Beta blockers for anxiety

I take 3 blood pressure medications and one is propranolol. I previously took Klonopin daily for anxiety related insomnia till I was tapered off. I’m not sure how mush the propranolol helps with anxiety but if I forget it for a few days, I am anxious, shaky and my heart rate goes up significantly. BP is stable now so I guess I’ll keep taking it. 80mgER

I also take propanolol and it does help with my anxiety.

@diverdown1 I would like to come off my anti depressant and Ativan (Loreev) eventually or at least lessen the dosage. Years ago, when I wanted to try beta blocker, there were less choice and the one I tried gave me insomnia. I so hope to succeed with my plan. Wishing you good health and hope your meds keep on helping. Thank you for your support

@con123 I had those symptoms even though I was on two BP meds, Remeron and Loreev. Hope the new regimen will be helpful. Thank you for sharing your experience. It is very reassuring.

Owing to a heart condition I was taking a beta-blocker (Carvedilol) long before I started taking an antidepressant (Effexor), while I was taking the antidepressant, and after I got off of it (I'm still taking Carvedilol). I don't think the combination had any impact on me either way.

Beta-blockers lower blood pressure, and there are studies indicating that in and of themselves they reduce anxiety on a short term basis, and can sometime be used therapeutically, but they don't treat the underlying psychological causes.

I've never used anti-anxiety meds, so that's not in my experience.

Heathline is generally considered to be a credible source. Here's their article on beta blockers and anxiety:
https://www.healthline.com/health/beta-blockers-for-anxiety

@zelenkobooks I was on Effexor XR for a long time. I also tried Prozac. Effexor was quite the experience to get off of. I stayed off antidepressants for a long time. I got sober, and that helped, but then I have had some pretty tragic things happen in my life. I know what hopelessness feels like, and I would wake up with that. I also have some physical pain as well as anxiety (which I believe comes from complex trauma and survival skills I learned growing up). I started on the lowest dose of Duloxetine 30 mg. in the morning. It has helped with anxiety, depression and I believe some pain. I only take the propanolol if I need it for anxiety. Gabapentin, I take as well for pain and as a mood stabilizer. I hate having to take so many medications, but grateful to have them. Hang in there.