Looking for experiences with Propranolol/Valium for performance anxiety
I've had pretty severe anticipatory anxiety before important events since I was a kid. Before exams, dates, interviews etc. I'd always get so anxious that I'd vomit.
I'm now a DJ and it's happening before gigs. The weird thing is that once I actually start playing, the anxiety completely disappears. I'm confident in my sets and have played well, but the hours leading up to the gig can be brutal. I'll have to shit 8-10 times, feel extremely nauseous, and occasionally actually vomit. Once I start playing, I'm completely fine.
I'm looking into speaking to my GP about propranolol/valium for occasional/as-needed use before gigs, mainly to reduce the physical adrenaline symptoms. I'm not looking for something to take daily, as I only play occasionally.
I'd love to hear from anyone who's used propranolol specifically for performance anxiety, especially if your main symptoms were nausea, GI issues, or vomiting.
Did it actually help with the physical symptoms?
What was your experience like taking it before performing?
Did it affect your energy, focus, or performance?
Did you find it better than something like Valium/benzodiazepines?
Obviously I'll discuss it with my GP and won't take anything without medical advice. Just interested in people's firsthand experiences.