Propranolol - Advice please?

I am on propronolol and have been for a number of months - but for a completely different reason! I am on it for essential tremor. I find the 40mg does not help me at all! My advice would be to get a second opinion but DO NOT stop taking it! I missed ONE tablet and had disturbed sleep for 3 days!

ive been on propranalol for anxiety and palpitations for 16 yrs... 40mg is an awful lot to give you i take 10mg as and when required the stronger the propranalol the more likely your blood pressure will get lower which causes dizziness trust me i know... 10mg would be sufficient for you... if you need more than one u can take it but remember they slow down your heart rate... hope this helps x

the only time that I have ever been given Propranolol is for high blood pressure and to help prevent Migraine Headaches... I've never heard of it given for this reason... but many drugs treat many different conditions so it may be helpful! Just hope that your doctor knows what he's doing ... good luck!

Hi, many years ago(!) i was prescribed Propranolol to help with my fear when i was taking driving lessons. It was very helpful. I don't think i could have passed my driving test without them. I was only taking 10mg, but i suppose the dose is dependent on the reasons why it is being used, and the level of anxiety needing to be treated.

Hi Sam,

In my opinion, your doctor made a wise choice. Reason I say this is because this drug has been around for many many years and I trust a drug that has a good history. My brother's wife is a teaching nurse and she suggested my brother take it for familial tremors, a genetic thing. The doctor approved of it and it helped him tremendously. I asked my own doctor for it and he approved. I, too inherited the tremors. I have been taking propanolol for 15 years. Started with 20mg and just a few years ago the tremors got a little worse, so doctor upped it to 40mg. This drug has many uses. I only have one problem with it and I recently found that it caused my hearing loss. This may not be true for everyone but it was in my case. But life has choices. I either have the tremors or the hearing loss. And at this point, the hearing loss is what I deal with. Propanolol also is a beta blocker and has helped keep my blood pressure at a good level.
Hope this helps alleviate your concerns.
Good luck,
Anne

Hello. Propranolol dose sounds right. It can take two hours to kick in if you start out stressed. My daughter has taken it for years as she is a concert violinist. In fact, quite a few performers do this. it does not affect the intricacies of playing, exams, or other performance anxiety. It should only be used exactly for the reason prescribed and never daily.

FYI: a person who does not have racing heart, sweats, etc., should never take this. It can cause the heart rate to drop too quickly. So should you have a friend who wants to try it, Never share. The results could be very sad.

Sam,
I know of the stress you speak of and am on Propranolol myself and for the same reason. The classification of propranolol is a beta adrenergic blocker. It simply blocks the effects of adrenaline which causes "the fight or flight" response felt when we feel in danger, like a near miss car accident or a lion chasing you. It occurs when one is stressed to the max about anything. Adrenaline causes a lot of immediate responses in your body when released from your adrenal glands, the increased heart rate and blood pressure, palpitations and a bunch of other things.
This class of medications lowers your heart rate and blood pressure and usually stops palpitations (the feeling of your heart skipping a beat). It's been around for a long time, is very safe when taken as directed. I take mine three times a day, but I flip out about everything, and it helps in preventing my migraine headaches. So, just a bit more information.
Peace,
Laura

40 mg is the average dose. I found a reference to it being used for stage fright, so I guess this would fall in the same type of category. Just be aware that it can lower your bp and pulse.

Hello samyale. Propranolol is usually taken as needed an hour or so before such as in your case might be a job interview. A 40 mg dose is normal in regards to fightning high stress situations. Best of wishes and good luck to you, pledge

I sympathize with our ambivalence over this quandary. I believe the prescribing physician must know enough about your case and your needs to have prescribed the applicable amount of this medication with which to serve you best. That said, although other inquiries may state a lesser dosage, this only applies to individuals with a variety of needs. I would best set you at ease with your Doctor's instructions and have faith in his/her judgment on this. If not, possible get a 2nd opinion form another Dr or maybe even consider switching to another. Hope this helps.