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Beta blockers

horrorboy

Has anyone taken these and if so did you feel any different? Did they calm you down a lot?

Thanks

Reply 1

puppy

No, they're rubbish and they make you feel ill.

Get some diazepam

Reply 2

horrorboy

OP

What did you try them for, how did you feel ill?

Reply 3

puppy

Anxiety. Just made me feel sick and didn't help me at all.

A doctor tried to give them to me again recently saying that they're under prescribed and people usually give out the wrong dose which is why they don't work but I wasn't having it so I got diazepam instead.

Beta blockers aren't a lot of good for your heart either so I don't really like the idea of them.

Reply 4

Thud

17

i had them once, doctor said there could be side effects but nowt happened. my mum was told to watch me but i was fine, don't see what all the fuss was really.

Reply 5

horrorboy

OP

puppy

Anxiety. Just made me feel sick and didn't help me at all.

A doctor tried to give them to me again recently saying that they're under prescribed and people usually give out the wrong dose which is why they don't work but I wasn't having it so I got diazepam instead.

Beta blockers aren't a lot of good for your heart either so I don't really like the idea of them.

I don't either Ive has this anxiety thing for the past few years and have been prescribed them but don't really want to take them. My mum is going mad saying that if I really was as bad as I say I am then I would take them (is this correct??) With her being a nurse im tempted to but still I don't want to, what will happen when I come of them it will only return and I can't be on them forever. I just feel like there is nothing that can help apart from councelling.

Reply 6

puppy

They probably won't help you anyway. If your anxiety is really bad then I don't see what beta blockers are supposed to do, they're meant for performance anxiety for people who need to be really calm (sharp shooters, snooker players), not people who are physically terrified of the world.

Why did you get a prescription for them if you're not going to take them? I don't really see the point in that. You may as well try them and see if they help but I very much doubt you'll see much of an improvement. If you have chronic anxiety you'll probably get more out of an SSRI (not that it worked for me) or a benzodiazepine.

Reply 7

Revd. Mike

17

Betablockers don't treat anxiety, they treat the physiological symptoms that accompany it, like shaking and heart racing and stuff.

SSRIs, preferably combined with counselling of sorts is apparently conisdered one of the best treatments.

Reply 8

milly.

12

I've just been perscribed with them today, not had a chance to see if they work or not.

Reply 9

graemematt

12

For anxiety I'd go with diazepam, or some sort of benzodiazepine.

Reply 10

RetiredAccount89

18

puppy

Anxiety. Just made me feel sick and didn't help me at all.

A doctor tried to give them to me again recently saying that they're under prescribed and people usually give out the wrong dose which is why they don't work but I wasn't having it so I got diazepam instead.

Beta blockers aren't a lot of good for your heart either so I don't really like the idea of them.

you what!? Beta blockers are great for heart problems!

But beta blockers dont reduce anxiety. they simply reduce some of the outward signs - sweating, shaking etc.

Reply 11

candy x

1

i dont uderstand why you would of been put on betablockers for anxiety.

Sorry geeky nurse bit coming out....

beta blockers are adrenoceptor blocker, which basically means they work by reducing the force and speed the heart beats at and also by stopping the blood vesses dilating (getting bigger) there fore they should be used for treating high blood pressure, heart problems (eg people post heart attack) and angina.

iv never heard them being used for anxiety!!!!

Reply 12

puppy

candy x

i dont uderstand why you would of been put on betablockers for anxiety.

Sorry geeky nurse bit coming out....

beta blockers are adrenoceptor blocker, which basically means they work by reducing the force and speed the heart beats at and also by stopping the blood vesses dilating (getting bigger) there fore they should be used for treating high blood pressure, heart problems (eg people post heart attack) and angina.

iv never heard them being used for anxiety!!!!

They certainly are used, but I'm still not sure why since they do nothing. I have a feeling they're no longer liscened for prescribing for anxiety... don't quote me on that though.

If you don't already have a heart condition then, no, they're not good for your heart.

Reply 13

Aimai

7

I had them for anxiety. They didn't stop it but, when I came off them, I did notice that my symptoms were worse than before. Apparently they work really well for a lot of people. It depends on your problem. Just have an open mind and see. :smile:

Reply 14

Luize

13

I am on then now. Not for anxiety though, for migraines. (180mg slow release)
I haven't noticed any difference (I have been on them for a couple years now)
if you aren't happy with a treatment talk to your doctor about an alternative.

Reply 15

puppy

Beta blockers are the prozac of the anxiety world, they always try you on those first. You may as well just take them, if they don't work then you just go back and ask your doctor for something else.

They'd probably try you on an SSRI then, probably not on benzos unless you feed them some rubbish about how you're having an especially hard time so you can get a months worth off them but you can't take them for very long 'because they work' (according to my friend's doctor).

Reply 16

Carpediemxx

17

I had beta blockers too

I found they did absolutely NOTHING for me

I think i may have hyperthyroidism, and have blood tests, and was given beta blockers to help reduce some tremours i have

I was given a relatively low dose, and they did absolutely nothing

Reply 17

RetiredAccount89

18

candy x

i dont uderstand why you would of been put on betablockers for anxiety.

Sorry geeky nurse bit coming out....

beta blockers are adrenoceptor blocker, which basically means they work by reducing the force and speed the heart beats at and also by stopping the blood vesses dilating (getting bigger) there fore they should be used for treating high blood pressure, heart problems (eg people post heart attack) and angina.

iv never heard them being used for anxiety!!!!

need to take the geek upto the next level :wink:

think logically. everything adrenoreceptors are about - adrenaline. the flight or fight response. So your heart beats faster, your blood vessels tighten down. your eyes dilate, you become agitated and literally shake with anticiaption. fight or flight fight or flight fight or flight.
beta blockers blcok this response. in some people there is too much of this response at the best of times. people are too 'wired'. they keep thinking they are going to have to run away or fight at any given moment.

beta blockers can't help them with these feelings. but it can stop their heart racing. it can stop them shaking with anticipation.
thats why its handy.

theres another drug that works quite well - alcohol. its a key reason why many alcoholics drink - anxiety. self medication.

Reply 18

Comp_Genius

4

you can get insomnia and side-effects with beta blockers

Reply 19

puppy

Jamie

theres another drug that works quite well - alcohol. its a key reason why many alcoholics drink - anxiety. self medication.

That's going to be my reasoning when I go back to the doctor to beg for more diazepam. I'll just threaten alcoholism until they give them to me.

Beta blockers

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