Baclofen

[Cinders]

Team,

I am trying something new. Well I tried it once before and didn't read the recommended dosages right, etc.

I do love how the Antabuse keeps me from drinking but I HATE how I so often want to drink and that my mind keeps wandering to it.

I had purchased Baclofen from River Pharmacy a while ago and never really gave it a try.

So, I am going to self-experiement like Ameisen did.

I am going to titrate up on the Baclofen and see if I get a lessening of the cravings.

I cannot believe I am doing this but I quit the Antabuse a few weeks ago - stupid me, nah, beast filled brain me - and drank last week. With the usual horrible effects.

I am back on the Antabuse and now adding the Baclofen.

I recognize there are no "miracle" cures but I sure would like to end the constant brain struggle, or at least get it down to a quieter roar, so that I can battle this beast a little easier.

Wish me luck, everyone. I guess it is no different than those here taking Topamax. I do know that Baclofen is one of the drugs commonly prescribed for my physical condition, AND it is widely prescribed with the Gabapentin I am already taking.

Love,
Cinders

[lushy]

Baclofen

Keep us posted how it goes Cindi. I am assuming you checked to make sure it is okay to take Antabuse and Baclofen together? I hope it works for you.

[Starlight Impress Forever]

Baclofen

Hi Cindi,
I know the antabuse only makes drinking not an option and that it does nothing for the cravings. In that respect, I think antabuse lacks compassion........if only it could curb those cravings too..........

You have great courage, moreso than you think, at times........it takes courage to do "whatever it takes" and you are prepared to do just that and give it your all.

I am so proud of you and I wish you great success. :l

Star x

[Cinders]

Baclofen

Star,

You are such a kind soul.

I am so blessed to know you...

Love,
Cindi

[toughintexas]

Baclofen

Hey Cindi, I took baclofen for a horrible neck spasm condition I had about a year ago, I can't remember what they called it, but it was awful, even had one side of my face pulled down like palsy....anyway, I took it for that, and I noticed that even tho I was downing the pain killers for it, with a glass of wine back then, that I started not even wanting that glass to help the pain killers work faster....it does work as a relaxant sort of, so the anxiety I had over the condition lessened with the pain, and it did curb the cravings....I tried to keep taking it as I was for the condition, but I started feeling to vegged out, nearly fell off the threadmill, so I quit taking it, I should've tried harder to find a dose that maybe would've worked, but then I had to quit taking it for my Hopkins visit, due to tests, etc., so I never tried it again....Stupid me! My point is, it did help, and I didn't even know it was used for cravings, til I read about it, when I started turning my nose up at the glass of wine hubby handed me with the pills....lol....Just be careful with the dose driving etc., til you are used to it, I was just piled up on the couch, til I hit the gym, and was taking it cuz I was so scared the condition would return....call me if you need any pharm. interaction info., or want to talk to hubby the Rph! Good luck, and I'm glad you are back on the anatbuse, I am too! We can't test the waters just yet obviously! I know you, and I, and Morrison, and Bird, and More2, we all crap out if we talk ourselves into not taking it, its just playing with fire right now....we'll make it tho! You never, ever loose, until you QUIT trying! None of us are going to let the other do that, we just aren't! Got it, we are not going to let each other fail, that's not an option! Love you!

[Cinders]

Baclofen

TIT,

Wow!! Thanks for letting me know. That is awesome. I know that Dr. Ameisen went up to 270 mg/day at first (titrating slowly), then backed off to 120 mg/day.

He is down to 70 mg a day and still abstinent.

It is the only thing that worked for him.

In my case, I think being a little vegged out is probably a lot better than being blacked out. :H

And you bet, girl. None of us are gonna let the others give up. You are right. In this fight, failure is not an option. :l

Love you!
Cindi

[greeneyes]

Baclofen

My dad took balcofen for seizure activity after his stroke. He was on it for two years and the recently took him off although I'm not sure why. He was on a lot of meds and sometimes too many can actually cause seizure activity so they have been backing down on his dosage and eliminating a few. I can't comment on the effect on drinking other than he never wanted a drink until the night before I went to Lenair. He wanted to share my last drink with me. However, he recently asked me to stock him with scotch, beer and wine. He hasn't had any, but it is apparently on his mind.

Keep us posted. I have tremendous faith in you! :h greenie

[Cinders]

Baclofen

greeneyes;447176 wrote: My dad took balcofen for seizure activity after his stroke. He was on it for two years and the recently took him off although I'm not sure why. He was on a lot of meds and sometimes too many can actually cause seizure activity so they have been backing down on his dosage and eliminating a few. I can't comment on the effect on drinking other than he never wanted a drink until the night before I went to Lenair. He wanted to share my last drink with me. However, he recently asked me to stock him with scotch, beer and wine. He hasn't had any, but it is apparently on his mind.

Keep us posted. I have tremendous faith in you! :h greenie

It is these kinds of posts where people tell me they know I can do this that help me every day, every second, every minute, every hour.

You have no idea what you guys mean to me. :l:l

I have faith in me, too. Failure is not an option.

Watching you guys do well, (okay gals..) means the world to me. I want to eat peppermint ice cream and wear cool shoes and be one of the "girls" and I want to make Chief, Hippie, Neil and IAD and all my "guy" friends happy, too.

I want to hang with you sober guys. Not just being sober, being happy about being sober.

I so need to be happy. I lost my happy somewhere and I must find it. I do know I can never find it whilst drinking. Never. I am prepared to keep looking, though. Bear taught me that.

Love,
Cindi

[Cinders]

Baclofen

I do not feel too tired on the Baclofen. I am taking 10 mg 3 times a day.

Yes, it does make me tired but it also seems to be helping.

I will up my dose in 3 days.

Keeping you all posted.

Cinders

[A Work in Progress]

Baclofen

It's so good to hear that this is going well! I'm happy for you...

wip

[Cinders]

Baclofen

Still sober and feeling okay. Hmmm.

Might this actually truly help??

Love,
Cindi

[Cinders]

Baclofen

Oh, and I did want to add that at the 30 mg/day (10 mg 3 times a day), I am still have to function just fine.

I have done an amazing amount of work today and still at it even now.

So, it isn't slowing me down mentally like the Topa did when I tried it.

Cindi

[lushy]

Baclofen

Are the cravings less?

[Forever]

Baclofen

Cindi

I too would like to know.......are the cravings less? I'm trying to work up the guts to take my Baclofen. I was prescribed it some time ago for severe head pain/sinusitis (sp). I'm in the UK. Since reading this post I have researched on the internet the apparent benefits of Baclofen in helping to abstain from alcohol. I think this may be an option for me.

I have considered Antabuse before but I just know this wouldn't work for me. Hard to explain, but I need something to take my craving away, not something that would make me ill if I drink......................does that make sense? Maybe I have a crazy mind!

Interesting thread. Thank you and good luck.

:new:

[bloggy]

Baclofen

I agree about the antabuse- it certainly has its uses- but apart from the headaches, I felt I wasnt reaching the real issue- just putting everything on hold.

Please keep us updated about the Baclofen Cindi- I do hope this is something that can help you.