Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 372959

Shown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemist?

Posted by AMD on August 1, 2004, at 19:15:42

Folks,

I've been on Celexa 80mg and Lamictal 200 mg for about two weeks now, and have for the first time started to feel a return to normal.

Last night I went to a bar and had a couple sips (maybe a fourth) of glass of vodka and Coke. I also smoked on cigarette.

Today I am very depressed. I feel guilty about fooling with my medicines in this way, and especially bad that I completely brought this on myself.

Can alcohol, even a relatively small amount, interact with the medicines in such a way to bring one back into a depression. Can I expect, by abstaining, to return to feeling back to normal, or will these permanently screw up my body's response to the medication? Why am I feeling a bit depressed now?

Thanks,
a

 

Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemist? » AMD

Posted by chemist on August 1, 2004, at 20:02:17

In reply to Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemist?, posted by AMD on August 1, 2004, at 19:15:42

> Folks,
>
> I've been on Celexa 80mg and Lamictal 200 mg for about two weeks now, and have for the first time started to feel a return to normal.
>
> Last night I went to a bar and had a couple sips (maybe a fourth) of glass of vodka and Coke. I also smoked on cigarette.
>
> Today I am very depressed. I feel guilty about fooling with my medicines in this way, and especially bad that I completely brought this on myself.
>
> Can alcohol, even a relatively small amount, interact with the medicines in such a way to bring one back into a depression. Can I expect, by abstaining, to return to feeling back to normal, or will these permanently screw up my body's response to the medication? Why am I feeling a bit depressed now?
>
> Thanks,
> a

hello amd, chemist here...i think your post will generate a lot of responses....my personal take is that your guilt and feeling that you may have ``undone'' some good by ingesting (very small) amounts of things on the ``forbidden'' list is at work here. if you drank a quarter of a standard u.s.-poured vodka/coke at a bar, you're talking about roughly 0.5 oz of alcohol, which i do not think would derail your course of medication. a cigarette is what you'd get in secondhand smoke from being in a bar for a few hours: smoking one, along with a bit of spiced-up caffeinated sugar water, ought not trigger a relapse, in my opinion...you don't have a hangover, didn't wreck the car, or end up in the hospital or in a brawl: you had a smoke and a sip of a drink. if you skipped the drink and had a few slugs of OTC cough syrup instead, you'd be in a similar (if not worse) situation. not what the doctor orders or recommends, but you didn't really push the envelope. i think you've got a case of the ``guilts'' and by tomorrow you'll be fine. by not having any benzos or other sedatives on-board, you're more in the clear, as a little booze can go a long way with those drugs. again, in my opinion, you've got a mild case of remorse. be well, and all the best, chemist

 

Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis » chemist

Posted by AMD on August 1, 2004, at 22:06:35

In reply to Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemist? » AMD, posted by chemist on August 1, 2004, at 20:02:17

> > Folks,
> >
> > I've been on Celexa 80mg and Lamictal 200 mg for about two weeks now, and have for the first time started to feel a return to normal.
> >
> > Last night I went to a bar and had a couple sips (maybe a fourth) of glass of vodka and Coke. I also smoked on cigarette.
> >
> > Today I am very depressed. I feel guilty about fooling with my medicines in this way, and especially bad that I completely brought this on myself.
> >
> > Can alcohol, even a relatively small amount, interact with the medicines in such a way to bring one back into a depression. Can I expect, by abstaining, to return to feeling back to normal, or will these permanently screw up my body's response to the medication? Why am I feeling a bit depressed now?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > a
>
> hello amd, chemist here...i think your post will generate a lot of responses....my personal take is that your guilt and feeling that you may have ``undone'' some good by ingesting (very small) amounts of things on the ``forbidden'' list is at work here. if you drank a quarter of a standard u.s.-poured vodka/coke at a bar, you're talking about roughly 0.5 oz of alcohol, which i do not think would derail your course of medication. a cigarette is what you'd get in secondhand smoke from being in a bar for a few hours: smoking one, along with a bit of spiced-up caffeinated sugar water, ought not trigger a relapse, in my opinion...you don't have a hangover, didn't wreck the car, or end up in the hospital or in a brawl: you had a smoke and a sip of a drink. if you skipped the drink and had a few slugs of OTC cough syrup instead, you'd be in a similar (if not worse) situation. not what the doctor orders or recommends, but you didn't really push the envelope. i think you've got a case of the ``guilts'' and by tomorrow you'll be fine. by not having any benzos or other sedatives on-board, you're more in the clear, as a little booze can go a long way with those drugs. again, in my opinion, you've got a mild case of remorse. be well, and all the best, chemist

-------------------------------

Chemist,

Thanks for your erudite advice. Once again your sensibilities come to my rescue.

Guilt certainly has a lot to do with it -- and I suppose the depression I'm feeling today is at least a little in part due to the guilt I feel. Every time I drink I feel this way, and yet I continue to believe a small amount of alcohol won't have a detramental effect. On the contrary, its effect is disproptionate to the amount of alcohol I've consumed. Clearly, I should not now, nor perhaps ever, drink again. Part of this will mean tightening my circle of "friends," and avoiding situations and places that make me feel comfortable about drinking. (And yes, an AA meeting now and then would further help.)

Nonetheless, I do feel a bit 'out of it' today, perhaps as a side effect of alcohol-induced depression but more likely because I'm obsessing that I have alcohol-induced depression. But you're right -- the tiny amount I had I wouldn't expect to have such a huge mental effect. I think it's a cognitive thing: I think I'm "slowed," thinking I'm slowed makes me feel slowed.

So, I will have to put up with this for a few days until I go through some mental exercise that reconfirms my mental acuity. Happens every time.

I think I'll hit the sack earlier tonight and hope the Celexa and Lamictal continue to do their job.

a

 

Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis » AMD

Posted by chemist on August 1, 2004, at 23:13:13

In reply to Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis » chemist, posted by AMD on August 1, 2004, at 22:06:35

> > > Folks,
> > >
> > > I've been on Celexa 80mg and Lamictal 200 mg for about two weeks now, and have for the first time started to feel a return to normal.
> > >
> > > Last night I went to a bar and had a couple sips (maybe a fourth) of glass of vodka and Coke. I also smoked on cigarette.
> > >
> > > Today I am very depressed. I feel guilty about fooling with my medicines in this way, and especially bad that I completely brought this on myself.
> > >
> > > Can alcohol, even a relatively small amount, interact with the medicines in such a way to bring one back into a depression. Can I expect, by abstaining, to return to feeling back to normal, or will these permanently screw up my body's response to the medication? Why am I feeling a bit depressed now?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > a
> >
> > hello amd, chemist here...i think your post will generate a lot of responses....my personal take is that your guilt and feeling that you may have ``undone'' some good by ingesting (very small) amounts of things on the ``forbidden'' list is at work here. if you drank a quarter of a standard u.s.-poured vodka/coke at a bar, you're talking about roughly 0.5 oz of alcohol, which i do not think would derail your course of medication. a cigarette is what you'd get in secondhand smoke from being in a bar for a few hours: smoking one, along with a bit of spiced-up caffeinated sugar water, ought not trigger a relapse, in my opinion...you don't have a hangover, didn't wreck the car, or end up in the hospital or in a brawl: you had a smoke and a sip of a drink. if you skipped the drink and had a few slugs of OTC cough syrup instead, you'd be in a similar (if not worse) situation. not what the doctor orders or recommends, but you didn't really push the envelope. i think you've got a case of the ``guilts'' and by tomorrow you'll be fine. by not having any benzos or other sedatives on-board, you're more in the clear, as a little booze can go a long way with those drugs. again, in my opinion, you've got a mild case of remorse. be well, and all the best, chemist
>
> -------------------------------
>
> Chemist,
>
> Thanks for your erudite advice. Once again your sensibilities come to my rescue.
>
> Guilt certainly has a lot to do with it -- and I suppose the depression I'm feeling today is at least a little in part due to the guilt I feel. Every time I drink I feel this way, and yet I continue to believe a small amount of alcohol won't have a detramental effect. On the contrary, its effect is disproptionate to the amount of alcohol I've consumed. Clearly, I should not now, nor perhaps ever, drink again. Part of this will mean tightening my circle of "friends," and avoiding situations and places that make me feel comfortable about drinking. (And yes, an AA meeting now and then would further help.)
>
> Nonetheless, I do feel a bit 'out of it' today, perhaps as a side effect of alcohol-induced depression but more likely because I'm obsessing that I have alcohol-induced depression. But you're right -- the tiny amount I had I wouldn't expect to have such a huge mental effect. I think it's a cognitive thing: I think I'm "slowed," thinking I'm slowed makes me feel slowed.
>
> So, I will have to put up with this for a few days until I go through some mental exercise that reconfirms my mental acuity. Happens every time.
>
> I think I'll hit the sack earlier tonight and hope the Celexa and Lamictal continue to do their job.
>
> a


hello again....i am not the wise sage of the world, remember, and although i think this time the punishment does not fit the crime - and you appear to concur upon hindsight - it is a good idea to keep the meds away from the booze, at the very least. you'll get to where you need to be sooner than later, and your true friends will stick with you regardless. as you note, you just stuck your toe in the water, so to speak, and you clearly know what to do if your social circle interferes with your mental/physical/emotional wellbeing: you head is in the right place, from my perspective, although this perspective has been shown to be stilted on more than one occasion! in any event, be well, i look forward to an update...all the best, chemist

 

Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis

Posted by AMD on August 1, 2004, at 23:14:41

In reply to Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis » AMD, posted by chemist on August 1, 2004, at 23:13:13

Chemist,

I'll keep you in the loop. Feeling so tired today, probably just exhausted from oversleeping. Fingers crossed I'll be back to normal tomorrow.

a

 

Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis » AMD

Posted by chemist on August 1, 2004, at 23:19:14

In reply to Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis, posted by AMD on August 1, 2004, at 23:14:41

> Chemist,
>
> I'll keep you in the loop. Feeling so tired today, probably just exhausted from oversleeping. Fingers crossed I'll be back to normal tomorrow.
>
> a

i'm sure you'll be fine....have a good snooze!!!! all the best, chemist

 

Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis » chemist

Posted by AMD on August 2, 2004, at 16:59:31

In reply to Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis » AMD, posted by chemist on August 1, 2004, at 23:19:14

Still feeling the blues. Can't concentrate. Angry at myself -- I hope a couple days' sleep helps.

Could this be from the Lamictal/alcohol interaction? My doctor says alcohol interferes with Celexa, but didn't mention Lamictal. Could even such a tiny amount be the cause? Anyhow, hoping I'm snap out of it by tomorrow. Guess I'm worried that now that the drug has "stopped working," it won't work again. Is this possible?

The worst part is I'm soooo tired. But that may be the extra Lamictal I've been taking since Saturday night (upped from 200 mg to 300 mg). Going to go back to 200 mg tomorrow, which seemed to be working very well.

a

 

Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis » AMD

Posted by chemist on August 2, 2004, at 17:32:26

In reply to Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis » chemist, posted by AMD on August 2, 2004, at 16:59:31

hey amd....given your guilt trip and the increased dose, i have to point to those factors. an ounce of alcohol isn't going to undo the good that these meds are doing. think about it. you've just upped a mood stabilizer and are feeling down from this weekend. give yourself a break, take it slow with the meds, and don't beat yourself up on this one. your first sentence is very telling: i've been there numerous times, and while i cannot speak for ``the world,'' i will take the liberty of stating that you and i aren't the only ones who have played fast-and-loose with their meds/alcohol/etc. at one time or another. be well, my friend, this will pass....if you're not up to par by the end of the week, go see the doc and lay it out. you also might have a cold, allergy, some ``bug'' you picked up, whatever. i'm stating that there are a number of variables here, and 0.5 oz. alcohol and a cigarette are not the culprits. your plan to take it easy with the lamictal sounds good, maybe you went up too fast, who's to say. give yourself a break on this one, okay? check in, let us know how it's going and remember: they don't call it ``blue monday'' for nothing.....be well, and all the best, chemist

> Still feeling the blues. Can't concentrate. Angry at myself -- I hope a couple days' sleep helps.
>
> Could this be from the Lamictal/alcohol interaction? My doctor says alcohol interferes with Celexa, but didn't mention Lamictal. Could even such a tiny amount be the cause? Anyhow, hoping I'm snap out of it by tomorrow. Guess I'm worried that now that the drug has "stopped working," it won't work again. Is this possible?
>
> The worst part is I'm soooo tired. But that may be the extra Lamictal I've been taking since Saturday night (upped from 200 mg to 300 mg). Going to go back to 200 mg tomorrow, which seemed to be working very well.
>
> a

 

Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis

Posted by AMD on August 2, 2004, at 18:19:40

In reply to Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis » AMD, posted by chemist on August 2, 2004, at 17:32:26

Thanks. I think my head is racing a bit, which makes the problem a bit worse, you know? And I definitely feel like I'm coming down with a cold, so. I'll give it until Friday and see how I'm feeling then.

a

 

Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- Chemist ?

Posted by woolav on August 3, 2004, at 8:36:44

In reply to Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis » chemist, posted by AMD on August 2, 2004, at 16:59:31

Hey, i was just reading you guys posts and have a question. My pdoc seems to keep me at a level of 100mg of lamictal. But alot of ppl on here are taking 200-300mg. Whats the deal? Am i not taking a high enough dose????
oh, and for AMD, i have not noticed an interaction with lamictal and alcohol. (only with my prozac have i noticed a problem)
S

 

Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- Chemist ? » woolav

Posted by chemist on August 3, 2004, at 8:48:34

In reply to Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- Chemist ?, posted by woolav on August 3, 2004, at 8:36:44

hello there, chemist here...i just wanted to give you a heads-up that i am not up to speed with lamictal, in terms of doses that are effective. as for the alcohol part, i only know what i read (almost every white paper for any drug includes the ``alcohol should be avoided'' phrase). the alcohol/lamictal issue doesn't seem to come up too often on this board, and i assume that it is not a problem with small amounts of alcohol or that people taking mood stabilizers avoid alcohol altogether, thus making it a moot point. AMD, can you shed some light on the dose and alcohol question? all the best, chemist

> Hey, i was just reading you guys posts and have a question. My pdoc seems to keep me at a level of 100mg of lamictal. But alot of ppl on here are taking 200-300mg. Whats the deal? Am i not taking a high enough dose????
> oh, and for AMD, i have not noticed an interaction with lamictal and alcohol. (only with my prozac have i noticed a problem)
> S

 

Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- bad news? chemis » chemist

Posted by AMD on August 3, 2004, at 11:00:18

In reply to Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- Chemist ? » woolav, posted by chemist on August 3, 2004, at 8:48:34

I suspect the alcohol interferes with the antidepressant effect of SSRI's. In my case, I'm on a high dosage of Celexa, which I now suspect is barely holding me above the depression threshold. Thus the alcohol I had, small dose as it was, I think interfered with the drug in a way to make it slightly less effective, resulting in my day-after blues. Yesterday I was a bit mixed; today I feel a little better, but not 100%. Probably will be next week before I shake myself out of this.

As to the Lamictal, I found 100 mg to be effective, but just not right for mood stablization for me. 200 mg seems to work well for me. I wouldn't rule out alcohol having an effect on that as well. Just don't play with fire is my motto. (Well, /now/ it is!)

Finally, if 100 mg of Lamictal is working for you, I'd suggest sticking with it. No need to go up unless you're not finding 100 mg to work. When I first started at 25 mg, I found that it lifted my mood. It just didn't work /enough/ to prevent rapid cycling. The higher dose, for me, is more effective.

Adam

 

Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitca -- more » chemist

Posted by AMD on August 4, 2004, at 21:01:15

In reply to Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitcal -- Chemist ? » woolav, posted by chemist on August 3, 2004, at 8:48:34

... I continue to suffer.

My depression washed over me so quickly and fiercely this time, I feel my mind is gone. All from one lousy drink. I feel depressed, unable to concentrate, yet racing in my mind. The thought of attempting to read fills me with dread, and I feel as if my life, my potential, is over. I've been here before, but knowing that never helps.

I just want to sleep...

And, on top of it, I know I felt fine -- not manic, just fine -- last weekend. I am so stupid.

Is there a chance that small amount of alcohol mixed with the medication caused a disproportionate amount of brain damage or cognitive damage?

a


 

Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitca -- more

Posted by woolav on August 5, 2004, at 9:08:06

In reply to Re: Alcohol, celexa, lamitca -- more » chemist, posted by AMD on August 4, 2004, at 21:01:15

I dont think it caused brain damage. I went to a party last weekend and was so sick the next day i couldnt get out of bed until dinner time. I think that alcohol does cause bad reactions but not permanent damage. I know alcohol is a depressant, so its stupid to drink at all while being treated for depression. But give yourself a break and move on. It was just one mistake. Hell, i make mistakes everyday :)
S


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