Propranolol and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Can...
• April 7, 2009

For Arrhythmia "Controls A-fibrillation, but be careful about it dropping blood sugar. I felt extremely jittery, anxious, disoriented, and numbness in the hands and feet on a relatively small dose of propranolol (20 mg three times daily)."

• Jos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2019

For Performance Anxiety "The reviews are spot on. I take 40 mg an hour prior to speaking, and it makes a huge difference. As one of the other reviewers noted, your body won’t fail you. Performance anxiety can be good in that it (hopefully) motivates you to prepare. However, I have had several experiences in adulthood when my voice quivered and hands shook from the fight or flight response/adrenaline. This medication totally neutralizes the physical effects. You may feel nervous inside, but it won’t show. This has been a tremendous help when I have had to present to large audiences with my work. I wish I knew about this decades ago."

• Har...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 17, 2021

For Performance Anxiety "I am a musician (classical trombonist), and I regularly perform in high-pressure events in front of a live audience. Nothing is more stressful than waking up the morning of a performance of a trombone concerto and feeling sick, sweaty, nervous, and not having my face muscles work correctly. I take 10 mg the morning of, and 20 mg an hour prior to the performance. Playing trombone concertos or jazz solos is now a stress-free, enjoyable experience. I wouldn't have a career without it."

• Wor...
• November 23, 2019

For Anxiety "So I've just found out I'm pregnant. It was unplanned. The problem is that I was told to come off propranolol straight away, but now my blood pressure is high and my anxiety is worse. I'm worried about the effects on my baby with being so stressed. Is there another safer alternative to take?"

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2016

For Performance Anxiety "This drug saved me today! Always had insane anxiety over public speaking... Today, I gave a presentation to 100 physicians.... My heart was racing and palms were sweating as I stepped onto the stage.... 10 seconds into my presentation, all nerves faded away and I rocked it! I was totally in control of my breathing and speaking pace. Received applause at the end, not to mention compliments from my colleagues who never heard me present. I was EXTREMELY nervous and might have overdosed slightly as I took 120 mg... During the 4 hours before my presentation, I was experiencing serious anxiety about the speech and drug not working.... But boy, did it work! This treatment really works!"

• Beb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "Recently, I had a hemorrhagic stroke, and afterwards, I was having the worst headaches along with some anxiety. My doctor prescribed propranolol 20 mg per day. I started taking this medication last week, and yesterday I began to feel as though my speech was more clear and my mind wasn't as jumbled. I have been experiencing dizziness, but checking my blood pressure on a regular basis. At this time, it's just nice that other people are able to understand me when I talk. Unfortunately, my headaches are still occurring, but not as intense. My anxiety has seemed to decrease. Since this is only my second week taking this medication, time will tell."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 21, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I was on propranolol for two years for high blood pressure, and it never was effective. It sure as hell did help with anxiety, which I didn't really realize until after I got off of it. If it works for you to lower blood pressure, great, otherwise, switch fast. I switched to chlorthalidone, and one week later I have been around 120/80."

• KFD...
• October 25, 2018

For Performance Anxiety "Like the many other reviews on here raving about how great this drug is, I too agree with them. I generally dread presentation days and weeks in advance, and lose sleep and have knots in my stomach for days before having to present. When it actually comes to presenting, my heart pumps very heavily, my voice shakes, etc., etc. I've now used propranolol for two different presentations, and it has worked actual wonders. Yes, you do feel nervous mentally beforehand, but once you get up there-your heart is beating steadily, your voice is normal, you don't appear to anyone to be nervous at all, which is what I think a lot of performance anxiety is based on-people seeing that you're very nervous and then you feeling even more nervous. I couldn't recommend this drug more for anyone that feels the way I do about presentations. For reference, I'm a 24-year-old female, weigh about 11 stone, and I take 20 mg about an hour before presenting :)"

• Son...
• June 20, 2018

For Performance Anxiety "FREEDOM!! That’s what this gave me. I have done some solos in church, and my heart would race, my voice and hands trembled. I love singing and hated that I could not share that with the congregation, especially when all eyes are on me. I started propranolol after speaking with my therapist. Not only did it take the tremors and fear away, it gave me confidence, and I was able to not only sing but sing with power when I needed to. I feel released from the prison of performance anxiety. Released from feeling so down and disappointment in myself from not being able to sing. What a feeling to stand up in front of people and not start sweating and not worrying about what anyone else thinks."

• JB1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 7, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I had a particularly unpleasant experience with propranolol. I had issues with dry eyes, dry skin, insomnia, anxiety, and my menstrual cycle stopped. I came off propranolol (transitioned onto another migraine preventative), and the above issues went away. It did help decrease the migraine frequency, however, when comparing its efficacy vs. side effects, it wasn't worth it for me. I personally wouldn't recommend this drug when I've had positive outcomes from other medications without these side effects."

• Imp...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 12, 2013

For Performance Anxiety "I wouldn't say that I have a problem performing, in fact, it's the opposite. However, I am on a few other medications that absolutely wire me, so by proxy, lots of anxiety has been created throughout the day. I take 20 mg three times a day and can remain calm and collected. It actually helps to keep me focused. I guess it's true meds work totally differently for everyone. The only problem is if I forget a dose, it can be unbearable, and I'm not able to communicate well at all."

• Pat...
• January 25, 2018

For Anxiety "This has to be the worst tablet I've ever taken. So many side effects, just not suitable for me. Started on 80 mg a day. First day, blurred vision, increased anxiety, heartbeats irregular, paranoia. It made my life hell for 13 months. In the end, decided to wean off it, and I am now on 10 mg twice a day and feel like my old self. The next couple of weeks I'll be completely off it, and never again will I go on this drug."

• fle...
• August 12, 2011

For Performance Anxiety "I have been taking propranolol for the last 5 days, along with 20 mg of fluoxetine, due to severe anxiety. My doctor told me to take it at night, but I missed last night's dose because I fell asleep and woke up this morning with intense anxiety."

• And...
• February 28, 2019

For Performance Anxiety "A few months ago, I had to make a best man's speech at my brother's wedding. Public speaking gives me the worst anxiety, hands shake, voice starts to tremble, and the sweat starts to pour. When I woke up in the morning, I took 40 mg, about 2-3 hours later, I took another 40 mg, and then another 40 mg 2 hours later, which was 30 minutes before my speech. Once my first words came out standing in front of 200 people, I realized my anxiety suddenly disappeared, almost to the point where I was excited to be up in front of everyone. After my speech was done, multiple people have told me that it was the best best man speech that they have ever witnessed. This came as a total surprise because I'm normally so nervous that I forget everything I am supposed to say. For the people that really want to know how this works, it's simple. It also gives you the ability to think about what you're saying before you say it rather than just rambling on. This drug took out my 'Ughhhhs' and replaced them with short pauses."

• Mad...
• November 18, 2018

For Anxiety "I took it, and it is horrible. I could not sleep at all, even with 2 mg Valium and sleeping pills prescribed by the doctor. It made me worse, and my blood pressure went higher than usual. Now I did not sleep and have to go to work. I told my doctor that 2 mg of Valium was not helping with my anxiety, so she gave me this medication. Omg, I have had her as a doctor for 2 years. I asked her if she could just give me a high dosage of Valium. To control my panic attacks, she said I would get addicted. I'm 46 years old, taking 2 milligrams of diazepam, and it is not working. Propranolol is the worst thing I ever had. It even gave me a headache. I'm up just like it every day. The daytime, horrible."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 25, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on propranolol 20 mg twice a day (another dose as needed) for almost 3 years. I found out I had high blood pressure plus started getting panic attacks and anxiety. This med helped my blood pressure. I would still have anxiety issues, so sometimes I take Xanax 0.25 mg. Sometimes it does help with minor headaches, but not all the time. I like this med since it helps with other issues. But for me, it just helps with my blood pressure and calms my heart palpitations. I used to get them a lot more. Before the med, my BP was in the 150s. Now I’ve been in the 120s, sometimes 130. Some people have said this affects their sex life, but not me. I still have a strong sex drive, and luckily my husband's insurance covered it fully."

• Gue...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 21, 2018

For Performance Anxiety "You must not take as much as 4x20 mg in a short period of time. To take them 15 minutes before the presentation is too close. The effect of propranolol is best if you take 2x20 mg 1 hour before the presentation. The effect of that dose is very good 1-3 hours after you took them. Also remember that you must prepare very well what you shall present. Then the 2x20 mg will make you able to talk with no problems at all, even if you feel nervous in the brain. The nervousness will stay in the brain and be blocked from choking the heart, throat, and lungs."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2016

For Performance Anxiety "I've tried many things, but Propranolol really helped. I've done hypnosis, tried becoming a Toastmaster, but today I used 60 mg: 20 three hours before and 40 1.5 hours before. I still had all the obvious signs of nerves, like wet hands, feeling anxious, but as soon as I was on stage, I was fine. This was the best presentation I've ever done. Really happy to have found my secret weapon. I even cracked a few off-the-cuff jokes and got a few laughs. Funnily enough, I felt like I was actually connecting with the audience, and because I seemed more relaxed, they were too. Fab stuff!!!"

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2022

For Anxiety "Just left the doctor's after waiting almost 3 months to get in. My panic attacks got absolutely horrible after being diagnosed with severe arthritis in my hips. I had to leave my job as I couldn’t stay on my feet very long. Depression and high anxiety kicked in. I just took a 10 mg about an hour ago. I really don’t feel much better, maybe a little. I’ve read reviews on here, so I’m hoping it just needs to get in my system. I was taking Klonopin years ago, but he didn’t want to write me that, so fingers crossed. I’m sorry for everyone that suffers from anxiety, truly. Glad this medication has helped so many."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "A nightmare, literally caused nightmares, cold extremities, actually raised my blood pressure, and finally caused noticeable muscle weakness! Noticed when I was carrying my 4-month-old grandchild from the floor as I tried to stand up, my leg muscles were weak and shaky. I was frightened but thought I was just getting older. Started it initially since my thyroid TSH was low and my BP was high (have tried many meds that didn't work to lower BP), so we (me and physician) thought it would be a good fix. I stopped last week and switched to amlodipine. At first, I felt worse, nervous, felt poorly, but after a week, I am finally sleeping and feel great!"

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2016

For Performance Anxiety "Public speaking has been a huge issue for me for years. Even introducing myself was an experience that I would dread for weeks if I knew I had to do it. I've always thought that one day I would adjust and get over it, but I never did. I would lose my breath, forget what I needed to say, sweat, heart rate would skyrocket, etc. My doctor prescribed me this yesterday. I had to speak today, so I tried it for the first time. I still felt somewhat nervous when I was just about to get up, but when I did, I found I was able to get a sentence out because my breath was taken from me. I was able to recall the information I needed. I feel like I'm going to be able to be as successful as I should be now that I've defeated what has become my worst enemy."

• Oki...
• January 23, 2014

Propranolol for Ventricular Tachycardia "Doc prescribed this medication to control my high heart rate after a 3-day hospitalization due to supraventricular tachycardia. I had horrible side effects. Terrible insomnia, sometimes awake for 24 hours. Palpitations. Heavy congested feeling in chest. Anxiety. I was only on it for 10 days! Switched to metoprolol, and after 2 days started to feel tons better!!!"

• Sme...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2021

For Anxiety "This drug has been a miracle for me. I still struggle with lack of sleep and intrusive thoughts and have a history of depression, but my panic attacks and anxiety were absolutely life-destroying, and I mean completely. I was terrorized by panic-random panic attacks day and night. This drug entirely stops the physical panic symptoms, including the jittery feelings that come and go alongside the panic attacks. I take 10 mg once or twice a day or more if I’m facing a stressful event."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2018

For Performance Anxiety "I have had performance anxiety for as long as I can remember. So bad I have done anything to put off doing presentations. It’s really affected my life. My heart pounds, I go red and shake, and it’s just awful. I have been seeing a hypnotist for help. I had a presentation coming up, and my anxiety was through the roof. I found reviews for these tablets and got them from an online pharmacy. Well, these are a game changer. I only took 10 mg. Did presentation and was fine. Ok, you still get the nerves, but no physical symptoms, so therefore increased my confidence. If you suffer in the same way, please try them. You only have to take them as and when, which is great. Feel like I have my life back, and it feels amazing."

• Pre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2018

For Performance Anxiety "After years of preaching every Sunday in a large church of 1,000-plus, I suddenly developed extreme anxiety and stage fright. One Sunday, I had to stop because my heart was pounding so hard, I couldn't catch my breath, and I broke into a sweat. Talk about fight or flight, I had this unbelievable urge to run away. Tried meditation, deep breathing, taking Benadryl, ashwagandha, and phenibut. Nothing worked that well until I tried propranolol. It's brought me back to my old self and eliminated the anxiety. I take 40 mg about an hour before the first worship service, then another 20 mg before the second worship service. Just fantastic. Allows me to continue pursuing my calling, and I am very thankful."