Klarinet Archive - Posting 000176.txt from 2001/06

From: "Wolman, Kenneth" <KWolman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Beta blockers
Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2001 11:20:54 -0400

> > There are reasonably reliable statistics showing that about 20% of
> > performers use beta blockers for performance anxiety.
>
> Stewart, do you have those statistics & sources handy? I
> have a number of references that point to "studies which
> show" but the studies are unnamed.

I believe I have posted this warning before, and maybe someone else has too times time around, but before anyone goes running off to the doctor for a supply of beta blockers for performance nerves, for God's sake, be careful. I am NOT exaggerating the dangers of these pills because I took them for high blood pressure at a time before I was diagnosed as bipolar (that's also known as manic-depressive). These little pills will also take people with much more common unipolar depression and give them full-blown cases of manic-depression. Whether the medication CAUSES M-D I can't speak to; I do know that the blockers accreted in my body for over six months and I only became aware of a problem in May 1995 when I felt myself starting to go insane. As in completely irrational, with one suicidal ideation, panic attacks, a couple of sick days thrown in there because I was so immobilized by terror I could barely move.

I thank God I had the moment of clarity to question the medication I was on. A lot of doctors are simply morons who don't know how to take a thorough history. Mine--she (yes, she sorry to say)--was one of those. She said "Uh-oh" and started to wean me off the blockers. I had to be withdrawn from the things very carefully because if you simply stop them cold you can have a heart attack. As it was, it took from May until September for the effects to be thoroughly overcome...and I'm not entirely sure they ever were, i.e., I'm not 100% sure some change to my chemistry didn't result from using beta blockers.

Do I sound paranoid? Maybe: I took beta blockers after all:-). In any event, I would implore anyone who wants these things to have not just a physical checkup but also a psychological or psychiatric screening to make sure that they are reasonably okay in that area too. Depression is a much more common illness than people wish to admit, and the benefits derived from beta blockers may not be worth the torture if you are depressive and start popping those little bastards just to get over some stage nerves.

Ken

Kenneth Wolman
Merrill Lynch/DCSS
570 Washington Street
New York, N.Y. 10014
(212) 647-2496

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