Posted by Sean Chisham on May 05, 2003 at 22:52:57:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Beta Blockers posted by Popeye on May 05, 2003 at 20:33:59:
Performance Anxiety is a documented medical usage for Inderal and other Beta Blockers. The dosage is, as others have stated, very very minute compared to heart patients. For auditions and major performances like solo recitals the dosage might only be 15-25mg every couple of hours depending on the individual. Perhaps lower for some people like 10mg. If you do ask a doctor for a prescription, try to get the smallest tablets available. The 10mg size works well cause you can cut them in half and regulate the doses better. Get those 100mg horse pills and you will not be in any condition to play well. The side effects are dry mouth, constricted chest, and perhaps apathy if you take too much. They take about 45 minutes to really kick in so plan ahead. Experimentation with your prescription well in advance of needing them will allow you an opportunity to find the best dosage for you. Perhaps a mock recital or audition for some friends several weeks before the real deal will afford you the opportunity to find the best dosage. Less is better, so start small and up the dosage slowly to see where it helps you best. Again, less is generally better.
These things are a prescription medication, so follow your doctor's advice to the letter. As a heart medication these will slow down the heart's pace. This helps to alleviate some of the debilitating physical side effects of Performance Anxiety. They will not make an unprepared musician perform better. They will not suddenly inspire you on the slow movement to play a more beautiful musical line. They will simply help to calm down your heart and alleviate the shakes. Your physical self will be more like it is in every day activities so you can concentrate on getting the job done.
There is no reason why someone who is the best candidate for a job should loose that job simply because for those 5-20 minutes out of their lives they were out of control of their anxiety. Most people never need to use Inderal again for the rest of their careers. It is just the audition which causes the physical reaction.
I am NOT a doctor!!! So consult YOUR doctor first before starting any medication. Absolutelly none of the information above is intended to be professional medical advice. Only your doctor or pharmicist can give health care advice. Consult your doctor before taking any medications.