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Been taking 2 x 40mg propranolol for the last 3 months and for the last 2 months my hair has been falling out at an alarming rate (not clumps)
I thought this was just stress but reading the info leaflet today it says these can cause hair loss. As the propranolol hasn't been helping my symptoms that I'm taking them for, combined with the hair loss, I'm thinking of coming off them (will chat to pharmacist and if needed GP next time I'm there)
So will the hair loss stop, will it grow back? Has anyone on here had the same issue? Are there any alternatives to this form of beta blocker?
Are there any alternatives to this form of beta blocker?
All depends on what it's being prescribed for. I was given them for anxiety, which it was completely useless for.
Yep anxiety here, but not stopping my heart pounding out of my chest or the adrenaline burning through my veins
In which case they're useless, they have no effect on anxiety, just suppress one symptom - raised heart rate. They also stop you exercising, which means you can't use one of the best ways of lowering stress etc.
I swapped to SSRIs (Citalopram) which were much better and reduced the anxiety to zero in a week or two. My sleep went from 1 hr a night to back to normal as well, which was a relief as I was a zombie most of the time.
I would head back to the GP and ask them to prescribe an alternative from the "Big Book Of Pills" that s/he has use of. Describe how they don't seem to be working and the side effects and there should be something that is less harmful to you. (The pharmacy should refer you back to the GP for a prescription change).
I take propranolol for anxiety, but only every when I need it, not continuously. That's how it was prescribed, and it works brilliantly for me. It takes between 1-2 hours to have an affect, and I'll take 40 or 80mg's depending on the circumstances I'm expected to face.
I also exercise, regularly - running 3 times a week no problems, props doesn't affect that for me, even on days I take it.
The only side affect for me is it disrupts sleep, but I'm taking that over the total panic that was preventing me doing my job.
For me it was a short term fix to allow me to get through specific work scenarios whilst I resolved underlying issues.
Panic attacks were brought on by splitting with my wife coinciding with a very challenging project at work.
That said, I always carry them in my bag, just in case. Miracle drug for me and saved my arse at work.
I'd get back to the GP and ask for an alternative, if it's not working for you and causing hair loss too. There are other beta blockers and other types of medication for anxiety. I have anxiety and don't tolerate any med they've thrown my way, but am finding counselling therapy (provided by the NHS IAPT service) to be helpful.
All the best.
Already taking Mirtazapine 45mg. Spoke with the Dr who suggested coming off propranolol and to see how I am regarding symptoms. He did say they are the most suitable med for me. Even just a couple of days of reducing dosage and feel that I do need a form of beta blocker (symptoms obviously worsened) even though they didn't reduce my symptoms by much.
I'm just permenently wired with adrenaline, heart pounding/skipping beats, tinitus worsened with increased blood pressure (not had it measured), been like this for 4 months, I'm fried