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Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Mental health

Fluoxetine and alcohol

35 replies

mumtobe2 · 04/04/2009 21:35

Been perscribed it for depression but feel that bad cant stop drinking as i feel it is my only escape from the pain of splitting up with my ex.Been off work for 5 weeks and cant see anyway of going back the way i feel.

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notnowbernard · 04/04/2009 21:36

Fluoxetine will be ineffective if you are drinking heavily

Alcohol is a depressant (am sure you know that though)

Did your GP know you were drinking a lot when they prescribed it?

onepieceofcremeegg · 04/04/2009 21:37

When you say "can't stop drinking" are you able to elaborate on that. If you are drinking heavily then ime (I am a mh nurse) it will affect the medication.

The official advice is probably to avoid alcohol completely, but (imo) the odd glass or two probably would be fine.

I'm wondering if your depression/low mood is a reaction to the difficulties you have been through - relationship breakdown, needing time off work etc.

Are you pg as well?

Could you ask your GP for a referral to see a counsellor or a mental health worker, perhaps some type of talking therapy would be helpful?

onepieceofcremeegg · 04/04/2009 21:39

The medication will only really be helpful if you have a true clinical depression. Obviously it can't change your current circumstances. How long have you been on the medication for?

The other option is to ask for a second opinion (i.e to see a psychiatrist to review your medication)

However, depending on your definition of heavy drinking you may find it helpful to contact the Alcohol Service in your area.

mumtobe2 · 04/04/2009 21:42

Am seeing a counsellor through staff health at work and also beed referred by my gp to see one there.He knows i am drinking too much but just said he didnt know what to say to help me.

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notnowbernard · 04/04/2009 21:43

HOw helpful of him

Can I ask how much you are drinking?

mumtobe2 · 04/04/2009 21:44

No not pg have a baby daughter of 15 months though and a teenager if it wasnt for my baby i seriously want to leave this world but i know how much she needs me as have very little family.

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LackaDAISYcal · 04/04/2009 21:45

drinking will counteract the positive effects of any anti-depression medication, as cremeegg has said. I have suffered from depression for several years now and it's only now that I have my drinking under control that I'm starting to feel much better.

I know it's hard, but you really need to put a lid on the drinking to get the full benefit of the ADs.

If you are pregnant, it's worth asking your GP for a referral to the local perinatal mental health service if you have one locally or to a psych that has experience of dealing with depression in pregnancy if not, in order that you get the best support for your circumstances.

It might not seem like it at the minute, but it will get better

mumtobe2 · 04/04/2009 21:48

sometimes i moderate it but this weekend allsorts last night because i went out to try and get over it but it didnt help and ended up in tears as usual tomight have drunk bottle of wine
only been on prozac for 2 weeks,Came off seroxat 4 weks ago and tried mirtazapine but couldnt stop crying and compulsive eating and drinking so asked to try somethind different

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mumtobe2 · 04/04/2009 21:50

Am such a mess

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mumtobe2 · 04/04/2009 21:51

Dont know how to stop drinking as it is the only escape from the pain i feel at losing someone i loved

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onepieceofcremeegg · 04/04/2009 21:51

Sounds like you are having a really rough time mumtobe2.

I think you need additioal support at the moment. Could you try and see a different (possibly more supportive GP) and ask for a referral to your local mental health crisis team/primary care team (exact provision varies from area to area)

If your GP has tried prescribing various ads which aren't helping (possibly due in part to the alcohol which to be fair you did tell him about) and it sounds like a second opinion may be helpful.

notnowbernard · 04/04/2009 21:54

I don't think you'll get your depression (if that's what it is) sorted until you've got your drinking under control

It'll be impossible to assess if you are clinically depressed all the while you are drinking heavily

First things first, it seems like you need specific support to cut down considerably (or ideally, stop) your drinking. From what you say I doubt your GP will be much cop in helping you, but there are other agencies you can self-refer to

mumtobe2 · 04/04/2009 21:55

I miss him every day but i know there is no hope of ever being together again.Wish i never met him.Was doing alright before then.Had post natal ocd but felt it was under control and i was coping but just seem to be getting worse every week now.

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mumtobe2 · 04/04/2009 21:59

I really do want to get help but dont know where.I really want to get over this but dont know how.Wasnt given that much support with ocd only medication and health visitor once a fortnight so cant see that they will help me with this.

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LackaDAISYcal · 04/04/2009 22:00

It also takes time for these meds to start working, so I'm not sure chopping and changing like this is doing you any favours (cremeegg will know better than me though)

I hope you can get some closure over your relation ship soon. your little girl needs you to be strong at what is probably a very confusing time for her as well.

mumtobe2 · 04/04/2009 22:00

i know ,i know need to help myself but have got in such a mess cant seem to do anything

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LackaDAISYcal · 04/04/2009 22:02

MIND have information on locally available services. they might be able to put you in touch with a locally accessible service

mumtobe2 · 04/04/2009 22:02

You mean my older girl Lacka?

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LackaDAISYcal · 04/04/2009 22:04

and sorry, I didn't mean that to sound harsh

I've been where you are, drinking, trying to look after little ones, not coping well on my own (DH was working away) or with life at all and taking meds which were doing me no good due to the drinking.

There's help out there and I hope you can get some soon.

notnowbernard · 04/04/2009 22:06

You could try Alcoholics Anonymous - www.aa.org

Or your local drug and alcohol team - your GP practice or NHS Direct would be able to tell you how to contact them

LackaDAISYcal · 04/04/2009 22:06

I meant the little one, I assumed he is he Dad?

mumtobe2 · 04/04/2009 22:08

Did you get help ?Really spend a lot of days feeling worse than i would care to admit.

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mumtobe2 · 04/04/2009 22:12

No he isnt her dad we met last September when dd was 10 months old.Really thought as a single mum of 2 would be alone for a long time so was so happy and surprised to fall in love.He just took mee up a very high mountain then dropped me off the edge 5 weeks ago.Just seem to get worse and worse.

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mumtobe2 · 04/04/2009 22:16

He was a drug addict and i am ashamed to admit i got sucked into it all.I have lost all my self respect.I dont do the drugs since we split but just still want to escape so drink or smoke a bit just to cope.

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notnowbernard · 04/04/2009 22:17

PHONE AA

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