Paxil and Alcohol

[addysmom]

I am 23 years old and currently on Paxil 20mg a day for depression, OCD, and anxiety/panic disorder.  I have always had a problem with anxiety...but the depression has been in the past three years and the OCD more recently.  I am about to finish my first month of the medicine and then I am supposed to up to 30mg a day since the anxiety is not getting any better.  In the past month I have found that I have a HUGE desire to drink.  ALL DAY LONG.  I have NEVER been a big drinker....maybe a glass of wine at night....occasionally go out on the weekends...but since having my daughter I generally stay sober.  I have alot of self restraint and as a stay at home mom I generally do not have my first drink until close to 5 at night (knowing my husband will be home in an hour).  I am now not even interested in it...unless its VODKA 100 PROOF.  I have spent close to 300 in the past month alone on vodka.  My husband drinks alot....so between him and I we are going through close to 1.5Liters every two days.  To make matters worse I went out with some friends last night...(sort of a reward to myself as I never go ANYWHERE anymore) and apparently I was taking shot after shot after shot of liquor.  Chasing the shots with mixed drinks and beer.  I didn't think I drank that much last night....and don't really remember much of it (which is not typical of me).  Apparently I was LOUD, OBNOXIOUS, and when I got home I told my husband that he and my daughter would be better off without me....and I grabbed a knife and threatened to slit my wrists.  WHERE is that coming from!  Seriously?  I have NEVER behaved this way!  I guess I kept him up until close to 5 in the morning...complaining about my life and how I am a horrible mother.  

Now...having said all that....has ANYONE else experienced this kind of behavior on paxil?  The medicine has been overall GREAT for my depression...and has truly given me part of my life back....but my daughter does NOT need to have a mother who can't even remember what she did the night before.  I have upset my best friend...my husband says that while overall I am much more enjoyable to be around...its like I don't care about ANYTHING.  It took alot for me just to admit that I had a problem with depression, etc...so now I have to admit that I still have a problem?

Someone please?  Some advice?

[Hensley258]

It sounds like the problem is the Alcohol rather than the Paxil.

While you can safely drink Alcohol while taking Paxil, it is not advised.

Considering that Alcohol is just about the worst thing you can take if you suffer from depression, then I would try to limit your intake.

Limiting Alcohol intake is very easy for someone that is not an alcoholic. It is not so easy for someone that has an addiction to Alcohol.

I takes AD meds also, and I also drink, but I keep my alcohol intake to a minimum and drink less often. I think it's all about moderation.

There are also some studies that suggest that Alcohol consumption may reduce the overall effectivness of many AD medications including Paxil.

[addysmom]

I understand this....but I have never had a compulsion to drink until taking Paxil.  I have searched the internet and find that I am not alone in this compulsion.  

[Hensley258]

That is unusual. I have never heard of any SSRI medication causing cravings for Alcohol.

Do you think your improved mood from taking Paxil has caused you to feel more like drinking and being social?

[addysmom]

That would be what I would think....IF I only wanted to hang out with friends and drink...but I want to drink all the time....by myself....with people....it doesn't matter.  

Also....there is a very distinct possibility that this medicine is screwing me up....I have had horrible nerve pain in my whole body....cannot sleep at night even though I am exhausted and NOW I am hearing things.....the hearing things just started today.

[wixie]

I have been a big drinker since my undergraduate days.  I know that you don't have the same history, but I still believe that I have some insight into the problem.  I didn't standout in the crowd as having a problem in those days, but not many did.  I was also a bit depressed, and drinking allowed me to overcome my feelings at parties.  I  can't say exactly when my depression began, but it was near the end of high school.  As the years progressed, so did the frequency and severity of the illness.  And my drinking habits - another illness in itself - remained on par with my college days.  

Eventually, my depression became bad enough for me to start medication.  It took years of suffering because I had a difficult struggle with my ego.  It was hard for me to admit that I needed meds, and I was ashamed.  

Anyway, I started with Paxil when I began grad school and the results were fantastic.  Everything was clear, my mornings no longer began in the afternoon, and I was able to concentrate for great lengths of time.  I was also able to drink like never before.  Three drinks didn't make me feel like one used to, and I would eventually lose count.  The combination of my mental stability, my increased metabolism and alcohol made me feel like I was at the top of the game.  But some nights, when I switched from beer or cocktails to shots, I would lose control.  I'd get extremely angry, jumping at even the slightest teasing or harmless taunts from friends and strangers alike.  Other nights, I would fall into deep depression which was sometimes accompanied by suicidal thoughts.

Over the years, I switched to other drugs and drug combinations, and each time, my ability to drink remained enhanced to various degrees and results.  When I took zoloft, I was an angry drunk.  I stopped taking it after an embarrassing meltdown at a party with my family and their friends.  

I remember hearing a warning on an anti-depressant drug commercial recently that if you begin to have gambling urges that you've never had before to see a doctor before continuing with the drug.  I don't remember which drug it was, but what matters is that these drugs can affect us in non-intuitive ways.  How the hell can a drug make me want to go to Vegas and shoot craps?  It's like warning that a drug might increase your desire to ride roller costers while wearing tank tops.  Well, who knows how it can do it, but if it couldn't, we both know that the drug company's lawyers would never insist that they place the warning.  

These drugs work on our brain chemistry, and that's where everything happens - emotions, reason, dreams, perception.  One drug may stabilize your mood, but make you more compulsive or impulsive.  Another may make you less anxious in social situations, but, in combination with alcohol, give you the energy and desire to drink all night.  The important thing is that you know it's happening, and - believe me - it's the combination of Paxil and alcohol that's causing it.  Because you know, you should take this opportunity to decide how you want to handle it.

I still haven't done that.  I don't drink as often as I used to, but when I do, I still drink quite a bit.  I still can get sad or angry as well.  I feel that I'm on a good drug combination for my specific issues, but I know that it would be better if I didn't drink.  My mood can be affected as long as five days after a rough night.  I've simply never been willing to give it up.

I'm not suggesting that you do one thing or the other, I just think it's important that you know that it's happening.  Please take care and give Addy a kiss for me.

[addysmom]

First off, thank you for sharing your story.  

Secondly, between the horrendous headaches, the extreme fatigue, restlessness, hallucinations, low grade fever, and extreme pain I am starting to wonder if this is worth it.  I actually feel ill.  I am hearing things....no voices telling me to do one thing or another...just voices in general.  I can't concentrate for the most part....its horrible.

The hallucinations are new...and my husband is worried about Seratonin Syndrome.  I don't know what to do....in all honesty...I wish I could take a break for a few days....no baby, no husband....and sleep.....I can't concentrate on myself because my daughter is so important to me...that I devote every waking hour to taking care of her and keeping an immaculate house for my husband who has a full time job and is in school full time.  

I guess I will just have to wait and see what the doctor says?

[wixie]

OK, that's different.

Don't drink tonight.  Have your mom watch your daughter or get a baby sitter, and go see your doctor or go to a hospital.  Some of the things you describe - fatigue, restlessness, inability to concentrate - are typical.  When you feel that way, drinking always makes it worse.  You shouldn't be hearing voices.  Get to a doctor as soon as you can, and rest before then.  You most definately can take a few days off - just have your family, friends, a babysitter pitch in.  After you put a new plan together with a doctor, you can get back to taking care of your family.  Until then, let them take care of you.  

[addysmom]

I will be okay I think....like I said...the voices don't tell me to anything....its just I hear people talking.  Almost like they are standing outside my window or something.  Its weird.  I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday....and my husband is going to be home from work shortly and he has already told me as soon as he gets home he wants me in the tub and then he is making me take one of my pain pills and REST in the bedroom.  BY MYSELF he says.  He is worried....and rightfully so.  we will see...

[wixie]

That's good to hear. Try not to drink though.  And about the voices, if you mean that you're in a dream like state, mostly awake but nodding off every now and then, I have had some experiences like seeing or hearing some crazy things.  I have alway chalked it up to my subconscious; I believe that I was having brief dreams and never fully awake.  But if you mean that you're reading, or taking a shower or folding the clothes fully awake and