Does alchohol make your anxiety worse? (pos. trig.)

Well, my second post since moving back into the neighborhood

I was just wondering if alcohol makes your anxiety/panic worse the day after drinking. I know alcohol does indeed make my anxiety MUCH worse the following day. Last night I had 7-8 beers and today my throat feels all weird, I feel jumpy, muscle twitches, panicky, heart racing, dizzy, weird breathing problems, hungover, upset stomach, sick feeling (like my body was just poisoned), funny aches and pains here and there that I can't explain and all the other weird stuff. Does anyone else get this?.

- GreyGoose

I dont drink - but of course it does ! It "might" make u feel better with a buzz - many people self medicate with alcohol, but the crash is always worse ! People with high anxiety - who constantly scan their bodies for another "OH MY - there is another funny feeling...." will certainly have higher anxiety with all the feelings that come along with drinking too much. But, I think you already know that.......and you also know how to prevent feeling horrible the day after drinking.

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and you also know how to prevent feeling horrible the day after drinking.

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I sure do, I just have another one!. Seriously though, if you know a way to prevent feeling horrible (ie; the hangover) the following day, please let me in on it. I hav'nt touched a drop today and I feel SO much better. Those beers sure do feel good going down but the hangover and accompanying anxiety is a killer!.

((((((((((((((((((GreyGoose))))))))))))))))))))))

Drinking certainly makes my anxiety worse. I do not drink very often at all. I had a few beers with the neighbors a few weeks ago and before that it was November of 2004 and before that I can not even remember. Reason being is that it does make my anxiety so much worse. I still think to much. For me, it does not ease anything.

Jen

GG - there is one way to prevent a hangover - and it will work 100% of the time.........don't drink to start with. Self medicating is dangerous, drinking too much is harmful to your physical health, and mental health, etc etc etc. AND if u are taking any of the medications that you were on in the past - alcohol intensifies those meds, and those meds intensifies the alcohol. Its a total no win situation. As the famous saying goes "Just say NO". Celebrate the 4th in style, without drinking, and feel better tomorrow !

FYI

More people suffer from anxiety than any other health problem, yet less than 25% receive adequate help. A natural self-healing program is an alternative to suffering in silence, or taking synthetic, often addictive, tranquilizers and sleeping pills. Sedatives of any kind should never be combined with alcohol. The interaction of alcohol with benzodiazepines can depress both breathing an blood pressure, possibly causing coma or death.
{“Healing Anxiety with Herbs,” 1998 book by Harold Bloomfield, MD, and Yale-trained psychiatrist}

Sixty-five million Americans are living with high anxiety, thirty million with clinical anxiety disorders and another thirty-five million who suffer mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety may be an important sign that it’s time to make a change in how you live such as dietary changes, exercise and meditation. Try herbs for peace of mind and start a program that will deal with the issues that underlie the anxiety, says Harold Bloomfield, MD, Yale trained psychiatrist, and author of, “Healing Anxiety with Herbs.”
{“High Anxiety, Natural Health magazine, Nov./Dec. 1998}

A person experiences relief from panic after drinking alcohol, then finds that as it wears off, his anxiety returns more intensely than before, creating a treacherous and hard-to-break cycle.
{in the book, “No More Fears,” Douglas Hunt, MD, 1988 and Robert Thayer, PhD, author of “The Origin of Everyday Moods.” 1997}

Alcohol depresses the central nervous system causing fatigue, agitation and anxiety.
{“Anxiety and Stress,” Dr. Susan Lark, Energy Times magazine, Nov./Dec. 1998}

Drinking alcohol produces physiological stress, that is, some of the body’s responses to alcohol are similar to other stressors. Yet, individuals also drink to relieve stress. It is a paradox that people engage in an activity that produces effects similar to those that they are trying to relieve.
{“Drinking and Stress,” Alcohol Alert, NIAAA, April 1996}


There is danger when relying on false coping mechanisms, like alcohol use, which only adds to one’s stress burden.
{in the book, “Stress and Healing,” by Christopher Hobbs. 1997}

Those sensitive to anxiety are more likely to turn to alcohol to relieve their anxiety symptoms. They are in a high risk group.
{"Anxiety Sensitivity," alcoholism.about.com, Oct. 2001}

As you drink, your body tries to make up for the changes alcohol causes. It “turns up” all of its senses. When the alcohol begins to wear off, these heightened senses cause shakiness, headaches and nausea. Everything seems louder, bigger, and faster.
{familydoctor.org, May 2003)

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in America: more than 19 million are affected by these debilitating illnesses each year.

A lot of interesting responses here. I got into a daily routine of drinking 5-8 beers each day (sometimes I'd skip a day), smoking 4-5 fat cigars as I drank my beers and at the end of the day, I'd either fall asleep drunk on the floor or if I was'nt all that sleepy, I'd take an Atarax (a powereful antihistamine) and be completely knocked out within a half hour. The following morning and after a restless night, I'd wake up sick, hungover and full of anxiety so I'd take a benzo and a few hours later, have a few beers...and a few more. Then out came the cigars and I'm be puffing away. That has been my life for the past few weeks but I prayed for God to help me stop and just like the last time (I was an alcoholic several years ago) he freed me from this demon and I know he will come through for me this time as well. This is day one with no alcohol and no cigars. I feel great and have no desire to drink this evening...tommorow or ever.

- GreyGoose

I seem to have much of the same behavior, Grey.
I manage to be functional, attend to my duties, my classes, my job, my art, but have an addiction to smoking/drinking beer in combination at night here at home alone. Let me know how you do with your progress. I went two days without either, but slipped tonight. I tried to send you a private message about this, but see you are not accepting such.
Seeker

And, by the way, I also felt great for the two days I abstained from it.
Seeker

Hi Seeker. Sorry about the PM's not working. There was a little...er..."misunderstanding" awhile back and I must have turned them off. At least that answers the question as to why noone has been PM'ing me

EDIT: Ok, my PM's are on again but I lost my goose AV but it's probably on a CD somewhere.

good going tim!

GG - once an alcoholic, always and alcoholic. Even when one quits drinking and never takes another drink, they are still an alcoholic. Please take this seriously, and stay away from drinking (and more importantly don't mix with meds !)

parker10 is entirely correct. you never quit being an alcoholic. you could view your drinking again now, as a symptom of your alcoholism.

the links that i found concerning the anxiety and drinking were very convincing. they definitely go hand in hand.

AA has meetings to help you, with your go at quitting. it works for a lot of people.

So true!. Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. They say alcohol alters the brain forever and I believe it. Well, I was dry all day yesterday and today I had 3 beers and then ate dinner. I also did'nt take my Lorazepam this morning so by the time the alcohol wore off, I was going through benzo withdrawl and at the same time I was having a lot of anxiety coming down off of the alcohol. I felt all spacy and surreal and a few time I tried to say something and it was like a person who's just had a stroke and the words won't come out (very scary!). I just felt out of it and a few time I felt like I was going to just fall over on the floor.

Another strange thing is the the tip of the "pointer" finger on my left hand has been itching like crazy all day for some reason. I killed a mosquito in the bathroom today and it it was full of blood (my blood??). I sometimes wonder if a lot of my problems are really caused by anxiety. I thought the tingling in my right arm and some of my other problems were caused by anxiiety until I had a MRI/C-spine and they said I had 2 compressed disks that were "drying out" and some other kind of problem (I can't remember) but they said it would affect my right arm (which it has). I'm sure a lot of my problems are anxiety-related but not all of them.

Then to add insult to injury, I drank a glass of Sprite and it triggered a major bout of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) so I was cramping and all torn up inside for a good 45 minutes. Yuk, what a day.

On top of that, I'm finding it more and more difficult lately to find any good in people because it seems like almost everyone you talk to on the phone, grocery store, etc goes out of their way to try and be rude and nasty. What's wrong with people these days?.

Well, I can't think of much else to say at the moment. I just took a Lorazepam a few minutes ago. My finger is still itching like crazy which leads to all kinds of worrying, etc.

Thank's for listening - GreyGoose

have you talked to your doctor about your taking meds and drinking? you really need to get the input from a physician. it is not a good idea, at any time.

Hi Faye. Yes, I called the pharmacist up before I took the Lorazepam and explained to him that I had had 3 beers at about 4:30 this afternoon, followed by a big dinner and that since it was now 10:00, would it be safe for me to take a 1mg Lorazepam and his exact response was that it would probably just make me a little sleepier. I even asked him if I could take an Atarax before bedtime on top of everything else and he gave basically the same reply. It's been an hour now and I am calmed down just a bit but my finger is sill itching and I'm sitting here thinking "ok, um...now what's THAT a symptom of??". Anyway, yes, I am very careful to always check with the pharmacist first or look things up in ther drug information database but you are right, mixing drugs and alcohol is NEVER a good idea!.

(((((((((((((((((((Grey))))))))))))))))))

Please try yo relax as much as you can. I know what you mean about rude ppl too. Some ppl are just miserable and try to bring others down. Dont pay attention to them. Just concentrate on you. Much love and peace to you.

when someone, in a service position, is rude to me, i ask them if they are having a bad day. that attention, usually shocks them and they pause and most of the time, answer truthfully. if they do get defensive, then i tell them that i'm affected by their rudeness and just thought i'd inquire, to see if they are okay. then i walk off, knowing that i tried and i feel better.

Can't say much at the moment. Woke up feeling "ok". Took a short walk. Came back. Had 2 cups of coffee. My anxiety is throught the roof right now. I have to force myself to breath, throat feels weird (tight...thickened). Oh how I hate this. Just took a 1/2 of a Lorazepam. the worst part is not know if the anxiety is caused by some disease, alchohol, withdrawl from alcohol, benzo withdrawl, coffee or a combination of these things. I feel like this very elderly guy I used to know named Arther. He was always quaking and shaking and very nervous. If you got him upset he'd start quivering and jerking around so bad he could hardly speak. that's about how I feel right now. Oh well, I guess I'm saddled with this beast for life so I'll just have to deal with it until the day I die (just like a cancer patient, diabetic, MS sufferer, etc). Today is DEFINATELY a no-beer day, that's for sure!.

Thank's for listening and for all the thoughtful and kind replies - GreyGoose

GG - Anxiety is a VERY treatable disorder ! You have posted that you have seen many Doctors, tried therapy, been on a variety of medications, are an alcoholic, but what is it exactly that you are doing to help yourself get better? (Sorry if that sounds blunt). IF you truly want to get better, everyone here has offered you help, hope, told you what has helped many of us recover from severe anxiety/panic disorder, etc. When you and I have "talked" , I told you there are some people who really want to do the WORK to get better, and there are those hoping for a "magic cure". WHEN you find that "magic cure" be sure and bottle it - cause it will make you very rich !

I have absolutely NO clue what is making your finger itch. Do you honestly think that an itchy finger is worth worrying about?

Also - whats with 2 cups of coffee (unless you have changed to decaf) ??? Liquid anxiety poured on purpose down your throat, only to then need a pill to help reverse it's actions on your system. Where is the logic in that?

Anxiety is anxiety. I don't think it is caused by a disease (medical). It is a physical/mental disorder. Once we accept it for what it is, we then tend to start working to get better. I dont think you have accepted this yet. To think this is anywhere NEAR being the same as having cancer is so irrational - which of course, irrational thinking "STINKIN THINKIN" is part of anxiety. IF you live with this (anxiety) until you die, it was a choice.

no one understands..........do they tim.........

Yes, anxiety is indeed a "treatable" disorder but until they discover a cure (probably not profitable to do), I won't get too excited. I've already explained (many times) in this forum the type(s) of treatment I am receiving. Sorry, if they are not the one's some people approve of but they work for me (at least part of the time).

As I've stated many time, I take Celexa for my bouts of depression, Lorazepam for my anxiety/panic attacks and Atarax for those nights when I'm two anxious to sleep. I've also explained why I choose not to attend therapy.

The "logic" in my consuming 2 cups of coffee and then reversing the affects produced by the caffeine by taking a Lorazepam does'nt have to make any "sense". I am simply having my cake and being able to eat it too. In other words, I get to enjoy my beloved morning coffee but I don't have to be quite as jittery all day if I simply take a Lorazepam shortly thereafter.

I have to dissagree with your assertion that anxiety can't be compared with other "chronic" conditions. There is a very distinct common denomonator in ALL chronic conditions - they can be treated but not cured and they are often very difficult to deal with sometimes. Some conditions are worse that others and some people experience more severe levels of anxiety than others. Mine happens to be severe at time and if I "live with this anxiety" it is anything BUT "my choice" since I'd rather be humanely euthanized than to endure this for the rest of my life. Like I said, I am COPING.

Finally, yes my itchy finger is worrying me because I can't find an explanation for it. Since it's my finger, I'd just kind of like to know why it is itching all of a sudden for no apparent reason. No, I'm not laying in bed all night with bloodshot eyes worrying about it or anything but it would be nice to know what is causing it.

Anyway, gotta run - GreyGoose

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butterflylady747 said:
no one understands..........do they tim.........

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Some people seem to ... other do not. I think their views/beliefs are based on their own personal expeirences, things they've read or been told, etc but everyone is different and not everything works for everyone. I am a tough case I'm afraid. For awhile I was'nt doing too bad but then I picked up a beer and that was a big mistake.

((((((((((((((((((((((((Grey))))))))))))))))))))))))

I understand. I really do.

I respect ALL of your opinions and consider every one of you an extended part of my family. Sometimes, we not always agree or we may have different ways of reaching the same goalpost or I might not take every suggestion but guess what?...that's OK :-).

Peace to all - GreyGoose