HELP.....NEED a success story

[wannabehappy]

I have been getting ready for a change. Cut back on alcohol, ordered supps and topamax. I got back to the gym. I read the book. Got my "supps and topa" package yesterday, but now I am feeling that maybe I should not go ahead since it seems the side affects are worse than the AL.....I am so bummed.

I have been reading that most people have a short term..... positive reaction to the supps. Now I am scared to start Topa.

Help......

[Evie.Lou]

HELP.....NEED a success story

The supps helped me and I don't think that they can possibly hurt me like AL has.L GLUT under the tongue gives me instant relief from cravings...Also studies show that eating fresh grapes by the ton will stop cravings and get you started ...You need to design a plan and then put that plan in action...

[livingfree]

HELP.....NEED a success story

Hi Wanna -- Don't be discouraged! I followed the program exactly as outlined in the book. This is a snapshot of my early months AF:

* I only stayed on the topa for 7 weeks because I ended up with a Kidney infection and I didn't like the way it made me feel ........ however with that said .... I was titrating up every week and really should have just stayed at 50 mg. (I didn't like how I felt once I titrated up - but felt good at 25 mg. --- I didn't want to chance it and moved up. Looking back -- I should have stayed low!) The key with Topa IMO ... stay at a low dose, stay on it only until you have the courage to know you can do this without it. There are people here who have been on it for a long time. You have to know your body and be able to read the signs of what it is doing to you. For me I believe it was the 'idea' of it being magic. That helped me stay AF before it came in the mail ... and helped me gain 7 additional weeks before I 'went on without it'!

*I love the CD's and found them very helpful, They were the first thing I implemented. I really credit them with my first 30 days. They worked for me!

*Supplements are essential. I felt my body slowly healing .... the All One is my favorite. I still take most of the supplements. I have always been a "believer" in supplements so this part was easy for me to stay on.

* Exercise helped fill my time during the day when I would have normally drank (esp. right after work). It really pumps your mental energy to endure the changes happening in your body.

I am 8 1/2 months Alcohol Free - and I believe the early days of quitting were due to following this program to the letter. It's when you get some time under you ... you forget what got you where you are! So don't be discouraged. Also - my goal was to STOP drinking. Moderating was something I was going to look at later. Later never came as I feel so awesome as a non drinker. I don't WANT alcohol anymore. EVER.

So ... here's to your success!

[wannabehappy]

HELP.....NEED a success story

Thank you for your reply.......have tears in my eyes that you responded.......I needed a positive response....everything seems so negative

[livingfree]

HELP.....NEED a success story

Ohhh Wanna - It makes me sad that you felt there were so many negatives! There are so many POSITIVES here ... it's just a great reminder for those of us who this program has WORKED for to stay in here to encourage you. I don't post as much as I used to .. as you start to move on with life - but I still find the web site so helpful in why I never want to drink again! Just start walking this road knowing that you will succeed to. You want it - you can do it! Love to you

[DeeBee]

HELP.....NEED a success story

Hey Wanna,

I too took the Topa and has almost NO side effects. What I did achieve though is 48 days AF so far and prior to that 3 months of sucessfull modding.

The supps are a very important part of my program, I take them religiously and although in the begninning I felt quesy I have put that down to my body not being hung-over.

Wishing you all the best on your exciting new journey!

[WaitingToExhale]

HELP.....NEED a success story

Hey Wanna, I'm just at the start too but also working the program according to the book. And it's WORKING!

I was a 2 bottle plus a day, every day wine drinker for years. I started Topa 12 days ago. Now at 50mg and holding for a bit, this will be day 6 at 50mg. I have to say not really any side effects right now. I'm taking selinium just in case for the hair issue. There has been a VERY dramatic drop off in my cravings which I contribute to both the Topa and even the supps as I felt it before the Topa arrived.

One the weekends, being alone, it was easy to drink almost a bottle of vodka making bloody marys and then moving to 2-3 bottles of wine. This past Sat and and Sunday I drank 4 glasses of wine and 6 glasses of wine. The past 2 days I have sipped less than 3 glasses of wine each evening over HOURS of work at my desk after coming home. And without it being painful at all. Two weeks ago that would have been 2 bottles a night.

I've gotten active again and doing things like kayaking and rock climbing and just simply getting out more so I don't sit around drinking. I live alone and just had a recent breakup and the loniliness was really tempting to crawl into the bottle with.

It's baby steps, but DAMN, what an amazing improvement over just a few weeks ago! I'm marching towards some AF days under my belt. The next step will be to get that 30 days AF going. I've got a feeling I may never look back once I do the 30 days .. but who knows. For me, I try to stay in the moment.

So much of it is the mind set. i WANT this, and dammit I am going to TAKE IT this time no matter what. I have trashed and crashed so much in my life and 99.99% of it I can blame in some way on my drinking.

So theres your START or a success story!

[SandyWaters]

HELP.....NEED a success story

Seems to be working so far!

I've been taking topa for a week now, 25mgs, with no side effects except maybe a sense of calmness. Been doing the CDs and supps, lots of Kudzu, and All-one every morning. My usual day was to come home from work and drink 1 1/2 bottles of wine while doing the regular evening activities of dinner, helping kids with homework (ha!), getting them to bed, wathching TV with hubby, and passing out. The last four nights however, I've cut down to 2 1/2 glasses, I've gone to sleep sober, and woken up remembering every single thing about the night before, a new thing for me. I haven't slept well, but still feel so much better than ever. I'm so motivated to continue down this line. I've upped to 50 mgs today, and am sort of worried about the anger and depression people have talked about. I think I'll stay here for awhile and see how it goes. But I'm really happy about it so far. The CDs are GREAT!! Give it a try!!

[Larisa]

HELP.....NEED a success story

Hi, Wanna,

Drank pretty much daily for 7+ years - tried AA for 3+ years, never made it for more than 5 days in a row without drinking. Found this site, did everything the program said, just like you. Did the topa, and the only side effects were very occasional buzzing in the feet once I got to 300 mg (kinda fun!) and sleepiness for a couple of weeks on 300 mg. Have been sober for 90+ days - it's a miracle. It made a huge, physical difference that allowed me to stop drinking. I never thought I could be sober, and everyone in AA either felt sorry for me or (probably more of them) was really annoyed with me.

Don't be afraid!! Crank up that hope, and jump in with both feet, baby!!!

[julie001]

HELP.....NEED a success story

SandyWaters, just wanted to let you you let you know that I never felt the anger or depression as a result or of Topamax. I think just cutting back/eliminating alcohol brings out the monster in everyone for awhile, but that that subsides with time. Topamax is a tool. It helps with the cravings. Added to the whole "I want to change the course of my life" mentality" I think it really can help. It's been a help to me.
Good luck!

[WaitingToExhale]

HELP.....NEED a success story

WHOO HOOO to a POSITIVE Topa thread! Something different works for everyone ... we have to not be afraid to try all of the options.

Or in my case .. bring it all on

[betts]

HELP.....NEED a success story

You absolutely should try the topa to see if it works -- if you don't like the side effects you can always quit. I had NO side effects except insomnia ( which went away when I stopped taking it at night) and weight loss. TRY IT!
Betts

[SandyWaters]

HELP.....NEED a success story

Topa and Side Effects

Julie - Thanks for the encouragement about the Topa! I'm on day 3 at 50 mgs, with no side effects, except decreased cravings! I have to say that I am at an advantage of having a VERY supportive Doc who went over the whole plan with me, supps, hypnosis, and all, and is checking up with me all along the way. A BIG help. I really am amazed at how little I've drunk the last week and a half, and how good it feels to not have a massive hangover every day. I have a business trip next week, so that will be a challenge. I need to find a way to get my All-One mixed in to my juice in the morning, which isn't trivial!!!

[WaitingToExhale]

HELP.....NEED a success story

I've decided to hold at the 50mg and get through Monday. I have MAJOR dental (gum) surgery being done and they are giving me Valium to get through it. No clue how any of this stuff mixes so just going to stay the coarse.

Had some really weird cravings this afternoons with a really stressful day at work. DUH. Guess who left her supps sitting on the kitchen counter! Good grief! So I guess the Kudzu and L-Glut are making a diff also. Good to know ...

So far so good. No depression and have not biten anyone's head off yet. Lost one pound but it could be my scale and my hair is hanging there so far =)