Medication and Alcohol!

[steph]

Hi all

After some advice really. I have been suffering from PNI/Irrational thinking and intrusive thoughts second time round as some of you may have seen from my diary.

I went out for some drinks last night with some work friends as I thought it would take my mind off things a little which it did but I am now wondering if I did the right thing? I know you are not generally supposed to drink alcohol while on medication (I am on 30mg Citolpram). Today I have woken up feeling ok but then had an overwhelming irrational thought whig spiralled and I was unable to bring myself down from. Resulted in me beleiving it is all me deep down which I could not rationalise, just felt numb and had a horrible anxiety attack I have managed to calm myself down a bit now and have just taken a Diazepam to releive anxiety a little more.

I have a Murder Mystery meal planned for tonight ahead of my 30th birthday next week which I have really been looking forward too but am now really worried as to whether I should have a drink or not. Am also due on this week which probably isn't helping. Really hoping tonight goes well and I can turn this day around!

[jessibella]

Hi Steph,

I find I can drink a small amount of alcohol with no I'll effects (say a couple of glasses of wine) but I didn't drink at all when I first started the meds. I'm on Venlafaxine. My mum was on Citalopram a few years ago and found she could also drink moderately.

Overall though alcohol is thought to contribute to depression and should not be frequently mixed with antidepressants. I guess it's a matter of seeing how it seems to effect you individually.

Sorry you've had a hard morning and I hope your evening goes well x

[monica]

I know they say it's not recommended to drink on antids but I used to have a coupleof glasses from time to time without any ill effects. Saying that alcohol also affects nervous system so maybe if u had quite a bit it did bring on the blip. I don't know about you but when I drink even moderate amounts I find my sleep fitfully, wake early so feel shattered and usually feel bit hungover . All these things can affect how u feel.

Don't let it stop u going out. Maybe just drink a little and drink lots of water in between. Your night out sounds amazing ? Once you get into it it will be fab I'm sure!

[steph]

Thank you ladies

The evening went really well, had a few drinks in the end as didn't want to let this illness effect things I want to do and who shouldn't be able to have a drink on their 30th!? Was lovely to get together with all my friends and laugh again. Stayed over at hotel which was lovely.

Still felt very anxious all weekend which I think the alcohol probably hasn't helped with along with PMT as been very irrational.

Just revisited the home page for PNI.org and reviewed symptoms again to remind myself that I HAVE AN ILLNESS and and not a bad person in any way, shape or form, just my brain playing tricks on me.

[Weeble]

You are definately not a bad person, remember the illness is one of strong good mothers!!