Propranolol and Shortness Of Breath: What Users Say

• Gam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 29, 2014

For Performance Anxiety "Propranolol launched my career! I suffered from severe fight-or-flight syndrome during presentations, interviews, meetings, and even phone calls. Symptoms included rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, weak voice, etc. I started taking these almost a year ago and have since been promoted to a director position. I present to our entire organization and lead meetings with our executive team - symptom-free! I use 10 mg for meetings and up to 40 mg for presentations and interviews. I have also used 10 mg before a golf tournament and the 1st tee box jitters were completely gone. The rest of my game still sucked, but it felt good not to dribble the first one off the tee!"

• Mis...
• March 23, 2015

For Anxiety "I am a full-time nursing student with PTSD. I have terrible test anxiety and am always in a state of fight or flight. I learned to deal with my PTSD but the high anxiety of exams sent me straight back to an anxiety attack. My doctor prescribed 10mg of propranolol, and it didn't help. Before I wrote it off, I took my doctor's advice and moved up to 20mg. It was amazing. Guys, I can't tell you how nice it is. Sometimes I feel like I can't breathe, like the world is crumbling, and I am unable to move. This also helps me with the nightmares. I used to have dreams where I was in danger and my feet were stuck to the ground, and I had no voice, so I couldn't run or scream. It was terrible. I am thankful for the tools the Lord uses!"

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

For Performance Anxiety "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!"

• cas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 7, 2019

For Anxiety "I typically take propranolol as soon as I can feel a panic attack coming on, or if I'm feeling really on edge. It helps to get rid of my chest pain that comes with my panic attacks, along with shortness of breath. Overall, it gets me to a place where I am able to calm myself down without being worried about my physical symptoms."

• Joh...
• March 10, 2015

For Performance Anxiety "I had been having serious performance anxiety for about a year at work - voice shaking, rapid heartbeat, short of breath, lightheaded, couldn't collect my thoughts in front of my bosses or in meetings which I often led. I was avoiding talking to my bosses and direct reports. After taking this medicine, I notice a general calm when in these situations now, and I'm so relieved. I led a meeting today and didn't get nervous at all. I was able to put my thoughts together, no problem, and had minimal/manageable physiological symptoms. On a 10 MG dose."

• Joh...
• December 15, 2018

For Anxiety "Sorry, have taken propranolol at a low dose of 10 mg every evening. Simply put, it made me like a zombie. It: - Took 75% of my personality away from me. I have my own business; I couldn’t operate/converse at all. - Made me feel like I was distant. - Gave me itchy rashes. - Made me wheeze. To name a few... Now I am on diazepam only. Thank goodness, and I feel like me again. Propranolol - it’s not for me. If you’re prescribed it, I hope it works for you, as we are all different."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2016

For Performance Anxiety "Thanks to all the reviews on this site, I went out and got a propranolol prescription. Have always had crushing anxiety any time I felt I was being evaluated. Shaky voice, unable to breathe or speak freely, the works. Had to present my work to 8 executives of a major potential client today, to do with a contract that could turn into millions of dollars for our little company. No pressure. Have been dreading it for weeks. Took 60 mg an hour before. It's strange because the usual internal panic I've become so accustomed to just never came. I could have been chatting to my mum, I was that relaxed. It went so well that afterward, when on my own, I nearly cried out of sheer elation that I had found a solution. 31-year-old male."

• Lia...
• July 2, 2015

For Performance Anxiety "I have had a fear of speaking in front of groups for as far back as I can remember. I dreaded the days when I was assigned a presentation to give in front of my classmates. I tried MANY things to overcome my fear (i.e., hypnosis, practice/repetition, etc.), yet nothing seemed to calm my nerves. Oftentimes in college, I would choose to receive F's on assignments because it involved giving presentations. My voice would shake, I would get body tremors, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and mentally freeze. One day, I went to see a doctor, and she prescribed me propranolol. Although I doubted it would work, I took a 20 mg dose before a presentation and I couldn't believe the outcome. No more anxious symptoms! So glad I discovered it!"

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2019

For Anxiety "Persevering with propranolol for my anxiety, as it does make me feel calmer during the day. However, it keeps me up at night and causes my chest to feel tight, with shortness of breath, very bad dreams, and a pounding heart, which makes me panic. Not good! I also had all the general side effects, including feeling very woozy and faint. These have since pretty much stopped, so I am hoping the nighttime stuff will too. I'm giving it one more month."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 28, 2016

For Anxiety "I am now in my late 30s and have always been a very confident person. I work in the construction industry and have worked my way up the ladder into an executive role. Seven years ago, I had my first panic attack just prior to presenting to the company. I fought my way through it, but I developed classic fear symptoms moving forward. I would worry myself sick with anxiety thinking about my next presentation. Two years ago, I was prescribed propranolol, and it has been a life changer. No pounding heart or shortness of breath anymore! I take 30 mg before a presentation, 10 mg before a stressful meeting that I need to run, and 5 mg in the morning can calm me on a stressful day. I thought I needed to change careers at one point - not anymore - miracle med!"

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Migraine sufferer for the last 24 years (since I was 5). I've tried everything! Migralieve, Imigran, Maxalts melts - all as an onset treatment. None worked. I was in bits... 2 children under the age of 6. I get the aura, the paralysis too, which is an issue as it's affected my breathing, the confusion, and inability to speak/eat/drink, etc. I then tried amitriptyline! Never again. It's an old style anti-depressant, and it hit me hard! I was a walking zombie, so spaced out and disrespondent. Then came propranolol, and what a lifesaver! I'm on 40 mg, x3 daily, and from someone who'd suffer daily up to 4 times each day, I'm now down to 1 every 2 months. Excellent! No adverse side effects, nothing."

• Kin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 21, 2015

For Benign Essential Tremor "I have been using propranolol for a few years for essential tremor (right hand), taking 20 mg twice a day, however, shortness of breath and fatigue are now an issue, and I am wondering if the shakes are worth dealing with versus shortness of breath and fatigue. I have read that taking the pills at different times of the day makes some changes, which is something I may try. I do quite a bit of presentation work, and I find it does help with anxiety and the stress of getting in front of people, but I am now questioning the side effects as well as weight gain. I walk three miles a day, and believe me, it is hard breathing, but I am on the fence about which is the more questionable condition: shaking or difficulty breathing with fatigue. What to do?"

• Caz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I hope this helps someone reading. I was prescribed propranolol a month ago for my migraines. 80 mg slow release. Since being on them, I've felt so cold all the time and having terrible trouble sleeping. I seem to be in a foul mood and feeling depressed. After 2 weeks, I even got a migraine. I then missed 2 doses over 2 days. I took them mornings. By the 2nd evening, I felt shocking. My heart was beating so fast and then missing beats. My blood pressure went up high. I felt dizzy and out of breath. I'm seeing the dr tomorrow to see how to come off them safely. I've been researching and it seems very dangerous to just stop them. It seems you have to wean off of them. Please research before taking them."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2021

For Anxiety "Worst anxiety drug I have ever taken. If you have asthma, do not let the doctor ever give this to you. Took 5 mg to try it and was prescribed a 20 mg dose twice per day, which would have been so dangerous to me. Within 4 hours, my body went into respiratory shock - horrible wheezing and coughing. Had to go to the ER to be put on a nebulizer, and three days later, my breathing is still messed up. Stay away from this, may help some, but not if you have asthma. It should not be taken - stay away. The doctor is getting sued, make sure they know what they are giving you. They just hand anything out these days to avoid benzos for anxiety and panic attacks. Screw this medical system, addicts ruined it for everyone else. Doctors would rather prescribe you a death pill than a calm-down pill."

• GM5...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I was really excited about starting this medication. The benefits described by my doctor, such as helping both my blood pressure and anxiety, were very appealing. Well, I took just one dose (20 mg) and had trouble breathing doing something as simple as walking out to get the mail. It should be noted I am a healthy, 30-year-old male and never experienced anything like this before. I also had severe insomnia the night I took it, despite taking a Xanax to try and get myself to sleep (which always works very well when I can’t sleep)."

• Sar...
• December 21, 2019

For Performance Anxiety "I’ve been having shaking episodes in social situations for the past 5 months. Tried to manage it myself, but so unable to do so, so eventually went to a doctor who diagnosed social anxiety and prescribed propranolol 40 mg four times a day. I haven’t had any more shaking episodes, feel a bit breathless and weak, but definitely more relaxed, I think I have this drug to thank. I don’t take 4 a day, just as and when I need to, before a social event."

• Kev...
• October 27, 2015

For Performance Anxiety "The first time I experienced any sort of anxiety in front of people occurred at a new job introducing myself in a large meeting. I could hardly get my words out, racing heart, red face, shortness of breath. This one bad experience made me fearful that it could happen again. I went to my doctor and was prescribed propranolol. Before my upcoming presentation, I tested it at 10 mg and then 20 mg another day. I didn't feel either dose was enough to get the job done for a presentation. For the presentation, I took 60 mg an hour before. Half an hour before my presentation, I was so calm although a bit scared. When I went to the podium, I was calm, and when I began talking, I was very comfortable. The presentation went very well."

• All...
• September 22, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I started this drug last night. I had a very sore chest, a bit of trouble breathing, and trouble sleeping. Today, I am very tired and have no energy. I only took 10 mg. Has anyone else had this problem?"

• Man...
• September 29, 2019

For Performance Anxiety "I took propranolol for 2 years before any presentations, and it saved my life! I suffered terribly before with all the physical symptoms possible. HOWEVER, the last month has been horrific - I took 20 mg propranolol and felt chest pain, had difficulty breathing, and kept having strong waves of nausea and lightheadedness - I reduced the dose down to the tiniest bit of tablet, it couldn’t have been more than 5 mg (did this a few times), and the symptoms were still there. What do I do now? I must stop propranolol completely - I just don’t understand how I went from being able to tolerate 40 mg or 20 mg with little to no side effects to taking a few mgs and having every side effect possible. (It’s really been the worst 3 weeks of my life.) I’ve lost quite a lot of weight recently, and now I’m quite slim - would that affect the metabolism of the drug or something? Does anyone have any alternative drug suggestions? I definitely need something!!!"

• lew...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2022

For Anxiety "This didn't help my anxiety at all. It made me feel winded by just walking across my campus. I only took 10 mg for extreme anxiety, and it simply made me more anxious. It felt like my stomach was going to explode no matter what I did. It made my heart rate way too slow."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2013

For Anxiety "Didn't do much for my anxiety. I still had shortness of breath and that 'pit' in my stomach. There was maybe a little less shakiness, but other than that, I still felt anxious. Now I'm on lorazepam, which works much better for me. However, I could understand why many people do not want to take benzos, might want to at least give this a try. It just wasn't for me."

• Mel...
• February 23, 2016

For Performance Anxiety "I took 1 and a quarter of a 10 mg propranolol an hour before my speech and gave a 1.5 hour speech with no issues. I'm 5'1", 125 lbs. I normally have a high heart rate, sweat, and have trouble breathing during speeches or interviews. This is a miracle drug that eliminated my performance anxiety. I will definitely start taking this before any presentations in the future."

• Ale...
• October 1, 2016

For Performance Anxiety "Propranolol (Inderal) has been a lifesaver for me. As I progressed in my career, I had to present to groups (20 to 100 people) on a much more regular basis. I'm a confident professional, however, my adrenaline reactions when presenting would cause me to shake and have shallow breathing. I'd feel like I could barely talk and would want to run out of the room. I also felt like I was about to burst into tears, most unlike me. With Inderal, I'd just take 40 mg 90 minutes before presenting, and all physical symptoms of anxiety are gone! This drug is unbelievable. I recently presented to 500+ people at a major conference, and while my mind was freaking out, I didn't have any physical symptoms of anxiety. An absolute miracle, game changer for me."

• xfr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2022

For Anxiety "I was prescribed Propranolol for anxiety, and it did absolutely nothing to stop the anxiety. I was feeling lightheaded and dizzy and panicking more because it wasn't stopping the panic or anxiety. I started having trouble breathing at night and having coughing fits."

• Anonymous
• February 12, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Was given this to help lower heart rate when they had me on nifedipine for high blood pressure. I've taken it for a month and asked to be weaned off. Last night of meds, I noticed shortness of breath and chest pain. My cardiologist wants me to start taking it again, says it is all anxiety. Awful to be on a beta blocker, wish they never gave it to me. So here it is to day 5 of feeling the shortness of breath and chest pain."