I plan on taking propranolol for my anxiety, good idea?

[Sunnydays1]

I have chest pain/tightness (all day everyday) that's anxiety related for many years, I read online people's positive experiences, I'd like to try what having no chest pain feels like.
I went to a cardiologist today (to ask him about this drug), he ordered a bunch of tests, I told him about propranolol, he said it's not for my case, it's for people who have heart palpitations becasue of anxiety.. I asked is it okay to try it? He said no, we have to investigate the cause. I didn't tell him I have anxiety.
I've already done all the heart tests he's asked for in the past and they're all normal, so I don't intend on doing them again. I know my chest pain is psychosomatic.
Is it okay to take this drug by myself? The lowest dose is 10 mg. PRN. I'll see how I feel. It's available in the pharmacy otc without a prescription, so I don't need the doctor's approval.

Side note:
He also asked me if it's been going on for years, why am I coming now? The reason is I feel encouraged to solve my other health issues, because I've had a positive experience treating my gyn chronic issue, so I had hope that maybe there's treatment for my heart issue. The gyn doctor didn't ask me why I've waited so long to come and see her! I was actually afraid she'd judge me for neglecting my reproductive health, but she didn't mention it, which was nice.

 

[Movingforward10]

Gosh, if someone on here said "yes it's a good idea to take medication for something" I would be really worried!
We're random people on the internet and most not medically trained.

What's making you want answers from us?
You have an answer from a doctor who has said no. But you would like to do this.
Why not get a second medical opinion?
If you got one and that person says no, would you follow that advice?
And if you got a second opinion and that person says yes, then that solves your problem as you would get the go ahead?

 

[Sunnydays1]

Why are you upset?

Gosh, if someone on here said "yes it's a good idea to take medication for something" I would be really worried!
We're random people on the internet and most not medically trained.

What's making you want answers from us?
You have an answer from a doctor who has said no. But you would like to do this.
Why not get a second medical opinion?
If you got one and that person says no, would you follow that advice?
And if you got a second opinion and that person says yes, then that solves your problem as you would get the go ahead?

why are you so upset?

I'm still on my first "as-needed" prescription of this stuff to try to take the edge off my hypervigilance. Before taking it for going out into the wild, so to speak, I tried it at home while keeping track of my pulse via a pulse oximeter my household had obtained for COVID times, just to make sure it didn't drop too low.

Is it okay to take this drug by myself?

Eh, that's medical advice I'm not qualified to give you. Would be odd to have it available otc if it weren't generally safe though. Asking your pharmacist about contraindications with other stuff you're taking would be a good plan.

 

[Torch]

Sharing opinions and personal experiences is one thing, but ultimately it is up to you to decide.

Bad advice can come from community and medical professionals alike.

The same goes for good advice.


I don’t know anything about this drug, just lots of mixed experiences with medications.

Wishing you the best.

 

[Movingforward10]

Why are you upset?

why are you so upset?

What makes you think I am?!

 

[Friday]

Bata blockers might work, might f*ck you up, or might kill, you… depending on your personal medical history.

If you trust random strangers on the internet more than your docs & pharmacist? Time & past for new docs & dispense.

 

[Sunnydays1]

Bata blockers might work, might f*ck you up, or might kill, you… depending on your personal medical history.

If you trust random strangers on the internet more than your docs & pharmacist? Time & past for new docs & dispense.

Is there no option to delete my post? I want it deleted

This forum is awful, so much for asking about people experiences, and so what if I’m asking strangers on the internet? Then what is the point of this forum? And what’s with the aggression?

 

[Survivor3]

This forum is awful, so much for asking about people experiences, and so what if I’m asking strangers on the internet? Then what is the point of this forum? And what’s with the aggression?

What have you experienced here that you believe to be aggressive?

I've taken propranolol before for heart palpitations, it's quite a strong drug and did reduce my anxiety but I would suggest getting a second medical professional opinion.

 

[Warrior Chicken]

Have also taken this med for high anxiety events on a very limited basis. I’m sure it works differently for each person. For me it lowers HR and evens it out. Cannot do any mildly vigorous activity while on it.

If it were me, I’d get a second medical opinion cuz many doctors have very differing views on prescriptions. A professional opinion usually eases my mind more than comments on a forum. But perhaps a second opinion isn’t possible & the forum is the next best to gather experiences of others who’ve used it.

 

[Sideways]

Mod Note:

Is there no option to delete my post? I want it deleted

Short answer is no, but shoot questions like these through to Contact so we can talk through them without derailing your thread.

And what’s with the aggression?

I think you might be hearing aggression where there isn’t any. If the thread is distressing for you at the moment, maybe take a step back and revisit later:)

 

[Lost in the Woods]

I support you for posting a med question but be careful following advice. In my experience docs don’t always get what we are going through and other suffers do. At the very least, others sharing their experience identifies issues with the med that you can research on your own. I did try propranolol and it wasn’t for me. I have extreme medication sensitivities so I have had so many bad reactions I can’t remember the specifics. I just remember it wasn’t for me. I also took beta blockers and they almost killed me, BP and heart rate dropped extremely low. I could not hold my head up. I was very lucky I figured it out and I ate a bunch of salty food and that perked my bp up. I didn’t read anything excessive in the response post but we are known to be sensitive and blunt. Don’t let it bother you too much. Everyone is here for the same reason and we all have similar issues.

 

[RainbowSearchParty]

I second what everyone is saying, this is a med that you need to take doctor's advice on. Because it is a blood pressure drug, part of figuring out the dosage is based on what your blood pressure is and how much it can be lowered safely. I take it and it's been helpful, but if I miscalculate with food and exercise I just collapse on it. Definitely not a drug to take without supervision.