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Panic
Anxiety Education
Management Services
Questions & Answers:
Prescribed Medication and alcohol
Q: I am a 28 year old female. When I
was 23 I experienced my first panic attack. It took months before I
was finally diagnosed with panic disorder and put on medication
(Xanax & Zoloft). I am still taking Xanax but not Zoloft. I am
taking Prozac instead (20 mg/day). I do not have panic attacks
anymore but do experience some points of high anxiety at times. I am
slowly trying to quit taking Xanax since I have been taking it for
so long now. I am currently taking 1 mg/day. When I started taking
the medication I was taking 5 mg/day. The reason I want to get off
of Xanax is so I can have children some day.
Since I have been diagnosed with panic disorder and been on
medication there are some things that have changed about me that I
am disappointed about but can't seem to "control".
I drink almost on a daily basis (average 4
glasses of wine/day - give or take some). I have gained 40-45 lbs
over a 3 year timeframe I don't have energy or motivation like I
used to I don't exercise like I used to. When you look at these
issues, it looks as though I may be an alcoholic or depressed?
However, before I was diagnosed I did drink and could control my
drinking (drank socially on weekends - didn't drink on week nights,
didn't drink alone, didn't drink at home watching tv, listening to
music, or cleaning house) Also, my weight gain obviously has
something to do with the fact that I don't exercise anymore (I used
to ride my bicycle and walk). I don't exercise primarily because I
do not have the energy or motivation to. Please help! I need your
advice.
A: We understand how you feel with the lack of energy and
motivation. It is not unusual for us to become caught up in this
cycle. Although you may feel you don't have the motivation - you do
have it - you wouldn't have written to us if you didn't! Only we can
break the cycle ourselves and there are a number of things you can
do:
Sometimes the medication can contribute to the lack of energy.
Have you spoken with your doctor? Perhaps you may need to change the
anti-depressants again. We are concerned you are using prescribed
drugs along with the alcohol. It is very important you discuss this
with your doctor as there are a number of drugs prescribed for
Anxiety Disorders/depression, including Xanax, which can't be mixed
with alcohol.
Some people do have difficulty coming off Xanax. Our federal
government recommends people taking Xanax or one of the other
shorter acting tranquillisers transfer over to Valium and once they
have stabilised, slowly withdraw from the Valium. Valium can take
the edge of the withdrawal.
You may also wish to talk with the chapter of AA in your area.
They can be very supportive and many, many people with Panic
Disorder belong to AA.
The way we think also can keep us down. Our self talk can be very
negative and depressing - 'I can't do this. I have no energy. Why
aren't I motivated? I hate myself like this. Why can't I change.'
etc, etc. Not the greatest way to motivate yourself! What we need to
do is acknowledge to our self, 'Yes, I have no energy and yes I
don't feel motivated, but so what! I am going to begin to exercise
despite it. Don't buy into your usual head talk. Just get up and
walk or ride around the block. Make yourself do the same thing the
next day and the next etc extending your walk/ride each day.
Physical exercise is very important for all of us as we are
recovering. As you begin to exercise you do begin to feel better and
your energy does begin to come back.
As we said in the beginning - your motivation is there you just
need to see it.
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