Propranolol for Performance Anxiety User Reviews (Page 2)

• Del...
• May 23, 2014

"Unbelievable. Suffered for years with performance anxiety and my current job meant I had to do more and more meetings. It got to the point that I was thinking I'd have to leave my job or throw myself off a bridge to escape. As a last resort, I went to the doctor hoping to try beta blockers - I got these thinking they might help a bit. THEY TOTALLY CURED ME. It was like a miracle - I was even cracking jokes and arriving first at meetings, whereas before I'd hidden in toilets. Only my 1st week, don't know what the future holds but for now I'll just celebrate the relief this has provided."

• sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2014

"I recently was promoted but with that came public speaking. I was a mess! Sweating, shortness of breath, shaking, not being able to think straight... It was awful! My doctor prescribed this and the transformation was unbelievable!"

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 10, 2024

"Why is this not a listed anxiety drug!!! I have tried therapy to no avail and this drug saved my career. My job involves presenting, however, I developed pre-covid a crippling response when I stand to introduce myself. A severe rush of adrenaline, every inch of me screaming RUN RUN RUN. Sweaty, shaky, unable to speak or breathe, heart pounding. The feeling was terror. I unfortunately ran out of a big presentation in front of the board and had to leave my old job. I then found propranolol and all symptoms gone when I pop a 40mg pill 1h then 30min before. Lucky I found it when I did."

• cra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2023

"Anxiety ruling my life, scared to go to work, on my days off not wanting to go anywhere. I spoke to the doctor and he prescribed me Propranolol. Almost immediately I felt different, the shaking stopped. I felt different, more calm. It's early days, but is this the answer to all my prayers? We will see."

• Ani...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2021

"I never leave reviews, but the contribution of this thread and propranolol deserves a special mention. I have struggled all my life with severe public speaking anxiety. When you are young, you are told it will get easier, and you live in hope, but for me, it only got worse, particularly with work pressures and an increasing feeling of inadequacy. During a recent presentation at work, I could not even speak, pounding heart, quivering voice, shaking... you know the symptoms! And then the shame and feeling of humiliation, which seems to stay with you forever. I've meditated, read countless psychology books, therapy, and nothing ever worked. I came across this thread, and although skeptical, I decided to give it a go, and oh my god! I could not believe how calm I was in that presentation. I tried it again a couple of times for presentations, and it worked every single time without fail. 40 mg an hour before, and that's it. Like many of you, I wish I'd known about this sooner. Thank you, science!"

• Att...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2021

"A life changer for me. I have suffered with performance and social anxiety for as long as I can remember (32-year-old male). I recently had a stressful period where I fell into a panic disorder and depressive episode. I have since been prescribed propranolol. I cannot put into words what this drug does for performance and social anxiety. I am able to actually enjoy my life, relax in public situations, and feel calm during performance-type work-related situations. It quietens the inner critic and allows the positive voice to shine through. 10/10 absolutely life-changing."

• dbu...
• March 2, 2020

"So I have a huge fear of public speaking. In any setting, I have avoided these completely until recently. It was in the form of adrenaline rush, fast heart rate, tunnel vision, shaky voice... pure panic. I've been trying to get more comfortable in these situations, so I joined Toastmasters for public speaking improvement (Highly recommend). But, I still needed that extra bit of confidence so my doctor prescribed Propranolol (10mg) to be taken before the event. I had my first ever speech to give at Toastmasters, which was really worrying me, so I took a 10mg first thing in the morning to help with the nerves that build during the day, then 10mg 90 mins before, then 10mg 20 mins before the speech (at 7:20 PM). I actually really enjoyed the speech, absolutely no fear or symptoms, and I got to work on being a better public speaker, rather than focusing on not dying and failing. I've read people taking doses up to 160mg, for me that was too much to play with."

• Meq...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 26, 2024

"I do a lot of public speaking and developed terrible situational performance anxiety during Covid, although I struggled on and off over the years. My primary symptoms were breathlessness and extreme sweating (literally pouring down my face and getting in my eyes). It was terrible, but something I thought I had to live with. Researched the problem and found out about propranolol and what it could do. I talked to my doctor who was happy to prescribe it. Just 10 mg an hour before and I am calm and in control again. Absolutely no sweating or breathlessness. No side effects at that low dose. I highly recommend this medication for performance anxiety."

• tar...
• May 28, 2015

"My anxiety is a daily struggle. My heart races, body tremors, I mentally freeze over any contact with people I don't know. Even walking by people sets me off. I'm prescribed 20 mg twice a day. It's a life saver. No more negative thoughts, unexplained irritability, etc. I love you propranolol."

• Anonymous
• October 20, 2012

"Absolute miracle - I cannot believe it. I take only 10-20 mg as needed, and it basically shuts off the fight or flight response. Those sudden adrenaline bursts followed by total fear and panic just no longer materialize. In fact, your entire body will probably thank you for the stress relief. Propranolol has given me tremendous confidence with virtually no side effects. This coming from someone who has thought it might be better to get hit by a bus than have to attend weekly staff meetings. More effective than alprazolam and without the side effects, from my experience. Doctors need to look at propranolol as first-line treatment for anxiety!"

• Pic...
• May 22, 2015

"Propranolol took me to the next step in my career. I'm a physician but never really believed in something so routine being so effective with stage fright. I was suddenly invited to give talks at an international conference for physicians - never having given a podium talk in my life before. Took 30mg 1.5 hrs before the two talks. Couldn't feel any symptoms of nervousness when I got up there. No rapid heartbeat, no turning stomach. Absolutely crushed the talks. Ended up winning a presentation award for my talk, against all odds. Not only did this medication help me accomplish what I felt is my base capability, but it elevated me to a level of performance I never thought I could achieve before and only dreamed of."

• nat...
• December 13, 2013

"I have a severe phobia of public speaking and major physiological signs and symptoms when doing so. I would have a pounding heart, sweat, shaking hands, and a trembling voice, and my mind would even go completely blank. In my career, I had to speak in public on a regular basis and I lived in fear of each speaking event. I was prescribed propranolol to take an hour before I had to do any public speaking, and it helped me out tremendously. I had no physiological symptoms at all while speaking. It is a miracle. I highly recommend propranolol for this indication."

• Jdi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2014

"I have suffered from public speaking nerves for many years. I have a very successful career and managed to get so far by avoiding or getting through presentations. During the beginning of any presentations, my heart would beat like it was about to explode and my mind would go blank. I took one tablet of 40mg an hour before, and it worked like a miracle. I am so happy now."

• Anonymous
• August 7, 2008

"I get situational panic attacks in high-stress meetings or interviews - these started a few years ago. My doctor prescribed me 10mg of Propranolol to take 10-30 minutes before meetings, speeches, etc. This calms me down, stops me worrying about the possibility of having a panic attack, and makes me a much calmer person. Having a pill on me at all times in case the situation arises has given me such confidence that I won't have an attack, now that I rarely get them anymore."

• iva...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 10, 2022

Propranolol "God sent Inderal in 1964, but doctors had their eyes closed for years. I was twenty years old in 1993 when it all started with severe panic anxiety and panic attacks. First, they put me on low doses of bromazepam, 1.5 mg x 3. (Don't worry, it will pass soon.) Then paroxetine, 20 mg x 3. Then CBT for years, no drugs at all, and told I needed to get used to it. I quit college, I quit my job. Then, ten years ago, I discovered Inderal all by myself from the internet, and 10 mg x 3 took all my symptoms away. Who is gonna give me back all those wasted years?"

• JAS...
• March 23, 2014

"Literally a miracle. Panic attacks were getting progressively worse when public speaking. Job was requiring more speaking. Xanax had no effect other than to put me to sleep. Internist suggested propranolol. I had low expectations because the attacks had become so severe. I tried 20 mg at home on a Sunday. On Monday, I did a small presentation with no problem. On Wednesday, I gave a talk to 200 people (took 40 mg 1 hour before) and had no problem-even had fun. So happy, such a relief. Highly recommend it."

• Nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2014

"I had read about the calming effects of this drug and my doctor kindly prescribed me some ahead of my Mother's funeral. I was intending to deliver a eulogy of about 10 minutes duration and I really did not want to break down as I was speaking. There is nothing worse than a sobbing speaker. I took Propranolol about 1 hour before the service, and it made a huge difference. I was calm throughout the service and I delivered the whole eulogy without any cracking in my voice. I even remembered to look around the audience and engage people by eye. Everyone was very impressed, and I was mightily relieved. I will definitely take this medication before any future public speaking."

• mam...
• October 26, 2014

"I must really have a problem. I take it for singing at church. But need a much higher dose than most I see on here. When I am just singing with the Praise Team, I take 60 mg, but when I sing a solo, I take 100 mg to feel no symptoms of heart palpitations, feeling like my throat is going to close with no notes coming out. And I'm 5'3, 115 lbs female...started with 10mg and kept having to increase dosage until I felt symptoms gone during a performance. Seriously don't know what I would do without this medication!"

• Mad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 29, 2014

Propranolol "Works like a miracle. My job requires some presentation skills and no amount of practice reduced the anxiety. My speaking skills improved with Toastmasters, but the anxiety was still crippling. I no longer fear giving workshops and presentations. I only need to take it prior to giving a presentation - just once in a while - and a single pill does the trick. Far superior to anxiety meds like Xanax. Propranolol reduces the anxiety with no negative effects on my performance, and no side effects that I've noticed."

• Ano...
• September 18, 2013

"I used to get so red and feel like my heart will jump out of my chest when I had to make a presentation at the university. Until the day I tried propranolol, it was more than a miracle. I felt so confident, so strong, and did excellently in my presentations with only 10mg half an hour before. That's AMAZING and life-changing indeed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2013

"I cannot believe how effective this medicine is. Usually I would be shaky, bright red, and my voice would sound like I'm about to cry or something. After taking 40mg before my presentation, I was as cool as a cucumber! Kept thinking during the presentation, I can't believe I am able to do this and not feel embarrassed. Won't fear presentations anymore."

• hal...
• October 11, 2014

"Prescribed this for panic disorder. Just had a 'thought-induced panic attack'. I was crying and sobbing uncontrollably, screaming, hyperventilating, pulling my hair out. The usual! Managed to take 30mg, having been completely dubious, within 30 seconds I just stopped. A wave of calm washed over me. Usually these episodes last 2 - 6 hours. Incredible medicine! Can't actually believe it, I totally thought nothing could stop me."

• Lon...
• February 24, 2015

"Like many on this site, I had the same terrible symptoms that paralyzed me in front of even the smallest group - even my own direct reports. I was prescribed propranolol and I am my old self again. THANKS"

• Anonymous
• November 7, 2014

"Really suffered with public speaking anxiety to the point where I had a panic attack during a presentation and had to stop. Friend recommended propranolol and the difference it made was remarkable. Felt slightly nervous when I had to give a presentation to a large group but when I started talking felt completely at ease. No issues at all. If anyone suffers with the same thing I implore you to see your GP/doctor and get this prescribed."

• Gra...
• September 15, 2019

"I am going to name my firstborn Propranolol. I don’t even know where to begin. I developed a crippling fear of public speaking in graduate school that has plagued me for almost 4 years. I now realize that my mental illness was actually spawned from my fear of public speaking. I now plan to wean off of my SSRIs. I would go to elaborate lengths to never have to speak in class or events. Once I told my professor that a family member was in the hospital so that I didn’t have to read a summary which every student had to prepare. So that he wouldn’t reschedule me, I pretended that I wasn’t in a state to focus on anything school-related. I have suffered immensely. The thought of having to present will put me in the worst place for days. I just gave a speech which I in no way could have avoided. And holy shit. You will feel like it’s not going to work. But pop a pill, and look at your hands an hour later. They will not be shaking. That’s when you know it will work. And it does."