kpk54 wrote: »

Have you read "possible side effects" of propronol on line or on the info provided with the med? I'm not a doc but one of the " see your doctor immediately if" side effects is "rapid weight gain". There may be others in there that apply given your description of how you are feeling. See if you can get that appointment moved up. 2 weeks is a long time to wait.

Agree 1000000%

FWIW, I've taken Propranolol in small doses to moderate BG spikes from performance anxiety. (This was Dr. Bernstein's recommendation for counteracting the effects of cortisol and/or adrenalin.) It seems to work pretty well for that particular purpose.

I wish I'd asked my doctor for the reasons behind his advice not to take more than one, two at the most. He also mentioned that he generally doesn't like to use it for regular BP control unless it's "clearly indicated."

macchiatto wrote: »

I'm sorry. My husband didn't do well on beta blockers, either.
I agree I'd try to see your dr asap about this. You might need a different medication.

Same sort of reaction for your husband? Did he find something that worked better/fewer side effects?

I take atenolol, which I think is similar. My doctor prescribed it for my migraines due to stress. I'm a serious stress-monger, and it has actually helped a lot for that and my migraines. It hasn't caused any weight gain for me, since I started taking it a couple of years back. But I hear ya about how hard it can be to get back on track. I fell off the wagon in late Sept. For the last couple of months, I've physically been feeling terrible. Last week I got a horrible migraine and I've been getting sleepy around 2pm every day. On Monday, I had enough, and made the commitment to start and STAY on keto the next day. I've already lost 4.5 lbs. Now, I know that's all water weight. But just seeing that come off the scale and feeling my pants feel looser, and not waking up with splitting headaches in the morning has, so far, been the motivation I've been needing to keep me on track. Even though it's only been 3 days. The first week or so is the hardest, and if you can get over that hump, it will be worth it.

gypsy8080 wrote: »

I'll try to make a long story short. Between January 2016 and early December 2016, I lost about 35 pounds (from 236 to 201) by cutting my carbs to between 30 and 40 grams per day. Suddenly, in less than three months, I am back up to 221, and I am horrified and ashamed. And mostly I'm feeling out of control.

I can make a hundred excuses, but the main thing has been a load of unexpected stress that hit me around Christmastime. I was also put on propranolol around that time for high BP, tachycardia, and anxiety, and this medication makes me feel like my batteries are dying. I have zero energy, and my already sluggish metabolism has crashed. My doctor did not tell me that this is a common side effect of beta blockers, even though I told her that I was concerned about feeling more tired and gaining weight from any medications.

But the main problem, of course, has been that I have been cramming carbs into my mouth left and right every time I start feeling stressed. I never had a problem getting "back in the saddle" last year whenever I had a slip, but this time, I am STRUGGLING. And it's embarrassing and scary.

Just looking for some advice, motivation, support, something. I am seeing my doctor in a couple of weeks, and I'm going to see if I can get off the propranolol. It's not the drug's fault entirely, but it has had a major negative effect on me that is not helping my weight loss efforts. But mostly I need to break this carb addiction that has rekindled recently. It's killing me.

I've lived low carb for most of the last decade. I fell off the wagon in the middle of October last year after being strictly low carb for 9 1/2 months. I ate a sugary treat and proceeded to go on a 2 1/2 month binge and gained back 30lbs (of the 45 I had just lost)! I have never had as much trouble getting back on track as I did this time. It was embarrassing for me as well. I actually went through physical withdrawal symptoms. It was horrible! I am now back on track, but still have 13 of the 30 lbs left to lose. That's on top of the 30 I still had to lose to get to my goal.
My dr switched me from atenolol (it's the same class of drug as propranolol) to lisinopril. I also have anxiety. Have you tried essential oils? They have been invaluable for my anxiety. There is a clinically studied lavender oil gel cap that, according to those studies, works as well as Xanax (I've taken both and I agree). I think it's called lavella and you can buy it on Amazon. There are also blends off essential oils that are specifically for stress and anxiety relief. Some you can take internally, but they also work if you diffuse them or put them on topically.
Don't be discouraged. You can do it! You've already proven that you can. Just take it one day, one hour or even one minute at a time and don't allow one slip to lead to another. A huge thing for me, especially when I'm detoxing, is having a food plan. I always carry at least one low carb snack with me and have a plan of what I will eat for the day. I also make my husband keep his carb laden snacks that he eats at work in his car so I don't have them calling my name. It's less tempting if I don't have to think about it or see it, especially when I'm hungry. I just get hangry and then I make bad choices. You aren't alone.
Good luck! I hope it helps to know there are others who share your struggle!