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Posted 5/19/2005 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
I am in college and dont drink right now. But soon ill be old enough to and i really want to know if ill be able to drink on the medicines if someone is on these and can tell me from experience if they can drink. The meds are lithium and lamictal. i really hope i can drink in moderation because college life is hard when you cant drink? i know they always say dont drink and i wouldnt all the time but i need to know that if i decide to every once in a while i wouldnt be throwing up all week. thanks.
Posted 5/19/2005 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
 I would say probably what you already know ( even though i am not on those meds) that on a normal basis alcohol and meds don't mix. however in moderate consumption , I would say it might not hurt. I DO NOT know though because I , again have never been on either of those meds. I currently take Topamax. The problem I have with what you wrote is that you said, you might want to drink because college is hard . Just remember that alcohol is an anti- depressant. I am no saint here, I drank and drank hard . I think it just made things worse for me. The harder it got in college , and the more stressed I got, the more I drank, and the more "confused" I got if you will. I still am in school , I just handle it diffferently. You have to find out how to cope with stress in your own way, it's tough  I know !!!! Good Luck.  
Posted 5/19/2005 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
With Lithium it is very important to not get dehydrated or levels can become toxic. I would say one beer that lasts you all night with adequate water intake may be okay. But that's it! sorry :(
Posted 5/23/2005 6:41 PM (GMT 0)

Dana is  right - trust me, you don't want to go there.  You will be on the floor in nothing flat and it will mess up your mood for days.  It is a DEPRESSANT, not an antidepressant.  It feels good the first few hours, but when it wears off, you will be very low and probably for several days.  One episode of drinking can trigger a bad depression that lasts for weeks or months.  I guess you may have to find that out for yourself.

I agree, your reference to drinking because college is hard is a concern.  Don't start using excuses for drinking, don't use it as a crutch.  You will be very sick very soon.  If you can't deal, get therapy or tell your doc - he may want to adjust your meds.

Posted 5/23/2005 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
 Pyschnurse , sorry you are right. I don't know why I typed "anti-depressant", I know alcohol is a depressant. Thanks for correcting that . I would not want to give anyone the wrong information. I guess I had something else on my mind, or just simply typed the wrong thing. I do apologize! I used to drink alot and definately know that alcohol is a depressant. It does seem to affect the following days also. Anyhow thanks for the correction.

Posted 5/23/2005 11:35 PM (GMT 0)

No problem, Kitty - I really had a feeling you just made a typo!!

I am speaking from experience as well - it started out as just socially, then just a glass or two of wine after work, then, realized I felt really bad the next day, but another glass of wine made it feel  better.  And so it went, until  was drinking a litre and a half of straight vodka a day.  Blacking out, lost two years of my life.  I finally went to detox (incredibly depressed too, duh) and that was 3 years ago, and I haven't had a drop since.  I am not even tempted.  when I think back to how bad I felt and looked, totally worthless for anything, it makes me shudder.  I cannot believe I let that happen, but it really sneaks up on you.  That's why I am so passionate about BPs drinking, with or without meds.

I hope you didn't think I was being harsh on you - that was not my intention, just wanted that girl to get the idea, that's all! :-)

Posted 5/23/2005 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
 Hey psychnurse, harsh are ya kidding? I to know all about being an alcoholic. At least I can say CONGRATULATIONS to you. I wanted to express the same to the girl. We both know college is stressful, but alcohol don't help. Beer was my choice.I checked myself in two times , hard though when I went straight back to my job of 5 yrs. as a bartender. I just go to school now and raise my daughter, she's a cute 3 yr. old. Fortunately my drinking isn't reckless, but I don't deny I am an alcoholic who still drinks about once a week or every other.  I should know better, especially all the other programs I been in. I am 27 and still fightin that battle. I don't know what is harder BP, alcohlismor both devil
Posted 5/24/2005 1:45 AM (GMT 0)

I know it's hard - if I didn't have the support of my wonderful and patient husband, I would probably still be drinking.  He gave me the ol' ultimatum and that woke me up double quick!

Do you find the day after you had a drink or two, that you don't feel good? 

Posted 5/24/2005 2:10 AM (GMT 0)

Dear "CNF"

I must agree with the ladies. Socially, it was very hard to begin telling all my friends that I could or did not want to indulge in drinking anymore. Everyone always wants to push it on you, it is difficult to say no, but you must. I made the mistake of drinking  on a holiday , and it took me WEEKS to get back to normal. I was very depressed, and before that actually felt quite good. All of my progress was lost and my p doc said to me "that was really stupid". Those words stung at the time, but he was right. If you are having a hard time with friends, I recommend drinking from a glass that is colored so they can't tell what you are drinking, or just tell them you are drinking something when you are not. But I must say, that is a game that may get tired, and your TRUE friends will respect your decision. Ultimately you may find your social circle changing as you change-don't be scared. And if you are having urges to drink, seek help from your p doc. Mine was very helpful when I expressed these urges to drink and we worked out a solution. Hang in there, and take the advice of these ladies-they speak the truth!!!

Shannon

Posted 5/25/2005 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
 Hey pyschnurse, it isn't the day after I don't "feel good", it's the day after that. That day is really bad day. It's a guilt day, a anger day, a rage day,

a leave me alone day. If you suffered any alcohol problems , you might me able to relate. That is not intentend to be rude or offensive , but most alcoholic who have been thru the 12 step program can relate to what I am saying. Let me also say , before anyone writes back, I already know that , that is not an excuse. Anyhow, pyschnurse, thanks for listening, bear with my couple of issues.Sounds like a great husband !!! I will be on vacation , I will write when I get back!!! 

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