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    #1

    Will It Help?

    Hi all,

    I ordered Topa tonight from River Pharmacy. I've been very afraid to try this, but after the last few weeks of a nightly bottle of wine, I decided to give it a shot. I've been logging on here for more than a year, and have managed to cut back. There have been big improvements overall in the past year. I've battled with depression, and won for now. I'm not completely unmotivated. I have purged my house this summer, cleaning and organizing like crazy. I have spent much better time with my kids. I've stopped struggling with the general dissatisfying state of my marriage. It is what it is, for now. However, lately, I feel like I'm sliipping back into the routine of the need to drink nightly. Typically, it's after 8 o'clock at night. I don't go out and pull all night bingers--never have. But I hate the fact that it's been a daily thing again lately, and I can't seem to say no to myself. Maybe if my life was more interesting, and I didn't spend so much time, especially in the evening, feeling lonely. I do feel like my life is lacking, and I have been using alcohol as a way of dulling that boredom, but I am sick of this. I hope Topamax gives me the edge I need to free myself from this obsession I have with alcohol. Sorry for the long rant. Just needed to vent. Ordering Topa was a huge step that I have considered for a long while. I hope that I am not one of those that suffers the many side effects. Wish me luck.

    Julie
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    #2
    Will It Help?

    Julie,

    I'm also afraid to go the topa route but from the threads that i have read it seems that many find it to be helpful and without side effects. The meds and CD's are helping me but I've only been at this for 3 weeks. I can relate to " I wish my life was more interesting ". When I read that I thought I was reading my auto biography. Just remember that you are not the only one out there with those thoughts. Good luck and keep us posted

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      #3
      Will It Help?

      Hi julie,
      Am so glad you ordered the topa, as it seems like you need a little helping hand.
      I don`t take the meds, but from what I`ve read here, few people have any problems whilst on topa, and it`s highly regarded.

      Your drinking is similar to how mine was this past year, as I had been drinking a nightly btl/wine, typically starting between 8 and 9 pm. Before the past year, I drank a whole lot more.

      Am 27 days AF now and truly was terrified at the thought of starting out........I had rather put the wine up on a pedestal and convinced myself that life would be lack-lustre without it.

      I am single and find that I have much the same issues as yourself. Guess sometimes I get lonely, so it was the easiest thing in the world to find my company in the wine. Now that I`m AF, I think very differently, and realize that alcohol cannot replace company........alcohol is nothing but the greatest traitor.......bleeds us dry and gives us nothing in return. I also found life somewhat dull and uninspiring, but am just beginning to realize how many fabulous opportunities I had all along, only the drink prevented me from seeing them.

      I hope you find the courage to commit to make a start........it`s anything but easy, but it is so very worth it.

      Love and strength to you,

      Starlight Impress x

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        #4
        Will It Help?

        Thanks Roz and Starlight. I'm looking forward to getting past that point of thinking about drinking versus non-drinking all the time. I just want to live life and find enjoyment and peace in that. And congrats, Starlight on your many AF days. That's my goal. I'm not going to drink today. This will be my first AF day in a few weeks (since I fell back into the bottle a day pattern). I feel good just saying that...I am not going to drink today! Thanks again.

        Julie

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          #5
          Will It Help?

          Julie, sounds like you have a plan and you are ready! Good luck with the topa, I know others have had success with it. I started with supps again today and taking Chantix again as well.

          We both can do this!
          Marcie

          Comment

            #6
            Will It Help?

            Julie, I know just what you mean, and soooo many of us slip into the same trap! I hope the topa helps, have you tried the powdered L-glut for cravings, it really works well, you could try that while waiting for your topa....take some in the late afternoon, and about an hour before that "habit" time starts....as for the interesting part, I can identify too...but you have to fix that yourself too...try something new, I'm going to go to Yoga class, I've conned a friend into doing it with me...supposed to be great for the bod, and mind! And, I've started going to the gym during the week, getting some stress off, helps too....Don't beat yourself up about this, its great you can see that you may be slipping backwards, that's huge! Just try doing something different during the witching hour...read a mushy, gushy trashy novel...lol....something.....get some Lithium Orotate at a high-end health food store in the meantime with the L-glut, it sure helps the attitude and blues...almost immediately...I couldn't take the topa, so I'm on week two of Chantix, it sound kick in here soon...I've moderated tons, but AF during the week is my goal, and just a couple on weekends, so far, I've just had a couple this week, which is major for me too from like March this year...this site is a SAVIOR too...couldn't do it without all the folks here! Hang in, keep posting, go to chat in the evenings.....
            "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending"

            Comment

              #7
              Will It Help?

              Hi Julie-I wish you the very best of luck on it. Remember that it's not a miracle drug-there is work that also comes with it. In Dec. when I tried Topa for the second time I was determined that I wanted to beat this and that living an AF life isn't so bad. The first time (about 2 yrs ago) I thought it could solve all my problems and I continued to drink moderately but we all know that what you put in is what you get out & my heart & soul was not into totalling quiting-so I failed on it.

              This time around was different because I put my mind, body & soul into it. I immersed myself & with the help of Topa the first few months I was able to go over 7 mo AF with one slip(about 3+ weeks ago).

              Find a hobby or something you've always wanted to do to fill in the gaps of lull. Remember to set small goals at first & reward yourself for a job well done (not with booze mind you-LOL). I posted here & read here so much my first few months. Know that we're your cheerleaders-you can do it!

              Good luck with the Topa!
              :flower: Change a life; make someone feel important. ................. ........................ ..................... ........................ ................. ....... sigpic

              Comment

                #8
                Will It Help?

                Yes, the topa does work. To avoid side effects, you can titrate up more slowly than they recommend in the book (like every week and a half or two weeks). Or you can also cut the 25mg pills in half and titrate up slower in that way.

                Topa works best if you don't drink every day. You CAN learn to drink over it. I know from personal experience!

                The dose at which I quit completely was 200 mg. However after a month, I was able to titrate down to 100 mg without any increase in cravings.

                Good luck, Julie!
                Hugs,:l
                Kathy
                AF as of August 5th, 2012

                Comment

                  #9
                  Will It Help?

                  Thanks everyone. I started taking the Chantix again today. I used it for about a month and a half back in May and was able to quit smoking, and I was drinking less then. I wasn't sure if it was the fact that I quit smoking therefore drank less (because I always did the two together), or if the Chantix contributed to my drinking less. Now studies are saying that Chantix may help people with alcohol addiction so I will gladly resume taking it. I won't take it with the topamax once that arrives in the mail. Since I'm not under a doctor's care for the topamax, I would really want to mix the two. I need to structure my evenings after 8 p.m. differently. And I definitely need get some exercise. Today is Day 1 af for me. Again thanks for all of the advice and helpful suggestions!

                  Julie

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