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What Causes Headache After Taking Propranolol Hydrochloride?
Question: Iam suffering from health anxiety and panic disorder and hence taking medication for the same from 2012.
My History:
- On July 2012 I started taking Escitalopram 10mg due to panic attacks and constant thoughts of anxiety.
- Then changed to Escitalopram 10mg and Amisulpride 100mg after 3-4 months.
- On Improvement It was changed to Escitalopram 10mg and Amisulpride 50mg on 2015.
- On Improvement It was then changed to Escitalopram 5mg and Amisulpride 50mg on March 2017.
- On Improvement It was then changed to only Escitalopram 5mg on 8th July 2017.
Current Issue:
- On 17th July 2017, I have joined a Ayurvedic resort for a 21 day treatment to reduce my obesity . For the 21-day period Iam not allowed to get outside the premises of the hospital. The night I joined I has severe panic attacks and constant thought that Iam stuck in the premises and will not be able to get out. I also had negative thoughts after changing the environment from home to hospital. Since I has these panic attacks and lost interest in daily activities.
- On 20th July 2017, a doctor adviced me to use Escitalopram 10mg + Clonazepam 0.5mg at night for one month. The situation was improving (even though I was still getting some anxiety thoughts) untill I met another Psychiatrist On 27th July 2017, who told me to reduce Clonazepam to 0.5mg since it will be addictive and told me that I have abused the drugs all these years.
- From 27th July 2017, my anxiety started to increase. I started getting extreme anxiety and panic attacks, so much that I lost interest in everyday activities. I have a feeling that I will never be able to control this and come out of this situation. I read many forums and tried to accept the thoughts, but it made me more anxious.
- Today I met another Psychiatrist and he suggested me some medicines followed by CBT. Below are the medicines he has prescribed:
Escitalopram 20mg(1-0-0)
Clonazepam 0.25mg(0-0-1)
Propranolol Hydrochloride 20mg(1-0-0)
I have the below questions:
1) What should I do when my anxiety is extreme ? Can anything be done?
2) I took Propranolol Hydrochloride today and I started getting headache in the evening. Can that be due to this medicine?
3) Will I ever be able to break this anxiety cycle and start enjoying my life?
4) Can I take Escitalopram 20mg in the night rather than in the morning because I feel I might not be able to control myself till tomorrow morning and the last taken Escitalopram dose was 10mg that I took yesterday night ?
My History:
- On July 2012 I started taking Escitalopram 10mg due to panic attacks and constant thoughts of anxiety.
- Then changed to Escitalopram 10mg and Amisulpride 100mg after 3-4 months.
- On Improvement It was changed to Escitalopram 10mg and Amisulpride 50mg on 2015.
- On Improvement It was then changed to Escitalopram 5mg and Amisulpride 50mg on March 2017.
- On Improvement It was then changed to only Escitalopram 5mg on 8th July 2017.
Current Issue:
- On 17th July 2017, I have joined a Ayurvedic resort for a 21 day treatment to reduce my obesity . For the 21-day period Iam not allowed to get outside the premises of the hospital. The night I joined I has severe panic attacks and constant thought that Iam stuck in the premises and will not be able to get out. I also had negative thoughts after changing the environment from home to hospital. Since I has these panic attacks and lost interest in daily activities.
- On 20th July 2017, a doctor adviced me to use Escitalopram 10mg + Clonazepam 0.5mg at night for one month. The situation was improving (even though I was still getting some anxiety thoughts) untill I met another Psychiatrist On 27th July 2017, who told me to reduce Clonazepam to 0.5mg since it will be addictive and told me that I have abused the drugs all these years.
- From 27th July 2017, my anxiety started to increase. I started getting extreme anxiety and panic attacks, so much that I lost interest in everyday activities. I have a feeling that I will never be able to control this and come out of this situation. I read many forums and tried to accept the thoughts, but it made me more anxious.
- Today I met another Psychiatrist and he suggested me some medicines followed by CBT. Below are the medicines he has prescribed:
Escitalopram 20mg(1-0-0)
Clonazepam 0.25mg(0-0-1)
Propranolol Hydrochloride 20mg(1-0-0)
I have the below questions:
1) What should I do when my anxiety is extreme ? Can anything be done?
2) I took Propranolol Hydrochloride today and I started getting headache in the evening. Can that be due to this medicine?
3) Will I ever be able to break this anxiety cycle and start enjoying my life?
4) Can I take Escitalopram 20mg in the night rather than in the morning because I feel I might not be able to control myself till tomorrow morning and the last taken Escitalopram dose was 10mg that I took yesterday night ?
Brief Answer:
Deep breathing could be used as rescue strategy
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
We interacted around five weeks back and have some background knowledge about your condition.
My answers to your questions are as follows.
1. Yes deep breathing exercise is one which can be used as rescue strategy when you have anxiety. It is an excellent option as it decreases the sympathetic nervous system tone to help you.
2. Propranolol causes low blood pressure and that could be the reason for feeling lightheadedness. However most individuals tolerate it better over the passing days and same can be expected in your case. I mean it is rightly possible that you will be able to tolerate it better on coming days.
3. Anxiety is treatable disorder and there is good possibility that you will be able to break this cycle. I think CBT is excellent option to help you in long term in addition to medications.
4. Escitalopram is sedating in almost 30 % of patients and activating in similar number of patients. Morning escitalopram is recommended in those who have activating effect. In this who have sedating effects it is better to take at night.
I must assure you that you will be able to manage with clonazepam and propranolol as they are active in few hours of intake in contrast to escitalopram which takes days if not weeks.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Deep breathing could be used as rescue strategy
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
We interacted around five weeks back and have some background knowledge about your condition.
My answers to your questions are as follows.
1. Yes deep breathing exercise is one which can be used as rescue strategy when you have anxiety. It is an excellent option as it decreases the sympathetic nervous system tone to help you.
2. Propranolol causes low blood pressure and that could be the reason for feeling lightheadedness. However most individuals tolerate it better over the passing days and same can be expected in your case. I mean it is rightly possible that you will be able to tolerate it better on coming days.
3. Anxiety is treatable disorder and there is good possibility that you will be able to break this cycle. I think CBT is excellent option to help you in long term in addition to medications.
4. Escitalopram is sedating in almost 30 % of patients and activating in similar number of patients. Morning escitalopram is recommended in those who have activating effect. In this who have sedating effects it is better to take at night.
I must assure you that you will be able to manage with clonazepam and propranolol as they are active in few hours of intake in contrast to escitalopram which takes days if not weeks.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thanks.. Shall I take 0.5mg instead of 0.25mg Clonazepam today since I had 2 panic attacks just now ? Also my body is still shivering due to the panic attacks now. Since I have been taking 10 mg of Escitalopram at night all these days, shall I continue taking it in the night?
Brief Answer:
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for your positive feedback.
Although 0.5 mg can be taken but always inform your doctor before attempting any change in medication. It is most important thing as this will help you and your doctor to decide the required but needed course of action.
Regarding schedule of escitalopram as suggested above it can be taken either in morning as well as night depending on the effect on your body. Every patient reacts differently and if it is sedative for you better take it in night and again inform your doctor.
I hope this helps you further.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
In future, if you wish to ask any more questions, you can use the below-mentioned link to contact me.
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for your positive feedback.
Although 0.5 mg can be taken but always inform your doctor before attempting any change in medication. It is most important thing as this will help you and your doctor to decide the required but needed course of action.
Regarding schedule of escitalopram as suggested above it can be taken either in morning as well as night depending on the effect on your body. Every patient reacts differently and if it is sedative for you better take it in night and again inform your doctor.
I hope this helps you further.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
In future, if you wish to ask any more questions, you can use the below-mentioned link to contact me.
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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