![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by raven on June 3, 2000, at 18:40:23
Hi, I came in here today to find out any information about taking celexa and using alcohol. I take Celexa for anxiety disorder. I don't usually drink, but on occasion I like to have one or two. Well I guess I won't do that anymore. About 3 months ago my husband and I went out to eat out of town and I decided to have a drink. (We live in a dry county so you can't drink here!) I had one drink and when we were on our way back home I got the worst, worst pain in my upper right side. It was so bad that I felt like I needed to go to a hospital. Well it kept hurting but I didn't feel nauseated. But then I thought I might get sick, I guess from the pain. I did and then the pain went away just as fast as it started. Well last week I wanted to have another drink. Wrong again. The very same thing happened only the pain got worse. I was doubled over, couldn't breathe. I was just wondering if this sort of thing has happened to anyone else, and if it is an antabuse reaction. I really thought I was going to die or something this last time. I have decided not to ever touch a drink again if I take Celexa. It is not worth a near-death experience. (I had my gallbladder removed about three years ago and the pain was worse than those terrible attacks.) Anyway, it makes me wonder if this is a dangerous drug. It makes me wonder if it is messing me up even when I don't drink. Is it going to be like Phen-Fen or Rezulin and kill me sometime. I don't trust medicine anymore. I know you aren't supposed to drink with anti-depressants because booze is a depressant and also because it makes you more woozy. But I wonder if it was trying literally, to kill me or something. I am going to talk to my doctor about this at my next visit. I am interested to know anything about this medication anyone knows. Thank you.
Posted by raven on June 3, 2000, at 18:56:53
In reply to celexa and alcohol, posted by raven on June 3, 2000, at 18:40:23
I forgot to mention that before taking Celexa I took Paxil for almost a year and had a few drinks during that time and never experienced the pain like that. I just got sleepy quicker and never drove. I quit Paxil because it made me sleepy all of the time. It worked well for the anxiety, better than Celexa to me. But Celexa is scaring me.
Posted by Rockets on June 3, 2000, at 21:42:37
In reply to celexa and alcohol, posted by raven on June 3, 2000, at 18:40:23
I tried Vicodin ES with it and got pretty twisted. Ativan and Celexa seemed ok together for a short time (like a week because Ativan is so addicting). But even taking Ativan when you don't really need it got me zoned uncomfortable. I haven't tried alcohol and Celexa because I don't normaly ever drink but I did try a bunch of 5-htp and a bottle of merlot with a few beers once on my birthday and ummm... emergency room. I'm a lot wiser now.. heh.. Celexa by itself seems ok though once you get past the two weeks of side effects. Peace.
Posted by Steph on June 4, 2000, at 15:40:11
In reply to Re: celexa and alcohol, posted by Rockets on June 3, 2000, at 21:42:37
> I tried Vicodin ES with it and got pretty twisted.
I do have a nightly glass of wine and I am on Celexa--20mg and have been on it for about 4 weeks. I take it for PMS. I like that it has decreased my desire for alcohol. Before this med I would drink about 2-3 a night.
There have been many nights now when I have gone without. Once I did have three and felt like hell in the morning. I did not have any debilitating pain. WHich of course is good. I have also lost 11 lbs. THe nausea is very mild. SO far so good and I like this med. I do find I feel a little lazy. Looking over at that pile of clothes I have to fold and all the kids toys in the hallway. A messs that ordinarily would enrage me to have to deal with gets picked slowly but surely and if it doesn't I don't care. Everyone ate, played and got cleaned up before bedtime. Success.
Steph
Posted by afatchic on June 5, 2000, at 22:27:18
In reply to celexa and alcohol, posted by raven on June 3, 2000, at 18:40:23
Raven,
Celexa, like many drugs, is processed through the liver. To me, the attacks you were describing sound like a problem with your liver. I hope you plan to see your doctor soon. When you do, ask for a liver function test. This is just a routine blood test that can tell if your liver is under a strain. Do some research on the internet about liver disease. Fatty liver is a common condition, especially for a woman with a history of gallbladder disease. I wish you health and happiness.
> Hi, I came in here today to find out any information about taking celexa and using alcohol. I take Celexa for anxiety disorder. I don't usually drink, but on occasion I like to have one or two. Well I guess I won't do that anymore. About 3 months ago my husband and I went out to eat out of town and I decided to have a drink. (We live in a dry county so you can't drink here!) I had one drink and when we were on our way back home I got the worst, worst pain in my upper right side. It was so bad that I felt like I needed to go to a hospital. Well it kept hurting but I didn't feel nauseated. But then I thought I might get sick, I guess from the pain. I did and then the pain went away just as fast as it started. Well last week I wanted to have another drink. Wrong again. The very same thing happened only the pain got worse. I was doubled over, couldn't breathe. I was just wondering if this sort of thing has happened to anyone else, and if it is an antabuse reaction. I really thought I was going to die or something this last time. I have decided not to ever touch a drink again if I take Celexa. It is not worth a near-death experience. (I had my gallbladder removed about three years ago and the pain was worse than those terrible attacks.) Anyway, it makes me wonder if this is a dangerous drug. It makes me wonder if it is messing me up even when I don't drink. Is it going to be like Phen-Fen or Rezulin and kill me sometime. I don't trust medicine anymore. I know you aren't supposed to drink with anti-depressants because booze is a depressant and also because it makes you more woozy. But I wonder if it was trying literally, to kill me or something. I am going to talk to my doctor about this at my next visit. I am interested to know anything about this medication anyone knows. Thank you.
Posted by David J. on June 8, 2000, at 19:56:47
In reply to Re: celexa and alcohol, posted by afatchic on June 5, 2000, at 22:27:18
>
I drink on Celexa- it makles hangovers worse but that is all that seems to happen with me. I guess it depends on your reaction-, however yours seems severe- i would get a liver f/ test though- good luck,bye
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.