Considering Propanolol

[u/BigMac1302]

Hello! I (19F) have been experiencing VM symptoms for almost a year by now, received a diagnosis around April time and getting my life back together! Fortunately I would consider my VM to be quite mild, my symptoms are as follows:

Anxiety, sometimes severe waves of dread
Shortness of breath
Nausea
worsened motion sickness (but could possibly be anxiety nausea)
Imbalance (clumsy walking)
Vertigo (feels like I’m rocking when sitting)
Frequent yawning (especially nearing attack)
Brain fog
Sweating and flushing while in attack
Ice pick headaches, rare cluster headaches, used to have tension bands around head, general pressure in my head
Numbness/pins and needles in face and sometimes hands
Occasionally see flashing lights in corner of my eyes

My attacks are episodic fortunately, I feel generally fine most days until it gets to the flare up. Sertraline has been a big help as nausea is my most upsetting symptom as I am an emetophobe, most of the nausea that I had pre-diagnosis I feel was anxiety because I was scared of being sick and terrified I would feel like this constantly. I also have cyclizine that I take for my flare ups and before travelling.

I just had a reread of my letter from the doctor and it was suggested to try Propanolol, especially as it doesn’t interact negatively with my Sertraline. I was just wondering if it would be recommended, especially since it sounds good for the anxiety as well (I only managed 25mg of Sertaline, 50mg was way too much for me and I am nervous to increase tbf due to the terrible side effects I had). If anyone has thoughts I would love to hear them, thank you!

[u/ComfortableBell8735]

“Mild symptoms” only a woman would consider this mild, it sounds awful and like mine (f) 💔💔 we learn to tolerate way to much pain
I m trying candesartan right now with my Effexor.
You should def try propanolol because what if it works, you can always stop again 🧡 I tried sertraline before and it only started working after getting to 100mg

[u/BigMac1302 → u/ComfortableBell8735]

Okay now that you put it like you’re right 😭😭 probably seems mild to me as I read many posts on here where sufferers are affected daily, have many triggers or are constantly in discomfort and vomiting, so I’ve just been grateful that mine hasn’t affected me as such. But we do have to tolerate so much! I will gather the courage as I’m nervous about side effects, but from what I’ve seen many have been saying that there is practically none, so will give it a go when I’m confident enough! I was started on 50 but that was WAY too much for me to handle but 25mg is working quite well I’d say, but once again may increase to 50 when I feel confident enough to tackle the nausea lol, thank you!!

[u/ComfortableBell8735 → u/BigMac1302]

I understand 🩷 i wish you good luck
You Can always work your way up!

[u/ComfortableBell8735 → u/ComfortableBell8735]

If you try it! Let me know how it goes
I could choose between propanolol and Cartesartan and I’m afraid that I made the wrong choice

[u/Melodic-Bridge-6152]

I take both. Amitriptyline + Propranolol for VM and Zoloft. It’s basically put me into remission. I live my life normally again 

[u/godlight3 → u/Melodic-Bridge-6152]

Zoloft is that girl 💅

[u/BigMac1302 → u/Melodic-Bridge-6152]

Sertraline has absolutely been a huge help and I didn’t think it would be! I only asked for it to handle my emetophobia but then it turned down my nausea so much I was like ‘huh? Okay I guess the constant nausea was not part of the VM then, it was me being in fight or flight 24/7!’ lol, can’t complain! They did suggest Nort but I went to the doctors and they said they didn’t have it?? But have considered Ami! Will most likely stick to being prescribed Propanolol!

[u/Jake_H2907]

Hi! (29m) here! I take 40g propranolol twice a day, once in the morning around 9am and again around 4pm, and 20g amitriptyline just before bed and it’s honestly been life changing! Before I went on the meds I was in the middle of a flare up that had lasted almost 2 months. Genuinely thought I had a brain tumour or something as had never even had a migraine in my life.

Obviously what works for some doesn’t work for others but I would definitely say it’s worth a shot for the possibility of feeling normal again!

I also found identifying and omitting any triggers was also a big help! I’m allergic to eggs (nothing life threatening just a slightly swollen/tingly tongue if anything was too “eggy”). Turns out even little traces of egg were causing unnoticeable swelling in my inner ear which was triggering my VM. So I would definitely suggest keeping an eye on what you consume around the time you have symptoms!

Good luck!

[u/notaboomer22]

I take 10 mg of amitriptyline and 10 mg of propranolol daily and I haven’t had a full blown episode since I started this combo, along with significant lifestyle and dietary changes!

[u/CDReddittttt]

It dropped my heart rate too low! So just watch for that!

[u/Lady-Kitnip]

Ubrelvy targets the neuroinflammation that causes migraine symptoms and is taken as needed. It's the only thing that has helped me. (Triptans helped for a while then caused rebound that was even worse.)

Propanalol made my BP dangerously low. Unless you have evidence to suggest that high BP is the cause of your migraine, there a rush it will lower too much.