Propranolol for Benign Essential Tremor User Reviews (Page 2)

• Pap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2016

"I was diagnosed with essential tremors after I fell flat face first on the sidewalk, followed by several tests. Six months later, the doctor put me on 60 mg Inderal per day, the long-lasting effect ones. The results were so instantaneous it felt like a miracle. The migraines were gone, and my balance was okay after only a week of taking the medication. I still have trouble with anxiety attacks. Now, after years on this medication and after moving cities, my new doctor is decreasing my medication to 40 mg a day to Teva-Propranolol as she is concerned with my low blood pressure. Other than the adaptation for my body to this new drug, my reaction to unpredictable events seems to have improved, and the anxiety attacks diminished. Sure would be awesome."

• Sha...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 9, 2020

"I've had essential tremor since 1978, didn't bother me much, except when people thought I was drunk. Started taking propranolol in 2013 - specialist said gradually up the dose each week till the tremors stop. Started on 40 mg and got up to 80 mg twice a day before any results; but it lowered my already low blood pressure. Have been gradually lowering the dose - am now down to 40 mg morning and 20 mg at night, but blood pressure is still too low."

• Til...
• March 29, 2016

"I have taken Propranolol for 10 years for extreme tremors in my hands. I had DBS surgery in 2007 for my right hand, it was a miracle for me. The Propranolol helped me a lot. In 2014, I had DBS again for my left hand and have done great! My neurologist started lowering the Prop. My b/p began to elevate, so my PCP upped my b/p med from 20 mg to 40 mg, and I have been fine. Now the neuro wants me to stop the Prop completely and have the PCP take my Lisinopril higher. I went to the PCP today, and he said he'd prefer I stay on the Propranolol. I was off it for 5 days and just felt jittery, and my left hand was shaking again. So, I took the Propranolol this afternoon and feel much better this evening. Is this okay? I've had NO side effects ever!"

• jri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 30, 2021

"Propranolol was the best thing for my essential tremors in my hands that began in my 30s. I am now 52 and was taking 10 mg daily, which was very effective, but my doctor advised me to try taking only 5 mg and see how it goes. So far, I have tried this for 3 days, and no tremors have returned as yet. It also helps me with anxiety, and I am taking citalopram for depression also."

• jeb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 1, 2015

"I started off on 10 mg twice daily, almost 2 years ago, went to neuro for dizziness and migraines and tremors worse. I slowly upped the dosage to 80 mg, and the tremors were even worse. Dropped back down to old dosage, tremors still bad. Dizziness and migraines still bad, tried 4 different meds for migraines, allergic to all 4. Now, along with all that, I have started stumbling, toe will catch on floor. I always try to walk near something to catch myself or hold onto so I don't fall. I am only 43 but feel 80."

• Jan...
• April 9, 2021

"I'm 25 years old and was diagnosed 1 year ago with essential tremor in my head. I've been taking propranolol 40 mg 3 times a day for the last 2 months. I went from having moderate to severe head tremors every day, and since taking the beta blockers, I have had 2 days of tremors in 2 months. Instant improvement."

• kmc...
• October 13, 2011

"It did help my tremors quite a bit. I have been on it for 16 years, however, because of extra stress, I am trying something in the same family, Atenolol. Don't know if it will help any more than propranolol has helped."

• Anonymous
• May 1, 2017

"Propranolol - I have been taking for 2 years, works pretty well, but when nervous, tremors kick in enough to aggravate me. Side effects are so bad I do not know how much longer I can keep taking. Doctor sent me another medicine to try, side effects scary - nightmares, suicide, so on and so on. I am afraid to try. Propranolol side effects I have - hard to wash feet, put socks on, tie shoes, weight gain, poor concentration, memory problems, clusters of tiny itchy blisters, major leg cramps - there are days I can barely walk. I started on 40 mg twice a day - stomach problems, major Charlie horses in thighs. So I dropped down to 10 mg three times a day for a year - still too much. Now on 10 mg twice a day, can barely walk. Going on 61 years old."

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2011

"Helped control my tremors immediately. Tremors were so bad my whole body would shake and had bad muscle cramps. Seemed to lose a bit of its effectiveness after a few months but still way better than before. I'm on Levetiracetam as well for epilepsy, which can be a roller coaster ride sometimes when it wears off."

• Sha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 14, 2018

"My tremors started in 2013 when I lost my fiancé. The doctors here in Nigeria kept insisting it was shock and it would go in 3 months. Fast forward to a year later, my hands are still shaking, so I did online research and started propranolol, 40 mg. That worked well for a while, then I upped to 80 mg, now, it doesn't work anymore. All I experience now is dizzy spells, migraines, and more hand tremors. I lost my job recently because of the tremors. I am a cake artist, obviously can't work because this tremor is making my life awful. Suggestions please."

• Jaw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2016

"So I started off taking this medication for 3 weeks. And I thought it would be great. I have essential tremors, hypertension, and my cardiologist was waiting for a few test results before confirming tachycardia. While blood pressure and heart rate are significantly improved. Went from 133 bpm to 84 and 155/95 to 134/75, the tremors haven't stopped. Not to mention the side effects for me: increased depression, insomnia, dizziness, and nightmares."

• bec...
• October 1, 2016

Propranolol "At first, it was wonderful. The tremors stopped within 24 hours. The dose was 60 mg in a capsule. After 2 weeks, nasty side effects started happening. First was vomiting and diarrhea. Then anxiety, nervousness, trouble sleeping, difficulty talking, and poor memory and concentration. Two days ago, my doctor reduced the dose to 40 mg/day. I still feel miserable but will try the lower dose for another few days. Can you give me any advice? Would there be a problem with just stopping the medication? I also take Prozac daily."

• ZZA...
• November 17, 2016

"For a year, I had been taking one (40 mg) once a day, and it definitely helped my tremors. However, it did cause a lack of energy, weight gain, as well as too large a drop in blood pressure levels, causing dizziness. Now, I only take one if I'm having a bad day of tremors. It helps but takes a long time to kick in."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2017

"Having essential tremors for 30 years, I was used to having them. Then they changed, I was also getting the head and voice tremor along with my hands, so I decided to get treatment for them. Doctor and neurologist's answer was propranolol. Basically, I spent 3 months in hell. I had almost every side effect: cold hands and feet, I was tired all the time, I had no energy, I was dizzy and lightheaded. My blood pressure got too low, and I didn't want any 'alone' time with my boyfriend. And that was all from 5 mg at night. It did help my head and voice tremors, but not my hand ones at all. The doctor took me off of it, and still weeks later, I'm left with the side effects."

• Lin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 12, 2021

"I just turned 70, and my tremor seems to be intentional, not essential. And only my right hand. I’m learning guitar, and it makes it well-nigh impossible. My doc started me on 40 mg, only when needed, like when I teach my classes or play music. It helps a bit. But I’m gonna look at a new procedure called focused ultrasound. It’s non-invasive, FDA approved, and a single treatment stops a tremor. We’ll see."

• Bob...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 28, 2013

Propranolol "I was prescribed Inderal to help with primary orthostatic tremors. I did not get any relief with this medication for that condition. However, I discovered that whenever I stop taking Inderal, I end up with a migraine headache. I take 20 mg at bedtime. It makes me sleepy and gives me nightmares, which continue to this day. However, the side effects are tolerable and well worth putting up with to prevent getting migraines. I highly recommend this medication for preventing migraines."

• Wal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2017

"I have only been taking 40 mg of propranolol twice a day for 5 days, and I find that the tremor is much improved. However, I have such bad pain in my legs. It started 2 days after I started taking it. My thighs were aching all weekend, and I have been woken from the pain in my lower back and hips since then. Not good. Hoping it will get better."

• drs...
• January 18, 2018

"I am 27. I have had hand tremors earlier in life, but it escalated with my job profile as a bank teller. I consulted a neuro physician and started taking 40 mg, and it improved, but it came with the side effect of dizziness at the end of the day. I have stopped taking it after a few weeks. Also, more importantly, I have stopped taking any tea or coffee. It helped a lot. I take propranolol as the SOS and also on some occasional days, like when I am required to do tasks that are not part of regular days. It normally kicks in 10-15 minutes."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2021

"Propranolol worked wonders for my tremors! They almost disappeared. However, it dropped my pulse rate below 50 bpm, and I was forced to quit taking it. I haven't found anything since that has the same calming effect."

• Mar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 15, 2018

"I take propranolol 20 mg two times a day for 3 years for control of migraine headache. Now about 3 years I've taken it for essential tremor. The side effects of this drug for me are dry mouth, dry eye, cold hands."

• Roc...
• March 19, 2017

"I had been on 20 mg generic propranolol for 15 years. When I went to fill my prescription for 2015, I was told my generic propranolol was discontinued. I had to buy a new generic, at 10 times the price. The new generic was not working to lower blood pressure. My doctor said I needed to take 60 mg. When I got my dose up to 40 mg, I then noticed my blood pressure was starting to come down some. At 40 mg, I developed whole body shaking that continued in all waking hours. Every time I either reduce my dose to 15 mg or stop taking it, the whole body tremor stops. My last doctor says it is not the propranolol, that it is my thyroid meds. I have been on the same thyroid meds since 2012 and never got this shaking prior to this new generic propranolol."

• Ami...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 3, 2020

"Used propranolol only when public speaking. Once I finished college, I didn't need it. Was diagnosed with familial essential tremors, my head specifically at night as I was trying to sleep. The neurologist started me on 10 mg; eventually, I was using 60 mg ER during the day and 10 mg at night. Alleviated my tremors; however, I began to experience extreme fatigue, breathlessness, profuse sweating with exertion, and inability to get out of bed. In addition to gaining 38 lbs, excess belly fat and hip fat. Saw oncologist to rule out anemia, reoccurrence of thyroid cancer. All bloodwork was fine, so I stopped the propranolol. It took a month to get it out of my system, but the adverse side effects ceased. Atenolol was prescribed, and I've refused it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2022

"Started noticing a difference within the first week. Hopefully, dosage adjustments further decrease the severity of the tremor. I've had this for 20 years, and propranolol is the first medication that has helped."

• Mic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2022

"This medication was a game changer for me. I’ve always been a little shaky, but as I got older, it became more noticeable, especially in my hands. I’ve been on this medication for a couple of years now, and it has almost completely eliminated the problem. Plus, its side effect is that it’s great for your blood pressure as well."

• DAV...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 21, 2023

"Propranolol was really quite good for my tremors, however, I had a terrible cough and constant mucus to contend with and had to get off it. Even the lowest dose made me miserable. Now using primidone and nadolol and getting good results."