Drinking and anti-depressants?
912424
I was on celexa for a year... \n\nAround the 6 month mark I really really really wanted a drink and caved.  NOT GOOD.\n\nIt screws around with emotions something fierce, and puts you almost at square one for the med.\n\nYour doctor probably told you that it takes about 2-4 weeks to get into your system and start working.  By back at square one, all the effects are gone and you are waiting again.\n\nPlus you may black out, faint, or have other adverse reactions.\n\nPlease do not risk this- your mental health is more important!  If you crave a drink, I suggest getting yourself hooked on booster juice or starbucks or something... with no alcohol.\n\nI had a network of friends that kept me distracted when everyone was going to the bar.\n\nGood luck- I know what you are going through and I hope it's easier for you than it was for me...
793525
I think it's great that you are going for help.  Not many people have the strength to do it.\n\nI'm going through some substance problems myself and your question interested me, because I saw my Psychologist today and we had a discussion about similar meds.\n\nI've done some reading about Campral and there's a lot of BS out there.  Merc is the company that manufactures it and the description they give on their website on how it works is pretty vague. It also appears that it's not FDA approved in the US, where it's more widely used in Europe - I'm not sure if that means much, because there are many FDA approved drugs that don't work for what they are prescribed for. \n\nI got a pretty good description from NetDoctor over here;\n\nhttp://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100000440.html\n\nFrom reading it, it appears that the way it works, is that it stimulates your brain in the same way alcohol does or in essence, acts like fake booze, thus decreasing the cravings.  You will eventually have to be weaned off of this drug (similar to alcohol ?!?!).  It's not designed to reduce withdrawal symptoms and it will not work if you continue to drink.  Taking this drug a lone will not cure your addiction; it is an adjunct treatment to an intensive phycotherapy program for substance abuse.\n\nIt appears that you have a Psychiatrist lined up.  If you don't have a good addiction therapist lined up, I would try to find one before taking this medication.  You should manage your expectations and goals to be concurrent with the success of your therapy, where the Campral will provide additional support to keep you from hitting the sauce.\n\nI'm glad you brought this up; this is something I will discuss with my psychiatrist next week.\n\nIn my situation; I'm battling several years of synergistic drug abuse and a few mental disorders (Bipolar and borderline personality disorder).  I was initially prescribed anticonvulsants (mood stabilizers) to manage my manic highs and depression and it was imperative that I stoped drinking and using so that I could let the meds work.  My Psychiatrist hooked me up with a good Psychologist that specializes in substance abuse.  I have one on one sessions with both of them and am also part of managed group therapy for substance abuse with 8 other people, run by two psychologist.\n\nI'm doing really well, but still have cravings.  Through the therapy, I've identified the emotions, people and situations where I drink the most.  The most prevalent of situations is business travel and this is where we started talking about the anti-drinking drugs.  My psychologist recommended I take Antabuse.  This is totally different from Campral.  This stuff will make you very sick even if you consume a little booze.  Essentially it's designed to reduce your cravings by literally, PUTTING THE FEAR OF DEATH IN YOU!  \n\nI'm not sure how bad your drinking problem was or if Campral or Antabuse will work for you.  I'm not sure Campral would work for me and it's just one more thing I would have to be weaned off of.  You are going to have to go cold turkey on the booze for at least two months if you want the antidepressants to work, regardless of whether or not you take the Campral.  If you drink with antidepressants, they won't work that well and the campral will make you more depressed.  It doesn't make sense to me?\n\nThis is my opinion, I am not a Dr.  Your Dr. certainly knows what's better for you than me.  I know that my cravings are powerful, especially when I'm in certain situations, with that said, I feel the Antabuse is appropriate and will provide the support I need.\n\nI hope this helps and if you want, I can email you and let you know what my Dr. thinks of Campral when I speak to her.  Feel free to email if you have any other questions.
972253
it's called withdrawl.\n\nkeep detoxing.....don't let them think for a minute they can help you with more antidepressants.\n\nseek the advice of a specialist concerning viral infections of some sort...they do pass the blood brain barrier, thus, causes depression.\n\ngood luck. \n\nps. drinking more water will help the sides.
738372
I live with long term depression and can not take the anti-depressants doctors prescribe, yes, I have tried the new ones with the same results, they make me more depressed, not less!\n\nOver many years I have developed a lifestyle that alleviates the depression in a natural way. Here is what I do, I hope it is of help to you and others as well.\n\nCounselling: I find having a person I can rely on to talk to is very helpful when the depression is bad, many counsellors now agree that depression in many cases should be treated in a more natural way.\n\nFood: Eat lots of raw fruit and vegetables and if you have to cook them only just cook them! Natural foods are bright in colour and so are pleasing to the eye to eat. Also ensure you eat fish once a week every week.\n\nDrink: Limit coffee, alcohol, soft drinks and tea, instead try lots of water, fruit based cordials, herbal teas and fruit juice\n\nExercise: Walk outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air for 20 minutes a day. During the walk really look at your surroundings and take note of the big strong trees, cool soft grass, blue sky, and if you are lucky enough to live near water notice the water and how it responds to its environment. We tend to breathe more shallowly when we are depressed so some exercise helps us breathe deeper and increases the oxygen intake making us feel better all over. You dont need to run a marathon, just exercise regularly and only do what is possible.\n\nVitamins: Take multi vitamins one day and Multi B the next. You dont need to overload your system with vitamins otherwise you simply end up with expensive urine! If the Multi B and the multivitamin both have Vit C in them then that is even better.\n\nSunshine is the best and easiest way for human beings to absorb Vit D. So being outside in the sunshine is a good thing. Being sunburnt is not, so take care to wear a shirt, hat and sunscreen. And sunshine just makes you feel good! It actually releases some chemical in the human brain that makes you feel good.\n\nIf you eat lots of white flour based foods, fried foods, and processed foods you will find that this tends to make your digestion system sluggish and seems to add to depression so avoid them.\n\nNew Things: Learning a new thing alleviates depression because it gives us a sense of satisfaction and achievement and you cant feel satisfied and depressed at once! Take on new challenges whether it is getting around to learning a musical instrument, painting, riding a bicycle, or learning Tai chi you will find that a sense of accomplishment feels very good.\n\nGrow something: Carig for something else turns your attention to positive things like what you can do right and what is possible. If you think that you are the worlds worst gardener try this: Ask someone for cuttings of geraniums stick the cuttings in some dirt and water daily for a week. Geraniums are the most amazing flowers to grow because they grow from cuttings so there is no cost involved and if you plant half a dozen cuttings you will get two or three plants from that. Their bright colours and often scented leaves are a delight. An old fashioned plant but a cheerful one. Daisies also grow from cuttings and are bright cheerful plants. Both daisies and geraniums grow really well in pots and so do many vegetables! There are lessons we can only learn by osmosis, we have to absorb the lesson and growing something gives us some of those lessons.\n\nGet Involved in Your Community: Join an interest group, a local health centre committee, or a church or other organisation. Being with others with a common goal can be very upliftng. Being with, caring about and learning about other people leaves no room for you to be wound up in your depression.\n\nMusic: Get a good collection of music of all kinds, try some classical, some heavy rock, some lilting little melodies, african drumming music, aboiriginal music, the more variety the better. listen to all kinds of music.\n\nGet a pet: You dont have to buy a d
938424
xanax,  as i take it to\nthis depression group im in , few takes it to,\nhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/CHRONIC_DEPRESSION_ANDPANNICK_ATTACKS/  your welcome to join.& any one Eles To!!
394854
Alcohol is incompatible with many of the drugs used to treat depression. It can intensify the sedative effects of some antidepressants. Chronic alcohol consumption can increase the availability of some antidepressants while decreasing the availability of others. Tyramine, a substance found in beer and wine, can interact with MAOIs potentially causing a dangerous rise in blood pressure. Consult your physician or pharmacist for specific precautions regarding your own medications.
75769
Yeah. try Wellbutrin/Zyban
1089340
My dad was depressed as well, so is my mom. My Dad drank himself to death and my mom almost killed herself. I on the other hand am not depresed. There isnt much you  can do because it has to do with chemicals in the brain. They do have drugs like prozac, that do help. Exercise may also cure depression. Stay close to your dad and let him know he has your support. Try not to get pissed at him or nething over it. Its all in his mind. You will find if you havnt already that fighting does not solve nething its better to walk away. I know its probably rough, but stand strong!!
237302
Q: What will happen if I drink alcohol while taking LEXAPRO?\n\nA: Studies show that LEXAPRO does not increase the cognitive and motor effects brought on by alcohol. However, alcohol may deepen depression. Therefore, the use of alcohol with patients taking LEXAPRO is not recommended.\n\n~*~\n\nRemember, alcohol is a depressent.  I would HIGHLY recommend not taking it.  My mom drinks alcohol and takes her anti-depressants, but the alcohol cancels out the lexapro.  Don't do it man...
1113891
Heres a tip that might help - most alcoholics are deficient in B vitamins. If you stop drinking it would be a really good idea to take a B complex (must be a complex) vitamin each day for a little while. This will help with depression and mood swings, which you will probably encounter.
531202
About a year ago I was under a lot of stress and had two siezures in the same night. My doctor said it might have been stress related mixed with alcohol consumption. She told me just not to drink when I was stressed and I haven't had anymore. Of course, if you have been having them often, I would contact your doctor.
485817
I am not actually on any antidepressants. but since I have realized that you really need an answer I thought you may like to see the following link:\nhttp://www.depression-guide.com/nardil.htm\n\nsorry ...:(
26678
Well-known antidepressants are:\n\n    * Fluoxetine - of the SSRI class (Prozac, Sarafem, Fluctin, Fontex, Prodep, Fludep, Lovan)\n    * Sertraline - of the SSRI class (Zoloft, Lustral, Apo-Sertral, Asentra, Gladem, Serlift, Stimuloton)\n    * Venlafaxine - of the SNRI class (Effexor)\n    * Citalopram - of the SSRI class (Celexa, Cipramil, Talohexane)\n    * Paroxetine - of the SSRI class (Paxil, Seroxat, Aropax)\n    * Escitalopram - of the SSRI class (Lexapro, Cipralex)\n    * Fluvoxamine - of the SSRI class (Luvox, Faverin)\n    * Duloxetine - of the SNRI class (Cymbalta)\n    * Bupropion - of the DRI class (Wellbutrin, Zyban)\n\nIt's best to see your psychiatrist(s) first before taking any anti-depressants.
749612
Don't deal with your disorder alone.  If you are under the care of a psychologist who works with a psychiatrist, you can get therapy and anxiolytics (meds).  Don't self-medicate with alcohol.  You run the risk of creating a whole new problem for yourself.
314110
I take anti depressants.  I know a lot of people do too.  You still have emotions but, there not as bad and it is a lot easier to cope.  Just listen to your doctor.  You'll be able to handle stress and depression mush better.  Just don't suddenly stop taking the since, the side effects are terrible.
58556
Signs of Depression\n\nQ:  What are the warning signs of depression (other than "feeling sad") and what can be done about it? Also, please tell us about the herb St. John’s Wort and if it can be used to treat depression. \n\n\n\nA:  Depression, for many, is a slow, almost imperceptible process in which life, in varying degrees, begins to lose its meaning. Research demonstrates a measurable depletion of certain chemicals in the brain; this is the foundation for many of the drugs used to treat this condition. \n\nThe following are warning signs of depression and should be taken seriously if one regularly experiences them:\n\n\nDepressed mood \n\nLoss of appetite for food \n\nDifficulty sleeping or sleeping much more than usual \n\nA sense of helplessness and hopelessness \n\nThoughts about suicide \n\nLoss of interest in the activities of daily living (work, play, time with family and friends) \n\nUnusual irritability \n\nFeelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt \n\nDiminished ability to think or concentrate\nIf you are experiencing up to five of these symptoms for more than two weeks, this may represent a serious depressive episode. If so, see your doctor as soon as possible. Treatment may include counseling, medication, and in severe cases hospitalization. \n\nSt. John’s Wort has been historically used as a mood elevator and some research has demonstrated a positive effect on the brain chemistry of depression. In some limited studies benefits were shown like reducing anxiety and feelings of worthlessness, as well as improvements in quality of sleep. \n\nI would discourage anyone reading this from self-diagnosis and consequently running down to the health food store to arrange treatment. A depressive illness can be serious, necessitating evaluation by an objective professional. \n\n\nArticle Created: 1997-12-15\nArticle Reviewed: 2005-01-24\n\nDr. Russell Robertson is Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. His biweekly column of medical advice also appears in the CNI Community Newspapers throughout metropolitan Milwaukee. \n \n \ngood luck
576186
Hi, Prothieden can be a great assistance in treating Depression, I had been on it and now do not require it.\nYou are on a very low dose of Prothieden, so keep on taking it. One of the failings of we who are depressed is that as we begin to feel better, we think we no longer require it.\nIt may be a short medium or long process, yet if you have only a dry mouth as a side effect, remain on it under medical suppervision.\n\nI cannot encourage you enough, don't be concerned with the dose, it is low, I was on 225mgs, for chronic depression and slowly reduced over time.\nIf you are feeling and coping and able to function,be pleased that it is working for you.\nTake care, and be adventuress, slowly !sc