I just received an email from another individual (that makes a total of 7 that I have personally heard from) who told me "his story" in regards to what happened to him on Effexor. The Effexor made him an alcoholic! The number 7, is only the people that *I* have heard from. I have read much (on others) that this has also happened to and there is also research that documents that the Effexor (yes .. AND Mirapex) does this.
I think I mentioned sometime earlier in this thread that I posted my H's situation on a psychology forum. That is where I initially read about the terrible side effects of the prescription cocktail that my H's psychiatrist put him on. It rings true in my H's situation in that this happened (big time alcohol consumption) ONLY after H had been on these meds for just short of six months.
I think it is just way too much of a coincidence that my H did not become an alcoholic until AFTER he was on these meds for that six months.
In a situation such as this, whereby (IMO) my H "can't see the forest from the trees" is this really just HIS problem? There are people out there that have written to me that once they get off "the" meds they were perfectly fine.
Do I hang in there (at least until the end of the month when we see his doc again) and be there for H as his advocate? (I'm sure that H does not see it like this.)
My H thinks that he is on the "silver bullet" formula for depression right now. Apparently that is how he understood whatever his psychiatrist told him. He thinks that there is nothing else that will help him (??) and would not consider going off these meds UNLESS his doc was strongly advocating it. So (imo) he's done .. UNLESS I intervene.
At H's next appt. with this pyschiatrist, I''m thinking that my plan will be to tell him that H DID cut way back on his drinking, but that his outlook is still terrible. (I'm sure that H will agree with me.) Maybe THEN this doc will change his meds ..?
That is very interesting about Effexor. I just read. Even though the evidence is anecdotal, I don't think people would post the effects on an internbet if it were not true. I wish I knew what to tell you but don't. But if a drug makes someone an alcoholic, then that is the wrong drug.
So before taking drugs, he was depressed and not contributin. Now he is not depressed but a drunk. Am I reading this correctly?
The big thing I see here given the things you said is that your H can't even begin to think that maybe there is a problem here. I wish I knew what to tell you, but I don't.
I will check back. It does seem like torture for you to have to put up with a few more weeks of this.
So before taking drugs, he was depressed and not contributin. Now he is not depressed but a drunk. Am I reading this correctly?
No, before taking this new(er) prescription regimen (which is just in the past three years) my H was working and contributing .. no problems there.
He was on a different prescription regimen (Paxil and Buspar) that by that time (.. so he claims) wasn't doing anything for him. He had been on the Paxil/Buspar regimen for many years (5 or so?) just through his family doc. Finally when he felt his depression got so bad, he sought out this psychiatrist (three years ago) that put him on the regimen that he is on now.
So .. to rehash, yes .. he WAS (and IS STILL) depressed. But back before he started on his new meds he was contributing financially, as was expected.
And now, he is an alcoholic, spending money wrecklessly (imo) and not contributing financially.
Has he been to see the family doc or is he just seeing the Psych? I think you are right, something needs to be done about the meds.
What will happen now that there is no more money for him to use at the bar? I think until he sits rock bottom and something forces a change, there will be no change.
I am so sorry I do not have any better advice. You are in my prayers.
Me 54 DS19 and DS17 Married 06/1989 Divorced 01/2011
He is only seeing the psychiatrist .. for his depression issues, anyway.
The $$ situation .. well that is what is really the deal breaker in all of our arguments.
H and I have gone round and round about him continuing to use money (that basically we don't have) to continue his drinking. He maintains that he just can't continue to live like this. (He calls it living in squalor! )
I don't know if I mentioned it above (already) or not .. but I think that "we" get to the point that H might agree with me .. then we get to the next night that he heads out to the bar and asks me for money. Then it starts all over again!
I was not looking forward to last week at all. I had pretty much decided that it was going to be one argument after another .. in regards to him needing money to drink. Somehow though .. he ended up with approximately $300 or so in cash. (I checked his pockets one morning while he was still sleeping.) That explains why he COULD go to the bar and NOT have to ask me for money.
It's been really, really hard for me .. with the uncertainty of all of this.
I'm sorry I haven't responded or posted anything more recently.
It just feels like I'm not moving forward at all. When I think about posting .. it would be just more of my rants/frustrations.
There are times that I think "things" may be changing .. just a little. And other times I feel they are getting worse.
What compounds this is the "state" I put myself in. My H maintains that summer is the time to ride the Harley .. and he DOES take advantage of that. In my opinion, the problem is that Harley riding (at least in his little group) equals drinking. So .. because of that, I beg off accompanying him. I just sit home very depressed and worried.
This past weekend (again IMO) was a very heavy drinking weekend for H. He came home very late (or should I say early) every night.
One good thing though, is (for the most part) he has stopped asking me for money for his drinking.
I thought of you over the weekend. There was an ad for some medication and listed among possible side effects were compulsive gambling, eating and shopping. Crazy. You never know how something will react with your body chemistry.
there was an ad for some medication and listed among possible side effects were compulsive gambling, eating and shopping.
There is a new(er) commercial out .. I think it must just be out .. on tv. It was a tv ad for Mirapex for controlling RLS. Is that the one you are talking about? I just saw that for the first time this weekend.
Mirapex is the med that my H is on. The Mirapex manufacturer is qualifying their add with needing to report any "compulsive" activities that begin after starting on Mirapex. Considering THAT qualifying comment, why wouldn't H's pdoc think that this is HIS problem??
Okay .. sorry. Just HAD to sneak my little rant in there!
You are right. At least I am safe while at home. My H complains that I no longer accompany him on the Harley. I used to feel very safe while riding with him. I was a total basket case the last time I rode with him and have decided that unless I can be assured that he won't be drinking on our many pit stops, I won't be accompanying him on the Harley.
) 