[cocoabeans]

Only because I'm at psych central do I need to state this but, this isn't an alcoholic/dependancy issue for me nor is it an excessive level of intoxication and regret thing. In fact, I rarely drink at all.

It's more of a WHY BIPOLAR? Thing.

Like many humans (and supposedly elephants?), I like to have a few drinks every few months. Tastes good, enjoy a socially acceptable and legal vice...but, I notice my mood gets thrown off. Even if it's just a couple of drinks, I always end up feeling down or anxious for a few days afterward and I know it's because I'm sensitive due to bipolar. It's not like I'm getting wasted and feeling bad about my actions or regretting a drink. It's bipolar playing tricks on me!

I guess it's good because if something with similar effects and without the hang over say... Ativan was a beverage, I'd be drunk every night but, it's annoying because for those of us without substance abuse problems, it's an enjoyable treat to have a few drinks every few months.

Frustating especially off medication because I don't want to be risking throwing off my balance. On meds, I wouldn't worry about this effect because I had my chemical security blanket holding an episode at bay. I'd observe the pattern and be well aware that if I chose to drink, I might feel slightly down for a couple days, no big deal.

Sacrifices I guess. Stupid bipolar, even when I'm stable and free of meds (and side effects) bipolar has to exist in my life.

So, what do you guys have to avoid or do to keep stable that you might not otherwise worry about?

[fergus]

I'm a bad example on more than one occasion I will swig back my pills with wine. I don't tend to give anything up because anything that makes me feel different is better than feeling numb.

[Confusedinomicon]

I drink about once a month. I usually get moodswings when I drink, but I enjoy it.

Alcohol is a natural depressant so I think people without bipolar probably experience a similar effect. It may not last as long or something, though. I don't think it's just a bipolar problem.

[Blue Poppy]

I have really been paying close attention to the occasional drink, to see if my mood changes. It does seem to drop for a few days, or else I get anxious.

It does make me sad because I really like a cooler on a hot day! I used to drink wine with a meal, but don't do it anymore.

So, I have almost given alcohol up!

There are two others that I keep track of............ caffeine and sugar, because they impact the nervous system too. I will still have the odd coffee or a sweet snack, but I have really cut back.

[BlackPup]

I used to enjoy the odd drink probably about once a month or so. Never noticed any bad side effects from it but I'm not that observant! Now I can't drink anything cos I'm pregnant.

[bluemountains]

Alcohol is the vice I have had to give up, too, even though I sometimes backslide. Alcohol is a problem for me in that when I drink, a couple of times a month, I drink a lot. With meds it is much worse for me. After drinking, it takes me about 3 days of agitation and shakiness to get rid of the effects. Now I just try to avoid it completely since moderation isn't in my vocabulary.

[PrincessxKitty]

Originally Posted by cocoabeans

Only because I'm at psych central do I need to state this but, this isn't an alcoholic/dependancy issue for me nor is it an excessive level of intoxication and regret thing. In fact, I rarely drink at all.

It's more of a WHY BIPOLAR? Thing.

Like many humans (and supposedly elephants?), I like to have a few drinks every few months. Tastes good, enjoy a socially acceptable and legal vice...but, I notice my mood gets thrown off. Even if it's just a couple of drinks, I always end up feeling down or anxious for a few days afterward and I know it's because I'm sensitive due to bipolar. It's not like I'm getting wasted and feeling bad about my actions or regretting a drink. It's bipolar playing tricks on me!

I guess it's good because if something with similar effects and without the hang over say... Ativan was a beverage, I'd be drunk every night but, it's annoying because for those of us without substance abuse problems, it's an enjoyable treat to have a few drinks every few months.

Frustating especially off medication because I don't want to be risking throwing off my balance. On meds, I wouldn't worry about this effect because I had my chemical security blanket holding an episode at bay. I'd observe the pattern and be well aware that if I chose to drink, I might feel slightly down for a couple days, no big deal.

Sacrifices I guess. Stupid bipolar, even when I'm stable and free of meds (and side effects) bipolar has to exist in my life.

So, what do you guys have to avoid or do to keep stable that you might not otherwise worry about?

booze totally screws my moods up, at least from what i've been told. honestly, i'm a horrible example cause by the time the depression hits me at a real low i have another drink in me already. kind of like the whole 'best hangover cure is another drink' deal... horrible i know

[Trippin2.0]

For me, it amplifies and drastically magnifies the present mood. So while I haven't given it up, I refuse to touch it unless I'm certain I'm not even a bit sad. Regardless of the amount I consume, I dont have after effects tho. I don't crash nor have I ever had a hangover, think my liver works overtime... That being said... I'm so not a partygirl anymore, I realized that I like control much more than I like booze, so I might enjoy the occasional drink or 2.

[SillyKitty]

Alcohol amplifies my depression, but I drink anyway. I'm in a parrtial hospitalization program, though, so I can't drink at all due to random drug and alcohol testing. :-/

[anon61514]

Makes me depressed, gives me terrible nausea - I prefer it. My University has a drinking culture, and it helped me grow out of the silliness.

So thank you lamotrigine, for fixing my unhealthy alchohol habits.

[venusss]

I am a Slavic girl, hence I drink People claim you cannot tell I am drunk... so either I can handle booze well or I act effing silly all the time.

Moodwise? I can't really tell difference. No hangovers, not much mood changes. I metabolize alcohol quite well (which has the disadvantage that sometimes one feels sober by the end of a party when everyone is drunk stupid).

[gina_re]

Does anyone think they're meds have an effect on alcohol? I feel like its magnified sine I've been on them. I had one drink a few months ago, and I felt like I had three!

[bluemountains]

Originally Posted by gina_re

Does anyone think they're meds have an effect on alcohol? I feel like its magnified sine I've been on them. I had one drink a few months ago, and I felt like I had three!

I definitely feel the effects more, and my pdoc confirmed that this would happen. It also takes me at least a couple of days to feel "normal" again. I get shaky and feel agitated.

[cocoabeans]

Meds made the post alcohol blues less bothersome otherwise, nothing. But nmaybe I wasn't on real drugs anywy lol.

Thanks for all replies.