Posted by JohnX on October 9, 2001, at 2:09:35
In reply to alcohol and celexa , posted by darkling on October 8, 2001, at 13:44:47
> my doctor just prescribed me celexa (for panic disorder, 20 mg to start, along with xanax to take as needed) and right now its just sitting in my medicine cabinet while i debate with myself whether its worth taking. im not an alcoholic. i guess im a social drinker-i dont drink often, but when i do, i drink quite a bit (never black out-but i get pretty drunk). my doc didnt tell me the effects alcohol may have on the meds-just not to do it.
>
> what should i expect-realistically?
>
> im also pretty worried about sexual side effects. ive read that with some ssri's the side effects may last indefinitely-even after youve stopped taking the meds. i took paxil in the past-it made me feel like a zombie!-and i had some problems with climax, so naturally when i found out (after i stopped taking it), i wasnt too sure about whether i wanted to chance something like that again. honestly, id much rather take something that would mess with my memory and make concentrating more difficult (i have these problems anyway...) than something that will screw up whats left of my social life as much as no sex and no alcohol.
>
> please let me know about any and all of your personal experience! everyone on this site has been so forthcoming and helpful thus far, i cant thank you all enough-im looking foward to your advice.I used to drink "a lot" consistently. Like 4 or 5
beers a night. Then I got serious depression and stopped drinking. Fortunately i was not physically dependant on alcohol, so stopping didn't have withdrawl. I was self-medicating the depression by drinking. It sounds like maybe
you are in the same boat. If you treat the depression you may be less compelled to binge drink.So I went on a health kick and stopped drinking, ate the right foods, etc.. Eventually said screw
it. I take meds, but I also have fun....in moderation. If I lose my social life and become
addicted to health what is the point of life?So here is your answer and some people will not
like this: yes, you can have an *occasional* drink while taking some meds. Not everynight. But
if you have a dinner appointment with some friends
then it's ok to a have a few drinks (say 3-4 beers) maybe once a week. MODERATION. An best
not to be driving your car when you 1st try
this.Also, *don't* take XANAX while drinking, and
if the celexa makes you drowsy adding booze
won't help.PS. if you found paxil too sedating, then celexa
may also be sedating. Maybe Zoloft would be better
for you. It is stimulating. it will get you off
your butt. You won't feel drowsy and drugged out, but you may have a little diahhreah and insomnia.
Please take the xanax in moderation, as it is addicting.But as you are thinking: don't let attacking depression be depressing.
-John
poster:JohnX
thread:80651
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011007/msgs/80725.html