Beta blockers

[Fw44]

Is there a problem for Class 1 holders with taking Beta Blockers to deal with stress symptoms? The CAA site discusses taking BBs for control of hypertension and seems to just require a 2 week non-flying period in case of side effects.

[Bendo]

..it is the side effects that bite.

I was on BBs following cardio-thoracic surgery. They led to lethargy, running nose, loss of libido, and following the co-incidence of several major life stressors probably contributed to some acute depression.

Depression is a known side effect of BBs. :ugh:

I have flicked them with my Cardiologist's blessing and control my BP through increased exercise, reduced alcohol intake, and meditation. The same things that will probably help your stress/anxiety levels. :ok:

Best of luck.

[Seat1APlease]

Aviation is by it's nature a stressfull career.
Some manage to handle it without difficulties, others find various means of coping, whether through sport, a round of golf, alcohol, or medication, often self prescribed.
Others adopt a laid back attitude and just do things at their own pace and refuse to be hurried and bullied but this is more difficult nowadays.
Going down the road of taking tablets to relax is not something to be done lightly before exploring other avenues such as counselling, or even moving to a less stressful position such as changing from longhaul to shorthaul, or aircraft type, or base. It isn't worth letting it ruin you life, and all medication has side effects, sometimes almost as bad as the condition being cured.

[cavortingcheetah]

:hmm:

The CAA medical section has a list of various drugs and brand names which are approved for aviator consumption and, consequently, a list of those that are not. I would suspect that some Beta blockers are permitted while, because of certain side effects, quite possibly connected with blood pressure, others are not.
Reference to Aeromedical /LGW or to one's own AME is by far the best course of action.
It might perhaps be an idea to invent a condition such as a prostate problem, which might require treatment with Beta blockers rather than having to admit to such a degree of stress. I rather fancy that the CAA would be unimpressed with an aviator whose worry factor was so high that he had to take medication for that condition whilst continuing to fly or to hold a Class 1.

[rhovsquared]

For stress I think it is better 2mg-4mg of Diazepam [valium] at night prior to bed is better and it's been around a long long time...warning slightly addictive :ooh: and don't take if pregnant :} ..

For people without hypertension 'normotensives' or people with heart conditions, beta-blocker can result in dangerous drop in BP...careful with those...and they also make you 'High'

For stress it is best to do otherthings such as meditation, accupuncture, etc....


...Or Turbopropellor Aircraft Filed At 250 Knots or Greater :}

rhov :)

[Oh that's super!]

You'd probably like to find alternative ways of coping with stress, rather than relying on medication.

Inherent to the aviation career is stress, as already mentioned by someone. If you are stressed to the point of needing medication, in my humble opinion you should probably seek help and ground yourself until you can handle things without feeling excessively stressed.

[gingernut]

Beta Blockers are very good at minimising the physical effects of anxiety and panic- sweating, palpitations, etc.

Can you elaborate on your position FW44? Are you already a holder of a class 1 ? Are you hoping to gain a class1 ? Who, and why have beta blockers been suggested ?

[Re-entry]

I think the incredible value of strenuous exercise has been forgotten. No pills can replace 1 million years of evolution, we need to move.

[gingernut]

rock on, but remember we can become tolerant to any drug, including noradrenaline:}