alcohol

[cornyguy]

I  have a pertinent question to this forum which is whether any person with a Bipolar disorder should avoid alcohol altogether forever.My own experience is that alcohol triggers Manic/Hypomanic episodes in BP patients.I want to know the personal experiences of others and whether it is mentioned that we are supposed to avoid alcohol altogether to avoid precipitating manic episodes.My Psychiatrist has advised me to stay away from alcohol forever.All suggestions and discussions on matter are welcome as many of us actually like alcohol but cannot take it for the chance of precipitating a manic episode.

[lindahand]

I was never a big drinker but I do miss having the occasional gin and tonic. I decided that it wasn't worth the risk to see what alcohol and meds would do. I've been tempted to try a drink and see if I can handle it, but I haven't done that experiment yet. I would want to do it a night DH is home.

In the grand scheme of things though, the odd social drink is not worth instability.

[Nicks444]

I have bi-polar 2 disorder and have discovered that depressive episodes tend to follow drinking alcohol even though my meds themselves do not advise avoidance of alcohol. I have concludedd that I will now be avoiding alcohol altogether as it certainly affects my condition negatively.

[HEADROOM]

I think it is probably the best idea not to drink. Although saying that I often have a glass of wine most evening whilst doing the cooking or a couple of glasses when out. I can't resist these offers in the supermarkets buy 6 bottles and get 25% off! Don't plan to become an alcoholic though.

[paranoid_cataclysm]

Err... I just realized I should of clarified, I felt like I was having symptoms of hyperglycemia most of the time on Geodon before my body adjusted but when I drank that time it got severe as demonstrated with the urinating bit.

[paranoid_cataclysm]

Yeah it's not a good idea to drink with psych meds in your system.  The effects of the alcohol and side effects of the pills get intensified.  Even when I was on a low dose of Geodon I drank a shot in a tall glass and it caused me to feel like I was having symptoms of hyperglycemia and I had to urinate every 30 seconds or so.

[cornyguy]

Thanks for reply.Alcohol has a negative interaction with the disease and also with the meds we take for it.All Psychiatrists say the same thing.

[BD63085]

I tried to drink before, while taking lithium.  I do not suggest that anyone drink alcohol on the pills that we're taking because I threw up for four days afterward.  It is not a fun experience.  I did not have an episode, I was just really sick.  Check out the side effects of all medications because I believe that some of them make it difficult for a person to vomit; which is very dangerous.  ALERT: I am not suggesting that anyone should drink.