I have ocd. I constantly ruminate about sleep! I monitor the process of falling asleep and thinks about the loss of consciousness
As I drop off I would get this fight or flight jerk which pulls me back. It's impossible to control. Seems to be controlled by subconscious. I wonder if beta blocker would help.
Propranolol - Beta blocker for insomnia?
Question posted by A2352926 on 23 Feb 2018
Last updated on 24 October 2018 by Rob_raffle
4 Answers
Rob_raffle
24 Oct 2018
I’m on Propranolol for anxiety and high blood pressure etc and I can’t sleep properly on them, they’ve disturbed my sleeping pattern like crazy so I suggest if you want to fall asleep don’t take them. They make you feel drained too so be careful.
DocSaleh
27 Feb 2018
Betablockers do not have any direct effect on insomnia. If the cause of your insomnia is hyperactivity of the heart and/or thyroid gland, it might be of mild use.
But, in most cases insomnia is a side effect of propranolol. So, propranolol is of no use in treating insomnia.
dee_dee
24 Feb 2018
I have your exact same symptoms. Dr had me do a sleep study & was told I have panic attacks in my sleep. I've never liked losing control. Falling asleep is a loss of control. Subconscously I was aware & my adrenolin would rise-jerking me awake. I'd wake breathing hard, sweating, heart pounding, ready to fight or flight. I take Proprananol but it does not help me sleep. It helps with panic but for some reason not with sleep. Currently I go 3-4 nights without sleep, then konk out for one night.
A2352926
24 Feb 2018
It's horrible! Isn't it? I felt i would never sleep again! Do you take any sleep aid?
Chompers
9 May 2018
Hi dee_dee. Did you get any answers or help with your sleeping issues? I have recently developed very similar issues. I’m trying propranolol 10 mg every night and occasionally a Xanax. The problem is I’m still waking constantly and although my heart rate stays low, it still pounds.
Chompers
9 May 2018
Hi dee_dee. Did you get any answers or help with your sleeping issues? I have recently developed very similar issues. I’m trying propranolol 10 mg every night and occasionally a Xanax. The problem is I’m still waking constantly and although my heart rate stays low, it still pounds.
masso
23 Feb 2018
No.
Propranolol is used in the treatment of anxiety; performance anxiety; benign essential tremor; migraine prevention; ventricular tachycardia (and more), and belongs to the drug classes group II antiarrhythmics, non-cardioselective beta blockers.
Ask your Dr about Seroquel (quetiapine), the usual dose for sleeping disorders is 50 mgs.
Related topics
anxiety, insomnia, obsessive compulsive disorder, sleep disorders, propranolol, sleep, beta blocker, sleep disorder
Further information
- Propranolol uses and safety info
- Propranolol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Propranolol (detailed)
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