Anyone taking Antidepressants?

[violinmama]

Hi,

I'm new to the forums, and pretty new to MWO. I've been trying to do the program with just the supplements, cds and exercise, because I'm taking anti-depressents and I've been advised that they aren't compatible with Topamax. I got this advice from the "Just Answer" site, because I'm frankly embarassed to confess to the psychiatrist who prescribed the anti-depresseants for me, that I have a drinking problem, so I can't ask him his advice on combining the Topiramate with the antidepressants, either. I take Duloxetina, 60 mg a day, and Reboxetina, 4 mg a day. is there anyone with a similar situation, who has managed to take Topamax?
I'm not really having success, the way I've been going at it up till now. I'm still drinking and feeling lower than ever, cause I really thought that I'd have stopped by now.

[savon19]

Anyone taking Antidepressants?

Hi - I think you should tell your psychiatrist Everything. If he can't handle it, get a new psychiatrist...!!

REALLY. That's what he/she is there for: to HELP you.

I don't know if you should take supps or not - again, something to ask your Dr.

Please do. You cannot feel Embarrassed about HELPING yourself - you should feel PROUD.

Just... my opinion.

PS - I've been drinking almost every day. I need to Stop. It's crazy for many reasons. I seem to manage ONE day... then cave. I KNOW that when I've stopped for several days, a week, I start to feel better. Hard to get there.

[SKendall]

Anyone taking Antidepressants?

Hi don't feel alone. I am taking celexa because I suffer from S.A.D. Now I'm in Texas, with a lot of sun, may try to titrate down. But a beloved, long time member of this site, has explained through her intensive research, that maybe we should just try to avoid depression with anti-depressants.

I had a similar situation to yours, where I would not admit my drinking problem, then I went home that evening and thought about all of the years he had done training for his/her profession, how many doctors were addicted, and how many hours and years have gone into research to help us. It really helps us and the doctors if you can keep it honest.

[IAD]

Anyone taking Antidepressants?

Ya....that's me ! You know that anti-depressents are just that ! Alcohol is a depressent .....So when you drink your conter balancenceing the anidepressent.... This med. is'nt going to make you stop drinking. That you have to do on your own. IAD

[coda]

Anyone taking Antidepressants?

I hate to say this but not only did I drink while taking my antidepressants (Lexapro), I actually went to my sessions after a few many times. I agree with everyone here. I don't think you can find any great advice reading on websites, etc. On the net, you can find a counter for just about any pro. And people all have different subtle behaviors and the such that only a doctor could know what to do in this regard. Plus, if you do end up taking several medications, you will have someone monitoring the situation in case something isn't working right. If you can't tell this doctor then start anew with someone else. Tell them everything at the get go first session. Then everything is on the table and you'll get the best care.

All the best to you and welcome! I'm new here too...today is day 3 AF and having a hell of night but still hopeful...;-)

[IAD]

Anyone taking Antidepressants?

Coda.....Hang in their baby ! you cn do it !! IAD

[MyHeartIsDrenchedInWine]

Anyone taking Antidepressants?

It's easier to tell the Dr on the first visit because you essentially do it in the paperwork they give you, easy! That being said I found that antidepressants made me crave alcohol! I'm on SAMe now and I love it. I also highly recommend Yoga for both depression and drinking problems.

[Joanna]

Anyone taking Antidepressants?

Duloxetine

ViolinMama

Welcome here. I've been drinking heavily for 3 years whilst taking 60mg Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for depression. My experience has been that whilst I have been functioning as an alcoholic, the tablets seem to have worked and I felt OK. Recently however, I have become depressed again and started to look into duloxetine. Its quite a recent drug ; one of the newer class of SNRIs (I as opposed to things like Prozac which act on serotonin only), dulox. is thought to also act on norepinephrine another neurotransmitter in the brain. A lot of people complain in online forums about problems coming off it especially suddenly but I don't know how much truth there is on that. There are very few long term studies as people haven't been using it for long. All this has made me wary of it

I knew I shouldn't be taking it whilst drinking but I still did because I needed the booze. It doesn't say that you should not drink but this is just because there are no studies on the interaction of it with AL.

You have to tell your psychiatrist everything! They have heard everything before and won't judge you! They really won't. It's so important. Some of the more established antidepressants such as trazadone and amitryptilin can be helpful. Your psychiatrist is the one to advise you. They have a lot of training and will diagnose based on your whole story. Drinking has to be included on there otherwise the story is not complete.

I don't mean to preach. I just feel concerned. I don't want you to get in the same situation as me where you don't want to either thing up. As others have said, alcohol is a depressant itself.

Let me know how you get on Jo x:welcome:

[Joanna]

Anyone taking Antidepressants?

Ps ViolinMama

They are other things you can take instead of Topa. I'm on Campral. Seems to be working. Look in the forum about meds. There is loads of advice. Have a good day

Jo x

39 days AF. One more to go! then onto the next 20

[violinmama]

Anyone taking Antidepressants?

Thanks everyone for your responses. I realize I should tell the psych about the drinking, but (and this is something that i continue to be amazed about) the fear that's in me about the stigma of the alcoholic, and especially the female alcoholic, just won't let me. It's probably true that I should change doctors, if I can't be completely open with this one. There's a cultural barrier as well, as I live in Italy and have lived here for 28 years but was born and grew up in the States. And that barrier would still be in place with any other italian psych. Drinking out of control is seen differently here.
I suppose I could tell him about the almost insurmountable shame I feel about it at the same time as I tell him that drinking is part of my picture . . .
Joanna, when you were drinking and taking Duloxetine, did your doctor know?

[Lavande]

Anyone taking Antidepressants?

ViolinMama,
Welcome! I understand your reluctance to fess up with your Doctor. I dislike labels and labeling yourself as an alcoholic, to me, is not necessarily a positive thing. I prefer to believe that 'I am not my behavior', something I repeat to myself all day long.
I was on the antidepressant Lexapro. It didn't help much, had lots of side effects and didn't do a thing to help me gain control of my drinking. I stopped the med and started on a good herbal preparation including St. John's Wort several weeks ago. What a difference! My anxiety/depression has all but disappeared. I am now in much better control of my feelings, thinking and behavior.

The most important thing, I think, is to make a plan that suits your needs. You know yourself better than anyone else does, even your Doctor. For me, I knew the first thing I had to do was regain my self esteem and confidence. That being done, I devised a plan to moderate my wine habit, a little bit at a time. First I figured out how much I was actually drinking on a daily basis. I've reduced my intake a little more each week. Pretty soon I will be drinking none to very little because I am in control. I remind myself constantly of all the reasons I wanted and needed to do this - health, family relationships, etc.
I feel happy and proud of myself for the first time in a very long time and am confident I will stick to my plan to ensure future happiness.

Hang in there, don't despair. You already have all the tools and knowledge you need to gain the upper hand. You need to believe in yourself and make a commitment to take control of this habit. And never, never beat yourself up (as I used to).

Just wanted to share this with you. Maybe it will help.

I believe in one day at a time............

Best wishes and be sure to visit this website often - it is so helpful.
Lavande

[gyco]

Anyone taking Antidepressants?

hi,thought id brake the news,your doctor knows,[psychiatrist]anyways,Iad said it , Al is a depressent,if we only didnt take so much of it,it would do what the over the counter drugs do,i havent taken the drugs ,suggested by the book,but i have a lot of xperience with mixing drugs [ssri s,anti depressents with Al,insanity,i do wish you well,gyco

[crazyforwine]

Anyone taking Antidepressants?

I sympathize and empathize with your fear here! It took me SO long to finally, finally confess my AL use to my gynocologist. I chose her because she is free with the prescription pad and I really wanted some Campral. She looked at me and finally said, "I rarely tell my patients about my personal story, but I'm an alcoholic, too." She gave me the script and went on to tell me some things that worked for her! I was amazed and so relieved! Unfortunately she is now out of state and I have to work up my courage to tell ANOTHER doctor!

They are their to help you and they wrestle with their own demons. Just imagine how relieved you will feel when you leave the office, hopefully with some answers and advice!

crazy

[Joanna]

Anyone taking Antidepressants?

Violinmama

Yes my doctor knew I was drinking and taking the duloxetine but didn't comment on it. The cultural thing is hard to deal with. Could you find a female psych?

[maddiva]

Anyone taking Antidepressants?

Drinking Alcohol to excess is a part of depression. You must never be ashamed to tell a doctor/psychiatrist. They have had much worse. They need to know where you are. I drank on prozac. Got worse and nearly ended up killing myself and by pure accident. Depression and alcohol go hand in hand. Be strong but above all be honest. With yourself at first and DO NOT take any pills that may react with others and alcohol. You have my utmost sympathy and you are not alone.