trying antabuse now - advice?

[treetops]

I have been taking antabuse for just over a week now and its really helping. I like not being able to talk myself into drinking - because I can't. I have had a very hard time at work this week and I managed to get through this without alcohol! Its very early days yet but I feel a sense of freedom. Have tried to give up lots of times before - so I am not kidding myself that this is a magic bullet.
Only thing is - I am urinating an awful lot (even disturbs my sleep). Has anyone else had this as a side effect of antabuse?

[bimble01]

trying antabuse now - advice?

hi,did your gp give u antabuse?mine just send me to local cais and they dont help!!!can i just ask gp for them?

[MtnMomma]

trying antabuse now - advice?

Hi treetops! I was on AB for the past 5 weeks and I absolutely had frequent urination. Even at night, 3-4 times. ALSO, the other awful side effect was the terrible number 2. I thought I was coming down with some kind of bug but it never went away on it's own. I had to take Immodium for a few days then it got more frequent. A week ago I stopped taking the AB and within a couple days, my body went back to normal. Yesterday I had my liver tested, as required by my DR and found my enzyme levels increased slightly. My Doc took me off it so I can regulate my system. I do have to say, while taking it, I was, and still am, AF!!! It's been almost 6 weeks. Hope your side effects aren't too bad. Good Luck!

[K9Lover]

trying antabuse now - advice?

Hi Treetops (I like your name!)

I've been on AB for a loooong time. I don't experience any negative side effects, but everyone is different. Getting up a couple times a night is a small price to pay for being sober! I figure I was getting up even more when I was drinking anyway! The difference is that now I can go right back to sleep, instead of staying awake with the horrible anxiety, guilt and shame that comes around at 3:00am after a night of binge drinking. Stick with the AB as long as needed, it is a wonderful tool that will give you some solid sober time. And yes, it's freeing to know you can't drink...I certainly do not miss the daily inner-battle I used to have.

Stick close and keep posting, we're glad to have you here!

K9

[Dave_]

trying antabuse now - advice?

I'm with K9. Ab is the thing that has helped me work through the reasons i drink. I am very grateful it exists.

[Running4life]

trying antabuse now - advice?

I have not had any side effects at all. I just need keep taking the pill.
It has helped me to get some serious AF time!
R4L

[treetops]

trying antabuse now - advice?

bimble01;1394750 wrote: hi,did your gp give u antabuse?mine just send me to local cais and they dont help!!!can i just ask gp for them?

Hi. I live in NZ where gps can prescribe AB

[treetops]

trying antabuse now - advice?

Have now been on Antabuse for two and a half weeks - the urination is now not quite so bad but my skin is blotchy (latter is a minor irritant). Generally its going really well and I love not being able to have to decide whether or not to drink. Its giving me time to see how I can get through situations without alcohol.
I am getting my liver function tests back next week - so here's hoping I can stay on Antabuse for a while.

[Patrick Bateman]

trying antabuse now - advice?

I have been on antabuse for a week now and haven't noticed any side effects, treetops what dosage are you taking? Rather than taking it every day I'm thinking of just taking a pill (250mg) every monday and thursday because it stays in your body for 5 days or so, that way I get the benefits of not being able to drink but greatly reducing the harsh effects it can have on the liver

[nurdl]

trying antabuse now - advice?

Patrick, thanks for mentioning that you take AB just twice a week. I take it every other day with no side effects other than heavy sleep. It is wonderfully freeing. I wear a medical alert bracelet jwhen I eat out or am at a social event just in vase I encounter hidden alcohol. So far that hasn't been a problem. I'm careful though about sauces and desserts.

Stay strong!
~nurdl

[K9Lover]

trying antabuse now - advice?

Hi Everyone,

I'm glad to hear how well AB is working for you all...I owe my life to AB and MWO...

I still take 125mg every day...I guess it's not good that I don't even think of what it's doing to my liver...I figure one pill has to be better than the 12+ beers I was filtering through my liver EVERY day. Whatever works for each individual is great though...keep it up!

[treetops]

trying antabuse now - advice?

I am taking only 100mg every second day (because I already had elevated liver functions so being very careful). I figure its still in my system for at least 5 -7 days and it works for me - so far.
Here are a few minor obs.
I had a bloodtest last week and my form clearly marked that I was on AB. Before I had time to think the technician had swabbed my arm - I asked if there was alcohol in it - she said yes. I said I shouldn't have this as I am on AB. She said what's AB? Oh dear. Too late. Anyway there was no obvious side-effect.
Yesterday I went to a L'occitane store to see if they had any decent alcohol free perfume/cologne etc. L'occitane prides itself on its healthy ingredients. Asked the shop assistant - oh she says, "yes our products do contain alcohol but its OK because the alcohol is made from natural plant based products." Well I tried to explain that one but gave up!

AB does not make me sleepy - quite the reverse. But that could be a return to my 'natural' sleep patterns as I was using alcohol to help me sleep (of course I still woke up around 3am and worried/guilt tripped myself).

[treetops]

trying antabuse now - advice?

Good news - I had my liver functions results today and I am tracking downwards - this is since I have been on antabuse and AL free. Its still early days and I am not complacent. I hope I can keep with this and keep my health up - such a relief.

[techie]

trying antabuse now - advice?

That is great news treetops. keep making progress and you'll have liver function in the normal range shortly. Best of luck!

[NoraC]

trying antabuse now - advice?

Great news Treetops. So, happy to hear that your liver functions are getting better. I have also had blood tests while on Antabuse with no problem. I don't seem to have any side effects. I did seem to have increased depression but was able to work thru that and it improved.
Again, so happy that this is working well for you.