Christmas Alcohol + these

Posted , 7 users are following.

I really didn't want to go on these but after having my first ever panic attack (so im told) I was put on these.

I have being on 50mg for about 7/8 weeks now and have just been upped to 100mg although was told to start from after Christmas on the higher dose. I experience sweating in bed every night and a massive weight gain but am told its the sertraline so carried on.

I take 50mg one a day about 11pm with an apple but now with Chrisntmas almost here and enjoying a glass or 2 of whisky Christmas Day and a glass of bubbles with dinner, then boxing day I am at families so will have a few beers (desperodos) I am wondering what scenario is better

  1. Skip the sertraline Christmas eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day

  2. Continue taking them but dont take the mickey with the drink

  3. Just dont care and enjoy Christmas?

I used to be able to drink ALOT, by alot I used to be able To drink a bottle of absolut vodka in a evening so am hoping illl be fine.

I also take diazepam 2mg once a daay which ill be stopping tommorow as I have read that has a 50 hour half life.

I would not drink but I dont drink, drug, smoke no more so just for one or two day want to enjoy myself and have a laugh with family

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    personally id go with option 3 but within a limit.

    i do remember in the early stages(first 2 months) alcohol didnt do me any good but I am at a point now where I can enjoy several drinks.

    you arent obligated to drink. have a drink you nurse the whole night.

    just be vigilant to how your body reacts and definitely dont have more than a few drinks per night.

    this is all just my opinion. someone else might say to avoid drinking entirely until the medication works.

    good luck

    • Posted

      I normally only drink birthdays, Christmas, new year now days. Used to be a heavy drinker and emjoy going pub for a few pints end of the week, drinking excessively in my younger days but since being om these serttaline I haven't drunk at all (other than a shot of whisky the other day to help a sore throat)

  • Posted

    hi tom. as dylan has said you do not know how your body is going to react and would it be worth setting yourself back if you do have a bad reaction but if you are going to try it I would go for option 2, I understand its christmas but it is only a few days and you maybe one of the unlucky ones who suffer for days after because you have had a drink but what ever you decide to do please do not just stop taking the meds, have a good christmas and look forward to a happy, calm new year

  • Posted

    Drinking will just make you blackout and feel horrible the next day and it will make your panic attacks and anxiety more anxiety for the next couple days

    • Posted

      I hope a few beers dont make me blackout, the amount of food that is/&will be consumed Christmas/Boxing day I would imagine would help to absorb some of the alcohol.

      I think this "dont do this or that" is going to cause me to feel like crap. every year for the last 10/11 years Xmas day I have woke up to a JD and coke, had a wine with dinner and when I see family in thr evening a couple of beers.

      I still cant/dont accept this is anxiety as this was one night having a panic attack (so im told) then since this I have feeling spaced out, chest pain etc which I am told is "anxiety"

    • Posted

      my advice would be to stick with the schedule and keep on the medication you doctor recommended and to not drink any alcohol with these tablets, health is much more important than a few beers - make up for it next christmas when your feeling better

    • Posted

      I have looked into this a bit more and even on the NHS website it says you can drink with them. Im going with a few beers will be ok. I did ask my doctor and he said it was ok just dont go mad.

      This is what it says on the NHS website: "You can drink alcohol while taking sertraline but it may make you feel sleepy. It might be best to stop drinking alcohol until you see how the medicine makes you feel."

      I am also going to give my doctor a call again tommorow to double check

  • Posted

    whatever you do dont go for option 1- youll feel horrendous if you just skip your doses. test it out with a drink if you really want to drink with one. its not worth a big setback over xmas by going crazy drinking. you wont even enjoy it

    • Posted

      I dont want to go crazy and never do but I do want to feel "merry" this whole "dont do this or that" attitude Is getting me down more....... Im 28 still got 3 boys who when they turn 18 I want to be able to buy them a pint (stuff my father couldn't due to diabetes and been on certain meds)

  • Posted

    I was really worried about this when i started on escitalopram originally I didnt drink for a month. Then i was switched to setraline as there had been no improvement. That was 7 weeks ago and not sure if it helps but will stick with it for a while yet. 50 mg. I started to have wine again with dinner and when meeting friends. half a bottle maximum. I think it may inhibit the tablets working correctly and i have felt anxious in the mornings after, so it doesnt help but there were no major effects. we all react differently though. Although a glass of wine seems festive I think it can be counter productive! You have to decide if its worth it! Merry Christmas!

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