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Lexapro and alcohol-don't feel well

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Posted 11/11/2007 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
So this is my first time here and I am a bit nervous. I went to a bar that I have frequented for a few years today...well I need to back up...2 1/2 years ago I broke up with a boyfriend of over 5 years (he cheated) and I was devestated. i started going to a bar and made some friends, most of them are "functional" alcoholics. I moved away for a year and just moved back this summer for a great job. I started getting anxiety attacks a few months ago, but lately they have gotten worse. I freaked out so bad afte three days of drinking that I ended up at a counselours office and then a psychiatrist. The counselor told me that I was one of the most profoundly depressed young women she had ever met. So they put me on celexa. When i went up to 20 mg it threw me into a panic attack-at work! Then last weekend I drank too much again on Saturday and was sicker than anything Sunday and Monday (missed work again). I went back to the counselor and psychiatrist and they put me on lexapro. I had not drank all week and stayed away from caffeine, but today I did one cherry bomb (vodka/red bull) and another shot. I came home and ate and started to feel anxious-got over it with some breathing, but then started to fell nauseous. Is this normal? I am feeling really nervous about all of this because it is really new for me, and I have been sad for so long that I want help, but it is hard changing my life. I'm scared and lonely and don't know what to do with myself right now.
Posted 11/11/2007 1:42 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Lillian,

As a recovering alcoholic with depression and anxiety and agoraphobia,

i can tell you that your meds and alcohol arnt a good mix. I myself continued drinking (very heavily) for the first 2 1/2 months of taking my meds and suufered all kinds of symptoms from it, nausiea, worse depression, became suicidal and was hospitalised 5 times, bad anxiety, etc etc etc.

How long have you been on your meds?.. They wont take effect for at least a month, and everyone here at HW is here to help if you need to chat or just vent, we know what your going through as we have been there ourselves, so your not alone on this.

please keep us posted on how your going..

hope you doing ok for now.. :-)

Posted 11/11/2007 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
I was on celexa for about two and a half weeks and then they switched me to lexapro which happened this past tuesday. I feel really nauseaus, but I just took some pepto so hopefully that settles my stomach a bit. The doctors told me they don't think I am alcohol dependent, but that I abuse alcohol. I don't really think I even want to drink anymore, but I don't want to lose my friends. I just don't know what to say as to why I am not drinking anymore. I am afraid I won't fit in. I have such a great family and a good job, but otherwise I feel alone and scared of how I have been feeling. My dad had several nervous breakdowns and was an alcoholic/drug user-he died four years ago from hep c. I don't want to be him-even though I barely knew him...
Posted 11/11/2007 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
lillian74

Welcome to Healing Well and the A & P forum.  I am so sorry that you are in so much pain and anxiety right now but I think you are on the right track except for the one thing.

Alcohol and drugs do not mix and it sounds like you may have one more problem that needs to be addressed with your therapist, the alcohol. I would really like to see you bring up this subject with your therapist as you may need professional help in letting go of the alcohol issue.

I am fearful that your  anxiety over the alcohol use  is part of the problem raising itself as a barrier to your recovery.

Please talk with your therapist and keep on posting.  We are here to support you and offer you advice but we are not professionals.

Again a warm welcome.

Kitt

Posted 11/11/2007 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
I too am a recovering SOBER alcoholic ..........since 1979

I also drank so I could fit in and be the life of the party...I just about lost my kids my self and my life to the booze
Yes it takes away our inhibitions and we are a lot of fun but where are our friends when we are holding our head in the toilet and cannot get out of bed for days on end .........or balance out
I do recommend strongly NOT to mix these meds with alcohol as it also intensifies the depression and a/p IMHO....

I found a whole new group of friends that liked me for me not for the drunked up me and I will be forever grateful for the day I said enough of this and gave up the booze and took my life back .....and gave my kids theirs back as well

WE are here to help you out hun in any way we can plz know that ..I am not calling you an alcoholic either ...

YOU are the one that can do that and only you .........

Welcome and Stay with us .........LYN
Posted 11/11/2007 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the kind words of wisdom. I feel like the doctor put me on medication really quickly, and I'm not sure about wanting to be medicated. i want to look into alternatives as well. Can anyone suggest anything?
Posted 11/11/2007 9:14 PM (GMT 0)

Dear Lillian,

I am on many meds and I rarely drink any alcohol and simply say I cannot drink due to the meds I take.  I used to go out with my friends  and have a couple of drinks but I have learned to say no when I go with them now.  Some will say  " Oh one won't hurt you".  I stick to my guns and I promise you I have never lost a friend because I drink diet coke.

I know when people are under the influence they are more likely to be "party people" and you wonder what it is that they are laughing at, but remember it is ok to be you.  They get the morning hang over and won't feel so funny then. :)

Take care of you.

Kitt

Posted 11/11/2007 11:49 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Lillian,

In regards to your nausea, perhaps you need to take your meds on a full stomach, i know i have to take my effexor with/after food or i feel nausious, As for your fear of not fiting in and losing friends if you dont drink, have no fear you can still fit in without the drink, and if your friends ARE friends, they wont care if you drink or not, i have many friends who still drink and they know my situation and there very supportive of my condition, and dont try to "egg me on to drink".

Also i do opologise for my first post, i didnt intend to imply you had a problem with alcohol, if it cam across that way i do deeply apologise.

as for other remides, diet could be a big thing, right at the moment i have my children on a strict diet, due to all the chemicals and additives in food these days, which has adverse effects on them, perhaps if you do a search on food additives and there effects you may find some help for alternatives to meds, this is just a suggestion im far from a professional, and everyone is different. Hope that helps a bit. And as Lyn said we are here to help in any way we can..

Take care.. :-)

((((((((HUGS))))))))

Posted 11/12/2007 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
How aree you making out ....Post when you can .........
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