[zbmom]

Saw my pdoc on Friday for the 2nd time. She seems to have officially decided bp II now, she has been treating me for that for the last 6 weeks. I'm now on 50mg of lamictal. I mentioned that I really enjoy wine and she said that when I'm really at a stable point once in a very blue moon I can have maybe half a glass of wine. But she said that if I am wanting to get drunk I'm going to have to get over that. She seemed to mean it more because of the dx than the meds. I don't know how I feel about this. I can't see myself not ever getting drunk again. I am a social drinker, I enjoy a beer or a glass of wine at events or out with friends. I drink maybe once a month so it's not excessive. Has anyone else on here with BP struggled with this? Did you give up drinking or continue to indulge once in awhile?

Ughh, going to therapy and taking some meds is one thing, but I just want to try and lead as normal a life as possible. I don't know what to think.

[Miss Laura]

Hey Zbmom,

I only dirnk occassionally and don't see a problem with that. As long as your not over doing it as you have said you are a "social" drinker. I think your alright.

[SunAngel]

I drink occasionally also and have gotten drunk a few times. The only medication I do not take is Klonopin. My pdoc told me I could drink as long as I don't take that med.

I stopped drinking for a very long time, but like you, I couldn't imagine never being able to get drunk again, so recently I started to drink occasionally and am usually home and not out driving. Whenever I go out to dinner with my husband, I have a few Margaritas because he is the one driving.

People with BP shouldn't drink because drinking causes depression and since we are already suseptible to it, we take the chance of hitting a depressive episode.

[lunarpariah]

I was told by T and Pdoc not to drink anymore. For one they do influence some of the meds that I am taking and they said that it could cause me to go into a depression and become suicidal. I imagine that I could prob have some social drinks now and again but I'm too scared to risk it.

[rjaimz]

I was also told not to drink because of the depression it causes (not to mention my highly addictive personality) going through liver failure doesn't help matters either. I still drink every now and then socially usually ends up to be around 4/5 times a year. I don't see a problem with it as long as it stays within healthy limits and the boundaries remain strong.

[mgran]

I try not to drink. When I'm on meds I hit the point of no return much more quickly, and lose inhibitions. This obviously leads me to drink far too much, even if my intention going in was perfectly sensible. And I've woken up some mornings all over cuts because I've taken a blade to my arm. Also, since being on the meds I've started getting a pain in my chest when I drink, probably my pancreas or something. So, in my case it's best not to drink.

That doesn't mean that you shouldn't drink though, just that you should watch your reactions carefully at first to make sure that you're okay.

[mgran]

Originally Posted by rjaimz

I was also told not to drink because of the depression it causes (not to mention my highly addictive personality) going through liver failure doesn't help matters either. I still drink every now and then socially usually ends up to be around 4/5 times a year. I don't see a problem with it as long as it stays within healthy limits and the boundaries remain strong.

Rjaimz, are you going through liver failure? Or is that something you're afraid of? I really hope it's not the former... I hope you are okay.

[widgets]

I'll be totally honest with you, i still drink. Its something i enjoy and i'm not giving it up.
I'm on 100mg of Lactimal at the moment, and finding i dont need to drink as much to get drunk now.
There is a risk of getting depressed after or while drinking.
I never drink if my mood has been below 'Okay,' in say the last five days, i NEVER drink while feeling depressed.
The next day is always hard to get through, and i cant drink on work nights because on lactimal the hangovers are horrendous.
My pdoc knows i drink a lot and hasnt specifically told me i need to stop.
I think its just about knowing your limits and knowing when its safe to drink.
Alcohol heightens the mood i'm already in rather than changing it.

[rjaimz]

mgran I have been going through liver failure for the past two years. My meds I was on has caused a lot of damage and was hospitalized for over a month. It was pain I have never felt before. So I am very careful about what I put in my body. I do make the decision to drink rarely, but I try to be responsible while doing it, and try to be careful not to over do it. I am currently 31 and have 47% function. I appreciate your concern thank you.

[SunReach]

I can't drink at all
It just makes me so ill, even if I had literally two drinks (unless I made them myself and they were very very weak). I get migraines, feeling generally ill and a bit depressed for the next couple of days. If I get drunk it lasts a week. I have no idea why it affects me so much, I'm only on 500mg sodium valproate..

[mgran]

I'm really sorry to hear that rjaimz... what meds were they that messed you up? Did the doctor change your medication? I do know that the liver is a very resilient organ, and that it can recover... do you know if you're heading in the right direction again? A friend of mine was in early liver failure five years ago, and is now doing fine. I really hope that you find yourself in this position soon.

[rjaimz]

SadRobot that is quite a reaction. That is a steep price to pay to drink. I am not sure how I would handle it if the effects lasted a week for me. Does your pdoc know why this reaction is going on?

[SunReach]

rjaimz - She says I'm just too sensitive to things..As I have been to lots of meds...She suggested I don't drink (!) or try to get a couple of drinks at lunchtime to feel like I'm not missing out on alcohol completely..And if needs be, like my sister's wedding, skip a dose...What bothers me the most is not being able to explain why I can't drink...Being at uni and not drinking at all is unheard of, as if people didn't think I'm weird enough as it is..!

p.s. I hope the liver issue is resolved soon

[mgran]

You could just tell people that you're not particularly fond of the stuff.

[rjaimz]

SadRobot thank you. It isn't always easy I know that to be true. When I am offered a drink I politely say no, and they are appalled that I said no. Then I feel as if I have to explain why, but I don't want to because it can be embarrassing for me. I usually end up making up a bogus excuse. I am sorry you are going through this.

[mgran]

I'm having a blood test tomorrow. Since I've been on meds I've been frightened that something will go wrong (my first antipsychotic made my pineal gland over active, and I had to go off it). Because I have drunk to excess in the past I fear I've done some damage, though this time last year, apparently, my liver was fine.

Anyway... there's always part of me wants an excuse to go off the meds, even though they do help me stay sane. I just hate being dependant on them.

[SunReach]

mgran I hope the blood test goes well. And I can sympathise wanting to go off meds...

And you're right I should say I'm not fond of the stuff. Which is what I say now. I'm getting much better at it. And it's not even that I normally get wasted or anything! But I do enjoy one or two drinks...Anyway, it comes with the things I have to accept as part of BP even though I don't know if it's more linked to BP or meds...(not that it matters..)
And this particular thing might go away, who knows.

[Butterflies Are Free]

I gave up drinking last spring on my own - not good for my depression and reacts with the meds I take. I feel much better when I don't drink.

[Ryask]

It was easy for me to stop drinking, every time i drank it would take my husbands strength to stop me from harming myself,

[sugahorse1]

I still drink. Most nights. Usually just 2 drinks or so. Every now and again I give it a real go.
Last night was one of those nights. On the whole I probably didn't actually drink that much, but I really felt drunk. It hit me quite quickly.
Generally when I drink, my bf drives us home, or we are at home. The one pub we often go to is only about 1.5km from home. I know that sometimes we are a bit reckless in that regard.
I can drink around him, because I know he'd look after me

[dirt69juggalo]

I ve tried drinking a few times since I went on meds the first couple of times were fine but this last Saturday night I drank and I've have been so low and depressed since I'm begining to wonder if it'll pass or if I sent myself for a loop

[lad007]

I drink wine with supper and sometimes a drink-Mike's or a beer in the evening. It helps me with my anxiety after working all day. I'm not willing to give it up. Don't get drunk anymore though. My PDoc doesn't live my life, so he is not going to be successful in getting me to stop. It's non-negotiable. I take my Lithium and drink enough water so I don't get dehydrated, but it's my life too, and I enjoy having a nice glass of wine with dinner.

[manicminer]

I was diagnosed an alcoholic and bp I when I was hospitalized. The only thing wrong with my blood test was my BAC was a .07 and I had stopped drinking 12 hours earlier and was 20 years old. The social worker told my parents I needed to withdrawal from college and go to rehab. I showed them different as I went on to finish the semester. I didn't drink for 6 weeks, the longest I had gone since I was 16, because the doc told me Depakote also worked through the liver.
But then I turned 21 and it went downhill again. I get liver tests every few months and they have all come back clean, by some miracle of God. I work 4 days on, 4 days off and don't touch a drop of alcohol during my 4 days on. During my 4 off, however, I'm at the bar every night for several hours, sometimes several times a day. I've even put in a 12 hour shift at work, then went and put an 8 hour shift in on a bar stool.
At least I'm going out now. This winter I would go get 2 half-gallons of wine, sit down on the recliner, watch tv and drink at least one in 4 hours, alone. In high-school I had access to grain alcohol (Everclear). I'd be home alone when I got back from school and I'd mix myself a drink so strong I could barely choke it down, then sit on the recliner and watch the Simpsons. If I was able to get out of the chair when I finished the first one, I'd go make myself another.
During college, I got 2 underage drinking citations, one within the first 12 hours of being in the town. The second should have been a DUI, but too much time had gone by til they showed up at my house with 4 officers just for me. I've had several relationships end or not develop because of my drinking, but I find it such a good coping mechanism when I'm getting manic, that I don't want to give it up. And I'd probably be shunned from my friends.
So tonight was my first night of 4 and I didn't have a drop today and won't til Friday night. But there's a party in my hometown this weekend, and you better beleive I'm making the 5 hour drive for one purpose, to get hammered drunk with my friends and family.
Good luck to you all. Be proud that you're stronger than I am. Know that there are people out there with a problem a lot worse than yours. And most of all: Bottoms Up!