Antabuse Thread

[SpiritGirl]

Antabuse Thread

I don't believe it has to be 3 days AF. If you read through this thread most people have said 12 hours. I have taken it after only 12 hours AF and was just fine. Good luck ...

[gelgit]

Antabuse Thread

My 2 cents here as I am again on antabuse. I try to take as little as possible because after a prolonged session it makes me sick. So, 1/2 tab every 3-4 days keeps me totally AF. I simply cannot drink. And, it takes 7 to 10 days after stopping to be able to drink without turning beet red. The longer I have taken it; the longer it takes to get it out of my system.
Now, I guess the whole point of this is to not need to care how many days must pass before I can resume my love affair with Al. I still haven't come to the realization that I just can't drink, don't need to drink and don't want to drink. That sounds so simple??? Like, just say no and just be happy.

[dmb287]

Antabuse Thread

I did it - took my first AB tablet this morning....

Good morning all! Well, I did it... I made the decision to take my 1st AB this morning. The tablets came in 500 mg. doses and I split it into a 125 mg. dose, taking that. I must say I am quite scared - not of the urge to drink but of something I eat or some product with unknown traces of alcohol in it. Guess I will become quite the avid label reader, huh? I'm going to journal it all so I can keep track of the good, bad and the ugly. Cheers! Here's to drinking lots & lots of water. I'm very anxious to see my life, my body, and my mind transform into something it hasn't been in about 20 years - more clear, more happy, more productive... and my mood being more stable. I've found a website - labsafe.com (some of you may be familiar with it) - you can shop on their website for your test (in my case a liver function test), they locate a test lab near you, you go there to submit blood and then they have their doctor review the results and notify you, as well as send a hard copy to you. I researched them beforehand. I will do it again in a few weeks to make sure my liver function is still o.k. Goodbye binge drinking - hello to a fresh start. I'm praying for this to work - it's my only hope and God knows I've tried everything and anything. I hope you all have a great AB / AF week with no adverse effects : ) ...dmb

[beatle]

Antabuse Thread

Thanks for that info , dmb.

You are probably too paranoid about the effects of small amounts of alcohol you find in food, at least, especially if you are taking a so low dose. At 200mg per day, I never had a problem with food with a little alcohol or vinegar in it. At 100mg, I could even drink a small glass of wine (granted, I would get quite flushed and splotchy, so not really tempting, as it would reveal me!). I know different people react differently, and I would avoid all alcohol if you can, but before you get totally paranoid, you should realise that even if you accidentally get a little alcohol in food products, unless you are on a very high dose, you will probably not have much of a reaction, and very unlikely a terrible reaction.

[dmb287]

Antabuse Thread

Beatle - you are too awesome! Thank you for that info... it was reassuring - so far so good today. I won't be testing out the wine theory though, because I personally get flush from it anyways. My body is extremely sensitive to any types of medicines, wines and if I can get a reaction from it, it will probably happen. The information you provided was very helpful. With me having a 2 and 5 yr. old at home I was leaning towards being more cautious than not, and starting out with a minimal dose and seeing how it goes. BUT as for me NO alcohol - the consequences far outway the craving at this point. If only I was able to say that before the AB!! Better later than never, right? I will post again to let you know how it goes... dmb. :thanks:

[beatle]

Antabuse Thread

Yes, definitely better late than never... I think most of us here can say that!

Also better safe than sorry-- I didn't mean for you to test out the wine theory, ha ha, I already did that for you. You WILL get a reaction, wether it be as minor as mine, or not, I can't tell, but even a flushed splotchy face is enough to keep me away from alcohol, in public at least. Also, my heart was kind of racing, and my breathing got slightly difficult. Only a dummy like me would do something so dumb. But there you have it.

[dmb287]

Antabuse Thread

I think I got ripped off...

Well Beatle ---- I think the meds I bought on the internet (came from India - 1meds.com) are not really AB. Since I was only on 125 mg. and my cravings were getting the best of me - I tried a little bit of wine (about a tablespoon) and NOTHING (so of course I tried a little more and then a glass, then the whole bottle) - the only reaction was the tiniest bit of blotchiness on my skin and itchy feet. I waited a day - took a 250 mg. tablet and the next day tried my experiment again and AGAIN NOTHING! I think I've been duped out of $145.00 and didn't AB. So... I am totally 1) pissed off and 2) without AB (or $145.00) - did you get an RX from your dr. or did you order off the web. I was wondering about the tablets I received.... I looked on drugs.com and the tablets I got are called Antinol, it has CB LAB enscribed on the pill and I couldn't find any information on either (Antinol or CB LAB).... OR do you think I just need to take it daily in order for it to kick in?!? I'm a bit discouraged and frustrated. Since I was home by myself I figured if I had a sip and got sick then I definitely knew they worked - but I had wondered about the tablets from the get-go. Do you know of a reputable online pharmacy I may be able to obtain them from? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated! Regards, dmb.

[akgirl]

Antabuse Thread

Day 3 and loving it! I just can't describe how nice it is no just not have the option anymore. It's great not to have to convince myself I don't want a drink.

[beatle]

Antabuse Thread

dmb, I got my AB from a prescription from my doctor-- still, it did cost a bit, even in this socialist country (about $US 45 for 100 tabs of 200mg).

I don't know if you got cheated or not, but the general rule is that you do need to take it for a few days first to get it in your system (and then you need to wait a few days to get it out of your system if you want to be able to drink).

I would try 2x200mg for 2 days, then 1x200mg for a few days. After that, you can probably go down to a half tablet (100mg) per day to keep you reasonably protected (i.e you may be able to take a few sips of wine, but any more and you will be sorry, so what's the point, really, eh?).

Anyway, that's what I did. I guess I fine-tuned the art of abusing Antabuse, but I'm still happy to have it. I plan to start it next week again in preparation for the holidays-- I want to get it into my system while I am sober and motivated to stay that way so that I won't even have the possibility to be weak later. It's a kind of backup-- or maybe a crutch? Either way, whatever works, right?

[beatle]

Antabuse Thread

And ak, that is great! Yeh, I can relate to that euphoric feeling of no head games.

I don't take AB regularly because I had some uncomfortable side effects (which seems to be unusual) and also, I like to think I can do it without-- but I always have AB on hand, because I know that I need it sometimes. I'm starting on it soon in prep for the hellidays.

[akgirl]

Antabuse Thread

Too funny. I was emailing someone something about antabuse and it came up on my spell check as mispelled. When I clicked to see the options for the right spelling, all it had was ant abuse. Just a giggle for all of out there abusing ants :H

[Determinator]

Antabuse Thread

DMB, some folks have to take it for a few days for it to 'ramp up' in their system. Just depends on your body chemistry. Be very careful! taking AB and intentionally drinking is considered medically REALLY bad.

[brittzak]

Antabuse Thread

Please be careful taking antabuse....besides the WARNINGS you get like the redness of face etc, internally if you drink on it you WRECK havoic on your liver....I mean you are destroying yourself. So, please if you chose this method be reading to QUIT. I take Topa and Antabuse...might consider it.

[on my way]

Antabuse Thread

brit, thanks for that tid bit. I feel so remorseful for the abuse my liver has taken...not happeneing any more

[beatle]

Antabuse Thread

And don't forget to take your milk thistle--