Hi,

I just got diagnosed with BP, I'm on my second day of Lamictal. Now my question is....I've been a bartender for 10 years, I work 4 nights a week from 10pm till 5am, its very hard not to have a drink at work, I never get drunk at work but I have a few drinks a night. My doctor told Me not to even have 1 drink, to completly stop, which I know is going to be very hard for Me (because of the enviroment). Any suggestions?? Can I at least have a couple of drinks a night?? and if yes can the medication still do its job?? has anyone had a bad reaction or experience mixing the medication (lamictal)and alcohol??
Please advice!! Thanks :)

I worked in a bar when I was first dx and put on medication. It actually took away my desire to drink. I had been self-medicating for years. You can not drink while on medication. It intensifies all reactions. Yes, even one drink. Drinking does not help you and if you feel the need to do it to fit in or because everyone will ask questions or look at you strange, you are working with the wrong people. I take Lamictol now but not when I worked in the bar. And yes, I have had a drink while on it and it was not fun. I haven't had a single drink in over 3 years and it does help keep me stable. You can work at the bar and not drink. I did it for almost a year. Everyone there knew I quit drinking and supported me. As a bartender you know there are ways to avoid drinking and make it look like you still are if no one will support you. So I guess the question is do you want the treatment (medication) to work, or do you want to continue your life the way it is? It's a choice that only you can make.

I'm not supposed to but I drink on the weekends. I'm taking Lamictal, Topamax and Abilify. I don't see any effect that it has on me. Once in a while, I'll wake up the next day feeling anxious, but not always.

Its been really hard this past week!!! but so far i haven't had a drink! I actually made myself a drink and left it at the bar for a while, then I just threw it out.

Good for you! I'm sure you can do it if you set your mind to it. I quit once for about 3 months. My therapist wanted to see if the alcohol was affecting me. Apparently it wasn't. The only reason I started drinking again was because my husband was getting bored and missed the fun we had drinking. He quit along with me for support. I know it was a stupid reason to start back up. Keep up the good work!!

That's great! It's so important to not drink while on medication. I know working in that environment is hard but it can be done.

I guess i'll wait for new years eve! and see how I feel :)

I won't drink on my meds-however I take depakote, I even told my psychiatrist that I was going out the following weekend and told him straight forward that I was going to get drunk off my *** ( I am a 26 year old mom of two young boys and full time student-it was after finals week). I only go out about 2 times a year if I'm lucky, I'm too busy with my everyday things to go out regularly. He told me to stop taking the medicine 2 days before-so like on a wed if I went out on a fri-and that I could start back up on Sat night. This trick has worked wonders for me. I don't have any side effects-and for some strange reason-no hangovers!

I won't drink on my meds-however I take depakote, I even told my psychiatrist that I was going out the following weekend and told him straight forward that I was going to get drunk off my *** ( I am a 26 year old mom of two young boys and full time student-it was after finals week). I only go out about 2 times a year if I'm lucky, I'm too busy with my everyday things to go out regularly. He told me to stop taking the medicine 2 days before-so like on a wed if I went out on a fri-and that I could start back up on Sat night. This trick has worked wonders for me. I don't have any side effects-and for some strange reason-no hangovers!


Wow! that sounds interesting! and no hangovers:eek: Maybe i'll try it before new years. :)