My own view is, if moderate drinking doesn't bother you, then fine. If it does, then don't do it. When I first started getting panic attacks I had to stop drinking altogether, and I was a very light drinker, because it made me disoriented, which felt like I felt when I was anxious. But when I was on antidepressants I could have a drink or two again and feel okay as long as I wasn't trying to do anything too difficult. So if I was staying in one place, I could have a drink or two. If I had to drive or do something difficult, I couldn't. So I think it depends on the person. But Nursegirl is right as far as the official line is, which is that alcohol intensifies the medication and causes the same kind of disorientation that anxiety does. On the other hand, if the medication actually worked as well as pharmaceutical companies claim, then you wouldn't be thinking these anxious thoughts at all and drinking would be no problem, but drugs only mitigate the symptoms of anxiety, they don't get rid of it altogether. Your concern over this issue, and I've been through this and still go through it, is just a sign that you haven't changed the way you think, which is the cure but very hard to do.
Thank you Nurse girl, I will try my best, I wish you happy holidays and a great year to come... Do you think my fluoxetine will kick in in days and I will be motivated again? And is it normal sometimes to increase the dosage? I feel very bad because of the increase! I accepted 20mg but I feel like 40 is too much :(
MOST docs will tell you that an OCCASIONAL single drink is okay, but the general consensus is that alcohol should be avoided when on these kinds of medications, for a few reasons. One, it can decrease the effectiveness of the medication and it can exacerbate any side effects one might experience. It's just not a good mix.
Also, alcohol is something that exacerbates anxiety something terrible, especially drinking to the point of intoxication. It can also cause feelings of depression. The best thing to do if you want to stay focused on addressing your anxiety is to avoid it (and any other mind altering substances) all together.
Happy holidays!
It doesn't take quite as long to notice improvements after an increase as it does after the initial induction of the med, but it still could take a few weeks. Just try to be patient and give it some time. If you've seen progress with the Prozac in general, the higher dose will likely help you. Keep in touch with your doctor along the way.
Hang in there!