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**meditation mama** · January 20, 2008, 01:10 PM

I truly believe there is an connection to Antidepression use and increased drinking

Hi Fesh!

Good to hear you are going off Zoloft.. I think that does contribute to weight gain.. The supplements outlined in the book should allbe fine with Wellbutrin, but I would just take the list to the doc. I was on Wellbutrin and lost 20 pounds - so that may be a boost for you!

As far as the sleep goes, thaere are so many natural things you can take now that are as strong as the prescriptions - this coming from someone that has takeing sleep aides FOREVER! I would, however, let yoru body get used to the wellbutrin and the supplemensts first, then start to work on the other.. just do one thing at a time so you can gage what your body is saying to you. Being really aware is the best way to take yoru health back into your own hands...

Stay in touch and PM me if you want...

Namaste,

MM

**iowegian** · January 20, 2008, 01:39 PM

I truly believe there is an connection to Antidepression use and increased drinking

I take Welbutrin and was cautioned heavily by my p-doc that it , in combination with alcohol, increases the risk of seizures, especially during the alcohol withdrawl period. Please do research on the topic of welbutrin and alcohol in relation to reduced seizure threshold. This can be very dangerous, or so I have been told by my doctor. BE CAREFUL with yourself. I've successfully gone cold turkey while on welbutrin, but this is NOT medically recommended. If your doc doesn't know about AL problem, this could be a deadly combination that he is unaware of. Again, I only say this cuz I care, be careful about that combination!!!

Iowegian(aka Morgan)
P.S. I tried evil Effexor also, withdrawl was indeed hell. I guess it helps some people, I've just never met anyone who had anything good to say about it.

**Not Happy Hour-Happy Life** · January 20, 2008, 03:23 PM

I truly believe there is an connection to Antidepression use and increased drinking

Fresh Hope,
I've been on Welbutrin since 2000 when I quit smoking. I'm at 300 mg- a couple of years ago, I weaned down to 150 mg, and then weaned myself off, only to gain weight and crave smokes. So, I went back on it. My sister told me that she saw a medical article concerning generic Welbutrin, and that it's not as effective, so do your research (BTW, if your insurance plan calls for generics when available, you can "get around it" by having your MD prescribe (2) 150 mg a day, versus one 300 mg. )

I've heard other people say that Welbutrin curbs alcohol cravings, but if it did for me, I simply ignored the cravings.

!

On a different post, I listed the supplements and vitamins I'm taking. Like Iowegian, I went cold turkey when I stopped drinking- I was drinking 2 beers, 2 glasses of red wine, and then 1 or 2 rum w/diet cokes a night- and while the warning on the Welbutrin label told me to avoid alcohol, I ignored that warning, too. Guess I was playing the Russian Roulette ?

About sleep: my first couple of nights, I went to bed as soon as I could, so that the witching hour wouldn't get me. Before, I pretty much passed out and didn't fall asleep, so it's taking a while for my body to adjust. The goofiest side effect is the Dreams.... they've been everywhere from really passionate, to realistic family arguments, to party-central.

I don't know if this is short term, or if this is my new brain, but if I can remember them, I bet I can be a screenwriter (are they still on strike?

) I think once you're AF for a couple of days, you may find out that you don't need anything at night.

Lastly, since early December, I've lost about 8 pounds because I'm not drinking. If the "craving" does pop up, I don't hesitate to eat a little chocolate, or a small scoop of ice cream.

**southernbelle47** · January 20, 2008, 03:43 PM

I truly believe there is an connection to Antidepression use and increased drinking

Hi Fresh Hope
I've had some very bad withdrawals from Zoloft and Paxil.
I too believe that drinking has increased with Zoloft.
You sound so much like me...sleep problems and all.
I've taken Ambien but it makes me feel awful.
I now drink a "Bedtime tea" that helps some and try to take a warm bath and keep my nights calm....no newcast or tv that is stressful.

I've taken melatonin ...2-3 mg. I think it helps.
You are sooo right...life=stress!
My youngest is married now so the nest is empty...brings on a whole new set of stress!

I think I will ask my doc about the Wellbutrin next time I go.
I hope the weaning continues to go well for you.

:h Nancy

**Cinders** · January 20, 2008, 04:29 PM

I truly believe there is an connection to Antidepression use and increased drinking

FreshHope,

I do think you should NOT use the SamE with your other meds.

Check with your doctor first.

Serotonin meds and SamE are not recommended.

Good luck. The 1500 calories with a bottle of wine a day can obviously add some weight....

Cindi

**Fresh Hope** · January 20, 2008, 06:04 PM

I truly believe there is an connection to Antidepression use and increased drinking

TY All!!! ....now should I stay AF or have 1 beer? (as if) because i take WellB or was the 3/4 btl wine from last night enough of a wean off AL to not cause a seizure while taking WellB
How do I gauge not abruptly stopping AL?
1 drink per day for 1 day?

I read lots on www after I got the responses above and AL and Wellb is a serious issue-
so I think I will have a beer I don't want and go AF tomorrow, If there was wine here I would not be stopping at 1 drink.

I hope you all have a good night

**Determinator** · January 20, 2008, 11:07 PM

I truly believe there is an connection to Antidepression use and increased drinking

Fresh, Same-e can cause sleeplessness for some people FYI.

Also I'v heard from several members of MWO that their AD's such as Zoloft were exasperating their drinking quite badly....quite a nasty circle. so far citalopram hasn't caused me any major concerns but I really don't want to be on it forever either.

**dexterhead** · January 21, 2008, 10:20 PM

I truly believe there is an connection to Antidepression use and increased drinking

Dear Fresh Hope: I am not sure how much I can add, just thought I'd share my experiences.
I was put on Zoloft about 10 years ago. The effects on me were SO amazing. had had low-grade depression issues for many years and it truly made me into a better version of myself ... I mean, my same snarky self but actually with better self-esteem and energy. It was a miracle, and I'm a cynic ..
In my first weeks on Zoloft, I noticed a physical change in that I had absolutely no desire even for a glass of wine ... that astonished me as a lover of booze... but that did go away sadly.
I was on it for about 2 years and doing so great before my drinking escalated .. I do not know if the Zoloft could have possibly contributed ?? there were so many life changes involved.
then my marriage and whole life blew up .,. so I don't know. I don't know how to separate the meds from life events ... and it's so hard to get answers.

**Mags** · January 22, 2008, 12:34 AM

I truly believe there is an connection to Antidepression use and increased drinking

I've never taken Wellbutrin so no advice there.

But a big caution about taking SAMe with the anti-D's. You really should check with your doc or someone else who knows more about this. You don't want your serotonin levels to get too high. Actually you might PM RJ about this - she has tons of info and can give you some advice re SAMe and Wellbutrin.

Good luck

**Akinna** · January 22, 2008, 09:27 AM

I truly believe there is an connection to Antidepression use and increased drinking

hi . I take wellbutrin. and also was taking Zopiclone...but was still drinking.. but since kudzu.. It's been easier to stop drinking.. and btw.. now I don't need zopiclone to sleep anymore.. I still take wellbutrin.. for depression.. it's been 34 days af.. now.. and I've never felt better.. I never thought I could feel this way.. cause al..was my life ,, my friend.. etc. it was hard at the beginning but now.. omg.. my life is so much better.. but I wouldn'T take al at all for a while.. to see the difference it makes... ! you 'll be amazed.. ttfn

**Long Road** · January 22, 2008, 12:01 PM

I truly believe there is an connection to Antidepression use and increased drinking

Alkie Meds

Taking SAMe (200mg/d) + High yield B6, B12, Folate; and Fluoxetine (20mg/d) @ 179cm, 76Kg, Male;

Using the wonderful "sample of one" anecdotal method, I have to report that over the last 6 months i've gone from "significant" Liver fat intrustion to "none". This is after a decade of severe compulsive intake: ie. >3L/d 10% wine. LFT enzymes: AST -56%, ALT -37%, GGT -52%. All now in normal range.

Sonogram results show an (impossibly) healthy liver.

SAMe+ (B6,B12,Folate) and TMG, seem to show statistically significant improvements in alcohol induced liver disease at all stages of progression according to multiple reliable studies. (Unlike mine)

Worth further consideration.

LR

**choklyteyes** · January 22, 2008, 05:17 PM

I truly believe there is an connection to Antidepression use and increased drinking

I too..am going to add a big caution..I took wellbutrin and you do not start or stop drinking suddenly due to seizure activity. I urge you to fess up to your Doc so he knows and can advise you on how to taper down. Yes,All of the supps are safe,I have taken most of them a long time...and have added the rest

Take care of yourself :l

**Prindi** · January 24, 2008, 10:58 AM

I truly believe there is an connection to Antidepression use and increased drinking

FreshHope -I began taking wellbutrin about 8 years ago, been drinking 7 years. I have always assumed there was a connection, as all the years prior to that, I never had any kind of issue.
I do know that I have read several times that if you take any kind of AD, you should not take any of the natural ADs,, like St Johns Wort, or SamE.
Are you taking the topamax?

**Not sure** · January 24, 2008, 08:20 PM

I truly believe there is an connection to Antidepression use and increased drinking

I read this and wanted to see what you had to say about Effexor and quitting. I just started the process of cutting it down. I take 75 mg now and have started cutting it back to 37.5. It is not fun. I keep going back to the 75 because of the way I feel. I do have increased AL use. Just about every night, wine or vodka, and not just a little. Which was not the case before I took Effexor. I also have gained about 30 lbs., UGH. Seems like a trend that I can tell. My doc says Effexor is one of the hardest AD to get off of, what are your thoughts???? Please advise!:new:

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