Expert: Rebos - 10/24/2006

Question
Rebos,

I wanted to see if I could get some information on the topic of Alcohol / Hangover reactions which brought on anxiety attacks you ansered back on 6/22/2006 of this year. Like the other guy, which posted I have not yet been back to my doctor other than my ambulance trip on the first one. I was taking phentermine trying to lose some weight over the summer. I was having a pool party and drank way too much. The next morning, I get up and get reading to work and am feeling much worse than a normal hangover. Shortness of breath, really tired, ect. I took my phentermine pill as I had every morning for the last 4 weeks and headed off to work. While I am on the freeway my left arm started to tingle..I then started to sweat heavily...I thought I was having a heart attack. So I pulled my vehicle off the road and called 911. They took me by ambulance to the hospital and the long and short of it was to stop taking the phentermine because it has been known to cause irregular heartbeats and other nervous system issues. I felt fine by that same evening. A couple months go by and everything is fine. One day I wake up with a pretty bad hangover....I go have a Mexican food lunch and on my way home once again, I started to sweat and went into another very strong almost paralyzing panic attack. It went away after about five minutes. Then I got home and had another one that evening. Then I have no episodes for another month or so. This past weekend, I had a hangover yesterday and did not feel well all day. About 8:30 last night...I had the worst one I have ever had along with stomach cramps and diarrhea and still had stomach cramps and diarrhea again all day today. My question is this....Once this has occurred...You are now very prone and more likely to get them again and again? Also, I would great appreciate any and all information you could provide on this very topic.

Thanks,
Rick


Answer
Good morning Rick:

Thank you for your question. I assume that you know that I am not a medical doctor, but I will give you some information that may be enlightening to you.

I hope that you have stopped taking the phentermine and that you intend (if not already done) to see your primary care physician ASAP. By the way this medication should not be stopped abruptly because it can cause withdrawl, fatigue and depression. You certainly have exhibited ALL of the side effects that phentermine may cause, and you should have called your doctor immediately after your first episode of the side effects. You should not have been drinking any alcohol while taking the medicine.

You were not clear in your message as to whether or not you have stopped taking the medication, but if you are still taking it (and it was me) I would stop and get myself to the doctor’s office. And by the way I would stop blaming the Mexican food and lay off the booze. You do know that phentermine is addicting, and if you are having trouble in stopping your drinking alcohol, you may have (when you were taking the medication) be doing what is called “chewing your booze”. The more that I read your question the more that I’m starting to feel that you may have a drinking problem! It’s like the guy that gets drunk and passes out on his couch while smoking a cigarette. He keeps doing the same thing over and over again, and each time it happens he has to call the fire department to put out his couch fire. Finally, he gets the message and decides to stop smoking when all the time he should have stopped drinking. Do you get what I mean?

Below I have listed 12 questions that can help you decide if you are having a drinking problem. Answer them honestly and hold on to the list until after your next hangover and try the answers again.

1. Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so, but only lasted for
a couple of days?

2. Do you wish that people would mind their own business about your drinking and
stop telling you what to do?

3. Have you ever switched from one drink to another in the hope that this would
keep you from getting drunk?

4. Have you ever had an eye-opener upon wakening during the past year?

5. Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?

6. Have you had any problems connected with drinking during the past year?

7. Has your drinking caused trouble at home?

8. Do you ever try to get extra drinks at a party because you do not get enough?

9. Do you tell yourself that you can stop drinking any time you want to, even
though you keep getting drunk when you don't mean to?

10. Have you missed days at work or school because of drinking?

11. Do you have "blackouts"? A blackout is when you have been drinking there are
periods of time that you can't remember.

12. Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink?

IF YOU ANSWER YES TO 4 OR MORE QUESTIONS then you are probably in trouble with
alcohol.

I wish you the very best, and if I can be of any help to you, or anyone close to you that may have a drinking problem feel free to contact me again. Thank you, Rebos