Posted by Sadsack on January 19, 2003, at 17:44:14
In reply to Re: effexor xr and lexapro anyone?, posted by mills on January 17, 2003, at 10:41:52
Mills,
I have to say ayuda has some valid points. Many of us have self medicated with alcohol when we should have been on AD's or our AD's were not optimal. It doesn't make us feel less depressed, just numbed the pain temporarily. I know that when I am on an effective AD the desire for alcohol diminishes radically. I think your experience is probably more atypical (not invalid by any means but perhaps not the norm). As far as physiogical fact, ayuda is on target.
There's room for both of your perspectives here. That's what the forum is all about.
Take Care,> Please relax. You misunderstand. What was wrong was a few things you said, not what you may have intended to say. Look at what you said earlier and what I said. You made the statement that alcohol "counteracts any AD." That is simply not necessarily true, and therefore is not a fact.
> I know what alcohol is, and that it may be classed as a "depressant." It's the broad generalization about its effects that is wrong.
>
> Also, you didn't say anything in your first post suggesting addiction to alcohol. You didn't say anything about NEED. You said "want," and so you just need to be more careful in holding yourself as counseling people on "facts" here who may have no idea what the "facts" are and think you know what you are talking about.
>
> And finally, you made this statement:
>
> "drinking even once a day will stop the action of the AD. In fact, I've found that when someone wants to drink, that probably means their AD isn't working."
>
> Those are simply ridiculous unfounded statements and I don't want anyone here misled by ignorance.
>
> peace
>
> > NO, it is a fact that alcohol is a depressant. That is what it is, period. Just because you don't personally feel "depressed" after drinking does not mean it is not a depressant. It is a chemical fact that it IS a depressant, and NOT just an emotional depressant. It depresses bodily functions, which is why it causes lessened inhibitions, blood vessel constrictions, etc., as part of the physical depression of a person's system. Just because you don't personally feel "depressed" after drinking does not mean that it doesn't do that, even not to you.
> >
> > And when I talk about the need to drink alcohol, I mean people who NEED to drink alcohol. And if you NEED to drink alcohol, that is a good indication that you have a problem, and ADs are designed to help take care of such problems. If you NEED to drink alcohol while taking an AD, chances are you are suffering from depression and your AD isn't working. I am sticking to the facts about alcohol and ADs here, not personal experience, which isn't factual.
> >
> > > Wrong! sorry, but that is just not my experience and so you can't make a generalization about alcohol that applies to everyone--especially a statement about "wanting" alcohol meaning your AD isn't working. Moderate alcohol use does not depress me in the least.
> > >
> > > peace
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > I switched from 225 mg of Effexor XR to Lexapro within the last 2 months. I was having similar problems to what you are having, except that I rarely drink alcohol, but I was also lethargic and having a hard time. If your doc has put you on Lexapro, I don't know why they don't just wean you off the Effexor, the two together are overkill, and unnecessary if the Effexor XR isn't working. It took me 6 weeks to taper off the Effexor, but I am doing MUCH better on 20mg of Lexapro now.
> > > >
> > > > Also, I agree with EGR -- alcohol is a depressant, and it counteracts any AD. Having a glass of wine with a meal every once in a while, or a couple of beers once a month won't really hurt, but drinking even once a day will stop the action of the AD. In fact, I've found that when someone wants to drink, that probably means their AD isn't working.
> > > >
> > > > You didn't say if you were having any side effects from the Effexor XR (I had seriously unbearable nausea and developed an ulcer while on it and gained 40 pounds), but even if you aren't, you should ask your doctor why you are taking both meds.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > HI
> > > > >
> > > > > Anyone taking Effexor xr and Lexapro?
> > > > >
> > > > > I have been on Effexor xr for 4 months currently at 225. Doesn't seem to be working.I can hardly get out of bed. Wondering if alcohol may have something to do with it. My PD has just prescribed 10 mg of Lexapro along with the Effexor.
> > > > >
> > > > > Does anyone have expeerience with Effexor xr and Lexapro?
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
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>
poster:Sadsack
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030119/msgs/136605.html