Questions about Sertraline, doctors advice appreciated bu do you take it, if so do you get this too?

Question

I presently take sertraline for anxiety and depression but I feel terrible when drinking alcohol even though it does not mention side effects with alcohol in the leaflet. Do you get this? Even if I skip tablets for several days prior to drinking, one white wine spritzer or 1/2 pint of shandy and I'm feeling VERY strange.

I get faint, dizzy, disorientated, and nauseous. Its such a strong feeling I fear that I'll pass out or something, and naturally I panic and want to go home- it's not a great way to spend a night out. If I go so far as to get drunk I become very sick, I vomit, I fall down the stairs because my legs seem to go from under me, I get strange crawling and trembling sensations, a feeling of my muscles being paralysed, de-realisation, heart racing, hot and cold...

On citalopram and seroxat I also became extremely over confident to the point of doing strange things like running away in the middle of the night and cycling to another city about 20 miles away! And the hangovers make me feel seriously like I am going to die. Last time I thought my liver was failing or something. And one bad time I forgot everything I did the night before- something I never do, and this proved it is really affecting my mind.

It's really affecting my life because I only want to drink every now and then with a friend, or if I'm invited somewhere.

So, I have stopped taking them cold turkey now. The effects of doing this can hardely be worse as what I have described. I feel fine actually.

Just so you know, alcohol never used to affect me like this. I have been pretty darned hammered before, and woke up the next day with nearly no hangover and perfect memory.

I have never known my anxiety and depression actually helped by these medicines.

Answer 1

I'm taking sertraline to. i stuffer the same, but I'm having CBT therapy and it sound like you could do with the same.

pills are not always the option in ALL cases but you should not have stopped taking them without guidance.

this is very dangerous. i would revert back to your GP ask for CBT and start the meds again without the drink

Answer 2

Stop taking the meds they are dangerous.

Answer 3

I was prescribed sertraline for the same reasons as you and if I had a glass or two of wine once or twice a week I felt ok. Maybe it's because I'm quite tall, 5'7 and I drink lots of water during the day as well.  It sounds to me like you shouldn't be mixing alcohol and medication. I don't think your body can handle it. Sertraline is supposed to relieve anxiety, so that you shouldn't need to get hammered to have a good time.  Maybe you should go back and see your doctor, you might not be suited to pills, he might advise that you see a counciller instead.