Sleeping after alcohol / Seroquel

[HollyW]

Hi all,

I'd post this in the treatment section, but thought I might get more answers here.

I'm on 75mg of Seroquel (slow release stuff) and have been for about 3 months now. My question is about drinking on it. I know that the responsible answer is to avoid alcohol at all costs etc etc; but the thing is, I'm just not able to do that. I won't have any more than a couple of wines on a work night; but the weekend is my time to have a blow out and for a few hours; forget all the anxiety, self analysis and dread that this condition causes. Apart from the fact it's fun!

I'm ok on it on the actual night; but the following day, I'm sleeping all day and am absolutely knackered. It's really frustrating. I have zero energy whatsoever and am absolutely good for nothing. I'm aware that it just might be a case of choosing - rubbish after effects and alcohol / no alcohol and no after effects. But I wondered what other people's experiences were of alcohol and Seroquel.

And like I said, I know that standard answer is not to drink full stop. But I just can't do that.

Holly

[Christian73]

Perhaps you shouldn't take the Seroquel when you're drinking. It's a major, major tranquilizer, so drinking on it is very dangerous.

[Mel1115]

I agree with Christian, it seems risky to combine alcohol with a med like Seroquel. The interaction could likely be excessive sedation, and depending on how much you drink, that sedation could lead to respiratory troubles. I work in an ED per diem and I see accidental overdoses of this nature sometimes.

Just as an aside, I am not telling you to stop drinking. I can speak about my own experiences however. I began drinking a beer or wine here and there when this OCD mess first started for me. It gradually escalated and soon I was drinking up to a bottle of wine every few nights, to try and forget my OCD and the pain it was causing me. In my case it evolved from a social drink to self-medication. I just caution you to watch your reasons for drinking, because once we cross that line to self medication, alcohol abuse easily follows.

Best wishes.

[HollyW]

Thanks you two. I suppose I know the answer really. It's just that drinking is my only release - I do use it to escape but I also use it to enjoy myself. I love that feeling of contentment and confidence it gives me.

Mel, I'm fully aware of the potential of self medicating. And I do go through times where I do this very consciously. But it's at times when I'm totally totally desperate. In the absence of any other coping mechanism, I'm afraid it's my only choice!

Wish I had a healthy head.

[MrCowbell]

There are things you can do to minimize that hangover.
1) Have something to eat while drinking and take a b-complex with it.
2) Drink down a liter of water as soon as you wake up.
3) take an anti oxidant like ALA before you go to bed. This will help your body break down the toxins so you don't feel sick the next day.

Its worked for me, and I used to get some brutal hangovers after just a few drinks!

[HollyW]

Thanks MrCowbell,

Thinking about it, I have been rather lax on the ol' drinking a pint of water before bed rule. And dehydration is not going to help a hangover. It's funny, but I hardly ever get the sickness any more. When I was in my 20s, I'd be puking constantly the following day - it made for some very embarrasing scenarios!!

[MrCowbell]

Originally Posted by HollyW

Thanks MrCowbell,

Thinking about it, I have been rather lax on the ol' drinking a pint of water before bed rule.

Actually, Your supposed to drink the water first thing in the morning, just slam it down when you wake up.
Also, dont forget to take b-complex WHILE you are drinking (also an an Antioxidant if you can). even small amounts of alcohol will drain the body of b vitamins. The next day you will feel tired and have a foggy mind if you didn't replenish it.

i dont like the way this thread is going. it seems the drinking is being supported.

[apollo100]

"i dont like the way this thread is going. it seems the drinking is being supported. "

It is so easy to call names when you are not in the other person's shoes. I used to be an athlete, and simply could not understand why people used alcohol. When I acquired OCD, alcohol was my ONLY crutch for many years. I thank alcohol for keeping me sane, and I do advocate drinking responsibly, but never will I pass judgment on people using alcohol.

Holly, if Seroquel is not working for you, please do consider taking the advice of another doctor.

[HollyW]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Janet, I don't think MrCowbell is "supporting"; more giving me a few tips on how to best deal with the aftereffects. Which is appreciated. I already stated that I knew the "responsible" answer is not to drink at all and I already stated that I didn't feel able to do that. So what Cowbell is offering is damage limitation; which I'm grateful for!

Apollo, drinking is a crutch with me; but it's also something I really enjoy.Some of the best nights I've had were after a few drinks. Even if I'm ok, having a few drinks can make for a better night - whether that's having a dance, having a heart to heart with my mates..or yeah, just escaping the rubbish in my head day to day.

Apollo, I don't think aussie is name calling - just concerned. Which again, I appreciate. But yeah, you understand that sometimes it's just not that simple to tell someone not to drink. For a while there, I was drinking every other night as it was the only way I could get any sort of relief from the total nightmare of it all. And the next day, I actually welcomed the hangover, as I didn't have the energy to obsess and get anxious! It was a pretty poor coping mechanism - but in the absence of anything else, what can you do? I felt that it was the only way I could function.

My psych reckons it might take a while longer for me to feel the benefits of Seroquel. He's reviewing me again in 3 months time; so we can discuss things then.

The thing is; I'm aware that I shouldn't go overboard on drink. But this Saturday was quite a civilised affair - a friend cooking for us and a few wines / one pear cider. I was drunk; but totally coherent and knew what I was doing. It's just the feeling of total exhaustion the next day. And with the party season upon us, I just don't want to miss out on any fun with friends / family!

Anyways, hope you're all doing well at the moment. I think this time of year can be especially hard - there's this great expectation to "be happy"..when it can often just serve to highlight how far short we are of where we want to be.