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Taking propranolol for pulsating/throbbing scalp and internal body/scalp vibration?

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Posted 12/31/2017 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all, I've been experiencing throbbing/pulsating scalp for the past 1 month. It all started with these antibiotics that I took more than a month ago and I felt unwell overall with terrible headaches and dizziness, nausea, chest pain, and other problems. The other symptoms have all subsided but this headache lingers.

My current symptoms are as follows - my head twitch and pulsate/throb and at times, I even feel the scalp vibrating or shaking when i press my fingers on my head. My head also feels tight - for instance, I feel like a knot was being tied and squeezed at the top of my scalp. Then there was heaviness/pressure and this weird dizzy sensation in that spot (but not severe). Furthermore, I feel the right side and sometimes the left side of my body - arms and legs - vibrating or shaking internally although you cannot even see my body shaking at all. CAT and MRI came back clean. My neurologist said I was probably stressed out and anxious from my health problems in the past couple of months (I had a migraine right before the antibiotics and felt terribly unwell) put me on propanolol 10mg 3 times a day and my PCP suggested taking 10mg first to start off slowly but I'm incredibly sensitive to medicine I wonder if I should ask for a second opinion before taking it. Any thoughts? Have you taken it before? I've read that it can cause depression in people? I am afraid of being dependent on medicine and I don't want to keep taking more medicine to combat side effects esp. if they can be long lasting. sad

Post Edited (Amy C.) : 12/30/2017 9:40:49 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/31/2017 5:18 AM (GMT 0)
I have taken it for different reasons them you. I have a very high heart rate and bc it’s so high it can lead to anxiety/panic attacks. So I’ve used it for heart rate, anxiety/panic attacks, and also migraines at one time. I am very sensitive to medications also and usually tend to want to always start of a low dose that is possible. However I am not a doctor and would suggest you talk to the doctor who prescribed the meds, your psychologist, and/or your pcp. I hate that you feel this way and the propranolol makes a difference for you. I’ve had that feeling while taking some antibiotics but never after or for a long period of time. I think most of my side effects from meds is bc I’m so sensitive to them.

Sunflower98🌻/Cindy
Posted 12/31/2017 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Amy and welcome!

I too am sorry to hear about your current struggles with the frustrating symptoms you describe. sad

Have you dealt with anxiety issues in the past, or is this the first time with this kind of experience?

It is good news that you have been given a clean bill of health and that your test revealed all is normal from a neurological standpoint...

...so perhaps looking to seek relief through anxiety management and maybe looking into some massage/stretching/yoga for release of tension in the upper body could make a big difference in how you feel.

For now, please see our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great self help material to get started on right away. Starting with the Stress Relieving Exercises link (see Progressive Muscle Relaxation specifically) and the meditation links would be good, I think.

Post with us anytime for support and encouragement...update when you can. smile

Scaredy Cat
Posted 1/1/2018 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi just to let you know i am going through them exact symptoms,internal body shakes in head and legs mainly and arms,i have had this for 2 months.i to am on proproponol which ill be honest hasnt done anything for me
Posted 1/3/2018 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Potter86, did your doctor say these are symptoms of anxiety or stress too? I hope you feel better soon.

And Scaredycat, I never experienced these symptoms before. I have no history of anxiety. I am usually a very relaxed person, more so than most of my friends. I am usually capable of dealing with work/academic stress such as pulling all nighters and meeting tight deadlines. But I admit that I was very stressed out for the past few months every day regarding my health because of the migraine and the terrible side effects of the antibiotics. I wonder if chronic stress such as this caused my body to go haywire. sad

Post Edited (Amy C.) : 1/3/2018 3:34:21 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/3/2018 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
Yes my doctors have said its stress and anxiety i have seen 3 diff doctors who all said the same i to am struggling badly in believing them aswell as i have never suffered from anxiety untill this year,i have an eye condition which worsened a little at the start of last year which really got me down and then it snowballed from that into many other symptoms.....
Posted 1/3/2018 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
It does seem like excessive/obsessive thinking on health problems or accident can create these physical symptoms... sad How are you coping with the internal shaking/vibrating and other symptoms (aside from taking propranolol)?

I have been trying to exercise, do yoga, neck/shoulder/head muscle massaging, and dancing everyday. I've noticed that I "feel" unsteady/off balance (even though the outside observer says my gait is normal) in particular when my head muscles are knotted/tight so I've been doing a lot of massaging. I think I will try these options out for a bit longer before resorting to any medication. But the dizziness sensation with head pressure as well as the feeling of unsteadiness can be so crippling.

Does anyone have any recommendations for combating anxiety symptoms?
Posted 1/4/2018 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
Anxiety can produce profound physical symptoms!

Do take a look at our Resources and the link I recommended above. Upper body tension can account for many of the symptoms you describe!

Keep posting if you find it helpful.☺

S.C.
Posted 1/4/2018 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
To be honest im struggling with the shaking/vibrating/jerking it is all happening internally you cant tell theres anything up with me if you looked at me and explaining it to people and doctors is difficult.i also get dizziness its like a feeling of being on a boat in the oceon and my legs go like spaghetti although this only happens occasionally.it is all so frustrating and hard to believe that its just stress and anxiety as the shaking feeling is happening near enough 24/7 and been happening for 2 months,but what can i do?ive seen 3 different doctors who have all said stress and anxiety,ive demanded a neuro appoinment but it isnt untill april!! My mind is fixated on it and im convinced i have ms or something.
Posted 1/6/2018 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hang in there Potter and Amy, I'm not taking propanlol but just started taking a few days ago. I take Lexapro 10mg, and Buspar 15mg x2/day, and Remeron at night for insomnia. I also have that feeling the trembling or shakiness inside in my head, face, and hands. Plus bad insomnia, loss of appetite, weight loss of 25lbs. in 4 weeks, the dizziness feeling like on the a boat, the tightness around head, and constant worry about my health all the time. I tremble badly in my sleep in my head when I can sleep and awake up severely shaking and in a cold sweat which soaks my pillows only after 2-3 hours of sleep. For me its been going on for 3 weeks and I have been to the ER a few times when it was bad. All the Dr's can't find anything wrong or tell me its stress or anxiety like GAD. Even after blood tests, CT scan, MRI, xrays, ultrasounds, etc. I'm afraid if I go back to hospital they will think I'm nuts and send me to mental health facility. I don't like to take meds and also sensitive taking meds beside I don't like side effects. I don't know what to do and don't have the money for fancy Dr's . Any advice besides doing yoga or CBT can help me?! Just scared that I won't be able to sleep no longer or die from lack of sleep. Any advice will be helpful?!

Post Edited (DizzyTom) : 1/5/2018 5:19:31 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/6/2018 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry your feeling the same mate i know what you mean about keep going the doctors and them thinking your nuts i have been that many times i am abit embarrassed to go again and my mum always tells me that theyll end up putting me in a mental asylum haha.hoe bad is your health anxiety?do you google alot?because that is the worst thing to do ive done it many a times and nearly had a nervous breakdown!!!its frustrating when your feeling all these symptoms and you feel like the doctors dont believe you nor do friends and family it makes you stressed which make your synptoms worse.i have been none stop stressed/depressed for about a year now and i just want these shakes to stop!!!good luck to you
Posted 1/7/2018 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Oh man, sorry to hear that DizzyTom and Potter. At least you have had tests done so you know you are okay...if it's anxiety, maybe try to find activities that will allow you to relax? Like distracting yourself from thinking about the symptoms (I know it's very hard) by busying socializing or doing something. I tried neck massage and just started it. At one point, I felt like I was able to walk normal again for an hour before it slowly started to revert back to walking/feeling off balance. I think massage and physical therapy would help? At least loosen up the neck and head muscles? Try to exercise everyday and listen to music you like while doing it. It will loosen up muscles and release feel-good chemicals. During that time, you can also distract your brain from thinking about your physical symptoms.

Insomnia is a very scary and tricky thing...I'm so sorry you are going through it. Have you tried drinking herbal tea? I've consuming lots of chamomile and lavender tea to soothe myself before going to sleep everyday. I also tried to do yoga and relax before sleep time. I also heard that lavender oil can help you sleep better. Have you tried this?

I watched this video on youtube about anxiety and stress. The Dr. there said tricking the brain to think of positive thoughts which will manifest in our body. I think that the brain can be changed under chronic anxiousness and stress. So try to force yourself to imagine good memories or future memories of good things that you want to do to rewire your brain. And force your mind to dwell on those memories more so than on your physical self? Hopefully the brain will change and then so will your body.

Post Edited (Amy C.) : 1/6/2018 5:20:03 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/7/2018 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi DizzyTom and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your anxiety struggles, but glad that you have joined us here! I hope you find that sharing with others and giving/gaining support as helpful as I have. smile

Please take a look at our Resources (top of the main forum page here) for great self help material that you will find helpful for anxiety management. The Stress Relieving Exercises and Meditation videos[b/] are a great place to start...

...and as far as insomnia help, have you tried Melatonin, Valerian or Sound Wave Therapy/Binaural beats? The first two are natural supplements and can be found at your pharmacy/health food store...and the Binaural Beats can be streamed/downloaded off of youtube.

that I missed your post until now. sad Sometimes you get hidden when posting onto an existing thread...so if you feel comfortable doing so...start one of your own at anytime, so more of us can welcome you! ;)

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 4/28/2019 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Can relate to this post so much been having all these feeling for the past month now started about 18 days into citalopram

Docs just keep saying it’s anxiety, but it feels like it’s actually messing my body up

Buzzing vibrating in my head, chest, left leg, feet
Flashing lights when I close my eyes
Parents say I’m trembling in my sleep
Waking up into strong vibrations
Having to take lorazepam just to sleep, when I try to sleep without them the vibrations won’t let me go into actual sleep just a state of dream but awake
Posted 4/29/2019 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JD and welcome! (again smile )


I am really sorry to hear of your anxiety challenges and the profound physical symptoms that it causes. I know how scary and exhausting this feels!

I am glad that you are now seeing a doctor to help you to treat your issue and see that you are on an SSRI to help you with daily management...as well as a benzodiazepine taken as needed/for sleep. Hang in there while you are getting through your start up period with the Citalopram. Things can be rough for the first several weeks as your system needs to get adjusted to the new medication and how it is starting to work on your neurotransmitters in the brain. Many people are tempted to give up due to the increased anxiety that a new Rx can cause...but if you can push through the challenge...you will likely find a med that works well for you.

Are you also looking to get into therapy? I do recommend this as well as medication...because a well rounded program with as many tools at your disposal as possible is the best plan!

Finally how about self help practices? If you need a place to start , please see our Resource Thread at the top of the main forum page here. It is filled with great material that you can get started on right away!

Keep posting with us as well. We care, understand and support is key!

Scaredy Cat
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