propranolol before mcat

[AA|FCB|DOC]

Has anyone taken one before the exam? I have never taken it before, but the last time I took the mcat I had extreme anxiety like never before. My heart would just not stop beating really fast and I could not even get started on the physical sciences properly as I started to feel super heated, sweating, light headed, etc. Doctor said I can take propranolol just this one time before the exam so that I do not have those symptoms again. I was wondering if anyone else has taken this stuff, and if it affects your memory and ability to think on the test in a bad way. Thanks in advance.

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[levodopa]

Try it with your practice exams first.

 

[Mehd School]

The doctor's office I work in usually prescribes it for muscle relaxation and to stop twitching. I've never seen it used in my office for anxiety.

I wouldn't experiment on test day, but to each their own.

 

[AA|FCB|DOC]

im going to try with a practice test first, but the only issue is the practice test does not create the same anxiety for me as the real thing does obviously. Regardless, I think it should tell me if I can recall information clearly or not. Levadopa, I remember you said you have taken it before. Did it affect your ability to recall info at all?

 

[levodopa]

Nope. I felt like I was doing very well throughout my entire thesis defense. However, I don't really remember much because it stops your short term memory somehow (only while it was working, like 4h or so). Even though I don't remember what happened I still got high honors on my defense so I'm taking that as a good thing.

 

[SaintJude]

you need to seriously consider meditating. I'm not kidding--I'm not some Buddhist monk, honestly everyonee from 50 cent (for real) to Dalai lama does it .

If this happens on the MCAT, it could happen at every interview, your USMLE, your ORAL board-testing is just too big of a factor in medicine. I myself had anxiety issues and this could be a chance to grow beyond fears and as a person. (actually a great topic for ps maybe....hmmmm)

Maybe you can start with a yoga class and/or start meditating.you can google "mindfulness with jon kabat zinn" for a lecture he gave at Google headquarters in Youtube.

 

[Valadi]

I think the current evidence shows that propranolol may attenuate memory storage (esp. emotional memory; this reinforces levodopa's experience), but has little or no effect on retrieval. There is an old, old study that shows it affected verbal memory, but that was in a group of patients taking propranolol or methyldopa, plus dosages were much higher than what you would be taking.

I know a med student who takes propranolol every day for anxiety sx and does fine.

If you're so anxious that it surely affects test performance, then the upsides of taking it outweigh the theoretical risks, IMO. However, I would suggest taking it prior to test date to make sure you're not going to become hypotensive.

 

[AA|FCB|DOC]

thanks for the input guys. yea well I do not know if I can master meditation down by next week in order to have everything go to plan, although i do agree I want to use that as my long term solution to things because I do not plan on using a drug every time im under pressure. In fact, there could be a chance that since I already freaked out over it one time this time I will be over it and not get too out of hand. However, I do not know that for sure and did not want to take a risk since I can not stand studying for this exam any longer. I will most likely try a dose with one of the practice tests. Obviously its not the same high pressure environment, but I can at least tell if I am not having any crazy side effects to it. The doctor gave me 40 mg but i think Im ganna take 20 mg. At least for the practice exam.

 

[geh926]

delete

 

[kehlsh]

whatever that thing is... it sounds scary...

 

[AA|FCB|DOC]

Please give your feedback on it afterwards. I have some test anxiety and am wondering whether I should take it the day of too

when are you taking the exam? im ganna try one with practice test first. have you tried one with a practice exam yet?

 

[levodopa]

20 mg is kind of high. I did it with 10 mg.. try 10 first.

 

[AA|FCB|DOC]

ohhh wow ok good thing i said something because if 10 is high then the original 40 would probably be ridiculous

 

[Gauss44]

Has anyone else tried propranolol? Did it do a number on your memory? Do you feel it may have negatively impacted your test score?

(Original thread is from a year ago, but I have the same question. With all the time and new members since then, I figure there will be some new opinions/more info. out there.)

 

[DocE305]

Has anyone taken one before the exam? I have never taken it before, but the last time I took the mcat I had extreme anxiety like never before. My heart would just not stop beating really fast and I could not even get started on the physical sciences properly as I started to feel super heated, sweating, light headed, etc. Doctor said I can take propranolol just this one time before the exam so that I do not have those symptoms again. I was wondering if anyone else has taken this stuff, and if it affects your memory and ability to think on the test in a bad way. Thanks in advance.

OP propanol is just a Beta blocker. It is prescribed for hypertension, but it also has a secondary effect of decreasing anxiety. I was prescribed this a long time ago for test anxiety. I had the same symptoms you are complaining about, and I would be a total wreck before tests. I only used them before test and they worked great. I suggest you use it in practice test to gauge the dose you should take, and to see if it helps. It helped me immensely, all the symptoms went away before tests. Keep in mind OP you should not use it long term, it will slow down your metabolism if you do. Hope I helped, if you have any questions just PM me.

 

[jikikyle]

There could be a chance that since I already freaked out over it one time this time I will be over it and not get too out of hand. However, I do not know that for sure and did not want to take a risk since I can not stand studying for this exam any longer.

 

[dcamkl1]

A few of my classical musician friends use beta-blockers (i.e. propranolol) for performance anxiety and stage fright. It helps their hands and body not to tremble when playing on delicate instruments. The use of beta-blockers is a taboo and secretive topic in the music community. While my friends have said that propranolol helps calm their nervousness, one said that it can cause performers to lose a bit of their "edge." I'm guessing that the "edge" means the alertness that comes with adrenaline.

I have also heard of surgeons taking beta-blockers before a major, delicate operation--it helps control their trembling hands.

If your test is coming up ASAP, I wouldn't experiment with medication. Introducing something new in an anxious period can create more anxiety.

I will say this though: eat bananas and turkey!! Bananas have lots of potassium, and from your studies, you should know what potassium does to the heart (hint: it helps lower the heart rate). Turkey meat contains tryptophan which causes you to be slightly drowsy--if you eat too much, you'll fall asleep, but if you eat just enough, it may help you be calm.

 

[DocE305]

A few of my classical musician friends use beta-blockers (i.e. propranolol) for performance anxiety and stage fright. It helps their hands and body not to tremble when playing on delicate instruments. The use of beta-blockers is a taboo and secretive topic in the music community. While my friends have said that propranolol helps calm their nervousness, one said that it can cause performers to lose a bit of their "edge." I'm guessing that the "edge" means the alertness that comes with adrenaline.

I have also heard of surgeons taking beta-blockers before a major, delicate operation--it helps control their trembling hands.

If your test is coming up ASAP, I wouldn't experiment with medication. Introducing something new in an anxious period can create more anxiety.

I will say this though: eat bananas and turkey!! Bananas have lots of potassium, and from your studies, you should know what potassium does to the heart (hint: it helps lower the heart rate). Turkey meat contains tryptophan which causes you to be slightly drowsy--if you eat too much, you'll fall asleep, but if you eat just enough, it may help you be calm.

The reason your friend lost the "edge" is because in order to have amazing performance a little stress is required. Beta blockers help lesson the stress, but sometimes do too much and thus, they reduce the performance. Here is the stress and performance curve so you can see for yourself.

 

[dcamkl1]

The reason your friend lost the "edge" is because in order to have amazing performance a little stress is required. Beta blockers help lesson the stress, but sometimes do too much and thus, they reduce the performance. Here is the stress and performance curve so you can see for yourself.

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing. I wonder if its the adrenaline that I mentioned earlier that helps achieve optimal performance level--sort of like the "fight or flight" response where you are thinking, "Oh crap... This is IT. Gotta give it my all and focus."

 

[Gauss44]

The reason your friend lost the "edge" is because in order to have amazing performance a little stress is required. Beta blockers help lesson the stress, but sometimes do too much and thus, they reduce the performance. Here is the stress and performance curve so you can see for yourself.

This would explain how some people get super anxious AND feel exhausted, all at the same time. The exhaustion from anxiety can cause people to try to correct that with caffiene. What a helpful graph!

My main concern with propranolol is whether or not people experience MEMORY problems when using it?

 

[monkeyvokes]

unrelated, but i like words that have a hidden lol
propranolol

 

[dcamkl1]

unrelated, but i like words that have a hidden lol
propranolol

Yes, quite different than propanol.

 

[monkeyvokes]

Yes, quite different than propanol.

sialyloligosaccharides

 

[Gauss44]

How did propranolol impact your reading comprehension and short term memory? If you tried it for VR, how did that go?

FYI - I resurrected this forum from last year.

 

[DocE305]

This would explain how some people get super anxious AND feel exhausted, all at the same time. The exhaustion from anxiety can cause people to try to correct that with caffiene. What a helpful graph!

My main concern with propranolol is whether or not people experience MEMORY problems when using it?

I honestly have not researched it enough to say if it does or doesn't, but I only used it before tests, and I didn't think it effected my memory. Maybe if you use it longterm it can.