Beta blockers for anxiety

66Mustang

Does anybody have any knowledge or personal experience regarding taking beta blockers for anxiety?

I am researching it but I would be interested to hear if anyone here has information or experiences they are willing to share - I know there are several people here who suffer from anxiety.

Thanks

Ross_Alumni

Hello @66Mustang

I have no experience of this myself, but I'd be interested to hear the experiences of other members about whether this has worked for them.

Of course, if you do want advice about using them then your GP might be worth speaking with  

gillypoo

Hello , I take propanalol for my anxiety , they work by slowing down my heart rate and also stop me from shaking as much as I did , they only work on the physical side and don't do much for the brain torture as I call it , but it's definitely nice not to hear my heart beating and thinking its either going to stop or explode. I personally wouldn't stop taking them now that I do , they definitely work for me .

woodbine

I always resist giving any medical advice on a public forum, I am not a doctor, and would always advise speaking to your GP  about any form of treatment. I think @66Mustang what might work for some people might not work in the same way for you and would echo @Ross_Scope says about speaking to your GP

66Mustang

Thanks everyone and sorry for not getting back earlier. I tend to forget when I make threads outside of the coffee lounge!!

I wasn’t looking for medical advice as such, more just experience. The reason I didn’t just go to my GP is it’s not that simple at my surgery.

I suspect it is easier to get into Fort Knox than my GP surgery at the moment and you often have to spend over an hour and a half on the phone just to get through to someone.  I understood they needed to restrict access during the height of COVID but that excuse is wearing a little thin now as everything else is getting back to normal!

That said, I have just had an appointment today with my psychiatrist and I have been prescribed something today for my anxiety so hopefully that will help

woodbine

@66Mustang fingers crossed it helps, sorry if it came across as though I was having a go, that wasn't my intention, I think I just worded what I saying wrongly.

66Mustang

@woodbine not at all did I think you or anyone was having a go, no, don’t worry about that

Apologies myself if my reply made it seem like I thought so

Thank you, yes fingers crossed they work

Libby_Alumni

Hi @66Mustang

I'm glad you managed to see your psychiatrist and they've offered you something to help with your anxiety. Please keep us updated and I hope it's helpful for you

janer1967

I agree about gp surgeries mine is the same on the only occasion I have been since lockdown for blood tests it was like a ghost town yet still can't get any f2f appointments 

Personally I don't think there will ever be a return to what we were used to.

My surgery always did phone triage but now getting even a phone appt is about 3 week wait 

woodbine

It's really difficult getting a f2f appt. at the doctors, I think they are using the pandemic as an excuse to change how they work, I haven't had a conversation with my epilepsy nurse for more than two years now, she left the practice and they haven't replaced her yet, same goes for my diabetic foot check-up not been done, and my diabetic eye check, don't even get me started on that one, they have stopped doing them at our local hospital where I have had it done for ten years, they want me to go 20 miles I said not possible as I don't drive (and they tell you not to anyway) the bloke on the phone accused me of being very negative!
Then out of the blue last week came an appt. for somewhere I have never heard of at 8-20 in the morning, I thought the only 8-20 was at night !

Rant over

In fairness I should add that during the last  two years I have had three cancer scares and was seen by GP same day and a consultant within 2 weeks, however one of the problems whilst definitely not cancer has been ongoing for over 6 months now, they are finally going to do something about it next month, lets just say It makes crossing my legs uncomfortable 

janer1967

@woodbine my diabetic annual check is the only appt I have had since start of covid 

As for eye check due to my ongoing problems I have regular appts at the hospital 

I agree you should be seen more local as you say even if you could drive your not allowed to tor a few hours after the drops 

I don't know what the answer is to getting gp appt I know everyone is stretched but this must be putting more pressure on a&e as people go there when they can't see their gp 

Lisatho11987777

I must say my new Drs surgery have been brilliant with me and my mum they are spot on with my blood tests for my lupus and my thyroid  i have has 6 appointments in last two weeks to attend 4 of my appointments and two for my mum  its like a mini hospital they have several nurses and doctors there are three floors for different things and minor surgery unit  its very quite though when I have attended  but very thorough and I will be haveing monthly appointments with my drs surgery which is realy good to keep on top of everything 

MarkM88

I think it’s very dependant on area. 

In terms of my diabetes, I’ve not seen the diabetes specialist nurse or consultant face to face but have had usual appointments by telephone with bloods taken in advance. 

My feet have still been checked each year and my eyes. 

My GP gives us the option of face to face or telephone appointment which I find is good. 

I too had a cancer scare last year after a scan had revealed something, GP had me in with haematology within 8 days, luckily it turned out to be alright. 

It’s always going to differ area to area. 

66Mustang

Sorry to hear others have similar issues but glad it’s not just my surgery.

To give them credit my surgery is very good once you get in, it’s just near on impossible to get in  

I have a family member who works for the NHS as a mobile caretaker (they drive round to lots of NHS properties) and all the other surgeries they go to are just walk-in and see reception. Ours is the only one in the area where they keep the front door locked.