Drinking and Meds.

 In all seriousness, can you occasionally have a few drinks or more with the medications that they treat us for like bipolar. I am on depakote and xanax..... was just curious.

Sukay

beware hard liquor! had two one night and my body went totally crazy/sick/pain. have been okay with a very small glass of wine once in a while. i sit by someone i know at baseball games or parties so i can grab a sip or two of beer. otherwise, i stay clear but could just be hard liquor that does it.

Wow. Anyone who has the guts to drink while on all these drugs has more nerve than I. I've been stable for about 6 months now and wouldn't trade real life for any drug high, including alcohol. Just my two cents.

Hi Sukay, I don't think that person thinks you are ignorant but is saying they are too afraid to try a few drinks on top of their meds themselves.  You have a valid question and I am sure alot of people were wondering the same thing, you are the only one however to actually have the nerve to come on here and ask.  I am glad you did.  I do have one point that should be taken into consideration in that if you do have a few drinks, do it at home so you don't have to drive, especially until you know how the alcohol mixes with your meds. (Actually you should not drive and drink at all), but I bowl and usually have one beer a game and make sure I don't take my Xanax that day but I do take my other meds as prescribed.  I have found the alcohol does not have much affect with my other meds but I found out at home before going out first.

Good luck with learning how do deal, it can get rough at times.  Don't feel funny about any question you have, there are other people out there with the same thing and probaly the same questions, but are nervous about asking on the board so ASK AWAY.

Phyllis

I think drinking on these meds is about two categories: the chemistry of it and the psychology of it. Some people feel they can't psychologically handle alcohol with their illness or after reaching a finally stable place, and that is totally understandable I think. I think this is the aspect of it that Songster was talking about. Not everyone handles alcohol the same.

The chemistry of it is a different matter. If one truly feels stable and comfortable enough to have the occasional drink, that is their choice. But their question should then be how the alcohol and meds will react to each other. Of course that depends on the med, but in general the answer is just BE CAREFUL. Psychotropic medications tend to increase the effects of alcohol, so one should naturally not overdo it.

So thats my view :) If your psyche can handle drinking, ok, just do it in small amounts to account for your meds.

-Em

 

 

Dear Songster,

 

Thank you for your reply.

I guess I misinterpreted what you were trying to say to me in responding to my post.

 Since being diagnosed with Bipolar I am always on the defensive side.

So I guess I need to apologize to you also.

I took what you said the wrong way.

 

I am so sorry to hear you have

breast cancer. I hope the new board that

you will be going to will be just as

supportive as this one is.

 

I wish you well. May you find peace and stength to help get through this difficult time of your life.

God bless, '''

Sukay

 

P.S. Stop in once in a while and keep us posted how things aregoing for you.

 

 

Hey Ying Yang,

 

Wow, that is really something how the drinking didn't affect your other meds too much, but how intensely it affects you with taking Lamictal.

 

I have had a few drinks while on Lamictal and I am on 100 mg twice daily and have had no side effects from it besides the little high that I look for.

 

It just goes to show that different meds affect people in different ways. I don't know if that  makes it fortunate/unfortunate for me that I am still able to enjoy a few drinks and that one day it may catch up with me or that it is unfortuanate for you that you are now unable to enjoy a few drinks.

 

Wow! I can't believe your doctor told you that if you were to drink to stop all the meds at least for 24 hours prior to drinking then to resume the meds the next day! My doctor told me to consistantly take my meds and really try not to miss any doses. That that would throw me off more.

 

I guess each doctor has their own opinions as well. Although I haven't spoken a word to my doctor that I do have occassional drinks once in while, because I am sure he would discourage me from it. But I guess I am daring or stupid and took the risk of trying it out for myself. I just started with little and gradually increased so I would know what and how much would affect me.

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. It is good to hear and learn from other peoples experiences.

 

Sincerely,

Sukay

It sounds to me like you want to self medicate yourself. That is one good way. Smoking pot is another. So why don't you all just have a party?You all have a serious illness, which you are on medication for. It is not a game . grow up. it does not take a rocket scientist to know alcohol and medications do not mix.

jacqueline,
I am sorry about your friend. I did not mean to sound so abrupt. My husband is Bipolar and takes meds. I have epilepsy but visit this forum sometimes. It just scares me when people take very serious meds. and then try to talk there way into drinking. I am sorry if any of you thought I was rude. Mary

I used to be an alchoholic (self medicating) and it made me feel great - for a few hours. Then always the depression set in. Even just a glass or two of wine. It made at least me, more depressed. It is a depressant, after all!

I got clean 4 years ago, and got straight with meds. Haven't even wanted to touch one since. There is no feeling better than being stable. Maybe if you got on the right cocktail, you would realize that, and you wouldn't want to mess it up with drinks. (Even occasional)