they're a drug that's technically for people with bad hearts. they block the connection between things like anger and anxiety from having an effect on the heart. so someone who might be inclined toward a heart attack can remain physically calm while experiencing those emotions or aggravating situations.
informally, performers often take them in small doses to prevent the effects of stage fright. they can remove the physical effects of the fight or flight response - shaking, palms sweating, that sort of thing.
my shrink prescribed me some i could use on my audition day and now i have to decide whether i want to try them. eek.
I haven't had experience with them personally, but my husband took them for migraines for a while. They worked really well and also had a nice, calming side effect. I understand they're pretty much for short-term use only. He had to quit because he's a serious athlete and they lowered his blood pressure too much for him to be able to work out the way he has to.
yes, it's that nice, calming side effect i'm going for. my shrink gave me some to potentially use for my audition. i'm so not a person who voluntarily takes drugs and now here i am with all these self-medication options. very weird. but i think i'll give these a test run or two before the audition. hmmm...
If you want, I can look in my nursing drug book for a basic layout of what to expect from a beta-blocker. I'd just need to know which one you're looking to take.
I see patients on beta blockers a lot and they all seemed to do well with them. I've heard less good things about the calcium channel blockers (the alt. to beta blockers), so that tends to put the beta blockers in a better light.
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(no subject)
Date: 2005-02-24 04:49 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-02-24 12:52 pm (UTC)informally, performers often take them in small doses to prevent the effects of stage fright. they can remove the physical effects of the fight or flight response - shaking, palms sweating, that sort of thing.
my shrink prescribed me some i could use on my audition day and now i have to decide whether i want to try them. eek.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-02-24 01:30 pm (UTC)sounds like trying it out beforehand is a good idea, but that if it helps, and you feel comfortable taking it, give it a try.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-02-24 05:46 am (UTC)*ANDREW*
(no subject)
Date: 2005-02-24 12:54 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-02-24 05:57 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-02-24 12:56 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-02-24 03:28 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-02-24 10:56 pm (UTC)I see patients on beta blockers a lot and they all seemed to do well with them. I've heard less good things about the calcium channel blockers (the alt. to beta blockers), so that tends to put the beta blockers in a better light.