I've been taking a beta blocker called Propranolol for about 3 days now. I'm taking two 10mg tablets a day. The doc said that it should reduce my facial flushing.

At this point, its too early to tell if the beta blocker is working. I will keep you posted on my progress and results.

I've taken propranolol for some time now, for anxiety. I take between 10mg - 80mg a day, depending on how anxious I'm likely to get. Sad to say it doesn't seem to help my KPRF. Please keep us posted though - who knows? - it may work for different people.

Oli,

What has propranolol done for you? Has it taken away any flushing or blushing. Do you know exactly how long you've been taking it?

I've taken it since July 2001. It helps me enormously in performance situations, when I am liable to be pretty anxious. It stops heart palpitations and shaking. Without these pills I don't think I would have survived the presentations and talks I have had to give!

I don't think Beta Blockers affect the general level of facial redness I have. In regard to flushing things are a little more confusing. Because I am not self-conscious of any shaking when I am on the pills, it is possible I don't flush so much in anxious situations simply because I don't feel embarrassed of exhibiting physical signs of anxiety. However, on some occasions I have flushed - when I am particularly mentally anxious - leading me to suggest the Propranolol doesn't block flushing, and that reducing flushing is essentially an indirect consequence of taking the drug.

Anyway - keep me posted on how it affects you. Medicine often has different results for different people!

I have never visited this part of the message board before. I am blown away. I have a problem with facial flushing, which is linked to my anxiety (I have anxiety attacks), in social situations and when I am forced to speak in public. My face is not red all the time -- maybe pinkish when I'm having more anxiety. What kind of drug is propranolol? I an taking Wellbutrin, which seems to help with anxiety and somewhat with the facial flushing. Wellbutrin is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) that's also marketed as Zyban for smoking cesssation.

Propranolol is a beta blocker. It's usually used for high blood pressure but in small doses it can be used for facial flushing. I'm currently taking 2 10mg tablets 2 times a day. The biggest thing I've noticed is that it has kept my face much cooler and I haven't flushed as much or as bad as I used to. My flushing problem is not gone by any means but I think I'm making slow progress. My face is red all the time, and the flushing just accentuates the problem. I also suffer from social anxiety disorder which I believe stemmed from my keratosis pilaris rubra faceii (KPRF) and the flushing and blushing problems.

If you have a good drug plan that will cover the cost of branded meds, then try Toprol XL 50mg or 100mg. It is a QD dose (once a day) so you don't have to worry about missing your second pill for the day. It works pretty well for me, and supposedly has fewer side effects such as fatigue.

i was wondering what is needed to be done in order to obtain a perscription of a form of Beta Blocker or any type of anxiety drug. Do you need to be seeing a therapist or something of that matter or can you go directly to a doctor and ask? Like others with KPRF I KNOW that i have some anxiety issues. Is a self diagnostic all you need?

You can either go to a doctor and explain to them what is going on or go to a psychiatrist who can also prescribe meds.

Interesting - I've recently been taking beta blockers for an overactive thyroid. I haven't noticed that it stops the redness, but I'll keep my eye on it. I do notice that I FEEL more flushed (or notice that I am more flushed) if I forget to take my pills.

I take 10mg 2 times a day. I'll compare a "forgetful" day to a good day and post the comparison.