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On Boston Legal I just saw a case that was about the use of propranolol to blot out all memory of a recent traumatic event. I have used this drug for years to lower my blood pressure. I thought they may have made this whole thing up for a TV episode, but Googling revealed that propranolol is indeed being talked about in this way.
Memory is definitely one of the brain functions that is diminished in my case, so this is alarming. It's part of my basic condition, but how much has this been worsened in recent years by this drug? Why does every drug anyone wants to prescribe for me seem to worsen some of the worst parts of this condition? Why do I have to find out the risks on my own, without being told?
It seems that at least for now, propranolol is hardly the magic forgetting pill that BL made it out to be. It is supposed to interfere with memory, not completely blot it out. It's supposed to interfere with production of adrenaline, the idea being that whatever events have the most emotional impact or significance to us are what we remember the most. Those events lead to an adrenaline surge, which then either leads to our feeling the emotion more, or adrenaline just directly creates the memories (chemically...?), or makes them stronger or more vivid, maybe.
I could only Google for so long before having to stop because of my eye and concentration difficulties. I found out a little, and have to guess at the rest for now.
My biggest concern, even before memory impairment, is the possibility that some of the horrific emotional shallowing I experience (by far the worst aspect of my medical problems) could be a result of the propranolol. Could it be stunting emotion?
On the other hand, I've been fairly certain for some time now that increasing fight-or-flight response and the resulting adrenaline must be a major problem for me. Anything that reduces the adrenaline could be a godsend... that is, if my emotional capacity isn't being devastated. Apparently propranolol lowers blood pressure by lowering adrenaline, and relaxing blood vessels.
If I had a general MD who was respectful and listening, I could have her/him prescribe alternatives, if any, but all I've got is my rhematologist who wouldn't quite get everything I've just said above (frankly I don't think any person I've said these things to ever has followed or accepted it).
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"You're better than normal! You're ABnormal!"-- Fry to Leela, who's self-conscious about her single eye, Futurama
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