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Anti Depressants/Beta Blockers

(11 Posts)
Elless Wed 27-Sept-23 10:13:07

I have taken anti depressants for over 30 years and resigned myself to the fact that I would have to take them for life, I have tried to stop taking them over the years but would always end up breaking down. Recently I went to the doctor because I noticed my depression seemed more anger based than tearful and she changed my tablets from Sertraline to Escitalopram but also gave me Propranolol. I have now weaned off the Sertraline and am ready to start taking my new ones but have been taking the Propranolol for 6 weeks and I feel fine, normally I'd be a tearful wreck by now but I'm okay. Has anyone just taken beta blockers instead of anti depressants?

Redhead56 Wed 27-Sept-23 10:34:03

I have taken beta blocker Atenolol along with another tablet for blood pressure for years. It keeps my blood pressure within normal range I am told when I have checkups.
I don’t have depression personally but my friend does hers coincides with hormone problems. If you feel fine that’s a good thing see how it goes hope it works for you long term.

Granmarderby10 Wed 27-Sept-23 11:29:03

Beta-blockers are essentially a cardiac medicine (I thought) and antidepressants are as the name would suggest.
I take the antidepressant Citalopram because I have suffered from depression and a beta-blocker called Bisoprolol because I have a history of heart attacks.

downtoearth Wed 27-Sept-23 11:57:39

I take propranolol and escitalopram.
Have been on the propranolol for over 30 years due to anxiety.
Propranolol has different uses,can be used for the treatment of migraine,and comes in different strengths for different uses.

NannyInTheKitchen Wed 27-Sept-23 12:37:52

I've been on beta blockers (bisoprolol) for a couple of years for a heart condition,. The Doctor decided to double my dose recently and suddenly I felt so much better about life. I had been feeling quite down before but now I feel almost back to normal.

Elless Wed 27-Sept-23 14:18:18

I can't believe how much the Propranolol has helped my mood, when the doctor told me to wean off the anti depressants I said to her 'don't be surprised if my husband walks in with a stab wound' but I am quite calm, my mood has definitely improved though they have made me really tired. I think I'll wait a bit longer before I start the escitalopram.

downtoearth Wed 27-Sept-23 15:46:59

Elless they do make you very tired,and also feel the cold more.

pascal30 Wed 27-Sept-23 18:44:45

Beta blockers are frequently prescribed for anxiety, but conversely can also cause depression.. I had beta blockers for a while for heart problems and found I was very fatigued with them..

Mogsmaw Wed 27-Sept-23 20:37:35

I was put on Propanolol for migraine 30 years ago and realised it helped with anxiety. I’ve been on antidepressants a few times over the years but not for about 20 years now. The batablocker seems enough.
I had the dose halved when I had circulation problems (my feet went white!) but I really feel it has made a huge difference. It doesn’t blunt my emotions but it seems to stop me “dwelling”. The only downside is, after being on propanolol for about 10 years, a conversation with a friend made me realise starting corresponded with a weight gain that has stuck. But it is a price certainty worth paying.

Joseann Thu 28-Sept-23 09:04:13

I forget I even take propranolol now since I was only 20 ish for an accelerated heart beat, (I live life in the fast lane grin ).
They do increase your weight a bit.

Oldnproud Thu 28-Sept-23 09:10:36

I was prescribed beta blockers twenty years ago for what the consultant insisted was migrain (it wasn't).

I didn't take them for long, but an unexpected benefit during that short time was that my normally shaky hands didn't shake!