Beta Blockers

Wicked · 14th July 2008, 3:02pm

Ive just been prescribed beta blockers to help my anxiety but after looking through the possible side effects, it making me feel even worse.

Has anyone else been on them and did you get horrible side effects? The ones Im most worried about are the nightmares and trouble sleeping. I already have those problems. I dont really want to make them worse.

Hammer · 14th July 2008, 3:05pm

I used to take them. Was meant to take them three times a day, but just took them when I felt panicky.

No side-effects at all, although I wasn't very happy about taking a medicine that fucks around with my heart rate.

Wicked · 14th July 2008, 3:06pm

Ive been told 3 times a day too. The point of taking them is to slow my crazy heart down but if Im gonna be constantly scared of going to sleep, theyre not really gonna help me.

bikuki · 14th July 2008, 3:07pm

TBH that's not a common s/e at all - the ones which happen relatively commonly (and even then not that common) is feeling light headed on standing and exacerbation of asthma (which is contraindicated anyway so shouldn't happen at all). If you do get any of the side effects simply stop taking the medication and they'll stop. Don't get more anxious about it

**Shannow** · 14th July 2008, 3:18pm

Ugh, horrible, horrible things, like your head is swimming in dishwater, and not being able to do fun things like 'run upo a flight of stairs' for fear of passing out.

Wicked · 14th July 2008, 3:25pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannow

Ugh, horrible, horrible things, like your head is swimming in dishwater, and not being able to do fun things like 'run upo a flight of stairs' for fear of passing out.

Goody

I suppose if they do horrible things to me I'll just stop taking them but not really sure what to do after that.

**Shannow** · 14th July 2008, 3:31pm

Aftera couple of menths i was like 'i think i'd rather jsut have the anxiety attacks'.

TheCastrator · 14th July 2008, 3:33pm

There's a 20% chance of becoming a King Charles Spaniel while on them.

Posh · 14th July 2008, 3:36pm

Just wait for the full release, betas are always full of bugs/side effects.

Wicked · 14th July 2008, 3:37pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCastrator

There's a 20% chance of becoming a King Charles Spaniel while on them.

Well I like them so maybe it'll be ok

Tacky · 14th July 2008, 3:49pm

As Hammer said, maybe only take when you feel an attack coming on? I refused them as i wanted to try and take control of things myself. Then again, you;ve probably tried all the usual calming/relaxation techniques so shan't bore you them!

Wicked · 14th July 2008, 3:53pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacky

As Hammer said, maybe only take when you feel an attack coming on? I refused them as i wanted to try and take control of things myself. Then again, you;ve probably tried all the usual calming/relaxation techniques so shan't bore you them!

I dont ever relax. I dont think I even relax when I sleep

None of those things ever work for me. A year and a half ago I was told to try them. Still no luck.

Tacky · 14th July 2008, 4:07pm

Everything? Even trying to do things like crosswords to make you concentrate? Or maybe even trying to tire yourself out, like use the gym or something? Or, again, have these all been tried and tested?

Does not sound like a pleasant situation at all.

Wicked · 14th July 2008, 4:10pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacky

Everything? Even trying to do things like crosswords to make you concentrate? Or maybe even trying to tire yourself out, like use the gym or something? Or, again, have these all been tried and tested?

Does not sound like a pleasant situation at all.

Concentrating on something doesnt work. Im still tense. The gym thing is pointless with all my damn injuries. And besides, tiring me out doesnt relax me. Just makes me irritable. I have become used to it cos Ive always ben like this but its not fun.

bikuki · 14th July 2008, 4:13pm

Btw, this might sound really obvious, but all drugs have different reactions with different people. I've seen literally hundreds of people on beta blockers and side effects and adverse reactions are pretty uncommon - yeh maybe a few folk don't like the way they feel, but I'd at least try them with an open mind cos they might help you loads. And if they don't, simply stop taking them. You may be given different medication, but there's a MUCH higher chance of them working if you think they're going to work. Or to put it an other way - you're more likely to get anxiety-like side effects if you think you're going to be more anxious.