Propanolol?

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all_4seasons
all_4seasons Posts: 4
in Introduce Yourself
My doctor just diagnosed me with anxiety and panic disorder as well as mild depression and OCD and prescribed me propanalol and I was wondering youexpreince wwith it? Does it make you gain weight because I'm super scared bc that will make me more anxious if I start randomly gaining weight!! Curious about your thoughts :)

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  • djhnd
    djhnd Posts: 89 Member
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    Did your doctor recommend anything besides a medication? Because if you look it up in the medical books, they're supposed to try some other things first. Lifestyle, exercise, counselling, and so forth. Of course doctors rarely do this. And maybe this doctor only did this after trying all those, or is a shrink to whom you were referred after your GP / family doc tried all the other things.

    I think it's an important question, not just "will this medicine make me gain weight" but "is this the right solution for me"?
  • olivierlilley
    olivierlilley Posts: 1 Member
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    I have taken propanolol (Inderal) in the past for migraine headaches and found it very helpful. I did not gain weight from taking it.
  • all_4seasons
    all_4seasons Posts: 4
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    djhnd wrote: »
    Did your doctor recommend anything besides a medication? Because if you look it up in the medical books, they're supposed to try some other things first. Lifestyle, exercise, counselling, and so forth. Of course doctors rarely do this. And maybe this doctor only did this after trying all those, or is a shrink to whom you were referred after your GP / family doc tried all the other things.

    I think it's an important question, not just "will this medicine make me gain weight" but "is this the right solution for me"?


    I have seen my doctor (who is a nurse practitioner and family friend) many times and she just prescribed this for me. I can't decide if its the right fit until I know everything about it :):)
  • all_4seasons
    all_4seasons Posts: 4
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    olivierlilley wrote: »
    I have taken propanolol (Inderal) in the past for migraine headaches and found it very helpful. I did not gain weight from taking it.

    That's great! Thanks. Did you find your appetite any different?
  • deathbyokapi
    deathbyokapi Posts: 38 Member
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    Weight gain is not a side effect of propranolol.
    However, it will depress your cardiovascular system- lower your pulse and your blood pressure, so be careful when exercising. And if you do start taking it, don't stop taking it abruptly, as that can cause some pretty serious side effects.
    It can also cause weakness of fatigue (in some people) so just be aware of that as well.
  • all_4seasons
    all_4seasons Posts: 4
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    deathbyokapi wrote: »
    Weight gain is not a side effect of propranolol.
    However, it will depress your cardiovascular system- lower your pulse and your blood pressure, so be careful when exercising. And if you do start taking it, don't stop taking it abruptly, as that can cause some pretty serious side effects.
    It can also cause weakness of fatigue (in some people) so just be aware of that as well.

    Thanks!

  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
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    Check your pharmacist -- those folks are helpful about explaining side effects.
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
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    It's interesting that a Nurse Practitioner is diagnosing and treating you with a beta-blocker for psychiatric disorders. That's not unheard of, but you might try a second opinion with a specialist. Does your NP specialize in psychiatric treatment? Good luck! :)
  • victoire713
    victoire713 Posts: 720 Member
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    I take it, and have been on it for 2 years now, with no weight gain or side effects. It's my lifesaver, in form of preventing panic attacks and treating my anxiety. :)
  • Quasita
    Quasita Posts: 1,530 Member
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    I firmly believe that if you are actually in need of psychiatric medications, you need to be seeing a counselor as well as a licensed psychiatrist/psychiatric medication specialist. GPs do not have full education on these things, and a NP is NOT a doctor. She may be great for standard care but psychiatry is a specialty area, and you should be seeking care from someone specializing in the field.

    I have severe anxiety issues, but have never been placed on a beta-blocker. If you do not have cardiac issues that could be potentially causing your anxiety response, I would refrain from taking it until you spoke with someone else. It will not treat depression, but a lot of depression medications WILL treat anxiety... and the first course of action should be psychotherapy, not medication, unless you are in a crisis (such as feeling suicidal and tempted to harm yourself or others)
  • kirstyk05
    kirstyk05 Posts: 78 Member
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    all_4seasons wrote: »
    My doctor just diagnosed me with anxiety and panic disorder as well as mild depression and OCD and prescribed me propanalol and I was wondering youexpreince wwith it? Does it make you gain weight because I'm super scared bc that will make me more anxious if I start randomly gaining weight!! Curious about your thoughts :)

    Hi, I am prescribed the same meds. Cant say ive noticed a change in weight to be honest.

    I was taking them for a number of years and have had to recently went back on them. My mum also takes them and has not had any weight related side effects.

    Feel free to pm me xx

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