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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by anxiety66me on February 18, 2004, at 5:14:07
I have been on Wellbutrin for a while (for depression) and it helped me cut back on smoking. Now that Effexor (for anxiety/ADD) has been added I am smoking more. Maybe it cancels out the Wellbutrin (300mg/day). I would up the Wellbutrin, but my doc lowered it because it made my eyes dry. Anyone else noticed this increaed urge to smoke?
Posted by ann72 on February 18, 2004, at 7:22:51
In reply to cigarette cravings on Effexor, posted by anxiety66me on February 18, 2004, at 5:14:07
YES---i AM ON EFFEXOR AND TRIED QUITTING SMOKING IN DEC. AND HAD HORRIBLE WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS- I ACTUALLY SPRIALLED INTO A MAJOR DEPRESSIVE EPISODE AND HAD TO ADD LAMICTAL - BUT IT THERE DOES SEEM TO BE AN MAJOR CRAVING FOR CIGS ON EFFEXOR. MY PDOC HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS- OF COURSE........
GOOD LUCK,
ANN
Posted by Sad Panda on February 18, 2004, at 7:32:26
In reply to Re: cigarette cravings on Effexor, posted by ann72 on February 18, 2004, at 7:22:51
I gave up smoking in July 2001. I think that is probably when my depression started. 2 & 1/2 years on & I'd still like a smoke.....
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on February 18, 2004, at 18:37:56
In reply to Re: cigarette cravings on Effexor, posted by Sad Panda on February 18, 2004, at 7:32:26
When I was on Effexor, I became a total chimney. My pdoc didn't understand it either. I think it happens becuase it work on the dopamine system (just one of Effexor's actions) in similar ways to classic antipsycotics. A lot of antipsychotics increase the urge to smoke. I could be wrong, I think I read this somewhere.
Posted by anxiety66me on February 18, 2004, at 21:58:49
In reply to Re: cigarette cravings on Effexor, posted by socialdeviantjeff on February 18, 2004, at 18:37:56
I have never really been much of a drinker. I used to make fun of folks who had to have a coctail every night. Since starting the drug I have craved alcohol every day. What the @$*%&? This is totally not me. Hey, it's better than illegal drugs, but dang! Anyone else got this going on?
I haven't researched the dopamine issue. Sounds like it makes sense. It's just totally weird.
Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 19, 2004, at 7:58:13
In reply to NOW ALCOHOL, TOO? on Effexor????, posted by anxiety66me on February 18, 2004, at 21:58:49
It's really not better than illegal drugs. Alcohol is a poison: you can thin paint with it, power a car with it, and when you put it on an open wound, it burns because it is killing cells on contact. It can cause cirrhosis, dementia, nutritional deficiencies, and a whole host of other ailments. In Consumer Reports 1970s "Review of Licit and Illicit Drugs", they had a detailed case for why, if one wanted to prohibit a drug, the only strong argument was for prohibition of alcohol. How times have changed!
The only way it is better is that it is not illegal. If marijuana were legal, alcohol sales would plummet.
Honestly, I believe that your experience is REALLY why they say not to drink on drugs that inhibit serotonin reuptake. It's not dangerous; rather, they encourage excessive drinking! I have known lots of people who've reported this. Do you feel restless at all from the Effexor? I sometimes think that people get into downers on SSRIs because they're subtly agitating, not to mention emotionally numbing, so you can't help but want some escape.
Posted by anxiety66me on February 19, 2004, at 9:11:54
In reply to Re: cigarette cravings on Effexor, posted by Sad Panda on February 18, 2004, at 7:32:26
The same thing happened to me when I was on Paxil. I guess I need to tell my pdoc about- because it is obviously a problem. When my best friend took Paxil she started drinking on her lunchbreaks into the night.
I'm not saying that I am as bad off as she was. It is just odd for me because I used to be the designated driver-type before this. I would have 1-2 drinks in a weekend. Now I am drinking 1-2 in a night.
The smoking has gone from about 5 a day to about 10- 15. My doc would definitely take me off of it.
The drug has helped me, but the side effects are not worth it.
Thanks for your input.
Posted by ann72 on February 19, 2004, at 9:22:01
In reply to Re: cigarette cravings on Effexor, posted by anxiety66me on February 19, 2004, at 9:11:54
Yep, same issue here. I am taking effexor and have started drinking almost every night and smoking more. I think from what Ive read on here, effexor is bad..and I am going to ask my pdoc to get me off of it.
Posted by anxiety66me on February 19, 2004, at 9:28:09
In reply to Re: cigarette cravings on Effexor, posted by ann72 on February 19, 2004, at 9:22:01
Ann,
We can do it together. We are definitely not alone. Good luck, dear.
Posted by francesco on February 19, 2004, at 13:02:08
In reply to NOW ALCOHOL, TOO? on Effexor????, posted by anxiety66me on February 18, 2004, at 21:58:49
> I have never really been much of a drinker. I used to make fun of folks who had to have a coctail every night. Since starting the drug I have craved alcohol every day. What the @$*%&? This is totally not me. Hey, it's better than illegal drugs, but dang! Anyone else got this going on?
Yes. Every time I'm on meds I drink much more than I usually do. And I mean ... much more. I experienced this on Anafranil, Prozac, Celexa and Paxil (all serotoninergic meds as you can see).
I have made researches on this issue because I couldn't believe it was just in my head. I found that Ann Blake Tracy, the writer of "Prozac, Panacea or Pandora", adfirms that many SSRI users have 'craving for alcohol' as a 'side-effect' of the med. You can easily find this info on the web. I have also talked about this to my previous psychiatrist but he laughed about it. Of course.Anyway, I know it's real, at least for me, and that I'm not alone. Anyway, I don't know what to do about it, I'm off meds now, but one of the one hundred reasons I'm scared to come back to meds is this alcohol thing. Last time I take Imipramine, for just three days at the ridicolous dosage of 10mg, it happened again. One evening I had something like 5 or 6 cocktails in a pub and they were not cheap and I'm not rich. I just couldn't stop. I had been several years on Anafranil and every damned evening I went out I *had* to drink (and I'm not talking about a glass or wine or two). Some time I stayed at home on purpose to avoid drinking !
I think a psychiatrist could say that antidepressant make me drink, because they make me nervous and that this happens because I'm bipolar II. Can be. But I'm not SO sure about it.
I just don't drink that much when I'm not on meds, and more important thing, I don't *crave* for alcohol. Thing like these scare me. You've helped me to remember, when I'm off meds I tend to forget the things that happen me when I am on them. Keep on sharing, you're not alone.
Posted by anxiety66me on February 19, 2004, at 13:23:01
In reply to alchool craving induced by meds ... anyone else ? » anxiety66me, posted by francesco on February 19, 2004, at 13:02:08
I have officially lowered my dose from 150/day to 75/day. WHat should I say to my doc? He is very smart, but what if he laughs at ME? Maybe I should get the research and bring it with me. Got a link or word to search, anyone?
So glad to hear I'm not imagining this in my head. Tell me your thoughts people! =) Thankx.
Posted by sjb on February 19, 2004, at 14:44:19
In reply to alchool craving induced by meds ... anyone else ? » anxiety66me, posted by francesco on February 19, 2004, at 13:02:08
Absolutely. I started drinking a TON of scotch when I started Effexor and kept it up for months until I realized I had gone through a large bottle (the one that's larger than a fifth) in, like, four days or something. I was waking up with racing heartbeats, had terrible insomnia, etc.
Anyway, I can concur that there is something to this. My PDoc was clueless as well.
Posted by anxiety66me on February 19, 2004, at 16:25:33
In reply to Re: alchool craving induced by meds ... anyone else ?, posted by sjb on February 19, 2004, at 14:44:19
I told my therapist about it today and he was confused. I explained how I wasn't the only one and he validated there may be some truth to it. I want some research before I go to my pdoc.
Posted by francesco on February 19, 2004, at 16:59:53
In reply to Re: alchool craving induced by meds ... anyone else ?, posted by anxiety66me on February 19, 2004, at 16:25:33
Here's a link that may be helpful.
http://www.drugawareness.org/Archives/Miscellaneous/MRalcohol.html
Your doctor is really smart if he has admitted the possibility of the relationship. Good Luck
Posted by micro on February 20, 2004, at 0:57:37
In reply to Re: cigarette cravings on Effexor, posted by anxiety66me on February 19, 2004, at 9:11:54
> The same thing happened to me when I was on Paxil. I guess I need to tell my pdoc about- because it is obviously a problem. When my best friend took Paxil she started drinking on her lunchbreaks into the night.
>
> I'm not saying that I am as bad off as she was. It is just odd for me because I used to be the designated driver-type before this. I would have 1-2 drinks in a weekend. Now I am drinking 1-2 in a night.
>
> The smoking has gone from about 5 a day to about 10- 15. My doc would definitely take me off of it.
>
> The drug has helped me, but the side effects are not worth it.
>
> Thanks for your input.This is a great post! I have heard people on ssri's complain about specific urges that are somewhat Ocd or behavioral in nature such as nail biting, smoking, picking at themselves, etc... even though they have had what is deemed a good therapeutic result![Although the alcohol usage is a new one]
Interesting isn't it? Regards, Micro
Posted by anxiety66me on February 20, 2004, at 6:00:21
In reply to Re: cigarette cravings on Effexor » anxiety66me, posted by micro on February 20, 2004, at 0:57:37
Thanks folks!
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 21, 2004, at 10:25:27
In reply to alchool craving induced by meds ... anyone else ? » anxiety66me, posted by francesco on February 19, 2004, at 13:02:08
> I found that Ann Blake Tracy, the writer of "Prozac, Panacea or Pandora", adfirms that many SSRI users have 'craving for alcohol'...
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
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