MadKally

I just replied to SULPHUR in a thread because I hadn't noticed this one before. It was a long post so I'm gong to paste it here. Something different from my usual diet of curt epithets. Right or wrong here it is:

Originally posted by MadKally
"beta" beta-blocker

Miller-Keane Medical Dictionary, 2000

A drug that blocks the action of epinephrine at beta-adrenergic receptors on cells of effector organs. There are two types of these receptors: beta1-receptors in the myocardium and beta2-receptors in the bronchial and vascular smooth muscles.

The principal effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation are increased heart rate and contractility, vasodilation of the arterioles that supply the skeletal muscles, and relaxation of bronchial muscles.
Because of their effects on the heart, beta-blockers are used to treat angina pectoris, hypertension, and cardiac arrhythmias. And, because they decrease the workload of the heart, they are effective in reducing the long-term risk of mortality and reinfarction after recovery from the acute phase of a myocardial infarction. (heart attack) They are also used for the prophylaxis of migraine.


Nonselective beta-blockers affect both types of receptors and can produce bronchospasm in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. If such patients need a beta-blocker, they should be given a cardioselective beta-blocker that preferentially blocks the beta1-receptors in the heart.


Nonselective beta-blockers include propranolol (Inderal), (commonly prescribed) used for treatment of angina, hypertension, arrhythmias, and migraine and for prophylaxis after the acute phase of a myocardial infarction; nadolol (Corgard), used for treatment of angina and hypertension; and timolol, used as an ophthalmic preparation (Timoptic) for treatment of glaucoma and as an oral preparation (Blocadren) for treatment of hypertension and for prophylaxis after the acute phase of a myocardial infarction. Cardioselective beta-blockers are used for treatment of hypertension and include atenolol (Tenormin) and metoprolol (Lopressor).

What I'm trying to say is that I think you are right... italics are mine I wish I had read this thread first!

Kally

Vespertine

Alright, I looked at the bottle and I was prescriped 'Lorazepam' (something like that). I don't think its a beta-blocker though.

Also, some people just get nervous. I've been performing solos since I was in 9th grade (6 years ago) and I still get EXTREMELY nervous. My mom had a helluva time watching me because it was literally painful to see. I've never had a problem with ensemble playing, I can usually play totally at ease. BUT, as soon as I'm standing all by my lonesome, I have a very hard time. So far (in college) I've had to perform for faculty each semester and also some for other students but next year I have to perform 3 pieces and I MUST pass or I won't be accepted as a higher level music major. I'm scared of it already. (I should've had to do it this semester but I switched from clarinet to percussion so I'm behind a year, erf.)

Anyhoo! If these really work, I will be so so very happy.

MadKally

Ativan is the brand name for lorazepam. (in the US) It's a mild tranquilizer. Another of the benzodiazepine classification. I mentioned them earlier when we were discussing Klonopin/Rivotril (generic name is clonazepam)

Jackalope

I was too fried last night to look things up in the PDR. Inderal is the one I've seen most commonly prescribed for stage fright. Next after that, Lopressor and Tenormin.

Lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonidine), and diazepam (Valium) are all benzodiapines. They'll make you "calm," but there's also a chance that they'll make you too drugged-up to play properly, which is why Inderal is more commonly used for stage fright.

Vespertine

Yeah, that was a concern, about clumsiness, especially since I'm a percussion major. I think taking a small enough dose should be fine, that and medications rarely bother me.

MadKally

I was prescribed Inderal (propranolol) once when I was running from my ex-husband, I was so scared that my heart felt like it was jumping out of my chest. It felt like the worst palpitations that a person could possibly have. I thought I was dying. I went to a cardiologist. (when I had good medical insurance) He had me wear a Holter monitor for 24 hours. All of that was from stress over the divorce and my fear of the ex possibly killing me. He prescribed Inderal and it worked quite well. My heart rate ranged from 50 to 150 during the 24 hours wearing that monitor.

Now I'm addicted to benzodiazepines, but that's another topic. At least I'm calmer. Well, some of the time..lol

SULPHUR

If you don't want to become addicted to benzodiazapams use beta blockers and see a good clinical psychologist to learn relaxtion techniques. It will save you alot of anguish

Godless Dave

I don't want to trivialize stage fright, because it's real. I just wanted to relay my experience, which is that being nervous is part of the rush. I'm fairly shy so getting on stage and performing is both scary and exhilirating. But I'm a rock musician and mostly play in bars so the consequences of hitting a wrong note aren't nearly as dire. I think with more experience this might be something you get over, Vespertine. But if the meds work, take 'em (with an informed mind and under a doctor's supervision, of course).

MadKally

SULPHUR, I've been taking them a long time. (benzos) It would take a very long time to wean me off of them slowly. Withdrawal can cause seizures, insomnia and a host of other things that I can prevent by just taking a pill. I'm a wimp. I tried to stop once and the doctor gave me phenobarbital for the possible seizures. It was horrible. Phenobarb sucks big time. So I threw them away and took two clonazepam and slept like a baby for the first time in 2 weeks. Oh well, I tried. But that time he thought I should go cold turkey. NO WAY!!!

Vespertine, please ask your doctor about Inderal. You don't want to get in my condition do you? MANY times doctors forget to tell patients about how physically and psycholgically addictive those cute little pills can be.

Nurse Kally