Antabuse update...My story

[Shikakai]

Antabuse update...My story

cindi;311260 wrote: Beth,

Thank you for sharing. I love the honesty and information we exchange on this site. It is so awesome.

Recall, Beth, that my shrink told me to stay on the Antabuse long term as long as my liver was okay. (If liver not okay, nooo, I can't start drinking again.)

But, his point was that the Antabuse is a tool, not a cure. However, sobriety takes long term. It takes work and it takes dedication.

He feels that drinkiing is only part of my issues but getting that haze of the booze out of my life first was the best way to insure I could deal with the other issues.

So, yes. AL is there and AL is waiting. 30 days it not enough, 60, 90, who knows? He said he has patients who have been taking it more than a year as they work through their other issues. Many of these patients, btw, are medical doctors who absolutely cannot be found to have alcohol in their system or they will lose their licenses.

Yes, we will be fighting AL pretty much the rest of our lives. But hey, my brother has been fighting diabetes all of his life, so if he can do that, I can do this.

I am so glad you are back, I am glad you had fun on your vacation, because life is about having fun, too, and I am glad you are pondering your future and how to make it the best it can possibly be.

Love,
Cindi
XXX

Wonderful post, Cindi! :l

I have nothing to add! Ha!

[Shikakai]

Antabuse update...My story

TiredofHiding;312085 wrote: it is hard to get back to it, isn't it? I did almost 90 days and then took off a weekend to celebrate my anniversary with my husband. . . I am still having a hard time getting back in the groove. The cravings are back. The desire is back. It is so easy to slip back into the plotting and planning to drink. I went back on campral this week to help get the cravings gone for a few weeks until I am certain I am back in my AF groove.

It is sad to know how easy it comes back and that we will have to be ever vigilent to stay clean.

Yes, and that's the SCARIEST part! It's like the alcohol is "waiting around the corner" for us to come back... that's why I KNOW I can't EVER afford to go back, even for a weekend, a weeknight; I don't care what I'm celebrating and nothing else. I can't afford to go back.

It seems our Lucy had to "convince" herself to get back on Antabuse and you know why? We will always love the way alchi makes us feel (until we've had too much) and we know it's detrimental to our well-being, but it's something we're going to always be susceptible to it. It's like an old lover rolling into town if we "give in."

The alchi knows that and tries to trick us. We can't have that, now can we?

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Antabuse update...My story

Just a quick update...

I spoke to a couple of you on chat who seem to be following my antibuse story so...

End of day 3. I took the antibuse this morning without any hesitation, but I must admit, it has been a little tough in the evenings (i.e., I am thinking..."ugh, WHY did I do that??? Now I can't drink!!). BUT, I remember from my 26 days before...by a week or so, I was really not sweating it out at all!! I really only stopped because of fear of having my sis not see me drink anything on the cruise and wonder why. Crazy, I know.

I think this med works because when I take it (morning), I am in no way interested in drinking, and then, I have no choice at night. And after a few days, I seem to not miss it all that much. Even these first days are MUCH easier than w/o the med., since I know I have no choice in the matter. I miss drinking, but just...move on.

Anyway, there it is.

More...I would love to aim for 30 days with you!!

Later guys

Love,

Beth

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Antabuse update...My story

Second-

Not THAT brave...got it from River. Was scared to take it, but still here lol. Figure it can't hurt me more than alcohol. Taking it every other day. PM me if you want more info.

Good luck!!

Beth

[Charlie Girl]

Antabuse update...My story

Hi All....

Well done Beth for getting back on the horse.
I just started on Antabuse... pickle my grandmother - what a miracle - i am now 8 days AF. That is a record for me. I haven't even tried... I know its not the ultimate cure however I believe if I can do 30 or 60 or 90 it will get me in the mind frame that I do not need AL to enjoy life.

second chance - I like you was so scared about taking it. However it was after reading some of the great posts on MWO that i decided to take the plunge.
I take it first thing in the morning before my brain has fully woken, before I know it that little pill is sliding down my throat and waa la... no drinking today for this little duck.
I got mine from River & so far have had no probs whats so ever.

Beth - I like you worry about certain people when I say 'I am not drinking'... It leads to - 'Oh are you OK?' 'What's wrong' and because I am in my 30's - 'Oh your not pregnant are you?'... So i thought about it... my response is now 'I am doing a detox for 2 months'.
It is unbelieveable - people are amazed that I would undertake such a task. (Little do they know its the little pill that is really doing it.)
As humans we like to talk about ourselves rather than listen to others... So very soon the whole table is filled with 'Oh my Goodness... there is no way I could do 2 weeks let alone 2 MONTHS!' & 'No way - I couldn't possibly do that' then its usually followed by 'You are amazing.. Good on you'.
And soon you find the whole table is congratulating you on something they have all admitted they could not do & I makes me even more determined to keep popping my little pill.
I am only 8 days in... (oh my never thought i would say those words) however I am as sure as eggs when i am 1 month in - my friends will have forgotten when I started or when my 2 months is up - so i can add another month or do as I choose.
Beth this may not suit your situation - but for me it dispells any thoughts that you may be ill or a bun in the oven or god forbit a problem.

All the best to everyone - have to goto sleep now as I want to be bright n cheery for DAY 9!!!!

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE XXX

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Antabuse update...My story

Hi more!!

You did the weekend without AL!!! Yea!!!

Can't wait to talk to you!!

Beth

[bestlifeldms]

Antabuse update...My story

Go Lucy, Go!!! :yougo::yougo::yougo:

As always, :h

Best

[debruce]

Antabuse update...My story

Charlie Girl,
Well done. (And to all you others!!!)
I am in Aus as well and just curious. Why did you get your antabuse from River???
Did you ask a dr for it and they wouldn't prescribe it.
Reason I am asking is I am thinking of getting this myself.
Do you have any side effects at all??
I am taking campral and l-glut and it is working and lessening the cravings, but I still had 3 drinks on Sunday, just out of habit. I don't want to have those 3 drinks!!!!. My mind is a blank after the 2nd drink. I can't handle these black outs in my mind. It is so scary and so not worth it. I have to ask my husband what I did. Isn't that sad. Is anyone else like this??? I am so convinced that I am definitely allergic to alcohol.
Thinking that the antabuse will take all the temptation out of the equation and once I have a long stretch under my belt I won't want to drink again!!!!
:thanks:

[BabyGirl]

Antabuse update...My story

I am considering antabuse -- I actually had 50 days last year at this time... yep, he creeps back in... I am so sick! I have to present tomorrow at a faculty meeting and I am so bloated! Sadly, I am sipping wine as I prepare to go AF tomorrow... :upset:

[Charlie Girl]

Antabuse update...My story

hi there debruce,
small town - gossip - you know the story. that is why i went straight to river. i did plenty of research as i thought there MUST be some bad side effects... am 9 days now and only once have i thought about a drink. But like you it was habbit. The Aussie way - working outside on a Sunday - come in and just felt like a nice cold beer. Had a lemonaide instead - it tasted so good.
i am soooo happy with antabuse.
No side effects whats so ever. hardly any cravings. it is becuase i know there is no way i can sneek a sly drink in.
you just can't.
keep me upto date with your progress.

x

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Antabuse update...My story

Similar story here...didn't go thru doc, because I was chicken to admit it. However, it is certainly better to go thru your doc, in that they can monitor you and your liver function...I understand you have to watch this. However, my liver has to be doing better on the med then when drinking.

I have found incredible success, with no side effects. On the med, some are very sensitive to any products with alcohol in them, like perfume, and even vinagar. I have been fine. No effects unless I drink. I did "research" the effect with alcohol...early on with the med. I needed to know it really did work. I drank very little, like an ounce or two of wine. In a few minutes, my heart began to race, I got a headache, got flushed and my breathing was slightly labored. That was ALL I needed to know...Now, I take the med, and no question that I won't drink. And once that decision is made for me, I don't obsess.

Hope that helps. OH, I had 26 days AF, then went off the med for a cruise (long story) and right back on upon my return...6 days AF now...planning to stay on for awhile...

Hope this helps

Beth

[bald headed old guy]

Antabuse update...My story

Beth..one word...
CONGRATULATIONS

BHOG

[Chief]

Antabuse update...My story

I'm so proud of you, Beth.... :l

Don

[debruce]

Antabuse update...My story

Well done Beth!!!
You go girl
xxx:goodjob:

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Antabuse update...My story

Thanks guys!!

Done with day 7...it really has been ok. I think about drinking (of course) during my "witching hour", but not struggling...wow. I have been going to the gym several days a week. I went today at 5:45 and will be going tomorrow at the same time. No WAY would I be motivated to hit the gym at that hour if I was drinking...I would be well on my way into the alcohol by that point...

Anyway...doing well and feeling stronger every day...

Love you guys!!!


Beth