New User- Propranolol, Agoraphobia Posted: 08-22-05 17:41pm
Hi,
i'm new here so i'm probably just
repeating a question someone has already
asked- but i've seen some really good
advice on here so if anyone could give me
some of that....It would be fab!
I'm 21, and suffering from panic attacks,
which i've had for about 6 years although
ive only been agoraphobic for 3, it's not
severe agoraphobia- I have 'safe zones'
like the town in which I live and where my
parents live- familiar places. But I cant
travel away from these places. Id love to
go abroad on holiday but that's
impossible. Ive been asked to go on
holiday with friends and im so fed up of
making up excuses.
I only recently got the courage to see my
gp. The first gp I saw gave me diazepam
because I had to go away from home for a
week. It worked really well. The first
night I had a panic attack but then after
that, I was amazed at how relaxed I was.
So with this new found confidence, I
agreed to go on a short trip, still in the
uk but away from home. But the gp I saw
wouldnt give me diazepam, he said I had to
take propranolol. I dont think it works
as well as diazepam and I dont want tp
risk going away and having a major panic
attack because I wont be able to go
home.
Anyway there was a long winded description
of my problem. What im looking for is any
advice, esp. From anyone whos had similar
problems.
Thank you!
:?
|
flowersintheattic
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 7
Posted: 02-22-06 22:12pm
The link below may help you, its an
agoraphobic forum. You can find support
there , and information about agoraphobia.
Hope that helps :)
I've taken proranolol and diazepam for
anxiety/agoraphobia before and you wont
get the same effect you did with the
diazepam. Diazepam is used because it has
strong sedative qualities which work
quickly once taken. It should only be
used short term as it is highly
addictive.
( my gp confirmed that we would only use
daily diazepam as an absolute final resort
for this condition)
propranolol, on the other hand, is a beta
blocker. It controls the physical
symptoms of a panic attack/anxiety (lowers
heart rate, blocks the beta receptors).
It oes not address the emotional symptoms
associated with his illness. Personally,
it wasn't the answer for me but it's
entirely individal which medication wrks
for you.
You sould look for a long term solution
this problem though. I've been on
citalopram (an ssri) for my
agoraphobia/anxiety for about 7months now
and it's helped me alot but you should try
therapy etc... As drugs aren't
necessarily the answer.
