Social Anxiety Support

meyaj · 10-01-2009, 08:12 PM

They can cause heart blocks, which aren't as bad as they sound. Propranolol is the most widely used for anxiety, and with good reason.

As for running on them, no, you'll be fine. In fact some olympic biathletes (cross country skiing + rifle shooting) have been caught using beta blockers as a performance enhancing drug!

It can make you feel a bit dizzy and light-headed though.

Sarah106 · 10-02-2009, 02:10 PM

Thanks for answering. I took the first step and called my doctor and I am going to ask her about this. I'm hopeful, but nervous, too. My doctor can be weird sometimes. But, anyways, thanks for the help.

olygirl78 · 10-02-2009, 06:16 PM

Yay. I have been looking for a post like yours for days!!! I am starting nursing school and there are presentations and simulations. I too have avoided all classes that have a presentation on the cyllabus. I do the whole class and then leave for the presentation, even failed two classes because those presentations were our final! Yes, that bad. I feel so sick and nervous and shakey that my body really is telling me to flight, not fight! lol So I have a dr. appt too next week for these. Oh, my dr. better prescribe them-- I do not think there is a worse case of public speaking anxiety than what I have. I am sooo glad it worked for you (above). You sound just like me, so I have hope. I also ordered 40mg propranolol from online just in case she says no. I would rather be monitored by my dr. but if she starts the lecture about practing speaking then I am going to have to go ahead regardless. I have to graduate for crying out loud. Thanks a bunch for the info!! I will let you all know if it works for me. If it DOES work for me then consider it the cure because I cannot imagine anything stopping the feeling.

Junker · 10-03-2009, 09:11 AM

Same problems, and they have been literally debilitating. I've run out of rooms before. I finally went to my doctor and the past month has marked my first experiences with both a benzo (xanax) and propranolol. It has changed my life.

I've tried the xanax by itself, .5mg each time a couple hours before. It helps a lot, but when the spotlight turned to me my heartbeat suddenly kicked back in hard out of nowhere and immediately took over. The rush of anxiety just totally overpowered it I guess... shaky voice, trouble breathing, you know the drill. It sucked.

Yesterday I had my annual review at work. I took .5mg xanax early in the morning, but then around lunchtime took 10mg propranolol. Meeting at 2pm. I rocked it. I had everyone at the table laughing. I think the xanax helped me avoid building up negative anticipation beforehand, and the propranolol without a doubt made me able to run that meeting free of those physical symptoms. Priceless in my case.

In fact half way through the meeting at one point I felt my heart try to start pounding really hard and I thought "oh god here it comes," but within a second or so it was suppressed, as if the propranolol caught it almost immediately and squashed it back down. Next time I'll try the propranolol without any xanax at all... I have a feeling it will still work wonders.

olygirl78 · 10-03-2009, 10:13 AM

So, Junker~ Let me know if the propranolol works by itself w/out the xanax or whatever you are taking w/it. I have buspar but that does not even touch the panic attack I get at the mere mention that all of the attention will be on me. So, I will be stuck with just the propranolol I am sure. My dr. is all natural etc. and is totally against addictive rx's. Which is fine with me as long as I am not having a heart attack giving a speech. This is great I am not the only one. Everyone I know is like, "Really? Just picture everyone naked and you will be fine". Yeah right, I cannot even create a picture at all- I am frozen with fear! lol Ridiculous, but now I understand it more reading this site, that it is just a chemical reaction to fear- panic. Aah I feel relieved just thinking about this little propranolol pill.

99x · 10-03-2009, 10:55 AM

Just wanted to add my experience and input with this drug. The really distressing symptoms of my anxiety are physical that LEAD to psychological symptoms. For example, I'll have insomnia, nausea, trembling, sweating, increased heart rate, ect before an important social meeting(both work oriented and social stuff like dates) and especially before presentations. These physical symptoms start and manifest into psychological things like doubting myself, being self conscious mostly because I'm I know the sweating and cracking voice is noticeable to everyone.

Anyway propanolol completely wiped out all the physical symptoms which means peace of mind and the fear becomes very very manageable. It really is a wonder pill(I take 20 mg 30 minutes before the event) I can't tell you how much I love sitting back nearly anxiety free before those big dates or presentations. And unlike benzos it doesn't effect your mental state, it just makes it so my body reacts with no more pressure than throwing out the trash in just about any situation therefore it's not addicting, and I've not found the need to increase the dose. If your doc isn't prescribing this to you and you have intense physical anxiety then find another doctor because you don't need to get sucked into addicting meds like benzos, or even SSRIs(which arent really addicting but have withdrawal in some cases) Docs are suppose to use as little drugs as possible to get the job done. When they start trying to force dangerous psych meds on you then you need to really question them and follow your intuition.

Nymeria · 10-29-2009, 11:29 AM

This thing is lifesaving. It helps me immensely when my heart is racing, and believe me it's racing a lot and often, by the tiniest social interaction. I take two pills of Propanolol (40 mg) and in a few minutes I can feel the calming effect throughout my body, then my voice stops quivering.
I just wish the effect would last longer, I think it works only for 4-5 hours max. Can anyone verify this? I wonder if it's only me.

Also anyone that has been taking this for a while, do you build tolerance as you go on using it, and do you need more to have the same effect? I have only started taking it a couple of weeks ago so that is a bit of a concern.

gillettecavalcad3 · 10-29-2009, 12:19 PM

Propranalol is a drug that really didn't work for me at all. I went up to 40mg 3 times daily to no avail. I didn't even think is helped with the physical side of my anxiety, ....It slowed my heartbeat down, I'll give it that, .....but also made me so goddam fatigued.

Don't want to be the bearer of bad news, ......but it is quite common for your hair to fall out whilst taking beta blockers, ......so I stay way clear of them. But I guess PRN is ok.

As I always state, ......different strokes for different folkes. What didn't work for me could be a lifesaver for someone else.

lily2009 · 10-29-2009, 02:04 PM

I never hears of Inderal it sounds very interesting, This is not a med you take everyday right? Im on paxil and want to get of it and looking for something else. anybody help!

Positive · 10-30-2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nymeria

This thing is lifesaving. It helps me immensely when my heart is racing, and believe me it's racing a lot and often, by the tiniest social interaction. I take two pills of Propanolol (40 mg) and in a few minutes I can feel the calming effect throughout my body, then my voice stops quivering.
I just wish the effect would last longer, I think it works only for 4-5 hours max. Can anyone verify this? I wonder if it's only me.

Also anyone that has been taking this for a while, do you build tolerance as you go on using it, and do you need more to have the same effect? I have only started taking it a couple of weeks ago so that is a bit of a concern.

Seattle raining?

I want the seattle heineken shirt please !!

To answer your question, I think most drugs in the dosage last about that long.

For me, propanalolo didn't work and I ultimately had to try the benzo. You can try read my threads on 1st, proponalol and then on the benzo.

millenniumman75 · 10-31-2009, 09:15 PM

***Thread Lock Watch***
Action has had to be taken for posts requesting or providing online pharmacies. This is against the Guidelines.

Prakas · 10-31-2009, 10:08 PM

I completely understand where your coming from. I have dropped an english class last year, and am failing it this year, and just stopped working because I couldn't even pass the tests. Why bother with a 5 minute minimum presentation if I'm going to fail. Bummer, and I have to pass this darn class eventually.

I dread another one coming up in another class in a couple of weeks, been stressing me out since the beginning of the semester, but I'm doing great in the class, but its 25% of my final grade so its a must do. I'm going to really double or triple my xanax dosage for it. If I start failing all these classes, I won't be elgible for financial aid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by olygirl78

Yay. I have been looking for a post like yours for days!!! I am starting nursing school and there are presentations and simulations. I too have avoided all classes that have a presentation on the cyllabus. I do the whole class and then leave for the presentation, even failed two classes because those presentations were our final! Yes, that bad. I feel so sick and nervous and shakey that my body really is telling me to flight, not fight! lol So I have a dr. appt too next week for these. Oh, my dr. better prescribe them-- I do not think there is a worse case of public speaking anxiety than what I have. I am sooo glad it worked for you (above). You sound just like me, so I have hope. I also ordered 40mg propranolol from online just in case she says no. I would rather be monitored by my dr. but if she starts the lecture about practing speaking then I am going to have to go ahead regardless. I have to graduate for crying out loud. Thanks a bunch for the info!! I will let you all know if it works for me. If it DOES work for me then consider it the cure because I cannot imagine anything stopping the feeling.

NervousGuy · 11-04-2009, 10:45 PM

Does anybody here know if Toprol XL, (Metoprolol), helps in public speaking? I've been taking it for three months and I've noticed I am much more relaxed in social situations but I haven't done any public speaking or presentations to test it for public speaking. I understand that Propranolol is the king of public speaking treatment but how does Metoprolol compare?
Can Propranolol be prescribed when I'm already using Metoprolol? Thx.

phinsphan · 11-07-2009, 12:00 AM

Hey everybody. I'm glad I found this forum. For anybody still seeking information about Propranolol I hope my experience will help.

At some point in late HS and university I became very anxious about public speaking. I started worrying about speaches weeks in advance and I couldn't sleep and pretty much dwelled on my anxiety constantly. I started avoiding classes as best I could that had presentations (kinda hard as a commerce major) and really had a tough time in school. Every time I had to do a presentation my body would enter "flight" mode and I would find it difficult to speak - mostly due to my increased heart rate but also because of my shaking hands and legs, sweating and red face. Needless to say this was very embarrasing. Things got worse when I had a panic attack during a post university interview where I had to ask the interviewer for a timeout. My heart was beating so fast I thought I was going to have a heart attack. After that I spent many years avoiding interviews and any job that might include public speaking. Long story short, recently I ended up with a job that was going to require some stressfull presentations so I spoke with a doctor. He prescribed Propranolol to deal with the physical "fight or flight" symptoms. I started taking 20mg before any perceived stressfull situation and the results have been awesome. What it does is block the physical effects of my anxiety. It does nothing for the nervousness you feel before and during but at least you are armed with the knowledge that your body is not going to go into panic mode. This means normal heart rate, no shaking hands or legs and no red face. In my case, knowing I have these pills has greatly reduced my anxiety and for once I feel like I have a chance to beat this fear.

skater8o5 · Yesterday, 09:24 AM

Hey guys I have all the same symptoms as everyone else. The big one is that my voice is extremely trembling and it feels like i have a lump in my throat, which cause me to swallow a lot. My heart races and my face gets flushed!!! The first few words are usually the most difficult to get out. I absolutely hate introducing myself and the last time I did a presentation was in high school which was like 5 or 6 years ago!!! I'v dropped many classes because of having to do a presentation! I'v also walked out of the room when we were doing introductions because I didnt want to make a fool out of myself and it was embarrassing in itself to get up and walk out.

I would like to overcome this fear but part of me also doesnt want to let it go because I think I'v had it for so long but I know its something I must do to unlock my potential and to get a college degree.

I took an accelerated EMT course at UCLA last year and we had to introduce ourselves about 7 times. I almost dropped out because of it. The first day was absolutely dreadful. I completely sounded like a weirdo and when I talked and rushed through everything I was saying. It was ridiculous!!!

I just ordered propranolol because I have so many good things about it. Hopefully when classes come around next semester I can practice with it during the first day of class introductions and with this practice I can do a presentation eventually.

Ricks552 · Today, 08:59 AM

First of let it be said that this is the single most helpful thread i have ever come across.

The issues you are talking about are IDENTICAL to mines and i find comfort in knowing im not alone.

I have a few job interviews coming up so i went to my doctor and explained in detail the problem im having. I have no anxiety apart from when in a situation were i need to 'perform'.

I was extremely pleased when he mentioned propranolol without me even saying anything!

Hes given me 28, 10mg tablets and told me he'l give me stronger tablets is necessary. HOWEVER hes told me to take one everyday and stay on it for a few months!

It makes more sense just to take like 2 before the stressful event. Im totally confused as to what i should do, follow ur example or follow doctors advice.

I really dont feel likes its necessary to have them everyday becus i dont have any problems on a day to day basis. He thinks its better to stay on them to get used to them?

what should i do?

10-01-2009, 08:12 PM	#41 (permalink)
meyaj Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Markham, Ontario Gender: Male Age: 23 Posts: 571	They can cause heart blocks, which aren't as bad as they sound. Propranolol is the most widely used for anxiety, and with good reason. As for running on them, no, you'll be fine. In fact some olympic biathletes (cross country skiing + rifle shooting) have been caught using beta blockers as a performance enhancing drug! It can make you feel a bit dizzy and light-headed though. __________________ Medications I've tried: escitalopram, bupropion, venlafaxine, sertraline, nortriptyline, hydroxyzine, lorazepam, diazepam, temazepam, clonazepam, zopiclone, mirtazapine, trazodone, quetiapine, olanzapine, paliperidone Currently taking: 2mg nortriptyline hs(tapering), 7.5mg-15mg zopiclone hs, 2mg clonazepam prn

10-31-2009, 09:15 PM	#51 (permalink)
millenniumman75 Status: Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dayton-Cincinnati, OH Gender: Male Age: 34 Posts: 38,624	*Thread Lock Watch* Action has had to be taken for posts requesting or providing online pharmacies. This is against the Guidelines. __________________ millenniumman75 You are a success story waiting to happen! Live and let live VACUUMS more than a Hoover.... Live and HELP live is better!

11-04-2009, 10:45 PM	#53 (permalink)
NervousGuy Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	Metoprolol vs. Propranolol Does anybody here know if Toprol XL, (Metoprolol), helps in public speaking? I've been taking it for three months and I've noticed I am much more relaxed in social situations but I haven't done any public speaking or presentations to test it for public speaking. I understand that Propranolol is the king of public speaking treatment but how does Metoprolol compare? Can Propranolol be prescribed when I'm already using Metoprolol? Thx.

11-07-2009, 12:00 AM	#54 (permalink)
phinsphan Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	Propranolol Hey everybody. I'm glad I found this forum. For anybody still seeking information about Propranolol I hope my experience will help. At some point in late HS and university I became very anxious about public speaking. I started worrying about speaches weeks in advance and I couldn't sleep and pretty much dwelled on my anxiety constantly. I started avoiding classes as best I could that had presentations (kinda hard as a commerce major) and really had a tough time in school. Every time I had to do a presentation my body would enter "flight" mode and I would find it difficult to speak - mostly due to my increased heart rate but also because of my shaking hands and legs, sweating and red face. Needless to say this was very embarrasing. Things got worse when I had a panic attack during a post university interview where I had to ask the interviewer for a timeout. My heart was beating so fast I thought I was going to have a heart attack. After that I spent many years avoiding interviews and any job that might include public speaking. Long story short, recently I ended up with a job that was going to require some stressfull presentations so I spoke with a doctor. He prescribed Propranolol to deal with the physical "fight or flight" symptoms. I started taking 20mg before any perceived stressfull situation and the results have been awesome. What it does is block the physical effects of my anxiety. It does nothing for the nervousness you feel before and during but at least you are armed with the knowledge that your body is not going to go into panic mode. This means normal heart rate, no shaking hands or legs and no red face. In my case, knowing I have these pills has greatly reduced my anxiety and for once I feel like I have a chance to beat this fear.

10-02-2009, 02:10 PM	#42 (permalink)
Sarah106 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: IN Gender: Female Age: 29 Posts: 99	Thanks for answering. I took the first step and called my doctor and I am going to ask her about this. I'm hopeful, but nervous, too. My doctor can be weird sometimes. But, anyways, thanks for the help.

10-02-2009, 06:16 PM	#43 (permalink)
olygirl78 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5	Yay. I have been looking for a post like yours for days!!! I am starting nursing school and there are presentations and simulations. I too have avoided all classes that have a presentation on the cyllabus. I do the whole class and then leave for the presentation, even failed two classes because those presentations were our final! Yes, that bad. I feel so sick and nervous and shakey that my body really is telling me to flight, not fight! lol So I have a dr. appt too next week for these. Oh, my dr. better prescribe them-- I do not think there is a worse case of public speaking anxiety than what I have. I am sooo glad it worked for you (above). You sound just like me, so I have hope. I also ordered 40mg propranolol from online just in case she says no. I would rather be monitored by my dr. but if she starts the lecture about practing speaking then I am going to have to go ahead regardless. I have to graduate for crying out loud. Thanks a bunch for the info!! I will let you all know if it works for me. If it DOES work for me then consider it the cure because I cannot imagine anything stopping the feeling.

10-03-2009, 09:11 AM	#44 (permalink)
Junker Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Gender: Male Age: 28 Posts: 3	Same problems, and they have been literally debilitating. I've run out of rooms before. I finally went to my doctor and the past month has marked my first experiences with both a benzo (xanax) and propranolol. It has changed my life. I've tried the xanax by itself, .5mg each time a couple hours before. It helps a lot, but when the spotlight turned to me my heartbeat suddenly kicked back in hard out of nowhere and immediately took over. The rush of anxiety just totally overpowered it I guess... shaky voice, trouble breathing, you know the drill. It sucked. Yesterday I had my annual review at work. I took .5mg xanax early in the morning, but then around lunchtime took 10mg propranolol. Meeting at 2pm. I rocked it. I had everyone at the table laughing. I think the xanax helped me avoid building up negative anticipation beforehand, and the propranolol without a doubt made me able to run that meeting free of those physical symptoms. Priceless in my case. In fact half way through the meeting at one point I felt my heart try to start pounding really hard and I thought "oh god here it comes," but within a second or so it was suppressed, as if the propranolol caught it almost immediately and squashed it back down. Next time I'll try the propranolol without any xanax at all... I have a feeling it will still work wonders.

10-03-2009, 10:13 AM	#45 (permalink)
olygirl78 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5	So, Junker~ Let me know if the propranolol works by itself w/out the xanax or whatever you are taking w/it. I have buspar but that does not even touch the panic attack I get at the mere mention that all of the attention will be on me. So, I will be stuck with just the propranolol I am sure. My dr. is all natural etc. and is totally against addictive rx's. Which is fine with me as long as I am not having a heart attack giving a speech. This is great I am not the only one. Everyone I know is like, "Really? Just picture everyone naked and you will be fine". Yeah right, I cannot even create a picture at all- I am frozen with fear! lol Ridiculous, but now I understand it more reading this site, that it is just a chemical reaction to fear- panic. Aah I feel relieved just thinking about this little propranolol pill.

10-03-2009, 10:55 AM	#46 (permalink)
99x Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Age: 23 Posts: 251	Just wanted to add my experience and input with this drug. The really distressing symptoms of my anxiety are physical that LEAD to psychological symptoms. For example, I'll have insomnia, nausea, trembling, sweating, increased heart rate, ect before an important social meeting(both work oriented and social stuff like dates) and especially before presentations. These physical symptoms start and manifest into psychological things like doubting myself, being self conscious mostly because I'm I know the sweating and cracking voice is noticeable to everyone. Anyway propanolol completely wiped out all the physical symptoms which means peace of mind and the fear becomes very very manageable. It really is a wonder pill(I take 20 mg 30 minutes before the event) I can't tell you how much I love sitting back nearly anxiety free before those big dates or presentations. And unlike benzos it doesn't effect your mental state, it just makes it so my body reacts with no more pressure than throwing out the trash in just about any situation therefore it's not addicting, and I've not found the need to increase the dose. If your doc isn't prescribing this to you and you have intense physical anxiety then find another doctor because you don't need to get sucked into addicting meds like benzos, or even SSRIs(which arent really addicting but have withdrawal in some cases) Docs are suppose to use as little drugs as possible to get the job done. When they start trying to force dangerous psych meds on you then you need to really question them and follow your intuition.

10-29-2009, 11:29 AM	#47 (permalink)
Nymeria Status: grey Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Seattle, wa Gender: Female Posts: 4	This thing is lifesaving. It helps me immensely when my heart is racing, and believe me it's racing a lot and often, by the tiniest social interaction. I take two pills of Propanolol (40 mg) and in a few minutes I can feel the calming effect throughout my body, then my voice stops quivering. I just wish the effect would last longer, I think it works only for 4-5 hours max. Can anyone verify this? I wonder if it's only me. Also anyone that has been taking this for a while, do you build tolerance as you go on using it, and do you need more to have the same effect? I have only started taking it a couple of weeks ago so that is a bit of a concern.

10-29-2009, 12:19 PM	#48 (permalink)
gillettecavalcad3 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: U.K. Gender: Male Posts: 130	Propranalol is a drug that really didn't work for me at all. I went up to 40mg 3 times daily to no avail. I didn't even think is helped with the physical side of my anxiety, ....It slowed my heartbeat down, I'll give it that, .....but also made me so goddam fatigued. Don't want to be the bearer of bad news, ......but it is quite common for your hair to fall out whilst taking beta blockers, ......so I stay way clear of them. But I guess PRN is ok. As I always state, ......different strokes for different folkes. What didn't work for me could be a lifesaver for someone else.

10-29-2009, 02:04 PM	#49 (permalink)
lily2009 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	I never hears of Inderal it sounds very interesting, This is not a med you take everyday right? Im on paxil and want to get of it and looking for something else. anybody help!

Yesterday, 09:24 AM	#55 (permalink)
skater8o5 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	Hey guys I have all the same symptoms as everyone else. The big one is that my voice is extremely trembling and it feels like i have a lump in my throat, which cause me to swallow a lot. My heart races and my face gets flushed!!! The first few words are usually the most difficult to get out. I absolutely hate introducing myself and the last time I did a presentation was in high school which was like 5 or 6 years ago!!! I'v dropped many classes because of having to do a presentation! I'v also walked out of the room when we were doing introductions because I didnt want to make a fool out of myself and it was embarrassing in itself to get up and walk out. I would like to overcome this fear but part of me also doesnt want to let it go because I think I'v had it for so long but I know its something I must do to unlock my potential and to get a college degree. I took an accelerated EMT course at UCLA last year and we had to introduce ourselves about 7 times. I almost dropped out because of it. The first day was absolutely dreadful. I completely sounded like a weirdo and when I talked and rushed through everything I was saying. It was ridiculous!!! I just ordered propranolol because I have so many good things about it. Hopefully when classes come around next semester I can practice with it during the first day of class introductions and with this practice I can do a presentation eventually.

Today, 08:59 AM	#56 (permalink)
Ricks552 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4	First of let it be said that this is the single most helpful thread i have ever come across. The issues you are talking about are IDENTICAL to mines and i find comfort in knowing im not alone. I have a few job interviews coming up so i went to my doctor and explained in detail the problem im having. I have no anxiety apart from when in a situation were i need to 'perform'. I was extremely pleased when he mentioned propranolol without me even saying anything! Hes given me 28, 10mg tablets and told me he'l give me stronger tablets is necessary. HOWEVER hes told me to take one everyday and stay on it for a few months! It makes more sense just to take like 2 before the stressful event. Im totally confused as to what i should do, follow ur example or follow doctors advice. I really dont feel likes its necessary to have them everyday becus i dont have any problems on a day to day basis. He thinks its better to stay on them to get used to them? what should i do?