Hola,
Estoy tomando 10 mg de citalopram por las noches para la ansiedad, aunque funcionaron durante unos años, ahora la ansiedad ha vuelto y esta mañana empecé a tomar 40 mg de propranolol además del citalopram. Me sentí muy cansado hoy, pero no noté cambios en la ansiedad. ¿Alguien puede decirme si tardan en hacer efecto y si el cansancio desaparecerá? Creo que esperaba una cura milagrosa y me siento un poco decepcionado. Gracias 😊
The theory behind beta blockers like propranolol is that they can help you achieve a bit of relief from anxiety by lowering the blood pressure; working to inhibit the fight or flight response - it's shown to work against some of the stress hormones and neurotransmitters. You can read all about it on Wikipedia.
It's very safe and I've used it on and off for years. At the end of the day, it's not a wonderdrug but it can help to take the edge off things when you're feeling very tense. Generally, it doesn't do much for a noisy mind - but if it helps relax your body, it can have a knock on effect to also calm the mind.
I've generally found the 80mg extended-release dose works a little better; you can take it once in the morning and it'll stay in your system throughout the day. However you'll find your hands and feet a little colder.
Try taking some deep breaths and focusing on what your senses - what you can touch, smell, feel and see - right in this very moment. If you can stay focused on your senses and let any worries pass over, it might help to ease the anxiety a bit better when you notice it coming back.
Little tricks like that can help you in getting some synergistic relief from slowing down and letting the citalopram and propranolol do the rest of the work
Hola Chris,
Parece que estás bastante informado sobre esto. Con la ansiedad tengo dificultad para respirar, pero si me distraigo, la sensación desaparece. ¿Crees que la sinergia de estos medicamentos detendrá esto con el tiempo? Los análisis cardíacos están todos bien. Gracias, Gill.
It could do - but you'd have to wait and see. Propranolol largely works outside the brain so it's good for the physical sensations of anxiety. There is evidence it works on norepinephrine - so giving it a while to balance out could help. Propranolol can make you tired since it lowers the blood pressure and slows you down a bit - another reason why I find the extended release better since it's a smoother 'all-day' release formulation.
With the citalopram, if it's worked so far for the anxiety but been a bit iffy lately you might find going up a dose does the trick. There are downsides to this though - as if you experience any side effects like tiredness - they could get worse (or better). Though it's best not to think about it as you won't know until you try.
I'd say discuss with your doctor if it'd be possible, a bump to 20mg might do the trick. It's not a particularly high dose if I remember citalopram dosing correctly (starts out about 10mg). Be sure to get some good books for anxiety to help you along if you haven't already. A lot of them have some good tips that'll go along way. Using both you'll essentially be even more powerful at kicking anxiety in the butt! Which is always good.
Oh and drink tea! It contains theanine (which reduces anxiety) and is a nice gentle way to get caffeine.
Hola Chris, gracias de nuevo. Hoy es mi segundo día tomando propranolol y no he tenido efectos secundarios reales. Creo que me están ayudando y, como lo tomo por la mañana, sé que tengo el citalopram para apoyarme más tarde. Bebo té descafeinado porque tomo Anadin Extra cada día y contienen cafeína. Recientemente compré un libro titulado “Sane New World” de Ruby Wax, todo tiene que ver con la atención plena. No estoy segura de que me esté haciendo ningún bien, pero es muy divertido porque ella es una mujer muy graciosa. Me pone una sonrisa en la cara, si nada más. Tendré en cuenta aumentar la dosis de citalopram si esto no funciona. Una vez más, gracias por tu ayuda. Saludos, Gill.
Hi Chris, why do you recommend tea? I thought it was best to avoid caffeine with anxiety. Many thanks
You did lyme investigation brother mainly western blot
Chamomile tea helps with anxiety
No caffeine
It's helped me for years...it doesn't make it go away but it helps to calm and soothe you.