Medication that makes me seem drunk?
July 12, 2022 3:32 PM Subscribe
This question is a big vague but I had a stroke and was prescribed Phenobarbital. I don't drink anymore and to be honest I feel fine on it but people tell me I come off as drinking. I've been a bit of a shut in since taking because I'm tired of being labeled a drunk. I don't feel drunk but obviously relaxed, I'm beginning to think this is impacting my professional life with jokes about having "one too many for lunch." I take it as prescribed but besides the drunken appearance it helped where other drugs don't. I'm think skinned but in professional environments I don't feel the need to given a long talk which frankly seems defensive. Any advice?
From what I've gathered, phenobarbital makes you unsteady and drowsy, which can indeed appear to be inebriated to people who didn't get close enough to smell you and note the absence of alcohol. You may want talk with your doctor about dosage, or take a staycation while your body adjusts to the medication. Supposedly effects go away after a while, but again, consult with your PCP.
posted by kschang at 3:36 PM on July 12, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by kschang at 3:36 PM on July 12, 2022 [8 favorites]
Next time someone says that, can you ask them what they're observing?
If you have a direct supervisor and can tell them one-on-one, mentioning that if coworkers report anything, it's medication. Hopefully that would save you a long talk with everyone.
posted by mermaidcafe at 3:46 PM on July 12, 2022 [3 favorites]
If you have a direct supervisor and can tell them one-on-one, mentioning that if coworkers report anything, it's medication. Hopefully that would save you a long talk with everyone.
posted by mermaidcafe at 3:46 PM on July 12, 2022 [3 favorites]
I would first check with your doctor, make sure you’re at the right dosage, and ask them if this is a normal side effect.
You can tell people what’s going on without making it into a long talk. Keep it light with something like, I actually never drink, but I’m on a medication where I sometimes appear drunk and my doctor confirms this is just the way it is.
Another idea, take a video of yourself in a social situation and watch it for signs of what’s making you appear drunk. Maybe watch with a friend who can point things out to you. If you don’t feel drunk at all, then that means you’re probably in control of your movements, speech, etc. Over time you might be able to learn to change whatever it is you’re doing, once you’re aware of what that is.
posted by daikon at 3:58 PM on July 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
You can tell people what’s going on without making it into a long talk. Keep it light with something like, I actually never drink, but I’m on a medication where I sometimes appear drunk and my doctor confirms this is just the way it is.
Another idea, take a video of yourself in a social situation and watch it for signs of what’s making you appear drunk. Maybe watch with a friend who can point things out to you. If you don’t feel drunk at all, then that means you’re probably in control of your movements, speech, etc. Over time you might be able to learn to change whatever it is you’re doing, once you’re aware of what that is.
posted by daikon at 3:58 PM on July 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
Yes, this is a common issue with phenobarb, and all barbiturates. They work by keeping the GABA receptors (same receptor as alcohol works on) open for longer.
Please do speak with your neurologist about alternative meds. Phenobarbital is not a common med these days (I don't think I've ever started anyone on it, and only ever refilled prescriptions that were started in like the 70s when there were way fewer antiseizure meds than today).
posted by basalganglia at 4:11 PM on July 12, 2022 [25 favorites]
Please do speak with your neurologist about alternative meds. Phenobarbital is not a common med these days (I don't think I've ever started anyone on it, and only ever refilled prescriptions that were started in like the 70s when there were way fewer antiseizure meds than today).
posted by basalganglia at 4:11 PM on July 12, 2022 [25 favorites]
I would not find it out of place if someone responded to "Had one too many at lunch?" With "Oh that's my medication actually, it just makes me sound a little different than before." But I would be shocked if the comments kept going after that.
posted by bleep at 4:44 PM on July 12, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by bleep at 4:44 PM on July 12, 2022 [5 favorites]
As someone who is normally unsteady on their feet, may I suggest adding a cane to your wardrobe? If you stay on this medication? It'll make you steader on your feet, even if you think you're steady enough. My favorite style is the 'swan neck' ones. Provide the most balance, and can be found at a drug store.
Another thing it does? In the public eye, you change from being labelled (improperly) as 'Drunk', to being labelled (again, probably improperly) as 'Disabled'. I don't know how your work collegues will handle this, but it'll hopefully emphasize with them that this is a physical issue that is out of your control, and not the after effects of a 3 martini lunch.
posted by spinifex23 at 5:21 PM on July 12, 2022 [5 favorites]
Another thing it does? In the public eye, you change from being labelled (improperly) as 'Drunk', to being labelled (again, probably improperly) as 'Disabled'. I don't know how your work collegues will handle this, but it'll hopefully emphasize with them that this is a physical issue that is out of your control, and not the after effects of a 3 martini lunch.
posted by spinifex23 at 5:21 PM on July 12, 2022 [5 favorites]
I should add that I have experience with this first hand.
When my spasticity first developed, and I got more wobbly, I'd have bars refuse to serve me - even soda - as they thought I was drunk. Which, as a former bartender? I can understand - but it still annoyed me. When I started using canes and forearm crutches? That behavior stopped across the board.
posted by spinifex23 at 5:32 PM on July 12, 2022
When my spasticity first developed, and I got more wobbly, I'd have bars refuse to serve me - even soda - as they thought I was drunk. Which, as a former bartender? I can understand - but it still annoyed me. When I started using canes and forearm crutches? That behavior stopped across the board.
posted by spinifex23 at 5:32 PM on July 12, 2022
If you're hearing those jokes at work more than once I think you're right to worry. I think this might be a case where a quick "medication side effects, actually" would go a long way. I'd also talk with my manager, but that's *very* dependent on your manager and your workplace, obviously.
posted by Stacey at 5:57 PM on July 12, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Stacey at 5:57 PM on July 12, 2022 [3 favorites]
I have MS, and vertigo and right now I am having a particularly bad time with balance and speech. I am aware that people are giving me the side eye, but nobody has been crass enough to address me in the way your colleagues have "jokingly" addressed you.
I am pretty brash, so I would speak right up and say: "Perhaps you don't recall that I had a stroke, I take medication now."
And stare them in the eye. That might not suit your style, but I'll bet the comments would stop.
Definitely think you should discuss with your doc ASAP.
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 8:10 PM on July 12, 2022 [16 favorites]
I am pretty brash, so I would speak right up and say: "Perhaps you don't recall that I had a stroke, I take medication now."
And stare them in the eye. That might not suit your style, but I'll bet the comments would stop.
Definitely think you should discuss with your doc ASAP.
posted by alwayson_slightlyoff at 8:10 PM on July 12, 2022 [16 favorites]
I'd say something like, "I had a stroke, and the medication I'm on helps but it can make me look a little drowsy. I'm fine, though." That may be more info than you want to share, but I'm guessing that if you say it once or twice word will get out and the jokes will stop.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 8:23 PM on July 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Ursula Hitler at 8:23 PM on July 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
basalganglia is an expert and I would strongly suggest following her advice. Your neurologist should be able to work with you to find a drug that doesn't have as severe side effects for you.
As for dealing with comments at work, I think you can keep it simple to avoid seeming defensive. Just "Yeah, I'm taking a medication with some side effects, but don't worry, I'm still fine." should do. If the people you're working with are professional, that should be enough for them to drop it. If you have a supervisor it might be worth giving them a heads up specifically that the side effects of the drug you're taking right now can look like alcohol intoxication, just so they don't wonder.
Sorry to hear about this, geoff. Hope your recovery is swift.
posted by biogeo at 9:14 PM on July 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
As for dealing with comments at work, I think you can keep it simple to avoid seeming defensive. Just "Yeah, I'm taking a medication with some side effects, but don't worry, I'm still fine." should do. If the people you're working with are professional, that should be enough for them to drop it. If you have a supervisor it might be worth giving them a heads up specifically that the side effects of the drug you're taking right now can look like alcohol intoxication, just so they don't wonder.
Sorry to hear about this, geoff. Hope your recovery is swift.
posted by biogeo at 9:14 PM on July 12, 2022 [1 favorite]
”You know I had a stroke, right?” would make me turn inside out, shrivel up and die. I would think carefully about my privilege and likely cut down on saying the first “funny” thing that popped in my head. So do that if you can!
posted by Iteki at 9:57 PM on July 12, 2022 [22 favorites]
posted by Iteki at 9:57 PM on July 12, 2022 [22 favorites]
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posted by geoff. at 3:33 PM on July 12, 2022