![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Elysium9 on January 26, 2003, at 14:01:19
Just recently I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I am taking, Lithobid300mg t.i.d.,
Klonopin1-2mg b.i.d. p.r.n., and Zyprexa5mg o.d.I seem to be responding to these medication's, with little side effect's. The most serious, sexual dysfunction. Viagra25mg seems helpful, however, it to has it's side effect's....
Alcohol seems to wipe me out, black-outs and all.
Does anyone know of the effect's of combining psychotropic medication's, and alcohol? Has anyone experienced a similar situation?
Posted by BrittPark on January 26, 2003, at 18:14:16
In reply to psychotropics and alcohol, posted by Elysium9 on January 26, 2003, at 14:01:19
I don't know about zyprexa, but klonopin and alcohol act synergistically. That could be what knocks you out. When taking benzos it's generally best to be cautious about alcohol. Since alcohol is a diuretic it seems conceivable that drink might affect lithium blood levels (I'm just guessing here).
Cheers,
Britt
Posted by stjames on January 26, 2003, at 22:43:38
In reply to psychotropics and alcohol, posted by Elysium9 on January 26, 2003, at 14:01:19
Alcohol seems to wipe me out, black-outs and all.
Then why do you continue to drink ?
Posted by megg on January 29, 2003, at 19:48:19
In reply to Re: psychotropics and alcohol, posted by stjames on January 26, 2003, at 22:43:38
I am in college and 24 and it is really difficult not to drink when I at parties, around friends, etc. I am on rispirdol 3mg... and after 1 drink I am gone. So I don't do it often, and I am a cheap date ;). I drank before I took psychotropic drugs to subdue my anxiety, do you think this could be a possibility for you?
Posted by elysium9 on January 30, 2003, at 15:49:02
In reply to Re: psychotropics and alcohol, posted by megg on January 29, 2003, at 19:48:19
> I am in college and 24 and it is really difficult not to drink when I at parties, around friends, etc. I am on rispirdol 3mg... and after 1 drink I am gone. So I don't do it often, and I am a cheap date ;). I drank before I took psychotropic drugs to subdue my anxiety, do you think this could be a possibility for you?
I did drink before being placed on psychotropic medication's. Especially in school, and after. I am finding out that if I stick to just drinking beer, not spirits, I'm allright. Scotch, Vodka puts me on another planet.
Posted by bpgrrrl on February 1, 2003, at 15:52:54
In reply to Re: psychotropics and alcohol, posted by elysium9 on January 30, 2003, at 15:49:02
I recently quit drinking alcohol and yes it was difficult during the holidays etc... at parties.
But for your health man c'mon get real. It's much better for you to stop that drinking. :)
Posted by lostsailor on February 3, 2003, at 9:29:31
In reply to Quit Drinking!, posted by bpgrrrl on February 1, 2003, at 15:52:54
For what it's worth… I know the feeling. I don't know how your relationship is with your doc, but I have told mine about the same issues. He realizes we still are social beings and has created a med schedule, really just a decrease, if I choose to go out and have a drink with friends on occasion. He tells me I can have one early on and try to just drink it a bit slowly and if I get a second I must 'nurse" it all night. It's not the greatest deal but at least now I know how to mix it safely with meds and thanks to the meds want to less frequently anyways.
Oh, I have also found a renewed interest in 'micro brewed' root beer. I think I am starting to like it better most micro beers...lol I don't really do spirits, just good beer, but I think he mentioned that only beer and wine were ok with him while on my meds.
Hope this helps, ~Tony
Posted by bozeman on February 3, 2003, at 23:12:35
In reply to Re: Quit Drinking to ely.., posted by lostsailor on February 3, 2003, at 9:29:31
Hi elysium9 -- I have to agree with Tony; my experience has been that though I "socially" enjoy the alcohol, it doesn't mix well with my meds and I am much more tired and not in as good a mood for a couple of days. Have considered sneaking "virgin" drinks, even, so can have the social value without the repercussions. I used to use alcohol as a substitute for not having emotions, but now that I'm on an AD that gave me emotions back (Lexapro) I must (if grudgingly) admit I don't *need* the alcohol to feel emotions now, so I'm better off without it. Use your own judgement to determine what's right for you, but that's been my experience.
Tony, thank you for putting so well into so few words what many of us wish we could say. I can only imagine the complex and beautiful depths of such a mind as yours. Enjoy your posts immensely.
Be well, both of you --
;-)bozeman
> For what it's worth… I know the feeling. I don't know how your relationship is with your doc, but I have told mine about the same issues. He realizes we still are social beings and has created a med schedule, really just a decrease, if I choose to go out and have a drink with friends on occasion. He tells me I can have one early on and try to just drink it a bit slowly and if I get a second I must 'nurse" it all night. It's not the greatest deal but at least now I know how to mix it safely with meds and thanks to the meds want to less frequently anyways.
>
> Oh, I have also found a renewed interest in 'micro brewed' root beer. I think I am starting to like it better most micro beers...lol I don't really do spirits, just good beer, but I think he mentioned that only beer and wine were ok with him while on my meds.
>
> Hope this helps, ~Tony
>
Posted by Elysium9 on February 27, 2003, at 14:15:13
In reply to Re: Quit Drinking to ely.. » lostsailor, posted by bozeman on February 3, 2003, at 23:12:35
What I am trying to say is, that the medication's very often give me the urge to drink alcohol. I find that if I drink spirit's, ie. scotch, vodka, ect., they effect me heavier then they ever have, often blacking-out. Beer does not effect me this way. I am curious? Do medication's such as; Lithium, Depakote, Zyprexa, give anyone else the urge to drink alcohol?
I must add, before diagnosed bipolar, I was diagnosed alcoholic. My doctor suggests that my alcoholism, was due to being bipolar, and self medicating myself.
Posted by Minx on February 28, 2003, at 14:51:41
In reply to psychotropic medication and alcohol, posted by Elysium9 on February 27, 2003, at 14:15:13
I am an alcoholic with Borderline personality disorder. I think the term "self-medication" is wonderful. Alcohol can bring you up (temporarily) when you're down, calm you down (temporarily) when you're up...But it all ends up in a hangover.
I had to quit drinking before I could really get any relief from my mental condition. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant - mixing that with any other CNSD can be very dangerous. It can interact badly with other medications as well. And never mind the hangovers and guilt trips that can go with a bad drunk. It wasn't easy, but I had to quit if I really wanted to get better.
You say that you've been diagnosed alcoholic...Based on what I remember about myself - do you mind if I ask a question?
You say that the medication gives you "urges" to drink. When you are taking your meds, how long do you go without drinking before these urges hit? How long do you go without drinking when you're not taking meds? This may help pin down if it's the meds, or if it's the fact that you're not drinking.
You didn't give much information on frequency...
Beer may not have the same effect as vodka (etc.), because of the proportion of alcohol. I could get pretty ripped on Jim Beam or Absolute, but I never could drink the volume of beer I would have needed for the same effect. There just isn't as much alcohol. That doesn't mean it's safe - there is still alcohol which could interact badly with your meds.
I would STRONGLY suggest that you quit drinking altogether. You were mentioning some potentially nasty meds, and it would be best if they were left "alone" to do their job. If not having a beverage during social occasions bothers you, try some of the non-alcoholic beers that are available. There are also some surprisingly decent dealcoholized wines out there. Ask for your 7up in a drink glass (so it looks and feels the same).
Blackouts are not good. Something shuts down. That can't be healthy...
Best of luck. Sorry to come down hard...
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.