I was given propranolol from my doctor yesterday to treat my migraines and i tried it last night. I couldn't sleep and was extremely dizzy. I also got bad chest pain. My chest is still very sore one full day later, and i am short of breath.Why is this happening?
Propranolol - I got bad chest pains after my first dose. What does this mean?
Question posted by emily308 on 21 Aug 2012
Last updated on 29 November 2014
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5 Answers
I took 40 mg if propanonol and I have you have the these symptoms. Chest pains, rapid heart, short of breath and I cry at the drop of a hat. If this ever leaves my system ill never touch it again. Please let me know what your dr says
Propranolol is short acting. A dose lasts about three to four hours once it starts working and takes an hour to kick in. Since you are having problems, call the doctor immediately so they get it into your chart. That way it will not be given in the future.
My dr wrote me off. Says it was anxiety. My heart still races. My EKG was normal. I'm healthy I eat right I'm 34. I don't know what is wrong with me. I just can't believe it's anxiety. All this started after the BB.
BB? Sorry I don't know this term.
You have stopped taking this? Then if you are still having a racing pulse and are not on other meds, you don't drink lots of coffee or red bull and its like, then you are experiencing anxiety. It really works that way. I suggest you go online and read about anxiety. A good therapist and proper understanding will help you. Definitely worth checking out. Far better than worrying about your health and getting more anxious, right? There is a way out of this. Write me if you wish. Karen
Thank you Karen. BB means beta blocker. Maybe it is anxiety. But it's weird that it happens right after a pill that interferes with the heart. My anxiety stems from my heart... You know... I feel like I'm goin crazy :(
When someone has anxiety the first place one tends to feel it is the heart pounding. Or the stomach becomes nauseated and then A pounding heart that tells our adrenalin to kick in. Muscles tense. Fight or flight. It can quickly accelerate until it is overwhelming. Push it one tiny bit further and you have a panic attack. Then one feels as if they will die. But you don't and never will. At some point one calms down and a nap is in order with a whole lot of tears. Been there, done that.
I do encourage you to read up on this. It will make sense to you and give you some hope. Anxiety can be conquered until you are being no different than what anyone else has. You have to work hard and you have to have a very good therapist who specializes in this. What do ya think?
I just feel like something in that pill through off the natural rhythm of my heart. I have never been an anxious person. All my life I dealt great with things. I was on the beta blocker for public speaking. Not anxiety. However, I guess I have some form of it now.
Thank you so much for talking to me. I have never felt so isolated.
I will talk privately with you. I will send a friend request and help explain more of this to you. Ok?
I don't know how to do that...
You will need to change your settings to: ask a private question. Then we can talk. :-)
However public speaking use is for anxiety created when we wish to give a speech. Just as my daughter will use it to play the violin, say, for auditions. Your heart was not changed. Your awareness has changed.
What has your doctor said about this?
I've taken 10mg propranolol 3 times a day for less than a week the side effects were awful: dizziness, feeling if being in another planet. Nearly two weeks later feel a little better. But I Beleive the stress my body has gone through has turned my mild anxiety to extreme. Still dizzy and off balance and unable to concentrate. The doctors have just put it all down to anxiety and maybe I agree it is. But the anxiety was deffinetely caused by my reaction to this pill I'm sensitive to medication anyway. You are not crazy I Beleive you've had a similar experience to me. Because this pill had caused my body so much stress it's left me unable to function at work etc and I deffinetely could before. I don't blame health care professionals as everyone reacts differently and I know this drug is useful to others. For me it has been a nightmare and now I'm just working on healing my body and mind from how I have been left.
Stop taking the propanolol this drug is a blood pressure. Medication and it could be serious
I would not go bck to that doctor
Hi quarkster. This is not the error of the doc. As I said, most people do not have a bad reaction. Can you imagine playing a concert violin? However, my response was unexpected, so I am one of the few as is this person. This was not used for bloid pressure, but for a racing heart due to extreme stress. The staff of docs in the hospital were not dummies. They saved my life. This came later and there was no way to predict. one more mystery they had to figure out. responses to meds are because the body responds. Those long lists of side effects on some meds is because we are so different. That is all. Can't blame the docs if you become allergic to something, right?
Hello. I am unable to take propranolol because my blood pressure drops too fast. My daughter takes it when she performs violin. She has no effect except calmer.
Not everyone can take this medicine and please don't take it again. I tried mine in the hospital while on monitors and I had a staff rushing in. At home, there is no safety net.
By now, you should have called your doctor. If you have any lasting effects, something is happening and you need to get to an ER as this does affect heart rates.
Hi emily - I just want to add that moving around or taking it too early can cause the dizziness. It is literally the last thing you take before lying down so that you don't experience the dizziness. I have been on meds like that before. Also, make sure you do not drink any alcohol... none. Do you have any other health issues? I am thinking this isn't the med for you because it is also used to treat angina and other heart related issues but if you don't have those... it could be too much stimulation for you. That is what I am thinking any way.
Do call you doctor as the others have suggested and report your systems. Take good care and be well.
Let us know what your doctor says, okay???
Mary
Hi, the symptoms you are describing; Chest pain & difficulty breathing are listed as serious side effects of propranolol and you should contact your doctor asap. The dizziness is a more common side effect. Please call your doctor right away.
They certainly are and have a great week Delila.
Related topics
migraine, pain, sleep disorders, propranolol, sleep, doctor
Further information
- Propranolol uses and safety info
- Propranolol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Propranolol (detailed)
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