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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jimmyboy on April 25, 2008, at 10:54:40
I do not know if this is an unusual response to alcohol, but I believe it is, and if anyone has any ideas on what is going on I would be interested in any input.
I go through long periods of feeling exhausted, brain fog, muscle weakness, low motivation, etc.
But when I drink, I feel better, I wake up immediately, my mind starts clearing, I become interested in things, music sounds better, and the change is pretty dramatic. And once i start I keep going, there is almost no way to just have one or two drinks.. its usually at least 8 if not more, my tolerance is huge. And my hangovers are absolutely awful ( even if I had just a drink or two) - anxiety, depression, they are just crippling, definitely much more severe than most people.
Anyway, I have quit drinking many times, and am currently not drinking.
What is happening when I drink? What does alcohol do to your brain ? -- what would e released while drinking that makes me feel so good, and when depleted makes me feel so awful?
Posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2008, at 12:00:47
In reply to Response to Alcohol - Any explainations?, posted by Jimmyboy on April 25, 2008, at 10:54:40
Jimmyboy that is a question I've wondered about for l4 years as when drinking beer or wine daily at night before bed 4-6 beers and my xanax I felt wonderful all the time no headaches no hangovers just relaxed and full of energy. I was working and doing fun things and just plain happy. Has to be something as when quit due to being given chloral hydrate instead went downhill fast. Love Phillipa
Posted by SteelyDan on April 25, 2008, at 15:30:21
In reply to Response to Alcohol - Any explainations?, posted by Jimmyboy on April 25, 2008, at 10:54:40
> I do not know if this is an unusual response to alcohol, but I believe it is, and if anyone has any ideas on what is going on I would be interested in any input.
>
> I go through long periods of feeling exhausted, brain fog, muscle weakness, low motivation, etc.
>
> But when I drink, I feel better, I wake up immediately, my mind starts clearing, I become interested in things, music sounds better, and the change is pretty dramatic. And once i start I keep going, there is almost no way to just have one or two drinks.. its usually at least 8 if not more, my tolerance is huge. And my hangovers are absolutely awful ( even if I had just a drink or two) - anxiety, depression, they are just crippling, definitely much more severe than most people.
>
> Anyway, I have quit drinking many times, and am currently not drinking.
>
> What is happening when I drink? What does alcohol do to your brain ? -- what would e released while drinking that makes me feel so good, and when depleted makes me feel so awful?Alcohol affects gaba in the brain, just like benzodiazepines do. I'm a recovering alcoholic, and to me it (you are developing tolerance to alcohol) sounds like the beginning stages of alcoholism. Quit now while you can.
-Dan
Posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2008, at 16:26:34
In reply to Re: Response to Alcohol - Any explainations? » Jimmyboy, posted by SteelyDan on April 25, 2008, at 15:30:21
Good advise no alchohol in l4 years now. Love Phillipa
Posted by cactus on April 25, 2008, at 16:40:35
In reply to Response to Alcohol - Any explainations?, posted by Jimmyboy on April 25, 2008, at 10:54:40
I too am a recovering alcoholic, because it worked well for my depression, anxiety and social phobia. One thing you said really stood out to me.......
..... "there is almost no way to just have one or two drinks.. its usually at least 8 if not more, my tolerance is huge"
That is a HUGE warning sign.
What you choose to do with this information is up to you. If I was in your shoes I'd stop all together and do your own research online. One place I found very helpful to relate at first was a web site called Sober Recovery. Have a read through some of the forums there and see what you think. I know alcohol nearly ruined my life because of it's enticing properties, which relieved my symptoms for years and then it turned on me, damage done, but it's never too late to stop. If you think you do have a problem, talk to your doctor or pdoc.
As Dan said, stop now while you can. I hope you can sort this out quickly, I wish you all the best. Quite a few people suffering mental illness are using alcohol unknowingly, because it makes them feel better...
...at first. C
Posted by Jimmyboy on April 25, 2008, at 17:33:57
In reply to Re: Response to Alcohol - Any explainations? » Jimmyboy, posted by cactus on April 25, 2008, at 16:40:35
Oh, I completely agree,
I know those are bad signs, the inability to stop once I start and having a huge tolerance. The thing is I don't drink very often because of the nasty, several day, hangovers. I DONT want to drink, not at all, I don't crave it. I just wanted to know what it does to the brain so I could find some other way to possibly get some the good effects without drinking alcohol.
There has to be something else going on besides GABA though, bc I have taken benzo's and I get nothing from them at all but sleep. Alcohol wakes me up, I know it releases some dopamine too? But anything I have taken that enhances dopamine makes me a nervous wreck, alcohol doesn't do that. Hmm..
Posted by bleauberry on April 25, 2008, at 18:20:44
In reply to Response to Alcohol - Any explainations?, posted by Jimmyboy on April 25, 2008, at 10:54:40
My response is like yours, except I have zero craving. I never drink anyway and don't even think about it.
I was at an outdoor barbecue a few months ago, feeling down, out of sorts, like I really did not want to be there. Did a good fake job though. Mingled, talked, etc. Someone asked if I had tried the punch. I asked what was in it. It was Vodka that had watermelon soaked in it for a day. Since it sounded interesting, I took a taste. By taste I mean about 1/4 inch in the bottom of a glass.
Wow. Within half hour I felt normal, zero depression, perfectly sociable, and stunned at the immediate remission. Of course with about 1/4 or less of a shot, there was no way I was intoxicated. Not even close. I just felt...normal. There was no comedown or hangover. When I woke the next day it was just another day same as always. Except I had a new cool memory of that barbecue.
Afraid of the slippery slope with alcohol though, so I do not even consider it as an option.
Cannabis is the same way with me. I can smoke the tiniest amount, not even enough to get high, and I am cured for about 5 hours. Again though, slippery slope. If it were legal, maybe.
Posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2008, at 20:09:33
In reply to Re: Response to Alcohol - Any explainations?, posted by bleauberry on April 25, 2008, at 18:20:44
So why if only a little does this do they not manufacture a med to minic it. I agree that benzos are not the same. And good feelings persist as long as not too much so what else does it target gotta be something? Phillipa
Posted by elanor roosevelt on April 25, 2008, at 22:12:25
In reply to Re: Response to Alcohol - Any explainations?, posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2008, at 20:09:33
well isn't alcohol both a stimulant and a depressant?
alcohol triggered just enough mania in me
what a nice liftif you can leave it there that's great
does tend to interfere with emotional stability in the long run though
Posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2008, at 22:31:37
In reply to Re: Response to Alcohol - Any explainations?, posted by elanor roosevelt on April 25, 2008, at 22:12:25
Didn't for me. It was when I stopped and put on chloral hydrate that things started going downhill. There has to be something to the beer or wine as look at Europeans wine is part of a meal. Wonder if a lot of alcholism or do they not over indulge as it's fine even for children? Insteresting topic. Phillipa
Posted by g_g_g_unit on April 26, 2008, at 1:14:08
In reply to Re: Response to Alcohol - Any explainations? » elanor roosevelt, posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2008, at 22:31:37
alcohol is definitely the best "med" i've been on - not so much while drinking (tends to make me aggressive), but the next day i am generally left overhwlemingly relaxed, sociable, funny, energetic etc.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on April 26, 2008, at 12:20:24
In reply to Re: Response to Alcohol - Any explainations? » elanor roosevelt, posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2008, at 22:31:37
> Didn't for me. It was when I stopped and put on chloral hydrate that things started going downhill. There has to be something to the beer or wine as look at Europeans wine is part of a meal. Wonder if a lot of alcholism or do they not over indulge as it's fine even for children? Insteresting topic. Phillipa
Phillipa, why did you stop drinking if it made you feel good?
Posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2008, at 19:29:00
In reply to Re: Response to Alcohol - Any explainations?, posted by elanor roosevelt on April 26, 2008, at 12:20:24
Because of the chloral hydrate. Long story willing to share babble me and I will if interested. I ask myself the same every day. Love Phillipa ps with alchohol it's a Mickey Finn.
Posted by gg76 on April 30, 2008, at 7:00:38
In reply to Response to Alcohol - Any explainations?, posted by Jimmyboy on April 25, 2008, at 10:54:40
FOr me only alcohol works. And Nardil. I stopped Nardil
Now i am starting with bupropion, after stopping fluoxetine 60. Maybe after 8 yr with ssri.. to much ssri is not so good.
I have a sort of dysphoria hysteroid, but for my pdoc the base desease is an attachment desease because I could be an depressed..a anx.. a OCD a SP patient.
Maybe oxytocine???
This is the end of the thread.
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