View Full Version : Meds and Drink
Moving on from Meewahs post slightly about using booze to socialise, I drink every day at home in the evening as it loosens me up and gives me that little window of relaxation and the only time I actually feel good.
However, I managed to go to the Gp yesterday (after much panic in waiting room etc) and he prescribed 20mg Cita, which Ive never used before.
So my question to the forum is, can I still drink whilst taking these meds????
I really hope so because although the drink is my crutch, I really do enjoy a drink. I should add, I dont drink excessively, just a few cans or maybe a few glasses of a favorite spirit each evening.
Also, can anyone say whay to expect from the citalopram for the novice user? Will it make me feel worse before getting better?
Thanks in advance,
Plotlost
Hi Plotlost
I am on these too and I think the leaflet advises you not to drink.
However for me they have been really effective at keeping me calm most of the time and therefore if they work for you you may not find it necessary to drink to calm your nerves.
Maybe give them a try and keep off the booze for a couple of weeks while they kick in. Then you can see whether they are going to benefit you.
P.S I know exactly what you mean about the waiting room panic!
Hi Plotlost
I am on these too and I think the leaflet advises you not to drink.
However for me they have been really effective at keeping me calm most of the time and therefore if they work for you you may not find it necessary to drink to calm your nerves.
Maybe give them a try and keep off the booze for a couple of weeks while they kick in. Then you can see whether they are going to benefit you.
P.S I know exactly what you mean about the waiting room panic!
Thanks Holly,
I am definately going to give them a try as something has to change but I dont look forward to leaving the drink alone! I wouldnt say Im alcoholic, just that really enjoy a drink.
theharvestmouse
05-07-12, 18:57
Plotlost, it sounds to me as though you do have a drink problem, a few cans or a few glasses of spirits every night is actually excessive drinking, thats not normal and its way above what is recommended.
If alcohol is your crutch and you are self medicating using it to ease your anxiety then you are admitting that you have a dependency on alcohol.
I should know as I used to be the same, until you tackle the problem you have then you will be at the mercy of booze.
Plotlost, it sounds to me as though you do have a drink problem, a few cans or a few glasses of spirits every night is actually excessive drinking, thats not normal and its way above what is recommended.
If alcohol is your crutch and you are self medicating using it to ease your anxiety then you are admitting that you have a dependency on alcohol.
I should know as I used to be the same, until you tackle the problem you have then you will be at the mercy of booze.
theharvestmouse, I can leave the booze alone (though I cant remeber the last time I didnt have a drink of an evening - maybe last year?), but I do look forward to it and feel pretty anxious if the fridge is bare. The addictive gene is pronounced in my family.
However, I think you, in fact know you are right in terms of self medicating to ease things and to some extent, I am dependent on it to relax, as it is the only time I do feel relaxed and even then, the anx still gets through on occasion.
On the flip side, i think its pretty normal to relish a cold one at the end of usually stressful day?
What possible adverse effects are there in having a drink and taking cita? The label does read avoid alcohol but surely just a few units cant be that bad?
theharvestmouse
05-07-12, 20:11
Doctors recommend you do not drink at all whilst taking medication for anxiety, as alcohol is a known cause of anxiety. I was on Citalopram, I used to just drink a bottle of beer or a glass of wine occasionally, that was my limit. Since being off medication I stick to that limit.
If I were you I would seriously try to cut down, you should not depend on alcohol to relax, you need to learn to wind down without touching a drop of booze. There is nothing wrong with looking forward to a cold beer at the end of a days work but if you are drinking daily then I'd say that is like an alcoholic.
In most people, alcohol will stop the citalopram working properly, which is why they advise against drinking on it. If you are drinking every night, even a few units, then it will probably end up being a bit pointless taking it.
If you are feeling the need to drink every night, then that is a problem, it really isn't good for your health when you add up how much you are drinking in a year.
It would be better to stop the drinking and try the citalopram and see if that stops the anxiety, then you won't feel the need to drink every night.
i am on 40mg cit and ill have a beer or wine 3 - 4 times a week , i dont feel worse after alcohol or better if i dont drink for 2 weeks so for me it makes no difference
thanks for the comments, I have a few beers left and I have yet to take the citaploram, so the plan is to drink the beers, clear the fridge and start on the meds.
If alcohol inhibits the meds, theres no point in taking them and I need them or something to help, so I have to give them a good go.....
Thanks again
Hi plotlost Im also on 20mg of cit, have been a couple a month, although i know it's frowned up on and does not help at all with my anxiety, infanct it makes it worse I drink sociably on a weekend! I'm 25 which I consider young (ish) lol
I'd consider myself a binge drinker, although I'd say there's no difference to how I feel after alcohol from not being on meds then being on meds, either way I think it's pure hell....example I'm out tomorrow night for my mates 21st after a skinful I will not under any circumstances leave the house on Saturday due to heightened anx, I'll probably spend most of Monday / Tuesday the same too...!
People will read this n think, why not just stop drinking? I don't under any stretch of the imagination have a drink problem but that's mainly how my social life works n how a lot of adults tend to socialise, it's not like when your a kid n go chill in ya pals room
I'm rambling so good night lol... Take care guys
Steve Wilson
06-07-12, 03:37
Oh that's bad. I don't do that. heheheh:):doh:
Hi plotlost Im also on 20mg of cit, have been a couple a month, although i know it's frowned up on and does not help at all with my anxiety, infanct it makes it worse I drink sociably on a weekend! I'm 25 which I consider young (ish) lol
I'd consider myself a binge drinker, although I'd say there's no difference to how I feel after alcohol from not being on meds then being on meds, either way I think it's pure hell....example I'm out tomorrow night for my mates 21st after a skinful I will not under any circumstances leave the house on Saturday due to heightened anx, I'll probably spend most of Monday / Tuesday the same too...!
People will read this n think, why not just stop drinking? I don't under any stretch of the imagination have a drink problem but that's mainly how my social life works n how a lot of adults tend to socialise, it's not like when your a kid n go chill in ya pals room
I'm rambling so good night lol... Take care guys
Oh to be 25 again and be able to go out for a drink! How is the 20mg cit doing? working well etc? did it heighten your anx at the start like many report?
I really, really hope it doesnt give me even worse anxiety than already but i suppose it might me a case of no pain no gain?
theharvestmouse
06-07-12, 07:47
CameronG, I know where you are coming from but it doesn't have to be like that. I was a part of that binge drinking culture, but when it starts affecting your life then you know its not good. Its a personal choice but I took myself away from that, for me I could not go through the after affects any more. It was like my body was telling me it couldn't take any more of the binge drinking.
Thats why I advise anyone struggling with anxiety to just stop the excessive drinking, besides the effects on your brain its actually doing a lot of damage to your major organs.
CameronG, I know where you are coming from but it doesn't have to be like that. I was a part of that binge drinking culture, but when it starts affecting your life then you know its not good. Its a personal choice but I took myself away from that, for me I could not go through the after affects any more. It was like my body was telling me it couldn't take any more of the binge drinking.
Thats why I advise anyone struggling with anxiety to just stop the excessive drinking, besides the effects on your brain its actually doing a lot of damage to your major organs.
Ive decided to take your advise and try a 'dry period over the next few weeks to see the effect on my anx and mood with the absence of booze.
I will report when Ive kicked it off starting tomorrow.
I was on Cit last year and had some awful experiences mixing it with lots of alcohol. One or two beers fine but the full crate amplifies the depression by 10000 the next day
Richard1960
16-07-12, 22:27
I am on Citalopram at the moment and have been advised any alcohol not that i intend having any will affect the way the medicine will work,ie it will not do its job properly if mixed.
To the OP the Citalopram kicked in quite fast for me a couple of weeks and apart from slight tiredness i certainly felt a lot better not worse, so its worked well for me.
Was on Seroxat some time ago and that was a lot worse,i really felt worse for 2-3 weeks before feeling a bit better so for me the Citalopram is a lot better,of course everyone is different though.:)
I am on Citalopram at the moment and have been advised any alcohol not that i intend having any will affect the way the medicine will work,ie it will not do its job properly if mixed.
To the OP the Citalopram kicked in quite fast for me a couple of weeks and apart from slight tiredness i certainly felt a lot better not worse, so its worked well for me.
Was on Seroxat some time ago and that was a lot worse,i really felt worse for 2-3 weeks before feeling a bit better so for me the Citalopram is a lot better,of course everyone is different though.:)
Day 8 for me now on the Citalopram and not touched a drop of alcohol :scared15:
Not sure if anythings changed as yet, other than I cant concentrate fully on things, however, Im happy to have proved to myself I dont need booze and my liver is certainly greatful of the break.
Just wish I was a few months further down the line and the meds were in full swing.
macc noodle
16-07-12, 23:57
The fact is that alcohol suppresses the action of most anti depressants which is why it is utterly pointless to continue to drink whilst taking them.
Also, an increase in anxiety and depression after drinking is common.
Good luck with Cit and also with the not drinking :-))
Richard1960
17-07-12, 05:28
Day 8 for me now on the Citalopram and not touched a drop of alcohol :scared15:
Not sure if anythings changed as yet, other than I cant concentrate fully on things, however, Im happy to have proved to myself I dont need booze and my liver is certainly greatful of the break.
Just wish I was a few months further down the line and the meds were in full swing.
Sounds like the Citalopram is starting to kick in slowly already you may have this small side effect such as slightly increased tiredness .
I would keep well away from the alcohol then the cit will work a lot better.
Allso it depends what sort of dosage your doctor has given you.
Good Luck Richard.:)
theharvestmouse
17-07-12, 18:33
Well done Plotlost, keep it up, you will definitely feel the benefit of not drinking.
Well done Plotlost, keep it up, you will definitely feel the benefit of not drinking.
Thanks THM, day 9 and no temptation as yet. Feels alot longer but I wish the Citalopram would really kick in soon. Though as you have said, the benefit of not drinking is a good reason alone.
AnotherNewYear
17-07-12, 23:16
Hi Plot
I too am on Cit 20mg and enjoyed a 'glass or two' most evenings. I stopped drinking for several months to give the meds a chance to kick in and then went back to having a drink or two several nights a week. This has been fine for me, however if i drink any more then this i throw up (something i never did before - even in my younger days of binge drinking).
Personally I think that while you are still using drinking as a way of controlling the anx you should stay off the booze.
Good luck
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