Question:

WHAT IS ANYONES EXPERIENCE WITH FLOVENT # OF PUFFS/# OF TIMES PER DAY? ARE YOU MILD/MODERATE ASHTMATIC?  USE OF PROVENTIL HFA AND ACCOLATE.  Have been trying to cut back on flovent 110 mg 4 puffs/2x’s per day.  Have great success with accolate but upsets stomach.  Nee Proventil for exercise and in addition to flovent on bad days/ times. Thank you

Response:

WHAT IS ANYONES EXPERIENCE WITH FLOVENT # OF PUFFS/# OF TIMES PER DAY? ARE YOU MILD/MODERATE ASHTMATIC?  USE OF PROVENTIL HFA AND ACCOLATE.  Have been trying to cut back on flovent 110 mg 4 puffs/2x’s per day.  Have great success with accolate but upsets stomach.  Nee Proventil for exercise and in addition to flovent on bad days/ times. Thank you

I checked your meds against the 1997 Asthma Guidelines/Expert Panel Report. Your dose of Flovent, 880 ug/day, puts you in the Moderate-to-High category with Moderate to Severe asthma. The Guidelines recommend you also use a long-acting bronchodilator (either Serevent, or sustained-release theophylline, or long-acting beta2-agonist tablets). Proventil as needed. I’m suprised you get an upset stomach from Accolate. The product information sheet doesn’t seem to indicate this is a significant problem. I haven’t tried Accolate yet. My steroid inhaler is Vanceril DS 84. I tried to switch to Flovent 44 but my HMO won’t pay for it. I also use Serevent & Intal inhalers; and low dose Theo-Dur, 200 mg/day. Note that Flovent is twice as strong as Vanceril per ug; 1 puff Flovent 44 = 1 puff Vanceril DS 84 or 2 puffs Vanceril 42. Ellis

Response:

I use Flovent 220 mcg, two puffs 2/day. I am doing well on this dosage. Previously I was taking 500 mcg beclomethasone 2/day. I had to buy the stronger puffer in Mexico as it was never sold here. I began that treatment in France which made a world of difference in my condition. I have been told that Flovent is stronger than what I was taking and I should only need one puff twice a day, but it doesn’t seem to work that way. I need the four puffs/day. Sue

Response:

Bill, regarding your questions on Flovent, I use a combinaaation of Flovent/Serevent.  My M.D. feels the combination is better than just Flovent on its own.  I am now trying Accolate in order to reduce inhalants.  We shall see……. at least the combination above has gotten me off of prednisone for the first time in 4 years!!!  I use 2 puffs of the long-term bronchodilator twice daily and 8 puffs of the steroid inhalant daily in the afternoon (works as well as 4 puffs twice daily). My M.D. believes that Merck will have something even better than Zyflo or Accolate available in Sept.   Keep breathing!!! Jan

Response:

Bill, regarding your questions on Flovent, I use a combinaaation of Flovent/Serevent.  My M.D. feels the combination is better than just Flovent on its own.  I am now trying Accolate in order to reduce inhalants.  We shall see……. at least the combination above has gotten me off of prednisone for the first time in 4 years!!!  I use 2 puffs of the long-term bronchodilator twice daily and 8 puffs of the steroid inhalant daily in the afternoon (works as well as 4 puffs twice daily). Jan

Regarding the 8 puffs of Flovent/day in a single dose, the manufacturer, Glaxo, recommends divided doses, twice a day. See www.industryreport.com/glaxo/glaxo.html There is evidence that this can reduce the total number of puffs/day required, since the medication is designed to work for about 12 hr. If you took the Flovent at the same time as the Serevent, you would only be using inhalers twice a day instead of 3 times/day. Also it is beneficial to use a steroid inhaler in the evening because asthma is usually worst at nite with symptoms peaking around 3 am. Perhaps you could work back to 3 puffs twice a day. Of course you would need to monitor symptoms and peak flows. Congratulations on getting off the prednisone. Just a suggestion, Ellis

Response:

Question:

I have had surgery 3 times since 1984 to remove nasal polyps.  These procedures always seem to increase my airflow and help my breathing.  However, my sense of smell still comes and mostly goes.  I am wondering if the nasal irrigation procedure I am reading about in this NG – specifically, the one with the water pik will help me regain my sense of smell? The only thing that has worked in the past is when I was prescribed an anti-biotic.  This always seems to return my sense of smell, for as much as 30 days, then I can’t smell again.  Sometimes, for no apparent reason, my sense of smell returns and I am the happiest man in the world.  My whole attitude improves 100% those few days a year I cam smell.   I know whatever body part is responsible for letting me smell works fine.  I think my problem is that air the air I breathe in is obstructed and can’t reach the receptors that let me smell.  My ENT tells me that is no big deal, but I find the lack of smelling is quite debilitating. If anyone has had similar problems or solutions please contact me. Thanks in advance Ron

Response:

Ron, I have had 3 sinus surgeries to remove polyps and currently have no sense of smell either.  It improves slightly for a short time after the surgery, but after a few months it is totally gone.  Although I try not to think about it, it certainly compromises my quality of life and affects my mood.  If I were in a burning building the only way I would know is to see the smoke. The only time I get any sensation of smell is after a course of oral steroids such as Medrol and this only lasts for a short time. My ENT tells me that the problem is the same as you describe, congestion blocking the air flow to the area near the olfactory nerve.  He tells me this area is so close to the brain stem that it is too dangerous to perform surgery there. I share your frustration and unfortunately do not have a solution, but hopefully someone out there does. Alan

Response:

Hi Ron, Brother! Does your tale sound familiar! That sense of absolute elation! I can smell! It’s so joyful, and then, it’s gone. I have been without smell (or health insurance) for the last couple of years, and I was just in despair, terrible depression. No smell at all except at random intervals–usually after hiking in very clean outdoor environments, and sometimes in very steamy kitchens. I’ve had to seek therapy and get antidepressants. Just because losing smell doesn’t "handicap" you in a noticable way, doesn’t mean it isn’t debilitating you. Loss of a sense is a tremendous loss and it has real emotional effects. Smell is so strongly associated with emotions, and with sensuality and pleasure–taste, enjoyment of food and flowers and nature, all that good delicious yummy stuff. When you lose it, you really are suffering. But I never cut myself enough slack about it, tried to say it wasn’t the worst thing that could happen, which probably only made me more depressed. The last straw for me came when I became seriously sick from a gas leak and didn’t know what was going on or why I was feeling so sick until I found visual evidence of a problem anyone else could have smelled in a second. Anyway, I am now recuperating from my first (and I hope only) sinus surgery to remove polyps, straighten out a very deviated septum and clean up a mess in my frontal sinuses. (OUCH! How long does this last?)  My ENT has been very straightforward about the polyps possibly recurring and he wants to try Singulair on an ongoing basis (see earlier posts about this drug) to control recurrance. Polyps are caused by chronic inflammation and the singulair helps turn off that hyper-immune response. He’s pretty optimistic that it can work in combination with self care and keeping environmental allergies under control. He’s also optimistic that it will restore my sense of smell fully, because as you suspect about yourself, polyps were blocking the airways to the olfactory nerves. I’m optimistic because, in preparation for the surgery, he started me on the Singulair, and a short course of steriods. Within four days I was smelling things as the polyps shrank. Wheeeeee! They kicked in about the same time the anti-depressants did. I’m not exaggerating when I say I feel like I have come back from the dead. Even my boyfriend smells good. I irrigation alone couldn’t work for me. The polyps were so huge I could not get water to pass up my nostrils so I never got very far with it. You know, I have envied my cats so much the last two years! They live in a world of smell and obviously get so much pleasure from it. I see them sitting outside, eyes closed, heads tilted back and their little noses twitching…. I want to sit out on the patio with them and sniff the night air. I hope this all works and that you find a way too. Zamboni? Hockey fan? I’m missing hockey a lot since leaving Chicago. Best, Liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Zamboni88 wrote:

I have had surgery 3 times since 1984 to remove nasal polyps.  These procedures always seem to increase my airflow and help my breathing.  However, my sense of smell still comes and mostly goes.  I am wondering if the nasal irrigation procedure I am reading about in this NG – specifically, the one with the water pik will help me regain my sense of smell? The only thing that has worked in the past is when I was prescribed an anti-biotic.  This always seems to return my sense of smell, for as much as 30 days, then I can’t smell again.  Sometimes, for no apparent reason, my sense of smell returns and I am the happiest man in the world.  My whole attitude improves 100% those few days a year I cam smell. I know whatever body part is responsible for letting me smell works fine.  I think my problem is that air the air I breathe in is obstructed and can’t reach the receptors that let me smell.  My ENT tells me that is no big deal, but I find the lack of smelling is quite debilitating. If anyone has had similar problems or solutions please contact me. Thanks in advance Ron

Response:

You know, one other thought. If your ENT thinks it’s no big deal you can’t smell, fire the jerk and find another. It IS a big deal. That so-called specialist isn’t very understanding about how serious a loss of your humanity you are suffering. It _is_ depressing! It _is_ a loss! Demand that he take it seriously! If he doesn’t, check out the phone book. I didn’t give myself permission to take it seriously until I nearly got gassed to death. It’s not crippling me, I can still see, hear, walk, all that stupid stuff I kept saying to myself. No wonder I was so depressed! Don’t do to youself what I did. Good luck, Ron. Liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Zamboni88 wrote:

I have had surgery 3 times since 1984 to remove nasal polyps.  These procedures always seem to increase my airflow and help my breathing.  However, my sense of smell still comes and mostly goes.  I am wondering if the nasal irrigation procedure I am reading about in this NG – specifically, the one with the water pik will help me regain my sense of smell? The only thing that has worked in the past is when I was prescribed an anti-biotic.  This always seems to return my sense of smell, for as much as 30 days, then I can’t smell again.  Sometimes, for no apparent reason, my sense of smell returns and I am the happiest man in the world.  My whole attitude improves 100% those few days a year I cam smell. I know whatever body part is responsible for letting me smell works fine.  I think my problem is that air the air I breathe in is obstructed and can’t reach the receptors that let me smell.  My ENT tells me that is no big deal, but I find the lack of smelling is quite debilitating. If anyone has had similar problems or solutions please contact me. Thanks in advance Ron

Response:

Question:

Increasing one’s albuterol is not one of the recommended answers to falling peak flows. Inhaled steroids… yes. The overall goal is to use as little of the albuterol as possible. This should have been something that your doctor discussed. I would certainly call your doctor if your peak flows fall below 80%… and I would expect some immediate treatment.

Response:

I have a question. I recently started on Pulmicort and Accolate. For the past week, I have had very few symptoms and haven’t used any albuterol. My peak flow is running from 80% to 85% of peak. This means my peak flow is about 400 most of the time with my max at 500. The question is this, should I use albuterol when I reach the 80% mark? Or should I pass it up since I feel OK? I haven’t been using it on the theory that the least medicine is the best. I’d like to see your opinions on this. I haven’t had a chance to get back to my doctor for a while. Probably won’t see him until April. Thanks, Jim

Response:

Question:

Website Hoax on Killer Virus Triggers Hong Kong Panic Tue April 1, 2003 08:55 AM ET

so???? — Mvh / Regards -=< Christian =- What capital has 164 letters in its name? See my web page to find out. http://www.cmnielsen.dk     ICQ: 25308942 " If something’s hard to do, then it’s not worth doing. Homer J. Simpson"

Response:

Could it be that "SARS" is just an adverse reaction to the anti-depressant drug Effexor that Wyeth Pharmaceuticals is now pushing in China? Similar symptoms: 1: Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2003 Apr 1;167(7):958-61 Drug-induced Pneumonitis and Heart Failure Simultaneously Associated with Venlafaxine. Drent M, Singh S, Gorgels AP, Hansell DM, Bekers O, Nicholson AG, Van Suylen RJ, Du Bois RM. Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Maastricht, Two cases of interstitial pneumonia with cardiac failure developing in patients treated with the new antidepressant venlafaxine are presented. A strong relationship between the development of the patients’ illness and the initiation of venlafaxine treatment was identified.  The cytochrome P (CYP) 450 system is involved in the metabolism of venlafaxine, suggesting that alterations in the drug metabolic clearance might be, at least in part, responsible for the development of drug-induced damage in these cases. This might occur either as a consequence of a genetic factor or concomitant drug therapy with an inhibitor of the related CYP system.  After identifying the causative agent in the first case, withdrawal of the antidepressant together with corticosteroid treatment led to a favorable outcome. In the other case, the multiorgan failure became fatal.  These cases highlight a hitherto undescribed association of an adverse lung reaction and heart failure due to venlafaxine. PMID: 12663337 [PubMed - in process]

Response:

Could it be that "SARS" is just an adverse reaction to the anti-depressant drug Effexor that Wyeth Pharmaceuticals is now pushing in China? Similar symptoms:

Yeah, world’s first contagious drug reaction.

Response:

Could it be that "SARS" is just an adverse reaction to the anti-depressant drug Effexor that Wyeth Pharmaceuticals is now pushing in China? Similar symptoms: Yeah, world’s first contagious drug reaction.

Is it SARS or is it a reaction to the drug Effexor? Effexor is now being agressively sold in China by Wyeth who claims on its website that it has "superior safety". Yet PubMed shows several reports of severe and fatal Effexor side effects — which at this point mimic symptoms of SARS. Patients taking Effexor need to know.

Response:

Question:

I could drink coffee with no problem on Paxil and Zoloft. So far I have been able to resume since I’ve been on Effexor. I’m afraid it will lead to anxiety.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –        Does anybody have any trouble with mixing certain drugs with coffee? Do you even allow yourself to drink it anymore? — Geof

Response:

Dute de dute..de dute ..de de…(repeat 10 times and go to next poster) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Caffeine blocks absorption of most meds.. You might as well not take them if you’re going to drink coffee with them. -Rob        Does anybody have any trouble with mixing certain drugs with coffee? Do you even allow yourself to drink it anymore? — Geof

Response:

I drink instant, five talbespoons per cup with a half pint of cream. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I drink about a gallon of strong, black coffee a day. Rarely drink it after 12 noon, when I switch to iced tea. jen * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Further, and unrelated to what I’m direclty replying to, here are some excerpts from Topic 6.3 in "The Owner’s Manual for the Brain" by Pierce J. Howard with additional information about caffeine: "Caffeine belongs to a class of compounds called methylxanthines, along with theophylline and theobromine, all of which have the ability to trick the brain into thinking they are the neurotransmitter adenosine.  Adenosine is a relaxant that is required to restore the central nervous system from sympathetic to parasympathetic arousal, or from stress to relaxation.  By finding adenosine receptor sites, caffeine blocks the relaxig effects of adenosine and maintains high arousal." "Caffene’s arousing properties were found to be associated not only with mental alertness, but also with physical endurance". "It inhibits phosphodiesterase (PDE).  PDE is an enzyme that breaks down adenosine, so inhibiting PDE makes more adenosine available.  This results in psychmotor stimulation, increased alertness, faster heart rate, and faster breathing.  Excessive arousal appears to result in errors of commission (for example, typographical errors), whereas deficient arousal appears to result in errors of omission (for example, skipping a paragraph while typing)." "If the less impulsive person consumes caffeinated beverages upon waking, he or she will tend to perform poorly on complex mental tasks.  If the more impulsive person tries a complex mental task upon waking before consuming a caffeinated beverage, he or she will tend to perform poorly.  Toward the end of the day, this pattern switches:  in the evening, less impulsive people perform complex mental tasks better with a hit of caffeine,; more impulsive people perform complex tasks better without it." "Some of these compounds [in caffeine] are antioxidants, the chmicals that disarm (or bind) free radicals and inhibit their insatiable appetite for vital cell membranes." "Ten grams is a lethal dose, while for small children 35 milligrams per kilogram of body weight is toxic." "Consumption of 400 to 500 milligrams of caffeine per day is associated wtih dependence.  Symptoms of caffeine dependence are diarrhea, nausea, light-headedness, irregular heartbeat, irritability, and insomnia." "The arousal effects of one cup of caffeinated coffee last about 6 hours but vary according to the individual." "Women who drink coffee are less likely to commit suicide than those who don’t according to a report in the Archives of internal Medicine." "Coffee has a dark side: the DSM-IV includes four caffeeine-related diagnoses: caffeine intoxication, caffeine-related anxiety disorder, caffeine-related sleep disorder, and (in the appendix) caffeine withdrawl. In addition to these problems, caffeine, a stimulant, can wreak havok with calming prescription drugs such as antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and neuroleptic tranquilizers." "Higher caffeine consumption was found to be correlated with lower academic perfrormance." "Check out the newsgroup alt.drugs.caffeine on the Internet for furth information and discussion.  A FAQ (frequently asked questions) file is available.  It is maintained by Alex Lopex-Ortiz at the University of [all this from pages 111-115 of the book] On that note, with the last quote.. I’d suggest any caffeine discussions be taken there, and you look for similar symptoms within that group. -Rob

Response:

etched permanently in the ether: BUT  I understand that the amount of caffeine in chocolate is not high, and it may not be in "chocolate flavoring" at all.

From my phsych pharm class–a long time ago: It takes 5 to 10 cups of coffee per day to become addicted to the caffeine.  It takes a LOT less of Mountain Dew or other similar drinks. It takes a pound of chocolate a day to get enough caffeine to risk addiction. HOWEVER, chocolate also contains theobromine a stronger stimulant than caffeine–so be aware of this fact. Nancy

Response:

Caffeine blocks absorption of most meds.. You might as well not take them if you’re going to drink coffee with them. -Rob

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –        Does anybody have any trouble with mixing certain drugs with coffee? Do you even allow yourself to drink it anymore? — Geof

Response:

I think the zoloft made you manic.. it’s a mood-"upper".. -Rob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sometimes  noticed coffee  making me a bit manic for an hour or two. That happened when I had started Zoloft (sertraline). Hasa        Does anybody have any trouble with mixing certain drugs with coffee? Do you even allow yourself to drink it anymore? — Geof

Response:

I drink about a gallon of strong, black coffee a day. Rarely drink it after 12 noon, when I switch to iced tea. jen * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Interestingly enough, I was completely caffiene-free for five years preceding and throughout my first manic episode. For that matter, I was a complete health nut…. had given up smoking for 7 years, ran 3-5 miles daily, lifted weights, drank no caffienated beverages, and ate a vegetarian diet of whole grains. It really perplexed my G.P….. he kept offering the standard insomnia advice to "eat well, exercise early in the day, stay away from caffiene" yet still I could not sleep. These days, I am smoking a pack a day again, eating meat, don’t ever exercise, and drink gallons of coffee. Go figure. jen * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Rob, who told you that? Where did that information come from? Please explain that and where you got that from. Eric Steroids caused my depression…prednisone should be used conservatively. Beware of steroids!! * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

       Does anybody have any trouble with mixing certain drugs with coffee? Do you even allow yourself to drink it anymore? — Geof

I found coffee made me too jittery and irritable when I was taking Wellbutrin.  On the other hand, it helped modify the fatigue caused by my SSRI, Luvox

Response:

I love my strong stuff in the morning — two cups.  Then probably 2 cups of the kaka they have at work.  After that, my insides can’t take anymore and I have to switch to water….. But I love the stuff! — Eileen [The world will go as it wills; not as you or I would have it.  MZB]

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –        Does anybody have any trouble with mixing certain drugs with coffee? Do you even allow yourself to drink it anymore? — Geof

Response:

I don’t drink coffee..but I do LOVE caffeine! That’s why, for those morning’s I wake up achy and grogy with a "dull" headache..I grab Anacin, as besides ASA, it also has caffiene in it. It’s been a lifesaver sometimes, especially after a "night out". Plus, I find often on medications, you don’t get that "complete..refreshed" sleep. Even with just a few hours sleep..it has held me for at least the morning! James:-) — "Dying is only one thing to be sad over. Living unhappily is something else." Morrie Schwartz "We must love one another or perish. Not physically,but spiritually and socially." W.H. Auden "Some day we will wave hello…and wish we’d never waved goodbye…"

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I love my strong stuff in the morning — two cups.  Then probably 2 cups of the kaka they have at work.  After that, my insides can’t take anymore and I have to switch to water….. But I love the stuff! — Eileen [The world will go as it wills; not as you or I would have it.  MZB]        Does anybody have any trouble with mixing certain drugs with coffee? Do you even allow yourself to drink it anymore? — Geof

Response:

Robbie,   P.J. Howard is old hat,  such a bore. please.. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Further, and unrelated to what I’m direclty replying to, here are some excerpts from Topic 6.3 in "The Owner’s Manual for the Brain" by Pierce J. Howard with additional information about caffeine: "Caffeine belongs to a class of compounds called methylxanthines, along with theophylline and theobromine, all of which have the ability to trick the brain into thinking they are the neurotransmitter adenosine.  Adenosine is a relaxant that is required to restore the central nervous system from sympathetic to parasympathetic arousal, or from stress to relaxation.  By finding adenosine receptor sites, caffeine blocks the relaxig effects of adenosine and maintains high arousal." "Caffene’s arousing properties were found to be associated not only with mental alertness, but also with physical endurance". "It inhibits phosphodiesterase (PDE).  PDE is an enzyme that breaks down adenosine, so inhibiting PDE makes more adenosine available.  This results in psychmotor stimulation, increased alertness, faster heart rate, and faster breathing.  Excessive arousal appears to result in errors of commission (for example, typographical errors), whereas deficient arousal appears to result in errors of omission (for example, skipping a paragraph while typing)." "If the less impulsive person consumes caffeinated beverages upon waking, he or she will tend to perform poorly on complex mental tasks.  If the more impulsive person tries a complex mental task upon waking before consuming a caffeinated beverage, he or she will tend to perform poorly.  Toward the end of the day, this pattern switches:  in the evening, less impulsive people perform complex mental tasks better with a hit of caffeine,; more impulsive people perform complex tasks better without it." "Some of these compounds [in caffeine] are antioxidants, the chmicals that disarm (or bind) free radicals and inhibit their insatiable appetite for vital cell membranes." "Ten grams is a lethal dose, while for small children 35 milligrams per kilogram of body weight is toxic." "Consumption of 400 to 500 milligrams of caffeine per day is associated wtih dependence.  Symptoms of caffeine dependence are diarrhea, nausea, light-headedness, irregular heartbeat, irritability, and insomnia." "The arousal effects of one cup of caffeinated coffee last about 6 hours but vary according to the individual." "Women who drink coffee are less likely to commit suicide than those who don’t according to a report in the Archives of internal Medicine." "Coffee has a dark side: the DSM-IV includes four caffeeine-related diagnoses: caffeine intoxication, caffeine-related anxiety disorder, caffeine-related sleep disorder, and (in the appendix) caffeine withdrawl. In addition to these problems, caffeine, a stimulant, can wreak havok with calming prescription drugs such as antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and neuroleptic tranquilizers." "Higher caffeine consumption was found to be correlated with lower academic perfrormance." "Check out the newsgroup alt.drugs.caffeine on the Internet for furth information and discussion.  A FAQ (frequently asked questions) file is available.  It is maintained by Alex Lopex-Ortiz at the University of [all this from pages 111-115 of the book] On that note, with the last quote.. I’d suggest any caffeine discussions be taken there, and you look for similar symptoms within that group. -Rob

Response:

It takes a pound of chocolate a day to get enough caffeine to risk addiction.

 - so that’s the amount I need to eat – sheesh I’ve been playing in the shallows – (really NOT SERIOUS!) HOWEVER, chocolate also contains theobromine a stronger stimulant than caffeine–so be aware of this fact.

   - an added bonus – er now how many stairs will I need to climb to work off the excess cals?  (if anything would make me appear manic I suspect that would). — Anne Marshall          

Response:

: I am down to one cup a day. I love it. <snipped I don’t know what the connection is between bipolar and caffeine, but somewhere along the line there was an extreme change in my sensitivity to caffeine. Could it be a medication invoked reaction? Coffee I limit to one weak cup with breakfast sometimes, Get more from cola’s, two colas will make me sicker than a dog, wired for a few hours. Vern

Response:

      Does anybody have any trouble with mixing certain drugs with coffee? Do you even allow yourself to drink it anymore? — Geof

I have ONE cup in the morning.  Anything that would trigger a mania is amplified with coffee or any caffeine product. And watch the vitamin b-12–see my post–if you like that kind of a boost–b-12 will do it. <g Nancy

Response:

SO THATS WHAT WAS WRONG ALL THESE YEARS,,,MIXING ALL THOSE COFFEES WITH MY ZOLOFT! cimpson2

Response:

please stop typing in caps it is considered rude and yelling – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – SO THATS WHAT WAS WRONG ALL THESE YEARS,,,MIXING ALL THOSE COFFEES WITH MY ZOLOFT! cimpson2

Response:

I guess I’d say that my mixing could include coffee, neurontin, lamictal, buspar and klonipin-I drink them down with coffee every morning. -Thumper

Question:

Without blinking an eye, he wrote a script for testosterone cream. I’d actually heard about it on the Leeza show and on Oprah, but figured my HMO would never provide such a thing–it has to be compounded. I have been on the testosterone cream for about 3 months–and my desire is SOOOO much better–not like when I was 20, but at least sex is now a regular activity for us.

You’ve got a very cool doctor.  I never thought of that.  Thanks for mentioning it.  

Response:

Without blinking an eye, he wrote a script for testosterone cream. I’d actually heard about it on the Leeza show and on Oprah, but figured my HMO would never provide such a thing–it has to be compounded. I have been on the testosterone cream for about 3 months–and my desire is SOOOO much better–not like when I was 20, but at least sex is now a regular activity for us. You’ve got a very cool doctor.  I never thought of that.  Thanks for mentioning it.  

I saw him on a fluke.  I now have a NEW ob/gyn.  I was so afraid he would not speak english due to his name–I made hubby go with me. you see, I found a growth–or so I thought and I was really scared. Turns out to be just an extra flap of tissue and nothing to worry about. Also, the testosterone cream has totally alleviated my vulvodena–a pain in the you know where! LOL Nancy To respond via email, delete "nospam" from my address. Please visit the new moderated recovery group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info Also, check out the guafenisin group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.guaifenesin Please visit the new group, alt.talk.grandparents.

Response:

I have been on trazadone for almost 20 years.  Last summer, I lost all sexual desire–I don tthink it was the traz or other meds–maybe just stress of my situation. First I tried OTC synthetic progesterone and wild yam cream–that helped quite a bit.  Then I had a urgent appointment with a new ob/gyn (I am female) on another issue.and told him about my desire issue. Without blinking an eye, he wrote a script for testosterone cream. I’d actually heard about it on the Leeza show and on Oprah, but figured my HMO would never provide such a thing–it has to be compounded. I have been on the testosterone cream for about 3 months–and my desire is SOOOO much better–not like when I was 20, but at least sex is now a regular activity for us. HTH someone, Nancy To respond via email, delete "nospam" from my address. Please visit the new moderated recovery group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info Also, check out the guafenisin group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.guaifenesin Please visit the new group, alt.talk.grandparents.

Response:

I found this message board with posts from pdocs and others talking about how to revive sex drives in depressed patients who lose it through taking anti depressants.  I thought it might be of interest. Dr. Bob’s Psychopharmacology Tips SSRI sexual dysfunction —— I have had good experience withe use of buspirone to reverse SSRI effects on libido and orgasm and find this method to be more useful than other approaches touted in the literature. —— I haven’t had much luck with buspirone reversing sexual dysfunction (I am having better luck with bupropion). —— He responded very well to Prozac. Unfortunately he developed intolerable retarded ejaculation. Bupropion would be a good choice as it seldom causes sexual dysfunction. Trazodone can seldom be given in doses high enough to be effective without being too sedating. If the bupropion does not help, you might consider restarting the Prozac and co-administering buspirone 10-20 mg tid. Buspirone has been reported to protect some men from the sexual side effects of the SSRIs. If the buspirone fails, some other medications that may help sexual function are amantadine and cyproheptadine. —— I have found a number of strategies useful with this type of problem but no one panacea. Sometimes, adding 75 mg of bupropion can make a difference. There has been some success for some of my patients with cyproheptadine 2-4 mg about an hour before sex although most of my colleagues have not been impressed. There is the danger of the anti-serotonin effect with this drug but I have never encountered it. The sedation might also be a problem (since about half the people using antihistamines become sedated). Of course, sedation would be a big problem with trazodone, especially for those of us who favor morning sex. —— Although I haven’t had a report from any patients yet, I’ve heard that nefazodone (Serzone) is similar to bupropion in absence of sexual side effects. —— Either treat the sexual dysfunction secondary to SSRIs with one of the anecdotal treatments, e.g. buspirone 10-20 mg po tid, amantidine, or cyproheptidine, or switch to venlafaxine (in my experience less sexual dysfunction) or bupropion. —— Dr. John Feighner (creater of the Feighner criteria, which led to the RDC and then to DSM-III and IV) states that he has successfully treated SSRI-associated sexual dysfunction in 3 individuals with methylphenidate (Ritalin), 10-30 mg/day. This fits conceptually with reports of the efficacy of amantadine, another dopamine agonist, and with the idea that SSRI-associated apathy (including lowered libido) may be related to dopamine down-regulation. —— I’ve had fairly good (75%, small n) luck with cyproheptadine, 2-4 mg several hours before sex or 2-4 mg TID regularly, for sexual dysfunction/loss of interest with SSRIs. One also can try adding small doses of bupropion to the SSRI for both depression and loss of sexual interest. —— Some of us have had success with telling patients to skip the dose the day of expected sexual acitivity, and that works pretty well with venlafaxine (Effexor) (not a true SSRI, but…) in my experience. I have also noticed that just switching SSRIs can often alleviate the problem. I seem to be seeing that on the Prozac-Zoloft-Paxil axis I can just move a patient from one to another and often clear things up. I’ll bet that is a buggy solution and that my "n" is not large enough to justify any conclusions, but as long as it works I guess I’ll keep going with it. I have also been disappointed that trying to switch my patients to Wellbutrin, now touted for its lack of sexual side effects, doesn’t seem to help many of them. In the really problematic cases, I urge them to give a TCA a trial, because despite some of the other side effects those are still very reliable medications. I just don’t like having that lethal overdose potential and I prefer the rapid onset of action the SSRIs seem to demonstrate. —— My 2 cents’ worth: Lower SSRI dose. Try SSRI vacation on weekends. Add cyproheptadine 4-28 mg 30-60 min prior to sex (if they can stay awake). Add trazodone if problem seems to be erectile failure. Add bupropion 75-100 mg in AM (adrenergic effect seems to help). Switch out of class to therapeutic dose of bupropion, nefazodone, etc. My experience is that switching within class rarely works but is worth try in some cases. Re-think if this is medication side effect, consider work with couple. —— There are a few more psychopharmacologic interventions that are often useful: amantadine 100 mg bid or tid buspirone 5-10 mg tid or qid (may increase desire too) dextroamphetamine 5 mg tid or qid methylphenidate 10 mg tid or qid. —— I’ve also had good luck adding yohimbine, 5.4 mg bid to tid. —— Yohimbine is often effective but may precipitate manic episodes in pholks with bipolar disorder. —— Try adding buspirone (Buspar). Michael Norden recently reported benefits. I have been doing the same for about a year with substantial benefits about 1/2 the time. I use 5 mg bid upped qweek by 5 bid to 20-30 bid total. Usually it takes a couple of weeks to get effects. If the patient is on high dose SSRIs, be careful. One of my patients had a mild serotonin syndrome-like event on Buspar 60/d and Paxil 60/day. It is also helpful to be more specific about the sexual side effects. Decreased libido and ejaculatory latency are different phenomena and the latter may respond better to Buspar addition. In addition, many (maybe most) men on SSRIs report decreased masturbation frequency. But this does not necessarily indicate sexual dysfunction — since on closer questioning, many of these same men report intact erotic responsiveness to external sexual stimuli. —— One thing to consider is whether you can lower the dose of the SSRI. That was helpful for three of my female patients. Another female patient did well with cyproheptadine (Periactin) though it cut down on spontaneity. —— My experience with SSRIs is that they [can] cause decreased libido as well as anorgasmia. Personally, I believe that the problems are rather difficult to treat. I have had little success with adding Periactin, Buspar or Wellbutrin. I have found that more often than not I am forced to lower the SSRI or stop it completely when the patient complains about these side effects. —— I have found that loss of sex drive in depressed patients often occurs separately from the symptom of diminished libido that is part of depression. The … read more »

Response:

Question:

Hi all, My fiance has been put on Zoloft for anxiety.  He’s taking 25 mg daily, which is half of the proscribed dosage, but he feels it’s working well enough to stick with that dosage.  His neuro put him on nortriptyline last week for migraines and said "it tends to work well in conjunction with zoloft."  Problem is the drowsiness it’s causing is leaving him a zombie, and he feels the migraines are better than the drowsiness.  Furthermore, he looked in his drug reference book and, according to that, zoloft and nortriptyline do EXACTLY the same thing in terms of serotonin reuptake. So my questions are: Why would a neuro prescribe nortriptyline and zoloft at the same time?  Do they really do the same thing/is there any benefit to taking them both at the same time?  Is anyone out there taking zoloft and nortriptyline together?  And–probably most important–how long can he expect the drowsiness to last?  He’s already decided to quit the nortriptyline altogether and double the zoloft dose, but we’re both sort of wondering if that’s the right thing to do. — someone

Response:

Okay, let me clarify.  First, he only took nortriptyline for about 4 days, as it was *just* prescribed by his neuro.  So the fact that he quit "cold turkey" isn’t really significant IMO.  The neuro did indeed tell him it would take about 6 weeks for any "noticeable effects," and that the drowsiness would last maybe 2-4 weeks; but he decided that he could not deal with it for that long.  (BTW he was taking it at bedtime and then sleeping for 10+ hours, but was still like a zombie the next day.)  As for the zoloft, that was prescribed by his psychiatrist for anxiety.  He started that in the usual fashion with an extremely small dose and worked up to .25 mg, which is half of the proscribed "full dose."  His shrink had intended for him to advance to the full dose, but he stopped at .25 mg because he felt it was doing a very good job with the anxiety at that level, so taking more was not necessary (he discussed this with his shrink just last week, and even he felt that was pretty sound logic).  Then when he read that zoloft and nortriptyline do the same thing, he decided to drop the nortryptiline and up the zoloft to the originally intended dose. Incidentally, *now* he’s not sure he’s even *having* migraines anymore; he says now that he thinks about it, he can’t remember the last time he had a *real* migraine.  He has some of the symptoms all the time, like flashing lights, etc., but as far as *pain* goes, he’s beginning to think that those are either tension headaches or Excedrin rebound headaches–since they don’t occur just on one side like his usual migraines.  Seems like the *possible* (we hope) disappearance of full-blown migraines correlates pretty well with when he started taking zoloft.  We’ve got our fingers crossed. And here’s an interesting side note: Last October he underwent a sleep study to test for possible sleep apnea.  He has serious problems getting up in the morning, and is physically tired all day regardless of how much sleep he gets.  The study did not turn up any signs of sleep apnea, but did show an early-onset of REM which, according to the neuro, is common in people who suffer from depression (which causes which, nobody knows).  BUT he does not suffer from depression at all, at least no outward signs.  Is it possible to have "clinical depression" without *ever* feeling depressed?  Anyway the neuro said nortryptiline is especially good at treating depression, and "works well in conjunction with zoloft."  Too bad he couldn’t handle the drowsiness. BTW, he is still taking zoloft at bedtime, with xanax to counteract the jitters.  I guess the nortryptiline did *too good* of a job counteracting them. Whew!  So then, you seem to have a certain amount of medical background. What do you think of all this? — Ninerfan (a.k.a. Someone–now posting from her own computer instead of her boyfriend’s)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Zoloft (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, a/k/a SSRI)often causes "jitters," and difficulty in getting to sleep or staying asleep. The sedating tricyclic/heterocyclic(TCAs or HCAs) antidepressants (ADs) cause drowsiness or deep sleep without addiction. (Some drugs in that class aren’t sedating.) Both are useful for migraine prophylaxis (px); ergo, each prescribed together, with extra potential to prevent migraines, increase your actual physical pain tolerance, increase the effectiveness of analgesics and each (with luck) canceling out some of the side effects of each other. This is awfully clever prescribing, actually, and I wish my docs had thought of it! Pamelor (nortriptyline) is a second-generation tricyclic, a direct derivative of Elavil or Tofranil (I forget which)–sort of a pre-digested Elavil/Tofranil. First-generation drugs go through a bunch o’ changes as they’re metabolized. The thinking was that for depression, if you could give patients something which was farther along in the process of conversion to a substance useful to the body, the AD would work faster. This might mean patients wouldn’t have to wait 4-6 weeks to see if the AD would work. Unfortunately, second- and third-generation ADs were no faster at lifting depressions. However, they had fewer serious side effects for many people while still maintaining the effectiveness of the older drugs for many people. Pamelor is generally prescribed before bedtime and Zoloft in the morning. Anxiety disorders generally don’t respond well to the TCAs or HCAs, but many of the SSRIs and the neither/or ADs (Desyrel/trazodone, for instance) are very useful in obsess.-comp. dis., gen’l anx. dis., etc. ABSOLUTELY do not d/c nortriptyline abruptly!!! This is very important. And NEVER double the dosage of a psych medicine on your own. Some cause heart arrythmias, some cause whacko neurological problems, wierd thoughts/behavior, etc. Call the doctor and state the complaint. Hi all, My fiance has been put on Zoloft for anxiety.  He’s taking 25 mg daily, which is half of the proscribed dosage, but he feels it’s working well enough to stick with that dosage.  His neuro put him on nortriptyline last week for migraines and said "it tends to work well in conjunction with zoloft."  Problem is the drowsiness it’s causing is leaving him a zombie, and he feels the migraines are better than the drowsiness.  Furthermore, he looked in his drug reference book and, according to that, zoloft and nortriptyline do EXACTLY the same thing in terms of serotonin reuptake. So my questions are: Why would a neuro prescribe nortriptyline and zoloft at the same time?  Do they really do the same thing/is there any benefit to taking them both at the same time?  Is anyone out there taking zoloft and nortriptyline together?  And–probably most important–how long can he expect the drowsiness to last?  He’s already decided to quit the nortriptyline altogether and double the zoloft dose, but we’re both sort of wondering if that’s the right thing to do. — someone

Response:

Question: *Why* is it a "good idea" to wean yourself off of a medication which is preventing migraines?

My opinion…. A medication takes upwards to 6 weeks at times to fully get into ones system….. stopping a medication quickly can shock ones system and might cause further medical complications… the medications dont know that we are taking them for migraines…… I take a blood pressure medication called Inderal… if I were to stop taking this completely cold turkey, it might shock my pressure and system and cause all sorts of difficulities…… make sense? Kristen Leigh

Response:

Hi Debby, He only took nortriptyline for about 4 days, so we’re not really worried about side effects.  I’m concerned that maybe he didn’t give it long enough, but he’s a big boy, so I can’t really make him take it if he doesn’t want to. Question: *Why* is it a "good idea" to wean yourself off of a medication which is preventing migraines? — Ninerfan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – and I agree would be a good idea.  Please be very careful—if you are considering changing medication don’t do it suddenly or without consulting your doctor–there can be VERY nasty side effects from sudden withdrawal. Debby

Response:

Zoloft (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, a/k/a SSRI)often causes "jitters," and difficulty in getting to sleep or staying asleep. The sedating tricyclic/heterocyclic(TCAs or HCAs) antidepressants (ADs) cause drowsiness or deep sleep without addiction. (Some drugs in that class aren’t sedating.) Both are useful for migraine prophylaxis (px); ergo, each prescribed together, with extra potential to prevent migraines, increase your actual physical pain tolerance, increase the effectiveness of analgesics and each (with luck) canceling out some of the side effects of each other. This is awfully clever prescribing, actually, and I wish my docs had thought of it! Pamelor (nortriptyline) is a second-generation tricyclic, a direct derivative of Elavil or Tofranil (I forget which)–sort of a pre-digested Elavil/Tofranil. First-generation drugs go through a bunch o’ changes as they’re metabolized. The thinking was that for depression, if you could give patients something which was farther along in the process of conversion to a substance useful to the body, the AD would work faster. This might mean patients wouldn’t have to wait 4-6 weeks to see if the AD would work. Unfortunately, second- and third-generation ADs were no faster at lifting depressions. However, they had fewer serious side effects for many people while still maintaining the effectiveness of the older drugs for many people. Pamelor is generally prescribed before bedtime and Zoloft in the morning. Anxiety disorders generally don’t respond well to the TCAs or HCAs, but many of the SSRIs and the neither/or ADs (Desyrel/trazodone, for instance) are very useful in obsess.-comp. dis., gen’l anx. dis., etc. ABSOLUTELY do not d/c nortriptyline abruptly!!! This is very important. And NEVER double the dosage of a psych medicine on your own. Some cause heart arrythmias, some cause whacko neurological problems, wierd thoughts/behavior, etc. Call the doctor and state the complaint. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, My fiance has been put on Zoloft for anxiety.  He’s taking 25 mg daily, which is half of the proscribed dosage, but he feels it’s working well enough to stick with that dosage.  His neuro put him on nortriptyline last week for migraines and said "it tends to work well in conjunction with zoloft."  Problem is the drowsiness it’s causing is leaving him a zombie, and he feels the migraines are better than the drowsiness.  Furthermore, he looked in his drug reference book and, according to that, zoloft and nortriptyline do EXACTLY the same thing in terms of serotonin reuptake. So my questions are: Why would a neuro prescribe nortriptyline and zoloft at the same time?  Do they really do the same thing/is there any benefit to taking them both at the same time?  Is anyone out there taking zoloft and nortriptyline together?  And–probably most important–how long can he expect the drowsiness to last?  He’s already decided to quit the nortriptyline altogether and double the zoloft dose, but we’re both sort of wondering if that’s the right thing to do. — someone

Response:

I am taking Elavil and Prozac together, and I had the same questions as to why take two antidepressants together.  I’m not sure what the reasoning is behind it, but it’s quite common for migraines.  I take the Elavil at night and it helps me sleep.  The first week or so I was a zombie, but it got better after about 10 days.  Tell him to hang in there, it gets better.

Response:

snip<  i THINK that nortriptyline is amytriptyline (sp?) (elavil)? & is classified as a tricyclic, wheras zoloft is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor).  

Nortriptyline is the generic name for Pamelar and amytriptyline is the generic name for Elavil.  They are similar but not the same.   I’m not sure if they are classified as tricyclics…I never did understand what tricyclics were anyway. if that’s the case, perhaps they work a little differently, albeit both on the serotonin. in any event, my experience with the drowsiness is that it passes after awhile.  it was the dry mouth (from elavil; i haven’t been on zoloft) that bummed me out.

I’ve been on nortriptyline for 5 years.  My dosage has ranged from 50 to 100 mgs.  I barely notice the side effects.  I keep trying to find a less stressful time so that I can start to wean myself which my doctor and I agree would be a good idea.  Please be very careful—if you are considering changing medication don’t do it suddenly or without consulting your doctor–there can be VERY nasty side effects from sudden withdrawal. Debby

Response:

: , he : looked in his drug reference book and, according to that, zoloft and : nortriptyline do EXACTLY the same thing in terms of serotonin reuptake. :  i THINK that nortriptyline is amytriptyline (sp?) (elavil)? & is classified : as a tricyclic, wheras zoloft is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake : inhibitor).   if that’s the case, perhaps they work a little differently, : albeit both on the serotonin. in any event, my experience with the : drowsiness is that it passes after awhile.  it was the dry mouth (from : elavil; i haven’t been on zoloft) that bummed me out. I believe nortriptyline is *related* to amitriptyline (none of this spelling looks right to me), not the same thing. Many of these antidepressants do *roughly* the same thing, but in slightly different ways.  This is why they may have different side effects and may work better in combination than alone. I’m switching off of Zoloft, and am trying Wellbutrin.  (Actually I’m on both now, as the Wellbutrin settles in, so I don’t get left with a period with no antidepressant — I have clinical depression.)  I may, however, end up taking two different antidepressants, taking one which has sleepiness side effects in the evening and Wellbutrin, which has energizing side effects, earlier in the day.  Lots of folks do it that way.  The sedative effect of the med taken in the evening helps one sleep. Years ago I was on amitryptaline to see if it would help my migraines, and I discovered that I could count on falling asleep almost exactly 30 minutes after I took my dose.  Which was great, because I often have trouble falling asleep. Priscilla

Response:

, he looked in his drug reference book and, according to that, zoloft and nortriptyline do EXACTLY the same thing in terms of serotonin reuptake.

 i THINK that nortriptyline is amytriptyline (sp?) (elavil)? & is classified as a tricyclic, wheras zoloft is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor).   if that’s the case, perhaps they work a little differently, albeit both on the serotonin. in any event, my experience with the drowsiness is that it passes after awhile.  it was the dry mouth (from elavil; i haven’t been on zoloft) that bummed me out.

Response:

You miss the point.  Why stop at all, if that medication is preventing the migraines?  Isn’t this sort of telling the patient that the migraine is all in your head and you just have to deal with it?  As if you have agoraphobia or something that you just have to "get over"?  To put it another way, if you were taking insulin shots for diabetes, would your doctor attempt to "wean" you off of insulin?

No, I dont think it is the same thing and I dont think that the doctors are saying that it is all in our heads.. at least the good ones…… what I do think is that… as I posted earlier….. I was told that it is possible that the migraine is cyclic… meaning that they come in cycles and if that cycle is broken, it is possible to be without the medications for a while…. I am not a doctor, nor do I pretend to be one.. all I know is what I have been told and learned myself….. and that is that I see two possibilities for weaning off a medication… one the med isnt working and one is at a dosage that is too high just to stop cold turkey and switch….. as is the case I have with the inderal I am on… or two….. that the doctor wants to see if the patient is able to survive off the medications without getting the migraines back again…… if I had the possibility of breaking a cycle of migraines and living life with one or two a year and NOT being on medications….. well, it would be a dream come true….. I would think that it would be worth a shot at least to find out….. from a laymans point of view……unlike a diabetic….. blood sugar levels are able to be tested where as migraines (at least most from what I gather) cannot be found on any one test…. this leaves open a lot of room for opinion and differences  in treatments……. if a diabetic’s system were to improve then this person would need less and less insulin…. possibly even get to a point where they dont need it….. as has happened with juvinile diabetis… sooooooo  lets get hypothetical for a moment….. if there WERE a test for migraines.. and a patients system were to show that they are needing less and less of a medication… wouldnt it make sense for them to take the lesser dosage necessary?  so in that respect… since there ISNT a test to tell this…. one must try it and see…. as with us trying different medications and different courses of treatment.. each is different… each doctor is different.. each migraine is different… all one can do is experiment and try to get to the as I said, this is just my opinion and what I have been told….. Again, I am not a doctor and cannot speak for why individuals are weaned off meds or not, it is just a theory which in my laypersons opinion.. think is a valid one that if I were to get to the point that I  did not have a migraine in lets say  a year …. I would certaintly want to TRY and see if I were able to survive without all these drugs…. I hate taking them at all times and even now dream for the day to live life without them…… it is a constant fight going on within… why at 25 do I have to take all this junk…… what did I ever do… I might never have that answer…. who knows? Kristen Leigh

Response:

You miss the point.  Why stop at all, if that medication is preventing the migraines?  Isn’t this sort of telling the patient that the migraine is all in your head and you just have to deal with it?  As if you have agoraphobia or something that you just have to "get over"?  To put it another way, if you were taking insulin shots for diabetes, would your doctor attempt to "wean" you off of insulin? — Ninerfan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Question: *Why* is it a "good idea" to wean yourself off of a medication which is preventing migraines? My opinion…. A medication takes upwards to 6 weeks at times to fully get into ones system….. stopping a medication quickly can shock ones system and might cause further medical complications… the medications dont know that we are taking them for migraines…… I take a blood pressure medication called Inderal… if I were to stop taking this completely cold turkey, it might shock my pressure and system and cause all sorts of difficulities…… make sense? Kristen Leigh

Response:

: Question: *Why* is it a "good idea" to wean yourself off of a medication : which is preventing migraines? Because stopping *any* medication too suddenly can shock the body and produce unpleasant effects. Priscilla

Response:

Hi Debby, snip< Question: *Why* is it a "good idea" to wean yourself off of a medication which is preventing migraines? — Ninerfan

Hi Ninerfan, Sorry it has taken me so long to reply to your question. I’ve been taking nortriptyline in varying dosages for about six years. In the meantime, I have also taken various other combinations of medicine to prevent my migraines and to treat my chronic daily headaches.  In addition to the nortriptyline, I also take Verapamil (calan){as a preventative} which is a calcium-channel blocker usually prescribed for high blood pressure.  When I began taking the Verapamil several years ago, my chronic daily headaches disappeared almost immediately.  Unless I am extremely stressed, my migraines (with aura) are pretty infrequent and they respond well to a combination of midrin and compazine or to DHE. I started taking nortriptyline when I was first being treated for rebound headaches from taking too much tylenol.  At that time I was having headaches every day and migraines, as often as 2 – 3 times a week.  Since my headaches seem to be much less of a problem, it seems like a good idea to try to eliminate one of the medicines I take every day.  I expect to take Verapamil or other blood pressure medicines for quite some time since I am also taking them because I have moderately elevated blood pressure.  We’re trying to determine if I still need to take the nortriptyline anymore. I’m not a doctor nor do I play one on this newsgroup but I hope that this explanantion is helpful. Debby

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This sounds like it could be the start of agoraphobia. I’m surprised that the Xanax isn’t controlling it, although, I’m not sure if "reluctant" means you don’t go far from home at all or you do but don’t ‘enjoy’ the experience. Zoloft, like all anti-depressants, does take 4-8 weeks to work fully, however, Xanax’s action is almost immediate, usually 10-15 minutes. You haven’t stated quantities, but it seems that your dosage is too low.  In addition to altering the dose, you can also use Xanax as a ’security blanket,’ take some with you and if you feel the need take an additional tablet. Initially, you may need the extra Xanax, but in time just knowing its there is enough. The meds. used to treat agoraphobia are exactly the same as for anxiety, so are the dosages. The point is that agoraphobia is a manifestation of fear, ie: anxiety, so if you lessen/eliminate the anxiety then you also lessen/eliminate agoraphobia. Ian    Ian<<atdragoncon<dotnet

I have been on a full treatment regimen of all the SSRI’s, while using Xanax and/or klonipin, and found the SSRI’s always, no matter how long I was on them for (sometimes up to two years at max dosage) created a mix of anxiety and fatigue. Now, YMMV, and this is just me, but I find the short acting benzo’s like Xanax, Serax, Ativan, the best. In particular Xanax. My belief is that, even though the drugs don’t stay in the body a long time, for somebody who wants to avoid depression caused by using benzo’s, this may be a good thing. The Xanax gets into the body, does it’s job of calming me down, and gets out. Just the chemical changes alone may be enough without having a constant stream of the drug running through your veins. Again, this is just my opinion and experience, and everybody IS different. Just thought I would share it. Peace James — "All of us get lost in the darkness… Dreamers learn to steer by the stars.." Neil Peart, Rush, "The Pass"

Response:

snipped I have been on a full treatment regimen of all the SSRI’s, while using Xanax and/or klonipin, and found the SSRI’s always, no matter how long I was on them for (sometimes up to two years at max dosage) created a mix of anxiety and fatigue. Now, YMMV, and this is just me, but I find the short acting benzo’s like Xanax, Serax, Ativan, the best. snipped James

Hi, James Obviously you’re a benzo type guy, rather than a SSRI type. SSRI’s by virtue of their narrow method of action, mostly only on serotonin and specifically 5HT3, don’t suit everyone. It may be that you need something which also directly inhibits the noradrenaline (norepinephrine) pathways. Have you tried the TCA’s or Effexor. The TCAs affect a fairly wide range of neurotransmitters, Effexor affects both Serotonin and noradren. Just a thought. Ian    Ian<<atdragoncon<dotnet

Response:

James MacLachlan schreef: I have been on a full treatment regimen of all the SSRI’s, while using Xanax and/or klonipin, and found the SSRI’s always, no matter how long I was on them for (sometimes up to two years at max dosage) created a mix of anxiety and fatigue. Now, YMMV, and this is just me, but I find the short acting benzo’s like Xanax, Serax, Ativan, the best. In particular Xanax. My belief is that, even though the drugs don’t stay in the body a long time, for somebody who wants to avoid depression caused by using benzo’s, this may be a good thing. The Xanax gets into the body, does it’s job of calming me down, and gets out. Just the chemical changes alone may be enough without having a constant stream of the drug running through your veins. Again, this is just my opinion and experience, and everybody IS different. Just thought I would share it. Peace James

Obviously benzo’s agree better with you than SSRI’s. There may be several reasons for that which I don’t want to go into now.BTW Xanax is the only benzo with a slight antidepressant effect as well. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — "All of us get lost in the darkness… Dreamers learn to steer by the stars.." Neil Peart, Rush, "The Pass"

Response:

Hi. I use Zoloft 200mg. daily and Klonopin at night 1 1/2 tablets and 1/2 tablet during the day. Klonopin is in the same family as Xanax. I am doing better, but I have severe panic attacks while driving. I only drive alone in my hometown, which isn’t that large. As far as going out I can with others but always have the what if’s with me at all times. I’m going to Californina with my mom and sister to visit my niece and I am scared to death. I’m not afraid of flying. I’m afraid of having an attack with no male figure around. But somehow I will make it through. I’ve been nervous about the trip for the month and a

Response:

Newtony 1 again. Yes the medication should treat both panic attacks & agoraphobia.

Response:

I am currently on a regimen of Xanax and Zoloft to treat panic disorder, no appreciable results as yet.  Because I am constantly anticipating another panic attack, I have become reluctant to travel too far from home – could this be a form of agoraphobia? Does anyone have experience with these meds for treatment of agoraphobia as well as for panic attacks?  Would appreciate all feedback. Thanks.

This sounds like it could be the start of agoraphobia. I’m surprised that the Xanax isn’t controlling it, although, I’m not sure if "reluctant" means you don’t go far from home at all or you do but don’t ‘enjoy’ the experience. Zoloft, like all anti-depressants, does take 4-8 weeks to work fully, however, Xanax’s action is almost immediate, usually 10-15 minutes. You haven’t stated quantities, but it seems that your dosage is too low.  In addition to altering the dose, you can also use Xanax as a ’security blanket,’ take some with you and if you feel the need take an additional tablet. Initially, you may need the extra Xanax, but in time just knowing its there is enough. The meds. used to treat agoraphobia are exactly the same as for anxiety, so are the dosages. The point is that agoraphobia is a manifestation of fear, ie: anxiety, so if you lessen/eliminate the anxiety then you also lessen/eliminate agoraphobia. Ian    Ian<<atdragoncon<dotnet

Response:

Hi also was put on xanex for my panic and I did experience not wanting to leave my house.  My DR. put me on paxil but it is the same as zoloft these meds take about 2-3 weeks before you notice any differance.  What I did to overcome my agoraphobia was to try to do at least one small trip a day and then as the paxil started to work I would take a xanex and go on a little larger trip now I can do the small trips with no xanex and the larger trips with a little help. It is very frustrating being on zoloft/paxil because there is not an automatic result but don’t give up it will get better I was were you are 3 weeks ago and now I’m half way to feeling like my old self!!  You can do it to !  Good Luck!!

Response:

I would not call it agoraphobia, it sounds more like a secondary phobia to me.  With Panic and Anxiety these are not too uncommon.  I would think that the Zoloft would help here, but YMMV.  How long have you been on these meds?  Another possibility to look into to rid yourself of these fears would be CBT.  That has been the most helpful to me to get rid of my secondary phobias that have popped up since being diagnosed.  Of course YMMV. Good Luck d – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am currently on a regimen of Xanax and Zoloft to treat panic disorder, no appreciable results as yet.  Because I am constantly anticipating another panic attack, I have become reluctant to travel too far from home – could this be a form of agoraphobia? Does anyone have experience with these meds for treatment of agoraphobia as well as for panic attacks?  Would appreciate all feedback. Thanks.

Response:

Milliestoy schreef: I am currently on a regimen of Xanax and Zoloft to treat panic disorder, no appreciable results as yet.  Because I am constantly anticipating another panic attack, I have become reluctant to travel too far from home – could this be a form of agoraphobia? Does anyone have experience with these meds for treatment of agoraphobia as well as for panic attacks?  Would appreciate all feedback. Thanks.

Yes, this is a form of agoraphobia. Anticipatory anxiety and agoraphobia are best treated by a combo of a benzo (Xanax) and CBT, which has great results if you work hard on exposure which isn’t always easy but often pays off. Since when are you taking Zoloft & Xanax? I think it would be a good advice to go out and find a clincical psychologist specialized in CBT. Research shows a very goods track record indeed. I myself was completely housebound for months, started CBT in January and travelled to France this summer without any trouble. Couldn’t have started CBT without my meds (imipramine and Xanax) though. Philip

Response:

I am currently on a regimen of Xanax and Zoloft to treat panic disorder, no appreciable results as yet.  Because I am constantly anticipating another panic attack, I have become reluctant to travel too far from home – could this be a form of agoraphobia? Does anyone have experience with these meds for treatment of agoraphobia as well as for panic attacks?  Would appreciate all feedback. Thanks.

Response:

Question:

says… It hardly seems fair that those who guard our health do so at this kind of price. Without blaming all such woes on lifestyle, I do wish doctoring were a less heroic and more comfortable thing. Good luck — Julianne

In Australia, we don’t tend to glorify doctors — at least general practitioners.In many ways it’s just another job. This has its advantages and disadvantages. People don’t believe we are superhuman; they feel free to ask us questions if they don’t understand something. I’m sure if you scratch any American doctor, you’d find a patient of some type; and also a person — unless you’ve begun cloning your MDs (which, from reading some of the stories here, I would believe!) Ciao, Raymot ======= Brisbane, Australia [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[

Response:

It hardly seems fair that those who guard our health do so at this kind of price. Without blaming all such woes on lifestyle, I do wish doctoring were a less heroic and more comfortable thing. Good luck — Julianne

Response:

Hi All, Ok, here’s the post about my headaches. I have always had tension headaches. I used to be rarely without them — just sometimes they were worse than others. I’ve tried all sorts of medications over the years — and being a physician myself, I can prescribe for myself what I think I need (except for narcotics, and controlled drugs). This year my headaches have dramatically reduced, I think due to several reasons. Firstly, I decided not to feel guilty about self-prescribing the drugs I needed. Secondly, I got a second opinion about not feeling guilty about self- prescribing the drugs I needed. The drugs I’m taking are Zoloft (sertraline) 100mg/day, Xanax (alprazolam) 1mg/day (a small dose, but it works), and Digesic (dextropropoxyphene + paracetamol) as necessary (usually ~ 3-4/day) Adequate and regular sleep is essential for me. I am using a mouth splint at night (to stop snoring and to stop teeth-grinding). This really helps lessen the headaches, and is as important as the drugs. After having a $300 splint fall apart, I made one myself out of a $7.95 sports mouthguard. The essential features are that it stops the bruxism, and acts as a mandibular advancement splint (insofar as I have an overbite, and with the splint I can’t close my teeth together fully, so my airway stays more open.) I also believe the texture of the splint takes some pressure off the clenching muscles — temporalis and masseters etc. It’s springy and pushes back. I’m really amazed at the difference a hunk of rubber between my teeth at nighttime can make to the severity of those waking headaches. In order of importance, I would say the following factors have contributed to the significant improvement in my tension headaches: 1) Zoloft;  2) Mouth splint at night;  3) Xanax;   4) Adequate Sleep; 5) Digesic – Analgesics. Note, this is only a personal story. It won’t work for everyone, and I’m not suggesting it in the capacity of a physician. But it’s worked for me and I can honestly say that I can go for most of the day without a headache sometimes! Ciao, Raymot ======= Brisbane, Australia [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[

Response:

Question:

Is it possible that drinking alcohol while on prozac can make you MORE depressed? Thanks,

Response:

Besides, it makes people act in ways that are, afterwards, most depressing to recall. Darn! Ami

Oh my! What an opportunity, what a story…….Damn it! Loyalty prevails. Strange that I can remember though — :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: AntiEverything Attitude~Incarnate :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The Waffle and Crepe House ( This Space For Rent )

Response:

Is it possible that drinking alcohol while on prozac can make you MORE depressed? Thanks,

since alcohol is a depressant,  i think it is a safe assumption. dennis Oh! somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright; The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has Struck Out

Response:

: Is it possible that drinking alcohol while on prozac can make you MORE : depressed? I’m on Zoloft, Prozac’s next of kin. I found out that according to the manufacturer of Prozac, it is possible to have a FEW drinks. That’s the trick. I test-drank slowly to see how much of an interaction there is with Zoloft. It took surprisingly little to get drunk, and without meds, I’m a heavy drinker. In short, if you insist on drinking on Prozac, be careful. You do so at your own risk. — CAUTION: Email Spam Killer in use. Leave this line in your reply! 152680         "Sometimes the best psychiatrist is a flaky cardiologist" 2125733 bytes of spam mail deleted.           http://www.wwa.com/~nospam/

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Is it possible that drinking alcohol while on prozac can make you MORE : depressed? I’m on Zoloft, Prozac’s next of kin. I found out that according to the manufacturer of Prozac, it is possible to have a FEW drinks. That’s the trick. I test-drank slowly to see how much of an interaction there is with Zoloft. It took surprisingly little to get drunk, and without meds, I’m a heavy drinker. In short, if you insist on drinking on Prozac, be careful. You do so at your own risk. — CAUTION: Email Spam Killer in use. Leave this line in your reply! 152680         "Sometimes the best psychiatrist is a flaky cardiologist" 2125733 bytes of spam mail deleted.           http://www.wwa.com/~nospam/

I too am on Zoloft, but have not had any drinks since I started back in January.  I was warned that it would effect a person just the way you described it.  I’m not sure I could handle it and really don’t need the *extra* depressive influence right now. Just out of curiosity, how few drinks did it take?  Was there any after effects, like a bad hang over? Chuck (now drinking vicariously through others)

Response:

Oh my! What an opportunity, what a story…….Damn it! Loyalty prevails. Strange that I can remember though — :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: AntiEverything Attitude~Incarnate :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The Waffle and Crepe House ( This Space For Rent ) sounds like an opportunity for black mail.  make her pay you off in kisses.

Nothing to blackmail with Dennis I’m afraid. It was me who had to much to drink and it was Amalie who prevented me from making a fool of myself. she’s too good for me and I don’t deserve her. AE

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Besides, it makes people act in ways that are, afterwards, most depressing to recall. Darn! Ami Oh my! What an opportunity, what a story…….Damn it! Loyalty prevails. Strange that I can remember though — :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: AntiEverything Attitude~Incarnate :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The Waffle and Crepe House ( This Space For Rent )

sounds like an opportunity for black mail.  make her pay you off in kisses. dennis Oh! somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright; The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has Struck Out

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Oh my! What an opportunity, what a story…….Damn it! Loyalty prevails. Strange that I can remember though — :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: AntiEverything Attitude~Incarnate :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: The Waffle and Crepe House ( This Space For Rent ) sounds like an opportunity for black mail.  make her pay you off in kisses. Nothing to blackmail with Dennis I’m afraid. It was me who had to much to drink and it was Amalie who prevented me from making a fool of myself. she’s too good for me and I don’t deserve her. AE

oh.  then bribe her with kisses dennis Oh! somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright; The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has Struck Out

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : I too am on Zoloft, but have not had any drinks since I started back in : January.  I was warned that it would effect a person just the way you : described it.  I’m not sure I could handle it and really don’t need the : *extra* depressive influence right now. : Just out of curiosity, how few drinks did it take?  Was there any after : effects, like a bad hang over? It took only about 6 or 8 drinks over several hours to get drunk, and the drunk feels sort of "glittery" too. In both tests, I woke up pretty early considering, and the hangover is more or less in proportion to the drinking itself. A possible hazard is "serotonin syndrome" at least at higher doses of the Zoloft. My theory (for my liver) is that the liver goes after the booze first and the Zoloft hangs around longer until booze-sobriety. Of course, your liver is different, and you might have a different reaction. It would probably work to go on a Zoloft holiday during a weekend drinking session. Better yet, avoid drinking in the first place. A wierd side-effect with Zoloft not involving booze involves the voice. I’m multi-accented, and one accent, my drinking accent, requires I change the sound of my voice to add "distortion", which has interfered with singing. Now, I don’t do that one accent as well, but my voice doesn’t break up when singing. This side-effect is unique to my exact voice, and probably doesn’t affect anyone who is single-accented. — CAUTION: Email Spam Killer in use. Leave this line in your reply! 152680         "Sometimes the best psychiatrist is a flaky cardiologist" 2142564 bytes of spam mail deleted.           http://www.wwa.com/~nospam/

you should see that alchohol can provide valuable insights into reality, Mike

Response:

: I too am on Zoloft, but have not had any drinks since I started back in : January.  I was warned that it would effect a person just the way you : described it.  I’m not sure I could handle it and really don’t need the : *extra* depressive influence right now. : Just out of curiosity, how few drinks did it take?  Was there any after : effects, like a bad hang over? It took only about 6 or 8 drinks over several hours to get drunk, and the drunk feels sort of "glittery" too. In both tests, I woke up pretty early considering, and the hangover is more or less in proportion to the drinking itself. A possible hazard is "serotonin syndrome" at least at higher doses of the Zoloft. My theory (for my liver) is that the liver goes after the booze first and the Zoloft hangs around longer until booze-sobriety. Of course, your liver is different, and you might have a different reaction. It would probably work to go on a Zoloft holiday during a weekend drinking session. Better yet, avoid drinking in the first place. A wierd side-effect with Zoloft not involving booze involves the voice. I’m multi-accented, and one accent, my drinking accent, requires I change the sound of my voice to add "distortion", which has interfered with singing. Now, I don’t do that one accent as well, but my voice doesn’t break up when singing. This side-effect is unique to my exact voice, and probably doesn’t affect anyone who is single-accented. — CAUTION: Email Spam Killer in use. Leave this line in your reply! 152680         "Sometimes the best psychiatrist is a flaky cardiologist" 2142564 bytes of spam mail deleted.           http://www.wwa.com/~nospam/

Response:

Just out of curiosity, how few drinks did it take?  Was there any after effects, like a bad hang over?

I too have been on Zoloft for 18 months. I still drink wine and beer, finding that after 3 glasses of wine for dinner, I seem quite intoxicated. Does drinking enhance my depressed mood? I believe that the day after, my mood seems more depressed than usual, plus my sleep is interupted during the night after drinking, making me feel more tired and irratable. And forget about sex <g..my SO needs a two-by-four to whack me into a sexual realm <OUCH!!

Response:

I was wondering about this subject.  See ever since I went on ad’s (just Effexor and now Prozac) I seem to have lost any desire for drinking. (of course, supplementing that with pain killers is probably a good reason) Anyway, when I was in Vegas, I just wanted to get good and drunk and I couldn’t.  I had two Banana Colada’s (oh my god, they are heavenly)…got buzzed then had to take a nap.  It’s weird. Absolutely no desire what so ever to drink.  It justs make me feel lousy.  I wonder if that is due to ad’s cuz before them I drank all the time (well not all the time) but I was in college and partied quite a bit. ?  Anyone else find this happening? Now……if I can only get the same effect with the pain killers! Nik They say, "she’s crazy as anyone can be" That’s what they say, they say of me…….Sheryl Crow "On the Outside"

Response:

Okay…couldn’t find the original question but I know its one that I myself asked many times (what happens when you drink..on prozac..etc.) I have been on Prozac for almost two years..and have been an alcoholic for about 6 mos (yes I’m about to go into treatment..no worries). I never found that drinking interacted with the drug itself in any way…but I know that as a depressive…drinking for me was not such a good idea (I am invited to every college party..not because people like me..but because my screaming and/or crying jags seem to liven up any game of as*hole) So do I recommend drinking on Prozac? Who cares! I DON"T recommend drinking if you are sick..and being on prozac would imply that…. CAUTION: Email Spam Killer in use. Leave this line in your reply! 152680         "Sometimes the best psychiatrist is a flaky cardiologist" 2142564 bytes of spam mail deleted.           http://www.wwa.com/~nospam/

Response:

I think the fact I was off to bed anyway probably meant that I slept through the worst of it ! The good feeling the next day was probably just the tail-end of the effect. I’m undecided whether to try again. I’m over my depression now thankfully but am being weaned off the pills slowly. My chance to do this again will be gone soon ! Steve the Smurf – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi steve i’ve been on prozac for months now. i hardly ever drink anymore but i’ve certainly noticed the a wilder, deeper drunkenness than ever before. i had blackouts on champagne cocktails and get very drowsy quickly. pete Hi folks, well last week I made a mistake and had a large vodka before bedtime , forgetting that I had taken my Prozac earlier ! Well, I felt wonderful, I was buzzing all day the next day and had a wonderful sleep that night. After looking at the info leaflet that came with the drugs I noticed it says " avoid alcohol." Has anyone else had prozac with alcohol? Will it do me any harm if I do it again ( not constantly just occasionally !) Steve the Smurf — ICQ 12996897. Before you buy.

– ICQ 12996897. Before you buy.

Response:

Just curious.. does this happen with other anti-depressents? I am on Celexa, Wellbutrin, and a little bit of Trazadone.. does it have an effect on any one of those medications? -Bernie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi steve i’ve been on prozac for months now. i hardly ever drink anymore but i’ve certainly noticed the a wilder, deeper drunkenness than ever before. i had blackouts on champagne cocktails and get very drowsy quickly. pete Hi folks, well last week I made a mistake and had a large vodka before bedtime , forgetting that I had taken my Prozac earlier ! Well, I felt wonderful, I was buzzing all day the next day and had a wonderful sleep that night. After looking at the info leaflet that came with the drugs I noticed it says " avoid alcohol." Has anyone else had prozac with alcohol? Will it do me any harm if I do it again ( not constantly just occasionally !) Steve the Smurf — ICQ 12996897. Before you buy.

Response:

Just curious.. does this happen with other anti-depressents? I am on Celexa, Wellbutrin, and a little bit of Trazadone.. does it have an effect on any one of those medications?

i just did a short trial of wellbutrin, and while i was researching it i came across repeated warnings that alcohol can increase the risk of seizure while on this drug. i wouldn’t drink while taking it if i were you. Erik Erik Martin Schneider rhetorician of sorts http://www.concentric.net/~catdoc

Response:

 Hi folks, well last week I made a mistake and had a large vodka before bedtime , forgetting that I had taken my Prozac earlier ! Well, I felt wonderful, I was buzzing all day the next day and had a wonderful sleep that night. After looking at the info leaflet that came with the drugs I noticed it says " avoid alcohol." Has anyone else had prozac with alcohol? Will it do me any harm if I do it again ( not constantly just occasionally !) Steve the Smurf — ICQ 12996897. Before you buy.

Response:

Has anyone else had prozac with alcohol? Will it do me any harm if I do it again ( not constantly just occasionally !) Steve the Smurf

Hi Steve, Recently I decided to see what happened if I combined my Prozac (40 mg at that time) with about one standard drink of a vodka, wine and lemon mix (bottled, so I know it was mixed properly) and a tiny bit of Bayleys Irish Cream (which was disgusting!), spead out over several hours at a party. I felt fine for a while, but according to my father he could see in my eyes that I was smashed!  About 4 hours after I stopped drinking I started vomiting and was up repeatedly during the night.  I still felt tired and sick the next day. I’ll admit, the facts that I’m female, have a small body size, and am fairly inexperienced with alcohol didn’t help, but I should not have been that bad after two standard drinks (maximum!) I purposely mixed alcohol and prozac in a safe, controlled environment to see how it would effect me.  All I can say is NEVER AGAIN!  For me, it just wasn’t worth it. If it didn’t effect you too badly, drinking occasionally and in a controlled way shouldn’t hurt.  But only occasionally and only one or two drinks, because in my opinion, since alcohol is a depressant anyway, more than that could be dangerous. Just my two cents worth.  I hope this helps. Kylie. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

hi steve i’ve been on prozac for months now. i hardly ever drink anymore but i’ve certainly noticed the a wilder, deeper drunkenness than ever before. i had blackouts on champagne cocktails and get very drowsy quickly. pete – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi folks, well last week I made a mistake and had a large vodka before bedtime , forgetting that I had taken my Prozac earlier ! Well, I felt wonderful, I was buzzing all day the next day and had a wonderful sleep that night. After looking at the info leaflet that came with the drugs I noticed it says " avoid alcohol." Has anyone else had prozac with alcohol? Will it do me any harm if I do it again ( not constantly just occasionally !) Steve the Smurf — ICQ 12996897. Before you buy.

Response: