Posted by JohnX on October 9, 2001, at 20:33:05
In reply to Re: alcohol and celexa, posted by darkling on October 9, 2001, at 12:55:02
>
> >
> > 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
>
> moderation was never really a problem wth me because even before i started having panic disorder and being housebound, i really only partied about once a month and i figured that at that rate it was okay if when i did drink i got ripped. (does that sound naive?) but as you can imagine i get out a lot less now-and i never drink at home.
>
> im not being treated for depression(panic disorder)-actually, im pretty wierd, because of the fact that i want to remain the reactive, sarcastic, moody person i am-just without the panic attacks. i like the person i am-thats why i stopped taking the paxil. sure it did a little for the panic attacks, but it was treating my PERSONALITY. ick-i felt like a pod person. thats another part of why im hesitant to start the celexa.
>
> sooooo, im thinking that the best course of medicating this to avoid the effects i least desire is to ditch the ssri and go with a daily dosage of xanax (under my doctors advisement of course). and i can take a "drug holiday" when i know im going to be naughty.
>
> what do you think? i look foward to hearing from you-thanx!I would have a hard time believing that you could
be a reactive, mooody, sarcastic person even
while taking XANAX. Usually benzos like xanax
or klonopin mellow people out.If you want to avoid the ssris, depending
on the frequency of your panic attacks, klonopin
is generally considered better than xanax as
a stand-alone maintanance med for panic. It
stays longer in your body so it has a more
consistent smooth response, whereas xanax exits your body more quickly and you will have more
ups and downs.ps. I like being moody and bitchy at times too.
I prefer to call it "type A" personality though.;)good luck,
john
poster:JohnX
thread:80651
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011007/msgs/80806.html