How do you Campral?

[Cinders]

How do you Campral?

Rosalind,

I agree that the supps are very important in speeding up the healing process.

All in all, I think we can quit drinking without doing anything, but the supps, perhaps Campral, etc, make it a bit easier.

It is still hard but like anything worth doing in life, it is definitely worth it.

I do know that the alternative, continuing to drink, is going to end up disasterously for me in one way or another.

So, I'll muddle along with PAWs and menopause and some days feeling really blue because my brain is working so hard at trying to fool me back into drinking, and some days when I get nervous or anxious, I just let it happen and deal with it.

Bradford says that the other option, continuing to drink, will lead to jails, institutions or death. I sing that in my head sometimes, "jails, institutions, or death" to remind myself why being a non-drinker is the best option for me. It seems a little draconian but my darn brain sometimes needs a real kick in the butt.

Hang in there, Rosalind. We are strong-willed women. We will do this.

Love,
Cindi

[trp]

How do you Campral?

In the event that any dr. flat out denies you the prescription then her/she is not worth your time. However if they say they are unfamiliar with it then school em' and they should call it in or write it for you.

[Guest]

How do you Campral?

trp;239353 wrote: In the event that any dr. flat out denies you the prescription then her/she is not worth your time. However if they say they are unfamiliar with it then school em' and they should call it in or write it for you.

You are not listening.

I couldn't afford to go to the doctor, not when you factor in the cost of test, so I went with self help natural method instead. Some people are into Holistic health because they can't afford traditional medicine.

That is Ok though it works better any way in most cases.

If you want to send me $500.00 I will go to the doctor. (though I wonder if I would really even need the Campral now that I am already 30 days in a row af without it)

[Guest]

How do you Campral?

I am sorry, I am going back to the Holistic section.

I said I would check back with y'all and tell you how the self administered Amino Acid Therapy worked for me and that is all I was doing here just keeping my promise to tell you all if it worked or not.

I am 30 days Af and have lost 5.5 pounds so it is working for me, many people though go the medication route and that is fine with me.

[trp]

How do you Campral?

That's awsome rosalind!!! 4give me if I spoke b4 fully considering all u were saying. I look 4ward to my own 30 day milestone. Wish me well.

[salem]

How do you Campral?

Grotesque

Hi:
It is sleeting and the skies are grey--like my mood. This is day 2 of 25 mg. of Topamax and 100 mg. of Provigil. I am not looking forward to the brain effects having just recovered barely from brain effects of hypothyroidism and menopause. I was hoping to feel euphoric from the Provigil, but it is not overwhelming. Darn.

I do hope this program works, but it's scary pummeling my brain with yet another substance. On a positive note, I wasn't hungry at lunch today--and I hadn't eaten breakfast. Surely this is too soon and too low a dose for the anorectic effects?

Hypothyroidism packs the weight on--30 pounds in six weeks without a change in diet. And it is truly impossible to lose weight until the right hormone dose is achieved--which has taken nearly three years.

So, I may not remember dates, names etc. but I'll look good.

I just don't like facing the fact of my alcohol dependence. I have such good reasons for drinking.

[Guest]

How do you Campral?

Trp,

Oh that is Ok, I probably didn't explain it very well. My fault. Also I think sometimes people can't relate to someone not being able to afford a doctor. Alot of my interest in holistic health stems from not having insurance or access to medical care. That route works pretty well for most things ,I just hope I never get cancer or something really serious like that. I wouldn't want to operate on myself.:nutso:

I wish you well on reaching 30 days (and beyond). Keep us posted on your progress.

[adagirl]

How do you Campral?

I'm late to read through this thread, but just want to say congrats on your success!

I know you aren't planning on seeing a doctor now and I don't really think its necessary since you've already made plenty of progress on your own. But, for anyone reading this who is having the same anxiety of trying to find a doctor that will provide meds to help w/alcohol abuse, one of the tips I found on this site (under the literature written by the author of MWO) was to try a doctor of osteopathy. I don't know why because osteopathy has nothing to do w/addiction medicine as far as I can tell. But, it just so happens that the doctor I like best in my doctor's office is a doctor of osteopathy and I decided to go see her when I wanted to talk about my problem (because I just didn't feel comfortable w/my own doctor). Anyway, she was great and did prescribe me exactly what I wanted (which was Naltrexone, but she was also willing to prescribe Campral if I wanted). And, she was nothing but supportive and open minded.

[salem]

How do you Campral?

Free or less expensive ways to get meds

Hi:
I didn't read all of the messages in depth, but in the U.S., most if not all of the major drug companies will supply medication to people below a certain income level (what that is varies according to number in household, educational expenses, etc.--but they don't tend to be too tough on the criteria--they're trying to be nice, and to gain good publicity for Big Pharma). This is especially true if you don't have medical insurance--they of anyone know how much the drugs cost!

If you see a psychiatrist or an MH worker they might know about these programs (the M.D. is the most likely candidate), or they may have samples or could get them for you. Your F.P., internist, or gynecologist may be less knowledgeable, but might be willing to learn! But one could waste valuable time and expensive appointments finding all of this out. A phone call might provide the information or you could be proactive and call the local drug representative yourself. Go online and google the drug name which will give you the manufacturer. Then google the manufacturer and the name of your city. Get the phone number from information and when you get the name and number of the representative explain what you need. Generally they tend to be helpful. They may want to know the name of your doctor so they can call on him or her and educate him or her. Public service all around. Oh, and in addition to being free, they will mail the drugs direct to your house (after your doctor has signed off on the application) for a period of a year before you have to re-apply.

I hope I am being clear--the point is to get the form--either via doctor or drug rep--fill out your parts, attach any required financial info.--drop it off for the doc to sign off and usually three months later you are getting the meds. (I didn't say it was fast--just free). And the doc or the drug rep via the doc can supply you with samples until the mail supply starts.
I hope I am not implying that the drug rep will give samples directly to you; he/she might give you the application form, but you have to get samples and discuss need for the medication with your doctor.

Also, someone said something about preferring a D.O. who she found more approachable. In the 1800's Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.'s) and Doctors of Medicine (M.D.'s) received different training--the D.O.'s training was focused on cranio-sacral alignment and musculo-skeletal problems as the cause of disease. M.D.'s were barely beyond leeches. Antibiotics weren't available to the general population until after WWII--so basically any doctor held your hand until you died if it was bad enough. (Did you know pneumonia was the leading cause of death of young adults at the turn of the last century? Average life expectancy was 40 years.) Ok, ok, they did a little more than that. These days, D.O. schools and medical schools have identical curricula--so they are basically the same thing.
I would bet the D.O. seemed more approachable because she's a woman. I could be wrong though.

FYI: I'm researching a book and learning all sorts of fascinating detail!

[Guest]

How do you Campral?

Salem

I did all that already. I got the paper from the manufactor to take to the doctor and located a doctor that was willing to prescribe the Campral. It is just I am on day 37 AF already so figure I don't need the Campral or a doctor afterall. It would take 2 months after I went to the doctor to get free campral and I definately won't need it by then.

I just took Vitamins and Amino acids instead and that worked.

I still think it is good that I took all the steps I did to line stuff up should I find I really do need it later. I have done all I need to do for now and I am happy and AF.

Thanks for mentioned it though just in case I didn't know and for others who might need that information.

Oh yes, and one other thing a person getting free medication still might not be able to afford a doctor when you consider the cost of a blood panel and all. To me this is a non issue now as I already found out something else that will work instead of going to the doctor and getting on the Campral. Mostly DON'T DRINK. Vitamins, amino acids, healthy food and exercise.

I just got "Seven Weeks To Sobriety" and "Depression Free Naturally" in mail order from Amazon today, that will also teach me things that are recovery related. I believe a person should do what ever they have to do to either remain Af or become a moderate drinker.

As far as moderate drinking though, that means actually drinking moderately. Not drinking way too much and then say I am moderating. So untill I can learn how to do that, if ever, it is AF for me.

[cowgal]

How do you Campral?

just started

I just started campral, seems to be doing it, have NO desire to drink (only 3 days AF though) I did take it through the weekend, and had little desire to drink, once I opened a beer, rarely finished it, didn't crave another as I usually did.

My doctor prescribed for me NO PROBLEM, I just told her I couldn't stop drinking and thought I was losing it, not on any antidepressants,(not depressed!!Just stressed, and drinking wayyyyyy too much!!) but she wrote out the script no problem, I see her 1/9/08 for follow up and hopefully I feel as good and can moderate so well until then, then I will get another script! GLADLY, couldn't do the topa, had free access to free samples too, so that was a shame!!

Good to hear it works for many!! YEAH!!!!!!

MA:h

[Guest]

How do you Campral?

Cowgal,

I am glad that the Campral is working for you and many others here.

Whatever works!

In my case, when I got the paper for the free Campral I still couldn't afford to go to the doctor.

It was going to be $140.00 + test. It was the + test part that I couldn't afford. The $140.00 for the visit I am sure I could have managed to scrap together. So even though I located a doctor ( Smart Refferal)who was willing to prescribe the Campral I really couldn't afford to go.

They couldn't really tell me how much "plus test" would cost as they wouldn't know untill they saw me what kind of test they were going to have to run. So there was an unknown variable for me to deal with.

Was "plus test" going to be $200.00 or a $1000.00? I never did know.

So instead, I got vitamins and books. Total cost $200.00, which is about how much I would have spent on alcohol had I been drinking the last 38 days. I haven't had a drink in 38 days.

[salem]

How do you Campral?

alcoholic

rosalind:
An alcoholic is also someone who drinks more than his doctor.
salem
good luck to you and to me.

[salem]

How do you Campral?

Also

I posted a message (I'm new here so I don't know if it's a thread or a what yet), on the ASAP site regarding some medication questions--I'm going to the doc tomorrow and could benefit from some replies to my questions. No one has replied over there yet. Thanks, Salem

[ratana]

How do you Campral?

Salem, you have a lot of questions on that other post, but since it was a reply in someone else's different thread it was probably overlooked. What you should do is start a new thread in the Meds forum and copy/paste your question in it. Then it will show up on both "new posts" and in the main home page. I would help, but the meds aren't my forte. Good luck!