Antabuse Thread

[bean33]

Antabuse Thread

Evie,
I started AB three days ago. Yesterday I ordered a salad and was halfway through it when I realized it was balsamic vinegar dressing. I stopped eating it and got a wicked headache which went away a few hours later. I can't say whether that caused it or not, but still, not worth taking any chances!

I'm doing okay, but I will say this: five o'clock is the worst. I get very irritable. Once I get past that hump, I don't care so much and eventually am ready for bed. Take care everyone!

[Cinders]

Antabuse Thread

Dolphin,

I have not gotten constipated from it.

I have no side effects at all, actually, other than when I do something stupid like take NyQuil.

The only side effect I have experienced is the one where I am not drinking!! Whoo Hooo!!

Cindi

[SpiritGirl]

Antabuse Thread

Ugh! I wish I would've waited to order it. I"ve already paid and it was $125. Did the River pharmacy stuff work for anyone here? I'm a little discouraged. Wish I wasn't so weak and didn't feel like I needed it.

[AMELIA]

Antabuse Thread

Hi Spiritgirl,
I got mine from Riverpharmacy. I have no intention of drinking anything on it. I am taking 250mg a day and will cut down to 125mg a day after a week or so. I am only on my 4th day AF, but I haven't really even thought about alcohol. I guess I am one of those people who have a thinking problem about drinking. One week I was hiding bottles and drinking up to two bottles of wine a day, next week (because I am taking these tablets) I am working more, remember everything and am starting to deal with the piles of stuff I have let wait while I have been drinking.

The Antabuse does have to build up in your system before it starts to take a strong effect to. But still, I have no intention of 'trying it out'.

Take the Riverpharmacy tablets. 250mg a day.
Best wishes and keep us posted.
x

[beatle]

Antabuse Thread

I was on Antabuse for about a week, but stopped because I was having side effects (rashes on my face and chest). I also didn't feel I needed it. Well the rashes went away within 48 hours, so I do think that was it, although I would not hesitate to use it again if I need it to keep me from drinking. Better to look like a burnt pizza than to ruin my life and others' lives.

However, I'm thinking maybe I will use Antabuse as a backup if I know I am going to be in a situation in which it will be easy to give in. I'm thinking about a wedding or party or something. I know that even taking one pill in the a.m. can make you react adversely to alcohol later in the day (how do I know? Because I tried it, of course!), so I'm thinking, I can pop one the morning of such an event to back up my resolve to stay AF. Has anyone else tried this?

[Cinders]

Antabuse Thread

Beatle,

No, I haven't tried it but it isn't a bad idea at all. Hopefully, though, if it is a social event you won't look like a pizza.

I take mine daily because I am like Amelia, I have a thinking problem. Those urges pop up quite frequently for me, irritating me and causing me to feel sad because I know I can't give into them. But, it does keep me from drinking.

I figure long term those urges will fade and I will have been forced to learn coping skills by then. At least that is my hope!!

I may also go to Lenair. Am waiting for Luv and Greenie. If it is successful for them, doing it!! (Bootsie, Bestlifedms, Buckledown, Momscat and her BF successful, now Greenie and Luv) So far I have seen only one post from someone who did not succeed. 1:7 ratio would be a very good one and worth the chance.

To actually get rid of the obsession forever would be awesome!!

Love,
Cindi

[12dja]

Antabuse Thread

hi all, my first time so treat me with care!!! my wife is about to start antabuse today- can i really expect to get her back? it has been a long time since the girl i married and the mum of my kids has been "with" us. i just want her back!!! please give me any advice you think may help, i really need some!

[Cinders]

Antabuse Thread

12dja,

:welcome:

If she takes the Antabuse daily, she simply will not be able to drink. It is that simple.

She will get violently ill.

However, she must want to do this and you can expect some withdrawals, etc, if she has been drinking a lot. Has she talked to a doctor about this? AL withdrawal can be dangerous if she consumes large quantities daily.

You might want to download the MWO book from the site. It is about $13 U.S. and an easy read. It was written for those who want to moderate but for those of us who simply cannot (the vast majority here) there is still good information on making going AF easier with supplements, etc. Those of us who have drank alot have depleted certain vitamins and minerals and the supplements help, especially if there has been any liver damage. Also, some of the supplements actually help with the depression and cravings.

I find the Antabuse works great for me. Nothing else did.

Why don't you have her log in and join up? There is a lot of support here.

Best of luck!!

Cindi

[AMELIA]

Antabuse Thread

Hi 12dja! Welcome!!:welcome:

Yes I agree with Cindi. If your wife takes the tablets, then she just will not be able to drink.

Perhaps you could both have half an hour together each morning when she takes the tablet (while you are there) and if either of you want to talk about the progress that is being made then that would be a good opportunity.Your 'meeting' in the morning could be a great support to both of you. You will know she has actually taken the tablet and she will know that you care and are supporting her.

As Cindi said though, your wife needs to want to change first.
Supplements will help a lot and the support here may be very beneficial to her.

I am only at the end of my first week on Antabuse (I know - early days), but over the week I have really only had one or two 'thoughts' about drinking. Other than that, yes, my partner has me back. I was consumed by wine - how much I would drink, when would I get it, where would I hide it. No longer!!
Now I don't go to bed early...wobbling angrily to the bedroom. We sit up together and talk etc. I am getting soooo much more work done. I feel sane.
It is all good, and that is why I will take my tablet once a day, every day.

Best wishes to you and your wife. Let us know how you get on.

[jessie]

Antabuse Thread

Hallo Amelia,
I have been one of those taking my Antabuse erratically 9 to keep the back door open)but you have motivated me to stick to taking it every morning.
Thanks.
Jessie

[AMELIA]

Antabuse Thread

Way to go Jessie, Yep I think you have to 'make sure' you don't drink by taking it every day.
I am still taking 250mg. I think I will do that for a while then cut back to 125mg every day.
Hope it goes well for you.
x

[Benson]

Antabuse Thread

1st time trying Antabuse

Hi all, its my first time trying antabuse, so i decided to do some research and found this site.
I must say that I am very impressed and also now totally scared to even try a beer.
My problem is with moderation. Simply having 2 beers did not cut it for me. I could easly have 8 to 12 in an evening, but would allways wake up the following morning with the inevitable hangover and a shit day going forward.
I would the abstain for a few days - untill the habitual Friday after work bar or club visits with collegues.

As I realised this was affecting both my home and work productivity, I spoke to my GP who prescribed AB.
Also, the damn beer had started to give me gout, and that pain should have been enough reason to stop drinking, but that craving allways came back.

Its 2 days now, and no side effects and no cravings.
I'll keep posting my progress.:new:

[AMELIA]

Antabuse Thread

Welcome Benson!!

Good for you for taking the step to go alcohol free....
No, I would not dare have one beer on these tablets either...I'm not even tempted to try!
Great to see you have gone 2 days already.
Looking forward to reading about your progress
x

[jessie]

Antabuse Thread

Hallo Benson,
Today was my 2nd day as well - if you read the previous posts you'll see that I have been taking them irregularly, always keeping the back door open. But Amelia has motivated me to take it and I'm going to, for at least a week.
Keep in touch.
Jessie

[Cinders]

Antabuse Thread

Hello, everyone.

I am totally convinced that if I had not been taking the Antabuse, I would have definitely caved this week.

I had a bad week urge-wise.

That is the problem with taking it on an as-needed basis. If you get hit by those sudden really bad days, you may not pop that Antabuse and let yourself drink.

If you take it daily, and it builds up in your system, you can't do that.

I am so happy to see so many posting on this thread. I can't wait to see everyone's progress with it.

It sure has been a help for me. I was so tired of being a relapser!!

Love,
Cindi