I really thought that not drinking would fix it all

[mamabin]

Today is day 31 for me. I stopped taking prozac which may be the problem right now? I know my brain is going through enough of a chemical change with the alcohol and I'm in too much of a hurry to lower my meds. My meds fluctuate so much, it's a guessing game. I still feel horrible in the morning and I thought that would go away. My face is broken out more than ever. Did this happen to anyone else when they stopped drinking?

[geoff]

I thought it would be a cure all the last time I quit drinking. This time around, I knew the problems would be mitigated by abstinence, but they would still be there. Also, at least this time I know what the true underlying issue is; always thought it was just anxiety and depression.

[stone]

I think stopping the Prozac was a bad idea, you nees to wean of ADs slowly.

And yea, I thought stopping drinking would solve my mental problems too, I thought everything would be perfect once I quit and things were a LOT better and I was able to work on my problems without being drunk which is the only way to do it, but it was still hard.

I messed about with my ADs too, first I decreased the dose then I increased them, the increase was the worst, made me angry all the time.

I think it is wiser to wait until you are a year sober and then discuss with your Doc how to wean off them slowly.

[doorknob]

I've been on and off Prozac for years for OCD. I take the max dose and I'm not really sure if it helps. If it does, it is very subtle. I went back on it when I quit this time around (well, after a month of being on Paxil, which made me feel like ****), and I'm still not sure if it's doing anything, but I have no side effects from it, so it's not hurting me any. I'd resume the Prozac and see if it makes a difference, especially if I had quit abruptly.

[doorknob]

Originally Posted by geoff

Also, at least this time I know what the true underlying issue is; always thought it was just anxiety and depression.

If not anxiety and depression, what is your true underlying issue (if you care to share)? Mine is OCD, but I've always known that.

[MCake]

I definitely agree with Stone, going off your meds is probably not a good idea right now. Did your doctor advice you to stop taking the Prozac? Though acute alcohol withdrawal doesn't last long, it takes a while for our bodies to adjust to being alcohol-free, so it's better to keep things as constant as possible.

In my experience, being sober does help mental health issues - my anxiety disorder practically vanished after a while of sobriety, and my depression lessened a lot. But, at the same time, quitting booze also means "facing reality", in a way, so it's like unveiling a whole host of challenges that need attention. Medication may be a good tool for some people to use as their sobriety consolidates. Sobriety is just the starting point.

[mamabin]

You all are right. I went off of it I don't know how many days ago, but the vision side effects were gone. My husband kept telling me not to do it. Yesterday I started to feel down, took the prozac, took it again today, and I'm feeling even more "down". I forget how bad this feels until it comes back. Now I'll have the side effects of going back on it, one of them being anger, but that passes.

My diagnosis is bipolar II, which I think is right. It was chronic depression, and then seasonal affective disorder, and now bipolar II. I've always had problems with depression and anxiety, but I thought it was just the way I am. Of course it looks different from the outside.

I went through a HORRIBLE divorce from a manipulative narcissist 12 years ago and I went through a horrible depression. At that time I was weak and codependent. Since then my downs have been extreme.

I can't miss any more work so I have to go in tonight. I was hoping the snow would keep me home but they only closed for day shift. The hard part is my job requires me to talk on the phone to alot of unhappy people and I'm still in training. I hate the phones (I actually cringe when a phone rings but that's another story) and I wouldn't have left my previous job had I known they were going to put me there. They didn't tell me because nobody wants the job and they had a hard time filling the positions. Needless to say, this job is particularly hard when I'm down and don't feel like talking to ANYONE.

[mamabin]

Guess what you guys!!! I checked just to be sure. Work is cancelled!!! Now I can take seroquel to help. My daughter told me to relax when I read that work was cancelled and I screamed and got on my knees to thank whoever is out there. hahahaha

[mamabin]

My mother has OCD but refuses to admit it. She's finally on Paxil, but she will only take half of the smallest dosage because she's afraid it'll make her too calm to keep up with her housework. When I go visit her, she has to wash the floor after I leave, even though I left my shoes outside. She says she can see the sock marks. I was raised to beleive that what decided your worth as a woman was how happy your husband was and how clean your house is. I grew up "walking on eggshells". She thinks I was selfish for getting a divorce and getting therapy.:wtf2

I am in no way comparing her to you Doorknob! Her problems are way beyong OCD. She always asked me when I was going to get off all these pills and told me she didn't know what my problem was, there was nothing wrong with her. I'm such a dissapointment. WOW

[geoff]

Originally Posted by doorknob

Mine is OCD, but I've always known that.

Took me forever to figure out that that was my issue.