... to help with anxiety? Will 40mg propranolol stop your mind racing and horrible thoughts? I have anxiety and OCD. I have been prescribed these today alongside my other tablets. How long do you have be on them to stop anxiety? Can I have other people's experiences with propranolol or what other tablets people are taking?
Anxiety OCD. Do propranolol 40mg work and how long do you have take them...
Question posted by leo39 on 9 April 2019
Last updated on 11 April 2019
3 Answers
dbk55
10 April 2019
I would mostly agree with WildcatVet. Propranolol was intended to prevent the heart from beating too hard and too fast and to help prevent heart arrhythmias (it has other uses, too). The dosage determines how much of a "clamping" effect it has. It is effective within hours or less — it doesn't take weeks as do antidepressants. Unless your anxiety is, in part, related to your heart racing, I would *not* expect that propranolol would stop your mind from racing, but everyone is different. You should consider discussing this with your doctor, who can explain why is was prescribed.
A number of SSRIs are known to be effective for some forms of OCD. You can Google "OCD SSRI" to find such info. A mood-stabilizer, such as lamotrigine, may help. Anti-anxiety meds can help directly, but they are usually addictive and treat only the symptoms, not the underlying problems, so they must be used with caution. Of course, sometimes the symptoms (and our response to them) become as destructive as the problem itself — I know from my own experience.
Please consider discussing these concerns with your doctor, if you feel comfortable doing so. I wish you well in your journey!
leo39
10 April 2019
thanks for your help iv got thoughts in my head scared of dying will they go away?
dbk55
11 April 2019
@leo39:
I don't know if you're fears of dying will go away. Are they caused by your racing heart? Have you starting taking propranolol? As I suggested in my earlier reply, unless your fears are related, in part, to your racing heart, I doubt that propranolol will help with that, but everyone is different.
If you've started taking propranolol, your doctor may, as with other drugs, increase your dose gradually, to see how you respond. If you take a high-ish dose of propranolol, you'll find it difficult to exercise without running out of breath, because your heart will not be able to speed up enough to deliver enough oxygen to your muscles. That's something you'll have to balance against the benefits of taking it.
You haven't said what other medications you're taking, which is private, of course. That said, other drugs are more likely to help with your fear of dying than is propranolol.
OCD is one type of anxiety disorder. Are you being prevented from carrying out your OCD compulsions? If so, that would explain some of your anxiety around death, especially if you have a checking compulsion. If not, it is possible that you may *also* have another anxiety disorder.
You should also know that a type of therapy known as exposure response prevention (ERP) therapy is generally considered to be the most effective treatment for OCD — better than drugs.
Please consider talking to your doctor about these things, if you're comfortable doing so. They'll have a lot more — and more accurate — information than I can give you.
I hope things improve and wish you the best!
leo39
11 April 2019
I'm on mirtazapine 15mg at night
dbk55
11 April 2019
@leo39:
That sounds like a good medication choice for you. I’m only speculating, but I’m guess that your doctor will want to increase your dose, which should help with your intrusive fears of death.
Lookst
10 April 2019
I have a form of OCD too and a regular SSRI was enough to keep it under check. I'm now testing other antidepressants and take Valium as needed.
WildcatVet
9 April 2019
Hi, leo! Propranolol acts within 30 minutes to an hour to help relieve the physical symptoms of anxiety - sweating, shaking hands, racing heart, etc., however it does not act on the causes of your anxiety. Some people use it as needed before certain events, others use it on a regular schedule to control generalized anxiety symptoms.
Other options would be Zoloft which is approved for the treatment of anxiety disorders or buspirone which is neither an antidepressant/anxiolytic or a benzodiazepine.
Best regards and I hope you're feeling better soon. Wild Cat
Related topics
anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, propranolol, prescription, tablet
Further information
- Propranolol uses and safety info
- Propranolol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Propranolol (detailed)
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