Beta Blockers -- Where to get?

[Bob]

And are they bad for you?

How much do they cost?


I remember hearing something about them being bad for the heart.  I don't think you can just buy them off the shelf.

I'm not concerned about the practice effects here.  Just if you can get them.  The getting part.

[amanfang]

I take generic propranolol.  Prescription from my cardiologist.  It is not bad for your heart, for me it helps my heart.   

I order through our mail-in pharmacy.  My last prescription fill was for 120 for which I paid $8.50.  Insurance covers the rest.

I do not take it "for practice."  I take it for every performance, public speaking, etc.  I also take it when my regular heart drugs just aren't "enough" at the moment.

[Bob]

Ah.  Very interesting. 

Doesn't sound like you're ordering in the US though amanfang.  Ah, there's insurance.

Just curious.

What are the effects?  Supposed to calm you down.  But what if you took them on a normal day?  What would the effect be?

[slobone]

I think it's usually the 3rd Sunday in May. Are you going to be in San Francisco then?

... oh wait. Beta blockers. I thought you were asking about Bay to Breakers. Never mind...

[mattgreenecomposer]

You'd be suprised how many conductors and concertmasters take this stuff.

[dnephi]

You'd be suprised how many conductors and concertmasters take this stuff.

And what gives you the authority to make this statement?

Daniel

[amanfang]

Yes, I order in the US.  The generic stuff I get is really pretty cheap.  And it is good insurance.

I take the low dose- short acting.  It's 20 mg.  When performing, it keeps adrenaline in check.  I rarely notice side effects.  The dose is generally too low and doesn't stay in your system long enough for side effects.  Generally, only if I'm taking it several times a day for long periods of time, I will feel wiped out, but once every now again doesn't really bother me.

[drjames]

I take atenolol. Just another beta blocker like propranolol.  Very cheap. Prescription only. I take for my heart, not my nerves.  I have taken it every day for over five years.  No side effects that I can tell.  It hasn't helped my piano playing, my tennis game or my sex life: but it hasn't hurt any of those things either.  Medically speaking I think it is a very safe and probably effective medication to use for stage fright.  Would I prescribe it to any of my patients.  I doubt it.  Being a pediatrician I don't think I can stray that far off-label to help calm some child's nerves. (But then again, maybe for an older teen...).  I can see doctors doing it for adults however.  James.

[pianowolfi]

I never take Beta Blockers. I take a homeopathic med which is called "Levico D3" which means water from a mineral source in Italy, diluted. It helps very well. It doesn't make tired, it has no side effects. Some believe in things like that, some don't. For me it helps.