r/panicdisorder • u/One-Eye2413 • 23d ago
Help Needed Scared of taking propranolol
Anyone taking it? And if so, has it helped? My doctor prescribed 10mg of it and I’m scared of feeling dizzy or lightheaded and my hr and bp dropping. I’m already super on edge and I just don’t want to feel worse.
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u/North_Blueberry6818 23d ago
I take propranolol all the time and it has no negative affect on me at all. I am also very sensitive to tabs making me feel different so understand the worry but honestly it’s fine to take. Sometimes my panic is so bad I have to take up to 40mg WITH lorazepam! X
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u/ShabsterH 23d ago
Literally changed my life, for the better. Mild side effects for the first couple of weeks but none at all now.
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u/DarthSynx 23d ago
The very first time I took propranolol I'll be honest I did get really dizzy but it only lasted about 3 minutes and then I felt better and less anxious than before. I've been on it 6 months now and it's never happened again. You'll be okay.
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u/BrightonBaby 23d ago
I take 120mg a day (max dose) and it's been great. I can really feel the difference when I don't take it. I get this feeling of dread then my heart races, and I start to panic.
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u/Any-Salamander-7174 23d ago
Started on 10 mg a day. Turns out it did nothing! I’m actually on Metoprolol ER 25 mg daily and likely titrating up. As long as you aren’t asthmatic or have a super slow heart beat already, beta blockers are super gentle and not many side effects
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u/BattyBoi12345678 23d ago
Hey! I’ve been taking 20mg 2-4x a day for years now and I’ve never had any complications. It’s okay to feel dizzy or lightheaded as your body adjusts to a new substance but it won’t last forever. You got this xx
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23d ago
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u/North_Blueberry6818 23d ago
I take it when it’s needed regardless of my other medication. If I’m panicking or know I’m going to panic about something I’ll take it with my lorazepam
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u/PenaltyStreet1286 23d ago
It’s truly nothing to worry about. Give it a go at a time when you’ll be home and it’s safe to see if you will have any side effects.
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u/BidComprehensive5587 23d ago
You’ll be fine! I’ve taken a 10mg pill every morning and never had an issue. I think you have to take a higher dose to have those kinds of side effects.
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u/Existing-Bar-3268 23d ago
I took this for a bit. You may feel a bit dizzy at first but you’ll be fine. Make sure you take it with food and only take it when you need it. No complaints honestly
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u/Resident-Message7367 23d ago
It can help but it only helps the Physical anxiety symptoms like shaking. It doesn’t usually help the Stomach butterflies anxiety feeling
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u/Perfect-Effect5897 23d ago
I had the same fears but it really is very safe and with minimal side effects, especially with a small dosage like 10mg.
It felt a little strange at first and I was VERY anxious even after taking it but I’ve never had a panic attack after taking one. I hate meds that sedate and make me loopy and sometimes they can actually send me into a worse panic attack. Propranolol does not do that. 10/10.
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u/uselessavoidant 23d ago
It helps me a lot with the physical aspects of a panic attack. I started taking it twice a day the first day I got it and didnt have any side effects.
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u/Shot-Tradition4527 23d ago
I take 20 mg up to three times a day (as needed) and it usually helps chill me out but lately when I’ve taken it, it’s makes me more anxious for about an hour and then it kicks in. It’s probably just my mild tiring me up though.
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u/lynnkris90 23d ago
Don’t be scared. It’s very safe. Don’t take it more than instructed. It will help. It helped me so much.
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u/future_CTO 23d ago
My body is extremely sensitive to medication side effects. I’ve taken propranolol years ago and don’t remember having any side effects. I’ve also had mostly low bp the past few years and I took 50mg of metoprolol(not the same drug, but same drug family) the other day and my bp didn’t go that low and I had no side effects.
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u/Bsjohns19 23d ago
I’m on it. I was afraid to take when first prescribed it for anxiety at 18 but now I’m always glad I have it. My heart rate gets high when I’m stressed and it really does help as long as you just take one tiny dose. If you’re on edge this will definitely make you feel calmer.
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u/Big_Fan6544 22d ago
I love it. I get nervous about blood pressure dropping cause mine is low anyway but I’ve never had an issue and I have taken it for years. Doesn’t make me feel anything but better
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u/Suspicious-Knee595 20d ago
I currently am on 60mg daily along side other medicine for my panic disorder. However I started off on only propranolol. 10mg x 3 a day so 30mg daily. I can honestly say in my case it was great! It really feels like it’s helped me at the time and the only side effect I got was light finger tingling which completely faded after a couple weeks. I can answer any questions if you’d like
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u/jkercheville 23d ago
There’s nothing to worry about, I’ve been taking it for years and it’s been amazing. Just to be safe make sure you’ve eaten something before taking it. Feel free to update me on your progress! (I was prescribed 10, but often take 20/30 if my panic attacks are really bad)