 2005, at 18:37:07
In reply to Re: calcium channel blockers » sabre, posted by ed_uk on May 17, 2005, at 9:50:29
That's great to hear. Good luck with your exam next Tuesday. Exams are pure stress, aren't they?
I'm curious to hear how you get on with Parnate.
The GP I see wasn't agreeable to let me try that but was willing to send me to higher forces (psych) if I wanted to go down that path.
I tried my third low dose of Rebox (every third day) with beta blockers only on my work days and so far it has been the best option so far. I feel more optimistic. It is certainly a very cheap option!sabre
Posted by ed_uk on May 18, 2005, at 19:06:08
In reply to Re: calcium channel blockers, posted by sabre on May 18, 2005, at 18:37:07
Hi Sabre!
>I'm curious to hear how you get on with Parnate.
I'll keep you up to date :-) I'm glad to hear that the reboxetine's working well :-)
Ed.
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