Beta blockers for anxiety relief/public speaking

[marcen]

Hi there,
anyone know of the side effects of using small dosages of beta blockers for anxiety relief? I have an intense fear of public speaking that I cannot seem to lose. Meditation, natural supplements, etc. have not worked. I do not have any anxiety except for this, so I only need it occasionally. It is starting to affect my career choices etc because I am always avoiding it and cant anymore. I think I worry more about my voice shaking etc than the actual presentation.
Thanks for any advice!

[Katyana]

Originally Posted by julia_girl

Hi there,
anyone know of the side effects of using small dosages of beta blockers for anxiety relief? I have an intense fear of public speaking that I cannot seem to lose. Meditation, natural supplements, etc. have not worked. I do not have any anxiety except for this, so I only need it occasionally. It is starting to affect my career choices etc because I am always avoiding it and cant anymore. I think I worry more about my voice shaking etc than the actual presentation.
Thanks for any advice!

Beta Blockers (IE: Metoprolol, Atenolol, Propranolol) are not FDA approved to be given for the relief of anxiety.

The list of complications and side effects for Beta Blockers is long. The following are the list of side effects that have been reported with all of the various Beta Blocker Medications; that is not to say that all are present for each medication, just that these are the side effects for the entire catagory. Some Beta Blockers might have more or less of the below than others:

Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
agranulocytosis
alopecia
angina
arthralgias
asthenia
AV block
bronchospasm
cardiac arrest
depression
diaphoresis
diarrhea
dizziness
dyspepsia
dyspnea
edema
ejaculation dysfunction
elevated hepatic enzymes
exfoliative dermatitis
fatigue
hallucinations
headache
heart failure
hepatic necrosis
hyperglycemia
hypoglycemia
hypotension
impotence
insomnia
jaundice
lacrimation
libido decrease
myalgia
nausea/vomiting
nightmares
ocular irritation
orthostatic hypotension
paresthesias
peripheral vasoconstriction
peripheral edema
pharyngitis
priapism
pruritus
QT prolongation
sinus bradycardia
skin hyperpigmentation
syncope
torsade de pointes
urinary retention
ventricular fibrillation
ventricular tachycardia
wheezing
xerosis

If you have anxiety over public speaking (social anxiety disorder), speak to your doctor about Paxil. It's FDA approved for exactly that.

[marcen]

hmmm I posted but it didnt seem to work.

Thanks for the advice. I actually read on a few sites that beta blockers were used for this in small doses. I dont want to take Paxil, as I dont have typical social anxiety. In fact, I love working with and being around lots of people. I just hate and dread public speaking. This stems from an incident in my childhood when a teacher critized my soft voice I think. Anyway, I really only need something 3-4 times so I can get through these damn seminars. My heart just races and I fear my voice shaking more than anything. I know that without something I will just continue to avoid it.

[abbygirl2]

Talk to your Dr about benzodiazepines, they work quickly and can be taken when needed. I take Ativan for Panic attacks...or did, I am weaning off right now(I took them regularily, but they can be taken occassionally). They prescribed a valum type med when I had me teeth pulled several years ago(to relax me). Hope this helps

[index.html]

Julia,

Beta-blockers are occasionally used to quell the physical manifestations of anxiety/panic attacks. They don't help your fear at all, but they will decrease the racing heart, sweaty palms, etc. Side effects to look for are headache and dizziness, especially when changing position rapidly - ie going from laying down to sitting or sitting to standing. With rare usage like you are talking about, you probably won't have too many of the other effects.

Benzodiazepines are also effective for short-term, prompt treatment of anxiety. With them, you would have more potential for drowsiness than with the beta-blockers.

As seldom as you need treatment, I doubt that you would want to take Paxil on an everyday basis (and then have to deal with side effects upon its discontinuation).

Good luck!