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Alcohol and Antidepressants

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Posted 4/27/2011 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
So I talked with my Dr this afternoon and she mentioned medication to calm my nerves, I have a very stressful job that keeps my mind running all the time and I can't seem to settle down.  She suggested some antidepressants, told me about cymbalta, pristiq, zoloft, lexapro, wellbutrin and a few others.  She said that small doses will help me get relaxed, and will help me with work and home life anxiety.  Thus my question; I enjoy having drinks with friends, some months It may be one night others it may be 5 to 10 nights.  Sometimes I get intoxicated, other times I have a couple.  I'm not depressed, so I'm not looking for a lecture on drinking while I'm depressed.  I just want to know honest answers on if I should be getting on this type of medication or not.  I don't want to change my life style, I enjoy what I do and I enjoy having drinks with friends and family.  Alcohol doesn't run my life, I just want the ability to live "my" normal life and not have to worry about the medication hurting me.   Thanks in advance for any help.
Posted 4/27/2011 6:13 AM (GMT 0)
alcohol is a known depressant. i will leave it at that. wishing you well. jamie.
Posted 4/27/2011 8:55 AM (GMT 0)
Alcohol will negate the antidepressant. For example, I noticed i have withdrawal symptoms from the AD if i drink heavily, as if i missed a few doses of the medication. but thats only if i drink heavily, like hammered type drunkeness.
Posted 4/27/2011 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
First off, let me just tell you that this is not the best place to be asking this question just because we all do suffer from depression and one of the first things you need to do to recover is cut out all alcohol being that it is a depressant. But i will try to answer objectively (sp? i wish we had spell check on this thing)

Have you tried anyother type of methods for dealing with you stress levels, excercise, diet, etc....? If i was in your situation i probably would give these a try before going on a med, because a med is a rather large commitment, and really its only a "patch" to help you get to the point where you can take control and help yourself get better.  Have you checked out the Anxiety section of the forum?  You can get some good tips over there for dealing with stress/anxiety.

So i guess to answer your question, no i don't think in your situation that social drinking would really hurt you while on the med. It would lessen the effectiveness of the med, and at that point why even be on the med, but i don't think it would hurt you. This is only my opinion, i don't drink because i have depression and my meds are really helping me, and i wouldn't want to jeopardize that.
Posted 4/27/2011 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Drinking alcohol dooes cause depression. I wouldn't want tto mix the alcohol with the ad. Talk to your doc about it and see what they say.

Hugs, Karen
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