Beta Blockers???

[charzysbebe]

Ok guys, as you know, I SING TOMORROW IN FRONT OF LOTS OF PEOPLE, AND 3 JUDGES!!!!! [img]smileys/smilies_10.gif[/img]


I am a big ball of nerves right now...with butterflies, and the urge to poop pretty often. (lol)


I got online last night and looked up sites for singers, and went on to theirforums, and read some things about what singers do for "stage fright". I read some singers take "beta blockers" for anxiety symptoms??? (AKA Propranolol, Inderal)


Has anyone tried beta blockers and do they work????


WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! I am freakin out, but I would regret not trying this contest!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img] Charlotte

[jazz]

I haven't had any first-hand experience of beta-blockers, but i can completely relate to your stage fright scenario!
Occasionally, I will perform on stage to a similar audience ie) consisting of judges..and i *know* how nerve-wracking it is..
the best thing to do, is to keep reminding yourself, that it will all be over within a couple of minutes, and that the horrible nervous sensation you're experiencing right at that very moment, will all be over within seconds..
Concentrate on something still and calming..and remember that people's opinions DON'T really matter.
If you're super nervous, maybe you could try Bachs Rescue Remedy or something similar/stimulating just to get you through the night

[kentuckygalrk]

I take beta blockers (used to take Inderal, now Atenelol) for my heart and I definitely wouldn't recommend taking them for anxiety and in fact would strongly encourage you not to take them without proper medical attention and experimenting with them first. They slow down my heartrate really well and work for me now, but when I first started taking them I experienced dizziness, weakness and extreme fatigue for a few weeks before my body got used to them.


Seeing as I take them, I've done quite a bit of research and hopefully this information will help... the info was taken from various medical sites...


1) Beta Blockers are used to slow or blockthe body's natural"fight or flight" response in people withhigh blood pressure and/or other conditions. They may keepsymptoms such as high heart ratedown, but they will not help the emotional symptoms of stage fright. Also... Theycannot help anxiety that is psychological.


2)beta blockers can cause decreased heartrate and blood pressure as well as asthma attacksthat could be dangerous or even fatal in certain individuals.


3) Beta blockers are a perscription drug that should be taken ONLYunder the supervision of a qualified physician and while there is evidence to show they can be helpful with some aspects of stage fright, they are not FDA approved for use in anxiety.


4) The list of possible side effects include, but are not limited to... (I'll put a star by the ones I've experienced to give you an idea)
Rash, anaphylactic shock, *slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, *cold extremities, worsening heart failure, fainting, rapid heart beats, *dizziness, *fatigue, headache, *depression, *sleep disturbances, nightmares, hallucinations, short term memory loss, high or low blood sugar, stomach ache,constipation, nausea, diarrhea, *dry mouth, vomiting, heartburn, bloating, impotence, or decreased libido, difficulty urinating, cough, wheezes, nasal stuffiness, joint pain, and muscle cramps...


None of this is to scare you, I just think thateveryone should know the facts before they start taking a drug. I didn'treally have a choice... you do. I was honestly miserable for the first few weeks after I started takingthem and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.I'm also a strong believer that unless you absolutelyHAVE to take a medicine for some reason... you shouldn't take it. All medicineshave possible dangerous sideeffects and many of them have unknown long term side effects.


Justbe careful...


~Rachel

[charzysbebe]

Wow, those are some serious side effects of beta blockers!!!!! [img]smileys/smilies_03.gif[/img]


Hmmm, maybe I shouldn't take them huh? Cuz then I would worry about passing out on stage instead of being judged by the judges...lol


Those drugs sound horrible! I guess I have good reason to be afraid to take them. *sigh* [img]smileys/smilies_12.gif[/img]


Guess I just gotta take jazz's advice and realize that it will all be over in a couple of minutes time.


Is there anything that I can take that would be good for stagefright, that has less side effects/risks??
Thank you guys for answering my post. Glad you did...I may have really done some harm to my body!! [img]smileys/smilies_12.gif[/img] Charlotte

[kentuckygalrk]

Aww... I'm sorry you're having so much anxiety about performing. I bet you will do wonderfully though! I used to be absolutely terrified of public speaking and almost passed out during my speech for DARE graduation in 6th grade. It wasn't until after taking Basic Public Speaking in college that I learned some tricks to calm my fears. The first is to convince yourself that you CAN do it and you WILL do it and then you'll be so proud of yourself. Yeah... easier said than done, but the thing is... you will do it and you'll be just fine )


Instead of thinking about standing there in front of the judges, think instead of standing in front of your three closest friends... in fact, you might even want to try doing that. Don't worry what the others will think... what's important is you overcoming your fears and doing the very best you can do.


I know you'll be okay... good luck!
~Rachel

[2jo2]

OMG people just randomly take beta blockers for stage freight????? Geez, that sounds very dangerous. Pop an Ativan or Xanax or something. My husband takes Propranolol as a profilactic for migraines and there are some weird things it does to him that I don't think would be of benefit to someone for stage freight. Just be well prepared and pretend you're alone, things will go smoothly. We always envision the worst, but you'll do great! Just don't do anything drastic!!! You're going to shine!!!

[trickyvicky]

Charlotte i don't know if u will read this before Wednesday but how about taking Valium or another word for it is diazapan....i think i mentioned it in my last post, but i take this for anxiety when i visit the dentist..............it is addictive if u take over a long period of time i.e 1 mth or so but as a one off occasion does not harm u at all.......the dosage can start from 2mg and go up to something like 20mg.....but i normally take 5mg and it take the edge off things....u don't really want to take anything more then that as it can make u drowsy.....but 5mg will just make u feel less anxious but still function properly.........if not i don't know if they sell it in America but there is something called Kalms its a natural herbal tablet designed to help with stressful days and make your day less hectic.....anyway I'll be thinking about u tomorrow and i wish u all the best,u can do it girl...


take care and look forward to your next post


Vicky x

[charzysbebe]

Hello all!! Eeek...less than 24 hours til I perform!!!!![img]smileys/smilies_09.gif[/img] I have been keeping myself busy doing homeworkand some extra cleaning since I am getting so nervous. Also, when my heart starts pounding, and my hands get sweaty, I release some stress by singing in my karaoke machine; just to prove I can still do it...LOL!!


Gosh, I have no idea how I would get any of that Valium?? I think it is too late now to try and get my doc to call me in some....[img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img]


Guess I just gotta "bite the bullet" and sing, and not care about what any of those people think!!![img]smileys/smilies_07.gif[/img]I just gotta get mad about it, and realize that I worked my butt off at getting this far with this song....and I'll be damned if I will let any strangers blow it for me!!!! (how was that??? LOLOL)


(Now if only I can feel that way...hehehehehe!! )


I will keep you all posted on how it goes!!!


Hey....what about all those germs on the microphone????? [img]smileys/smilies_11.gif[/img]


I will be fine!! Thank you all so much for the much needed support and encouragement!!! Keepit comin' PLEEEEAAAASE!!!!!!!!!!!??????? Thanks, Charlotte