PCP recommends Beta Blocker for my anxiety problems please help!!!

[willowoman]

Please please help!. I went to my PCP with problems of anxiety as I am having some severe stress in my life right now. I have to file for bankruptcy and my X husband is taking me to court, and I can't pay my bills on my house and car. I wake up at night not being able to sleep and when I do sleep I wake up in full panic  mode that lasts throughout the day.  I have so many stress issues right now and my doctor ran some blood work and discovered that my Norepinephrine levels are very high (128 times highter than normal) and he stated that my blood pressure was elevated also. SO he recommended me to see an endrocrinologist and wants to put me on Labatalol (a beta blocker) to stop my heart from beating so fast and hard.

Is my doctor not understanding my problem by ignoring what I told him about my stress, and should I go get a second opinion?

I don't want to take this beta blocker for fear if I stop it my heart will spike back up and according to the side effects it could cause a heart attack!!!

Please please please any suggestions would be great!
Thanks!

[studdmuffin]

betas block the effects of norepinephrine. so he's right on that part. it's probably a good idea to go ahead and take the medication. instead of getting a second opinion, you should just go and see a psychiatrist for anxiety. if your bp is high then it's best to take the medication to prevent a heart attack. i've actually never met a person that had any side effects from a beta blocker.

[eieio]

A friend of mine recently gave me the link to this chart and beta blockers can be used for anxiety, apparently.  She said she's got another friend that has used them with great outcome.  So maybe your doc is onto something. http://www.adaa.org/gettinghelp/AnxietyDisorders/chart.htm

[tinalynn]

I am on a Beta Blocker. I have no side effects and it slows my heartrate, which was very fast before taking it, and brings my blood pressure down. I've been on it for about five years, I've only got good things to say about it. You'll be fine, trust your Dr. and take it. It will help. And yes, it is also used for anxiety. My Dr. told me it has a calming effect. Sometimes they even use it for overly hyper kids.

[willowoman]

Wow thank you so much for the information about the Beta Blocker...
I was hoping for something milder like Klonopin or Lorezapam but will look into a Psych appointment as well.