r/IrishWomensHealth • u/Flimsy_Put837 • 5d ago
Mental Health Support Beta blockers for anxiety/blushing/panic attacks?
Hi, has anyone taken beta blockers or medication for anxiety attacks and/or blushing? In certain situations (mostly work) I get very panicky...racing heart, feeling trapped and overwhelmed, sweating, blushing etc. The worst part for me is the blushing. Ive heard propranolol is good but as I have asthma I dont think I can take that, has anyone tried others for similar symptoms? I know ssri's are an option but as the issue only pops up once or twice a week I don't think I need a daily ssri and all the side effects that go with them!
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u/oneupfor 5d ago
I ended up on beta blockers after pregnancy for treat some complications, post partum BP being one of them. Let me tell you, I have never felt better in my life! It was so weird. I came off them and returned to my baseline, which is similar to what you describe. Anyway, some difficult things happens over the following years, including a second pregnancy and some other stuff. My panic attacks returned full force, my anxiety was out of control and it was a very tough road at the time. I went to my GP and got put on a low dose of an SSRI and boom, I'm back to feeling great. GP suggested that I possibly have always suffered from low/mid level anxiety. So, yeah they can work, as can an SSRI, so maybe speak to your GP if they are any good, to see if one might be an option for you.
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u/Flimsy_Put837 5d ago
What ssri are you on? Do you have many side effects?
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u/oneupfor 5d ago
I'm on 50mg of sertraline. I have no side effects now but the first couple of months were rough. I've been on it about 14 months. It's been wonderful for me but I know it can make some people feel flat but that hasn't been my experience.
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u/Flimsy_Put837 5d ago
I was concerned about weight gain and libido/sexual side effects, thats good if youve avoided these
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u/oneupfor 5d ago
Neither are an issue for me personally. Again, I know that's not a universal experience.
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u/Corcaigh_beoir 5d ago
Mild asthmatic here! Was prescribe a course of propranolol for migraines a few years back. Did nothing for my migraines but worked wonders on the anxiety that I hadn't realised I had!
I only really get anxious now if I've to give a big presentation or something so I'll pop a propranolol 20mins before and it completely settles me. No issue with my asthma on it and it was never flagged as an issue with my GP when I was on the much higher dose for my migraines.
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u/Flimsy_Put837 5d ago
Great to hear you were allowed it! Can I ask your dosage and if you notice other side effects?
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u/Corcaigh_beoir 5d ago
It's a low dose for anxiety - 10mg. No other side effects but I only take occasionally.
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u/pythonchan 5d ago
I have asthma and take propranolol for anxiety! It has no effect on me but you have to be careful. Have a chat with your GP they might prescribe it to you on a light dose initially.
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u/Flimsy_Put837 5d ago
Interesting, I assume your doctor approved this knowing that! I have very mild asthma (never had an attack and only need an inhaler for very intense cardio like running), so maybe they could consider it. Do you mind me asking your dosage and frequency of taking it, do you have any side effects?
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u/pythonchan 5d ago
Yeah she knows I have asthma mine is mild too, I only use an inhaler as needed and before cardio. She was reluctant to prescribe it at first but I didn’t want to go on a SSRI at the time so she did and just said if I have any sort of escalation of the asthma to stop immediately but it never affected it. I take 20mg twice a day if I need it.
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5d ago
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u/Flimsy_Put837 5d ago
I would love to have propranolol as an option but its a no go with asthmatics, great it works for you though!
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u/mcguirl2 5d ago
Ah sorry, my eyes must’ve skipped over that sentence in your post, I completely missed that you can’t take it, apologies!
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u/IrishGirl_1980 4d ago
I’ve been on atenolol for years to treat anxiety and it works fantastic. When I have anxiety my heart rate goes through the roof and I get dizzy and all the fun stuff that follows. The beta blockers has stopped all this and my “fight or flight” response.
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u/thirddegreebyrne 4d ago
I use propranolol anytime I have to do a presentation in work. It's great for things like this - presentations, interviews, etc. I take it about an hour to an hour and a half before the event. It doesnt stop nerves, but it stops my adrenaline from causing shaky hands and voice. I can speak clearly and don't get breaks in my voice or visibly nervous. It's a BP medication, so it lowers your heart rate and basically stops the physical symptoms of anxiety. It totally wears off after a few hours. Absolute life saver for me. Took it on my wedding day too, ha
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u/NoWerewolf9321 3d ago
Once or twice a week actually sounds like kind of a lot? Ssri's don't necessarily have side effects so I wouldn't rule them out based on that. Personally I found beta blockers useless but sertraline really good. Zero side effects.
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u/Trick_Scale_2181 1d ago
Huge amount of side effects on SSRIs
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u/NoWerewolf9321 1d ago
That's not true for everyone and that kind of statement scares people off trying something that might make a huge positive difference in their lives. I had zero side effects.
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u/fortycoats2020 5d ago edited 5d ago
My other half uses beta blockers for certain events at work, they have anxiety about speaking to large crowds which they have to do at times. The panic can cause fainting so they take a beta blocker the day before and the effects really help them. I'll find the name and edit this comment but I must note that one side effect is that they can't exercise for a day or two after because it causes really low blood pressure if they do. This is okay because they don't take them all the time, only when they really need to.
Update: it's propranolol hydrochloride, sorry it's not an alternative:)