on lithium and heavy drinking with blackouts Posted: 03-10-08 21:23pm
It's been a while since I've been on here.
The last time, I posted a flurry of
messages and then dropped off the face of
the earth. Thanks to everyone who welcomed
me
I'm on 900 of lithium currently, and I
think I'm doing well with it. The nausea
is tolerable if I take it right before
bed. My moods are, well...damper, at
least, though I guess I'm still not
sleeping very much.
But, I've been something of a hot smoking
mess lately with regards to partying. I'm
in college, so it's just that sort of
environment. Also, since my upswing a few
weeks ago, I've felt like I've been
reborn, and that I'm a real rockstar, so
I've been SUPER social. I've always been a
heavy drinker, so I guess bad habits are
hard to break.
I ended up blacking out completely a few
weeks ago and doing some things I really
should not have done. So, I figured once
is once, I'm allowed it. But this past
weekend, I blacked out two nights in a
row. The worst part is, I don't just pass
out or get drowsy, I'm full on active
without realizing it. I'm a walking,
talking amnesiac. I'm hesitant to ask my
friends what I do because I honestly do
not want to know. What I have been told
sounds very very foolish, but unmistakably
me. I just feel as if I have NO control
whatsoever over what I say, or do. I
already have a reputation for being wild
at parties but this excessive even for me.
Ugh, I hate that I don't remember a thing,
not even with with triggers. Am I alone
with these behaviors?
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antigone
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 852 Location: IL
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Posted: 03-11-08 22:58pm
No judgement here just some info for you
to ponder. Bipolar disorder shares some of
the same gene markers as alcoholism.
Frequently families will have alcoholism
and bipolar disorder as common hereditary
disorders. Blacking out with drinking is
considered a huge red flag by alcoholics.
Yikes, black outs are frightening because
of what may happen to you. Not only can
you do things that are embarrassing but
you can do things that are dangerous. You
can become a target for any predatory
individual. I am sure you know these
things but reconsider the world we live in
and take care not to become a victim.
You share blackouts with many people that
drink. Be careful with drinking and meds.
Liver toxicity is one nasty thing that can
happen and lead to liver failure or
disease.
Take care of yourself. You only get one
shot at life. Make it the best you've got.
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Georgia59
Moderator
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 5321 Location: Along the Mississippi, USA
Thanks: 64
Thanked:28
Posted: 03-12-08 17:32pm
You really need to stop the partying!!!
Like antigone said, medication (especially
psychiatric medication) is NOT supposed to
be mixed with drugs or alcohol! This is
really dangerous. Yes, you can do things
that risk your life.
College is not an excuse. I am a senior
college, I have never blacked out.
I'm with antigone on this one- bipolar
disorder and drug addiction sometimes come
together- think seriously about your
substance use and try to determine if it
is use or abuse.
And, realize that having bipolar disorder
means you have to be more careful (read:
responsible) than most. I know it's not
really fair, but you gotta play what
you're dealt.
I'm not trying to say you're a bad person
or anything, I can totally sympathize. But
you have to take a little more control and
decide if this behavior is more than you
can handle.
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Muthoni
Supporter
Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 614 Location: From Kenya, Now in Canada
Thanks: 185
Thanked:98
My doctor said I can drink... Posted: 03-14-08 20:52pm
...as long as I use caution. I have been
on mental health medications since 1999
and all this time, I have had an alcoholic
drink here and there. While this might
not work for everybody, it works for me.
I was tired of my friends telling me not
to have a drink and I asked the doctor to
give me a note saying it is OK to drink
responsibly. The doctor said he would not
give the note because it is not anybody's
business but mine if I drink or not. I am
on low doses of lithium and olanzopine.
To each their own. Be cautious though.
The only time I was asked to stop drinking
was when I started olanzopine. I was
asked not to drink for three months. Also
with my AIDS medication Kivexa, I was
asked not to drink for 4 weeks and asked
to proceed with caution. I followed the
rules and I am doing fine. But that's my
story.
Always
Muthoni (Mson)
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CarolDiane
Moderator
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2222 Location: Finally a picture to a name,
Thanks: 87
Thanked:125
Only thing I can say is: Posted: 03-15-08 11:08am
Not Good!
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Muthoni
Supporter
Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 614 Location: From Kenya, Now in Canada
Thanks: 185
Thanked:98
Posted: 03-15-08 12:22pm
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CarolDiane
Moderator
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2222 Location: Finally a picture to a name,
Thanks: 87
Thanked:125
Re: My doctor said I can drink... Posted: 03-15-08 12:32pm
Muthoni
wrote:
...as long as I use caution.
I have been on mental health medications
since 1999 and all this time, I have had
an alcoholic drink here and there. While
this might not work for everybody, it
works for me. I was tired of my friends
telling me not to have a drink and I asked
the doctor to give me a note saying it is
OK to drink responsibly. The doctor said
he would not give the note because it is
not anybody's business but mine if I drink
or not. I am on low doses of lithium and
olanzopine. To each their own. Be
cautious though.
The only time I was asked to stop drinking
was when I started olanzopine. I was
asked not to drink for three months. Also
with my AIDS medication Kivexa, I was
asked not to drink for 4 weeks and asked
to proceed with caution. I followed the
rules and I am doing fine. But that's my
story.
Always
Muthoni (Mson)
I was
talking to ebaris . Just an FYI. To each
his own.
~Carrie~
Last edited by CarolDiane on 03-15-08 13:51pm; edited 1 time in total
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Muthoni
Supporter
Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 614 Location: From Kenya, Now in Canada
Thanks: 185
Thanked:98
I see. Posted: 03-15-08 12:56pm
I had no way of telling who you were
talking to Ms Carrie. Sorry and more .
Last edited by Muthoni on 03-15-08 12:58pm; edited 1 time in total
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x-Rachel-x
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 3
can any1 help me? Posted: 03-15-08 12:58pm
i have a pain in my lower ribs &&
in my back when i breath in its sore and
eat and twist does any1 know what it
is??x
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Muthoni
Supporter
Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 614 Location: From Kenya, Now in Canada
On the top left corner of the page is a
button saying NEW TOPIC. Click on it and
ask your question again because I think
you will get more information from
there.
I am you happy you are seeking information
to help yourself. I admire your courage
and please keep it up.
All the best to you.
Always
Muthoni (Mson)
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CarolDiane
Moderator
Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 2222 Location: Finally a picture to a name,
Thanks: 87
Thanked:125
Great suggestion Muthoni Posted: 03-15-08 13:49pm
I was just about ready to suggest that
myself as the poster would get more
replies and help in that forum. Thanks for
you help. Good job!
~Carrie!
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Muthoni
Supporter
Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 614 Location: From Kenya, Now in Canada
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