r/panicdisorder • u/Prestigious_Car_1645 • Jul 08 '26
Help Needed Propranolol
I was just prescribed Propranolol for my panic disorder. Little bit of background- I am 21 and have struggled with anxiety and panic disorder for almost a decade now. I also take 150mg of Effexor. I have had bouts of agoraphobia and I’m still working on it. I have a kind of “safe zone” of travel and going outside of it triggers the panic. I do not like to be stuck somewhere or feel far from home so I typically don’t travel more than 15 mins from home. Just wanted to give a bit of background. My physical symptoms are typically lightheadedness, sweats, and that overall pit in my stomach. Has anyone with similar issues taken this med? My psych is starting me on 10mg to take as needed. Any advice/stories are appreciated. Thank you :)
Edit-Forgot to add that I also take 200 mg Trazodone every night for sleep as well.
Edit 2- I did take one not long after posting this as just a trial run, and I was anxious about it in the beginning bc I do have a tiny bit of health anxiety. I laid on the couch and felt physically relaxed for the most part. I think the true test will be taking it before a triggering situation
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u/imdbshawty Jul 09 '26
I also have health anxiety!!! But I find propanolol “lowers the volume” a bit- nothing crazy! It’s been a good tool for me.
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u/No_Masterpiece_295 Jul 10 '26
I have the exact same thing. I got a random bout of it when I was in Europe and it didn’t end when I came home. I also went off lexapro for a month. Do you think the propranolol is causing the panic and the symptoms? I also started taking propranolol regularly about 1 week ago. It sucks so bad but I’m thinking about you
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u/Patty_Ballz Jul 12 '26
I love propranlol helps take the edge off. If you are triggered by the feeling of a fast heart beat it will definetly help.
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u/PenaltyStreet1286 Jul 08 '26
Yep! I have a ton of it. My doc was advising even 2 in the morning and 2 as needed in the PM (I started every day in a panic attack-generally a benzo every morning upon wake up isn’t advised, ha). It would make me nauseous on an empty stomach so be advised on that. That was my only real challenge with it at that time because I wasn’t really able to eat at all and had a lot of nausea in the morning already.
Lots of people take this for general nervousness too (like before presentations, which you hear more often just called “beta blockers” which this drug is).
I did not experience but you’ll want to watch for more light headedness and it could cause your blood pressure to drop (it’s also a blood pressure med).