firebird8 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 I've never been all that impressed with being drunk, fortunately, considering the number of meds I'm on right now. I recently started Topamax, for the migraines, and after 4 days I love the stuff. It's the first relief I've had in years. Anyways. Yadda yadda yadda with the soda/taste changes, so far no brain/behavior problems. Here's my thing. Sometimes, in a social situation, I want to have one, maybe two drinks. This might come up every 2 or 3 months. I'm also on (to list only relevant stuff) Cymbalta, Advair, Combivent and I have prn prescriptions for Ambien and Ativan. All the others I've questioned the pharmacist closely and been told that as long as I'm really doing what I'm saying I'm doing (as in, not looking for clearance to get drunk a lot) it's okay once in a while. The Topamax says not to drink at all while taking it. I had about half a mudslide yesterday and just felt really really sleepy. Usually that much alcohol I wouldn't feel at all (part of why I don't bother to get drunk - it takes way more alcohol than I care to consume - if I want mood-altering, a handful of sugar and some caffeine is easier). Anybody care to comment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMarshall Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Comment? well.... You are probably the same type of person that see's a sign saying Wet Paint - Don't Touch, and comes away with with a dirty finger! What part of "don't drink on Topamax" don't you understand? a.m. [edit] p.s. We've had about 4 other threads in the last three days discussing this same topic, with some very good advice from Silver and others. Have you read them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
null0trooper Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 The Topamax says not to drink at all while taking it. I had about half a mudslide yesterday and just felt really really sleepy. Usually that much alcohol I wouldn't feel at all. Anybody care to comment? Alcohol strongly affects the brain systems that use GABA for signalling. Topiramate also works via altering those systems. So even though you are taking the medication for migraines, by drinking - at all - you are screwing with how an antiepileptic medication is tweaking your brain. That isn't entirely safe - aside from the brain chemistry aspect, think about what a full drink would have done and where you could have woken up the next morning. You would be better off either sticking to drinking the nonalcoholic mixers, or giving up the Topomax so you can keep the alcohol in your life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazynotstupid Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 It's pretty much a given that drinking on any of our meds may lead to any sort of weirdness. However YMMV, one person can have a few drinks and be fine while another has one drink and gets all loopy. So, basically, now you know how topamax and alcohol work together for you. It makes you very sleepy. So it's probably best to avoid alcohol while on topamax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firebird8 Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share Posted February 1, 2009 thanks! i wasn't sure why. It seemed they just were worried about the depressive effects of the alcohol combined with the cymbalta - or that's the impression i got. I don't really care about it, and if it seems that important i can avoid it! LOL @ the wet paint sign. Actually no, I'm usually very obedient. It was one of those unusual situations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy10 Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Has anybody tried drinking on Lithium? Would doing so also reduce its effectiveness and make one's mood worse? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazynotstupid Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Has anybody tried drinking on Lithium? Yep. Would doing so also reduce its effectiveness and make one's mood worse? Yep. Drinking on any psychoactive medication is likely to alter the effects of it. Hell, alcohol is a psychoactive drug. Just makes sense. Quite simply put it's gonna alter your mood and the effects can last for a couple days from what some mebers report. Me, i wouldn't know, it's been a couple years since I went more than a couple days without drinking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M. Crazyfish Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 i'm on cymbalta, klonopin, and seroquel and i have anywhere from a couple to 12 pack a night. sometimes i get different color hues on different backgrounds but i am fine. usuallly i just fall asleep after i take the seroquel. knocks me right out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltiest Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Has anybody tried drinking on Lithium? Would doing so also reduce its effectiveness and make one's mood worse? I still battle with this knowing full well the consequences. Yes, I still have some alcohol while on my Lithium but the next few days are always a bit out of wack, even if it doesn't seem to affect me at the time. For me, it screws with me, takes a slightly hypomania and skyrockets it to mania, or a slight hint of depression and sends me into a funk that last for days. Last November I hate to admit it but had more vodka in that month than I'd had in the prior year. Part of me knew it was just wanting to forget my current situation (loss of job due to downsizing), but still, the aftermath was worse than how I felt before. Thankfully I have no desire to drink when alone and since I've become somewhat of a hermit due to lack of funds, it hasn't been much of an issue the past couple months. But oh, yes, definitely, drinking while on Lithium is just a disaster waiting to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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