Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

[individualnz]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

I tried Wellbutrin twice, it made me feel really anxious, aggressive and more depessed than I origionally was to begin with. I tried to perservere hoping it was just a stage while I got used to the med, but after one month with no reprieve and turning into an aggressive maniac I stopped, and man did I feel better when I did! Only my experience with it tho.

In regards to SSRI, I have taken many. In my case they most certainly do increase cravings, and seem to increase spontaneous behavior, which is not good when you get a craving. But hell no meds at all would certainly not be a safe option for me.

Its a very fine line, the more meds you take, the more reactions, interactions there is to worry about. I suppose its about trial and error and finding what works for you. It may take a week a month a year, but just dont give up or stop trying because there may just be a winning combination, that some clever person may suggest one day or that you just stumble across that works for you!

All the best, Indy

[JWHIII]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

Thanks all,

I spoke with my therapist and my doctor (again), and they both agreed to cease with Citalopram. I was willing to do so myself prior to this, but was unsure of potential repercussions upon abrupt SSRI cessation. I didn't suspect much, but was leery of it just the same.

But as I had hoped for, everything turned around for me upon cessation from Citalopram. It's very strange, I know. But as my therapist explained to me about a month ago, anti-depressants suppress the feelings of depression which in turn, leave anxiety blowing in the breeze at the top of the flagpole. I succumbed to weeks of persistent cravings despite my daily maintenance dose of Baclofen (120mg.). Most of those days, I drank in shame to ease the anxiety and cravings I felt.

But within the very first day of Citalopram cessation, I experienced a calm I hadn't known for a month or two. By the next day, all thoughts, cravings, and preoccupations for alcohol were gone again... as though nothing had ever happened. It's strange, but so very true in my case.

The downside is that the negative and depressive thoughts returned again with a vengeance by the second day. But hey, that's ok. I'd rather be depressed than drinking myself into oblivion again any day. Then again, I know I need to treat this deep seated depression at some point too... but that's where therapy comes in. Thank you all for your research and for your input.

~John

[craving]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

great to hear that ceasing of Citalopram brought the results you were looking for.

It does not necessary mean that all anti-depressants cause this effect. Try an other type of anti-depressant if the depressions get too much to handle.

all the best!

[individualnz]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

Happy for your

I so wish it was me!

Indiv

[JWHIII]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

hoping4better;887756 wrote:
John, I can offer no scientific explanation for your sudden craving for alcohol while on Celexa, but SSRIs in general do increase cravings for carbohydrates/sweets. I've been on various SSRIs in the past, including Celexa and Lexapro, and they both had me raiding the cookie jar. As your "sweet" of choice is alcohol, perhaps there's a conncection? Just a thought.

Thanks for the info hoping... I wasn't aware of this. I had found that my childhood sweet-tooth had resurfaced upon abstinence from alcohol overall. I assumed this was due to the absence of the large amount sugars, carbs, and empty calories I had consumed for years on a daily basis while still drinking.

At first, I resorted to products sweetened with either sucralose or all natural stevia. But I eventually succumbed to the readily available high fructose corn syrup and pure cane sugar. When I started drinking again, my sweet-tooth was again replaced by cravings for salt in place of sugar. I assume the urge for sugar was satisfied by the reintroduction of alcohol into my daily regimen. As for salt, due to the dehydration factor associated with excessive alcohol consumption.

I hadn't noticed an effect on these factors while taking generic Celexa. But then, I took note of nothing else compared to the overwhelming cravings for alcohol that resurfaced while taking an SSRI. To my knowledge, Buspirone is also an SSRI. But cravings didn't make themselves known until Citalopram was added to the cocktail. I had tried Mirtazapine a couple of years ago, but it caused constipation, increased hunger, and weight gain (and more depression).

I've also tried other meds for depression in the past, but they always caused diarrhea. I never took them for more than a day or two. I really should get my log on here one of these days... it tells all. It's just so long and incomplete (ongoing). I also took Wellbutron many years ago as a means of smoking cessation. Ironically, it was at that time that I first began to experience crippling panic attacks. What was worse was that I had no idea what was happening to me at the time.

The fact that I was drinking heavily on a daily basis probably didn't help either. Anyway, thank you all again for your replies. It's nice to know that there's a place where I can go with folks who know and understand where I'm coming from. I've obtained many meaningful friendships on the net, and have shared my situation with them. They've all been understanding until medications are mentioned. They all feel I should do it naturally (been there, done that).

They're well meaning and I'm patient with them as I know that there's no way they could truly understand unless they've walked a mile or two in my shoes. So ultimately, I cannot turn to them for reliance. Thanks for your help and for your support in this journey of mine towards piece of mind.

~John

[billyb]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

Very interesting, John. I also started citalopram a couple months ago, after being on baclofen for well over a year. It worked wonders for depression.

Like you, I'd found that bac wasn't working quite as well as it used to in recent months, but I never made the connection to celexa.

Right now I'm doing ok, but I am drinking a bit more frequently (never going on a bender, but I will have two drinks a couple nights a week - I'd never want more than a single drink prior to the celexa).

It's good to know that celexa might be the reason, so I'll know what to do if the lure of alcohol starts to outweigh the depression (right now the mild desire to drink is manageable, and much preferable to the depression).

[hopefulspirit]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

Hi all,
I'm trying to figure out what a new prescription to Dioxepin might be doing to me. I am currently on 210 mgs of Baclofen and have not reached a switch. I find that abstaining is easier on me but when I do drink, I drink almost as much as I did pre-bac. If there's any decrease in consumption, I believe it has more to do with Bac enhancing the effect of alcohol and I just fall asleep/"pass out" faster. I should point out that I'm female at 145 lbs.. This seems like a lot of Bac for my size!
Re: Dioxepin.... I was recently prescribed 100 mgs at bedtime for sleep. It has worked wonders in that department but could there be an interaction that is keeping Bac from doing it's thing? After reading about Dioxepin, I noticed that it's prescribed for depression specific to alcoholism. I thought my doctor was brilliant as insomnia is a major issue for me but depression does exist. I just don't complain about it amid all my other "stuff". What I've liked about Dioxepin is that I don't get that morning after agitation that I've had on previous sleep medication. I would really like to continue Dioxepin as it seems like it's a good fit for me with sleep and depression.
As far as carbs and sweets: I've always tried to maintain a low-carb lifestyle but recently have experienced an intense, almost insane desire for sweets. At first I thought it was specific to the days I was AF and my body was just looking for sugar and because of that conclusion, I gave myself permission to indulge. It's kind of crazy though... It's like I can't control myself with it, like I can't control myself with drink. I never considered myself a binger with anything other than wine so I'm also wondering if Dioxepin has something to do with my new obsession with chocolate.
I also have a pre-existing condition that makes me more prone to dizziness... Unfortunately, I have had a few short but intense positional vertigo attacks recently that may or may not be caused by Bac. For all I know, it too could be caused by Dioxepin. Or neither... My body feels like it's totally out of whack in general.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for reading this this far - I didn't know I had so much to say!

HP

[craving]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

hopefulspirit,

tricyclic antidepressants like Dioxepin should not be combined with Baclofen. They cause additive CNS depression and may cause muscle hypotonia.
My shrink told me they can not be combined, also saw it listed in the package insert of Baclofen.

All the best!

[hopefulspirit]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

Thank you craving... My doctor prescribed both medications and said there were no interactions. I am still wondering if it would do anything to the effectiveness of Bac? I'm feeling a bit desperate at this stage without "indifference".

[hoping4better]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

JW,
It is my understanding that Wellbutrin doesn't help with anxiety, only depression. Several doctors have told me this.

I do believe the craving for sugar is directly correlated with a decrease in AL consumption. I can say no to dessert when I'm drinking (except when on bac), but if I don't drink I crave it. And SSRIs increase the sugar cravings as well.

[PhoenixRising]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

Just anecdotally, citalopram (Celexa) revived in me INTENSE alcohol craving. I was on my maintenance dose of 80mg of Bac (prescribed by my doc as was the Celexa) and I started backsliding over the course of the month I was on Celexa. I Googled Celexa and alcohol craving and a lot of people mention insane alcohol cravings while on Celexa. I got off the Celexa and it went away. Just my 2 cents...

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

Phoenix is in the house!

[PhotoMan]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

I've been taking 10mg of Celexa per day for months now along with my standard 150mg of Baclofen. I've not had any additional cravings for alcohol. The Celexa did however destroy my sex drive at the initial dosage of 20mg my doctor prescribed, but after moving down, everything normalized. In a subtle way, the Celexa has helped take the edge off my general anxiety, so overall it's been helpful. I certainly wouldn't take it though if alcohol cravings resumed.

Just another example of the unpredictable nature of any drug.

Photoman

[tiptronic_ct]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

A bump and a request for further information, if anyone has it.

I'm talking to someone who is seriously considering bac, but has been taking Celexa for a long period. When in contact with Dr. L, he was told about possible interactions between bac & certain ADs. The indication was very much the same as we heard here - that it can potentially reduce the efficacy of bac.

One would obviously want to "set the scene" for a successful bac titration, so if it means tapering off Celexa 1st, there will be some planning involved.

[ik1966]

Baclofen Efficacy Reversal

hi,
does anybody has interactions with paroxetine and baclofen?
(seroxat or paxil)