Posted by Wendigo on May 2, 2005, at 12:24:01
I have been taking 150 mg of Effexor XR and have experienced good results. My side effects are basically minor; my dream life has always been active and interesting, night sweats have subsided somewhat, and I've been feeling pretty good. Especially if I avoid alcohol.
The problem is that I seem to want to drink more while on the medication than when off (before taking any antidepressants, I enjoyed occassional/weekend drinking, about 3-4 drinks[beer/wine] at the most; I have a high tolerance and had never had a hangover or what I would consider an alcohol habit or problem). I have read many warnings about mixing alcohol and antidepressants, mostly about the intensification of alcohol's effects while on medication, increased drowsiness or dizziness, but I haven't seen anyone discuss what seems to happen with me...my tolerance seems to be much higher for alcohol (which may make sense, since an antidepressant would seem to counteract a depressant), i.e., I feel nothing after drinking two or three beers, whereas without medication I would feel some effect of the alcohol after about 3/4 to 1 drink. I find myself drinking more and more to achieve an effect, and being reluctant to stop. I'm sure it isn't healthy, and have begun to wean myself slowly off the Effexor to see if that will help (withdrawal symptoms not pleasant, as many have testified--sleepiness, dizziness). I don't want to be an alcoholic, certainly not one who mixes antidepressants and alcohol. I am a recovering anorexic/bulimic/bulimarexic (no episodes for 8 years) and I don't want to trade one disorder for another (I've read about compulsive overeaters becoming compulsive over-drinkers); although if I had to choose the lesser of two evils, I would choose alcoholism over an eating disorder. Still, I wanted to know if anyone else had experienced similar...for lack of a better word..."alcoholic tendencies" while on Effexor? I'd appreciate any insight. I've never been suicidal but my recent lack of control with drinking has caused enormous stress in my marriage and has led to a lot of lying/deceit (mine--denial of drinking) and a lot of snooping/spying/accusations (husband's--can't exactly blame him) and my sense of self steadily deteriorates. I feel as vile as when I binged-purged on food, and feel irresponsible for having produced offspring!
poster:Wendigo
thread:492663
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050428/msgs/492663.html