Hi guy, looking for any advice or information of those who might be able to shed a little light on this?
My GP has today gave me 40mg propanolol tabs to be take 3x per day or as and when needed, for anxiety and occasional panic attacks.
My question is, I had asthma up until 2 years ago but it's totally left me.
is it wise for me to take propanolol because I've heard it does great things for anxiety and panic. Catch 22 here
Propranolol is useful for panic attacks although that is not what it was originally used for. However it is a beta blocker.....and the main treatments for asthma a beta agonists..i.e. a drug which trigger the receptor rather than blocking it. So in somebody with asthma it can make it worse If you have outgrown the asthma there should be no problem.
I presume your doctor was aware of your previous diagnosis?
Propranolol is useful for panic attacks although that is not what it was originally used for. However it is a beta blocker.....and the main treatments for asthma a beta agonists..i.e. a drug which trigger the receptor rather than blocking it. So in somebody with asthma it can make it worse If you have outgrown the asthma there should be no problem.
I presume your doctor was aware of your previous diagnosis?
Hi tashanie, oh yes, the doctor was great. She made me prove I was indeed blowing 800 on the peak flow instrument.
She also pointed out i should be with someone when i start them tomorrow, just incase of any adverse side effects and to stop them right away if there is.
i think I'll give them a go.
Thanks again for the quick response tash:)
Mo problem. Ir sounds as if you got good advice. And having someone with you is a very good idea. Keep me posted
Hi tash.....well I've started taking the propranolol but not at the dose my GP prescribed, which was 40mg 3x a day which I thought was excessive.
So I've just quarterd the tablets to 10mg 3x a day.
The results I've found to be Ok.
I can deffintly feel a reduction in anxiety 8 situations that would normally bother me.
On the Down side, I don't know if it's in my mind or not, but because I've discussed my asthmatic history with my GP....i feel my chest gets a little tight when i take it...
But hopefully that's just my mind playing tricks on me because having less anxiety is quite a nice feeling.
Jocky
I am always a little unsure about the right balance to strike when warning patients about potential side effects. I genuinely DO want to warn them.....but don't want to put the idea into their mind. My feeling is that at 10mg three times a day (a low dose) the possibility of problems with your asthma recurring is very small. I would give it at least a two weeks trial and see how you feel at the end of that.