Combinations - How would propranolol interact with GBL?

[AquaDementia]

Hey again

SWIM recently got put on propranolol for social anxiety, and it relieved them of physical symptoms but the psychological mess of insecurities is still there. SWIM hasn't used GBL in a while, but has to make an appearance at a party on Friday and was considering asking for a single dose from a friend to make it bearable, thus also avoiding having loads sitting around to get hooked on.

However, would the proranolol interact badly with it? Would SWIM be best to avoid using it for a few days if they wish to dose with GBL?

Many thanks!

[Gonthar]

SWIM used to take Atenolol many times with GBL/GHB and didn't notice any bad interactions. It's probably the same thing with propranolol.

[AquaDementia]

Thanks

[Space Numpty]

Whilst Propanolol will indeed deal with the physical effects of anxiety it has no bearing on the mental causes. SWIM accepts that "self medication" is one solution but personally feels that it does not address the issue. Is SWIY happy at the prospect that whenever he enters a social situation he is going to have to "medicate"?

SWIM will not offer medical advice but personally would look towards concelling if it where him. Maybe SWIY would like to read up on cognitive behavioral therapy. In SWIM's opinion it is saddening to see another medical professional dealing with emotional issues by taking the cheap and simple route. Do not accept poor service.

SWIM wishes you all the best

Reputation Comments on this post:

Great advice re: CBT

[malsat]

Yes CBT is meant to be a remarkably effective treatment for depression and anxiety. If unwilling to see a counsellor, look into the books Overcoming Depression by Paul Gilbert and Overcoming Anxiety by Helen Kennerley (since social anxiety is usually associated with depression). Both contain a weath of useful techniques for challenging and dealing with these afflictions. I'd highly recommend them.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good advice on books

[AquaDementia]

I would very much like to see a psychologist or councellor, but I do have a few problems with it.

The first and primary problem is that I'm skint, and such things cost money. I've tried a free councellor from my GP, but they were, frankly, crap. I saw a different councellor every time, the appointments were weeks apart and I had the constant knowlege that everything I said was being put into my permanent medical record. It didn't feel like I was moving past my problems, but like I was making them completely un-erasable.

Secondly, I have a major trust problem. About 2 years ago I had an informal psychologist who was also a teacher of mine (taught me psychology). Then he tried to get me to hook him up with 'other young women like me' and told me that I had been easy to get to play along in his games. He taught me for like 3 years before his true colours came out, and it has left me with a distinctly unpleasant taste in my mouth with regards to the kind of people that choose to go into that proffession.

Over those three years studying psych, I learnt all about CBT and stuff too, and it kind of seems like the 'magic' of it would be taken away if you already know everything that they're saying. I don't mean that to sound big-headed, because, of course I recognise that they could give me some fresh insights, but... well, I don't know how to word it, really. I just don't think it affects you in quite the same way when you automatically pick apart their methods, and it's difficult not to do so when the pro's and con's have been drummed into your brain.

[Synesthesiac]

I dont think there would be any interaction, but you might have to watch your blood pressure as propranalol causes a drop in blood pressure for most people. Just watch out for lightheadedness, etc. But I dont think that there should be any serious contraindictions between the two.

Since we're on the topic of CBT too, I'm currently having it and it really is good. Its not cheap though. My therapist recommended two books for me on the first session:

Calming Your Anxious Mind: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You of Anxiety, Fear and Panic - Jeff Brantley
The mindful way through depression - Williams et al

The main thrust of CBT I have worked out is to get people to live in the now. Buddhist monks have been saying this for years. By this it means not worrying about past thing, or worrying about future things, or going over things in your mind over and over again, just put them to one side and go for it. This is what you do with positive thoughts, if you notice its sunny outside you dont spend ages thinkinig about it, re-thinking about it and it becoming an issue, you just notice it. Eventually this is what should happen with negative thoughts. They are still there, but you learn to ignore them and replace them with positives. Because until you face up to whats making you anxious you will never know what the outcome will be. Its not easy, and you have to take it one small step at a time. Good luck.

Reputation Comments on this post:

good, informative response

[AquaDementia]

I have actually decided that even with the combination of the two, I can't bear to go. This has stressed me out even more, because I'm letting a bunch of people down and sending my boyfriend off to an all-nighter party on his own, but unfortunately it's just not something I can even entertain the idea of at the moment.

BTW, I have a quick clarification on the forum rules... is it okay to use 'I' since neither drug in discussion is illegal?

[Synesthesiac]

Originally Posted by AquaDementia

I have actually decided that even with the combination of the two, I can't bear to go. This has stressed me out even more, because I'm letting a bunch of people down and sending my boyfriend off to an all-nighter party on his own, but unfortunately it's just not something I can even entertain the idea of at the moment.

Thats fine. Take it step by step and try to set yourself a challenge each day to do smething that puts you slightly out of your comfort zone. Eventaully, after you start doing things that challenge you, you'll start to realize that the anxiety you are feeling is irrational and it will get better with time. If you have to use substances to give you confidence then thats fine, just dont become dependant on them and realize that they are only a short term tool to help with your anxiety. Swim still uses booze and GBL before he goes into a social situation that makes him anxious, although he's considerably been able to cut his usage down recently.

BTW, I have a quick clarification on the forum rules... is it okay to use 'I' since neither drug in discussion is illegal?

Afraid not, you shouldn't use 'I' when speaking about any substance, as every country has different laws and legal drugs are often illegal in some country or the other. Just best to always speak about your friend, or swim.

[malsat]

That sounds quite creepy Aqua, sorry to hear you had a bad experience like that. I would say though that i believe that the vast majority of people who go into the mental health professions do so out of an interest in how people function and a concern for the wellbeing of others.

There is a problem with publicly funded mental health treatment though. I feel your pain there. SWIM has been bounced around the public system here in Ireland and it's just a shitty, shitty system to be relying on. Been to 5 or 6 - hell, maybe more - counsellors, psychiatrists, social workers etc and none of them were ever able to help him. He was always referred on to someone else which made him lose hope and develop the belief that his psyche was just too much for anyone to handle lol. In reality I'm sure it's just a case of the publically available mental health professionals in my country being massively overworked, and I'm sure if SWIM ever got the cash for a private psychologist he'd be in good hands.

Is it just CBT you've studied or other major treatments also? There are things like hypnotherapy, neurolinguistic programming (NLP) etc. Even just talking to someone can make you feel better about life through those fresh insights. Fresh insghts are one of the major things that help, I think.

Sucks not having the money to pay someone for fresh insights though!

Still, mushroom season is a'comin'.... fresh insights from nature, and free too

malsat added 1270 Minutes and 25 Seconds later...

Sorry to hear you weren't able to make it out last night Aqua. There's no point in blaming yourself though. We all do the best we can and sometimes going out can just be too much. I'm sure your BF/friends won't hold it against you.