Doctors, Pharmacists etc... Beta Blockers?

[Encinal]

The off label use sounds dangerous.

Have any of you ever heard of or recommended anyone use Beta Blockers for severe cases of Buck Fever?

I just read that they were banned by the Olympic Committee and many shooting leagues because of their tendency to help people with adrenaline related tremors.

What are the down sides to this off label use?

For those of you that do not know, Beta Blockers are generally used in high blood pressure meds.

More info on Beta Blockers and shooting here:

http://www.faqs.org/sports-science/Ba-Ca/Beta-Blockers.html

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-role-of-beta-blockers-in-sport.htm

http://www.issf-sports.org/getfile.aspx?mod=docf&pane=1&inst=257&file=IPOD-ISSFNEWS_2009-05.pdf

[32drawlength]

Not actually that uncommon for this particular class of meds.

B-blockers frequently used for a variety of needs to calm individuals from giving speeches to treating hyperthyroidism.

Gabapentin (Neurontin) was/is the most widely used medication for off label use in the world...its an unsuccessful epilepsy medication that is used for peripheral neuropathy and other pain related issues. I'd venture to say there are several TBH'ers using it currently for pain related issues.

[TheGasMan]

I wouldn't use it unless you had to. Lots of people use it, but that doesn't mean it's without risk. The risk of impotence alone would scare off most guys. The short answer is yes it will absolutely work to decrease 'panic' but there is no such thing as a free ride.

[tbgascorer]

The only side effects I have had are drowsiness and vivid dreaming.

[32drawlength]

Gasman is onto something...the small risk of side effects.
You have to be aware of blood pressure effects along with any other health issues.
I used them once for a speech...terrible move because it clouded my thoughts & gave me really cold hands because of reduced cardiac output/circulation

[Legdog]

In addition to calming nerves, they were popular with Olympic shooters because of the reduced heart rate.

Shooters used them to extend the time between heart beats and therefore got a bigger window to squeeze.

They were banned because that was considered to be an ergogenic aid.

I think it would make a good study to use them on people with buck fever issues but it would be better to do that in a controlled environment.