Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

[lenaleed]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Cindi -- Nice to catch up with you here. I hope with all my heart you have found Your Way Out at last.

I want to say a word about the liver.

Cinders;636191 wrote: In my case, it was detrimental because it was only adding to the liver damage drinking was causing.

Concerns about liver damage have been misperceived by some. This is from the naltrexone package insert (prescribing instructions)

"Naltrexone is contraindicated in acute hepatitis or liver failure, and its use in patients with active liver disease must be carefully considered in light of its hepatotoxic effects. . . . Naltrexone does not appear to be a hepatoxin at the recommended doses." (emphasis mine).

The insert also says evidence of potential liver damage is derived from a study in which 5 of 26 subjects showed elevated liver enzymes while taking 300 mg of naltrexone -- six times the dosage we take.

[Cinders]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Lenaleed,

Thank you for that.

My doctor was concerned because I do have liver issues. (Go figure, a 24/7 vodka drinker, up by 4:30 a.m. and taking my first "hit" and down by 9:30 pm after my last.)

I am considering Naltrexone as an adjunct to Baclofen, because in my case, AF is required to continue living. Not just being free.

It is so sad that a person like myself with so much to give can lose it all because of this addiction.

I don't care what it takes. I am still searching for MWO, through here, through Bac, through Nal. Whatever.

I tried Antabuse and did great until I drank on it. I drank on it several times.

I am a true addict.

I must have my "fix" or I will kill myself trying to get it.

So, for those who think Sinclair's method is the only way, nope, Amiesen's is the only way? Nope.

Whatever way keeps me from killing myself from this disease is the way.

I am dying from it.

And my husband, my children and my grandchildren would lose a valuable resource in their lives. I am special. Just because I am an alcoholic does not mean I do not have worth. The same to all here.

We are worth this fight. Whatever it takes.

Love,
Cindi

[happy4once]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Cindi - that was truly a powerful post...really touched my heart.

You are absolutley right - you do whatever it takes, whatever works for you to find relief from your disease soon. What I love about this board is it allows us to find and discuss so many different options for our treatment...and even though I follow Sinclair, I do not just do that. I have all the tools I started with at MWO and I still do supps and hypno. If my problem were more severe, if I didn't respond to Nal, if I had additional mental health issues, I would certainly keep searching for my personal cure or consider altering it to suit my needs. Not everyone agrees with that, but I don't believe having tunnel vision ever lead to a discovery of new treatment options..so, I'm all for it.

I hope you can try the Bac + Nal combo and find succss. And, yes, we are definitely, definitely worth it.

[lenaleed]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

We are worth it

happy4once;636310 wrote: Cindi - that was truly a powerful post...really touched my heart.

And, yes, we are definitely, definitely worth it.

Well said, H4O.

Cindi, I've followed your epic struggle on this board since I first came here a few months ago. If you must get abstinent now to save your life, I hope and pray you've found your miracle in the baclofen. You certainly deserve it.

And thanks for reminding us that we all are worth it.

Lena

[Henrietta]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

I posted a few days ago on another thread but this thread appears more active. Sorry to anyone reading again, here’s a shorter version of my post…

Early last year I was prescribed Nal before I had a clear understanding of how it works. The doctor didn’t explain the mechanics of the drug and it’s interaction in the endorphin process, let alone about the up-regulation effect. He strongly encouraged me in my plan for abstinence. Though he did tell me that some people continue to drink while using Nal, he warned that doing so for a prolonged period would cause the Nal "to stop working." Long story short: for about two months I did everything I should NOT have on Nal. I was taking it on my sober days, and eliminating it on the days I did drink in the hope that the Nal & alcohol wouldn’t interact, thereby diminishing it’s effectiveness. I stopped using Nal a year ago.

I recently found out about TSM and decided to try Nal again, this time sticking to the rules. Here are my results. Day 1: Took the pill, drank same amount as usual (about 1 litre wine), but with little interest. Day 2: managed to abstain, no pill taken. Day 3: took a pill, but drank 1/3 less than normal. Last night: abstained, no pill. These are encouraging results for me to say the least.

So here’s my question: am I fooling myself that this could be a blank slate with Nal or does Nal really stop working once it’s used incorrectly? Could it be that what may have happened in my previous try on Nal was that I just temporarily drank my way around it, but did nothing to permanently re-wire my brain against the drug’s efficacy --and that maybe it will just take longer to undo the added complications of heading the wrong way in the extinction process? I know this is kind of a complicated question, but I’m very wary of starting up another dead-end street? Nalt certainly feels as potent to me now as it did when I attempted recovery the first time.

Please let me know if you have any information or experience with second chances on Nal. Thanks to all!

[bob3d]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Henrietta -

Others know more than this subject than I do, but allow me to attempt at a response, since I am on The Sinclair Method (TSM) entering my 14th week.

I have read that Naltrexone does not lose its effectiveness over time as do some other drugs, including alcohol. Naltrexone is a fairly simple drug. It blocks opiate receptors. It has a relatively short half life of 4 hours, although one of its metabolites also blocks opiate receptors and its half life is about 13 hours. All that boils down to according to Dr. Eskapa's book is this: take 50mg Naltrexone 1 hour before you drink and it's good for a day. I have read that he has recommended two 25mg doses 12 hours apart, if you are a 24/7 drinker. If you don't drink during a 24 hour period, don't take it at all. This method allows the brain to extinguish the learned behavior that alcohol is good, by blocking endorphins (the brain's reward chemical) from reaching the opiate receptors.

Since the body does not build up a tolerance for Naltrexone with continued usage from what I've read, I suspect that TSM will still work for you. Remember though it takes 3 to 6 months to work in humans under good circumstances. If you are a binge drinker and have many AF days, it will take a little longer. If you take benzodiazaphines (Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, etc.), as I do, it also takes longer.

Many people, myself included, experience a "honeymoon" period during their first week or two undergoing TSM. What happens is your cravings diminish rather quickly and you drink less than pre-TSM. Soon afterward, your drinking goes back to and sometimes exceeds pre-TSM levels peeking around 10 to 14 weeks. Your results may vary.

I hope this helps. Others will be replying also. Join us at thesinclairmethod.com, when the site is back up. A lot of us are posting here right now because the site is temporarily offline.

Bob

[happy4once]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

I think Lena will likely provide the most thorough response...

but, my 2 cents after being on Nal for 14 weeks and reading as much as possible on the sinclair method:

• There is no point where it will stop working. You take it whenever you drink from now on and each time it will help extinguish your addiction.
• Having taken it the 'wrong' way a year ago, will likely not affect your results at allExcellent news that you are reacting well to the medicine the first week - keep at itI do not think this is a dead end for you, especially if you are having good results right away - this may just be a honeymoon period where you reduce your intake initially and then go back up, but I always think it's a good sign when someone has that initial reduction...those that do seem to have an easier time over the first few months.

[Providence]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Went to the site and it's gone

I went to post my weekly update and it's gone. How sad, I hope it is back up and running soon. I stopped journaling when I started posting there.

So here is my update. I went back and looked at my vacation week and the week I got home and think I messed up my numbers, so it wasn't as bad as I thought.

Last week was better. I had 2 AF days, not because I tried, but because they just happened. The weekend was a little rougher, but trust me if you had the week I had you'd be on a weekend bender too. I think I missed my pill on Saturday, so I hope it didn't mess me up, but I remember reading that if it happens once it won't do too much damage.

But still with that I am way under my old limits. I can't remember was week I'm on. I think I wrote it down in my calendar, so I will have to dig it out again and find out but it was sometime in April.

Last time I checked in I had gone to my doctor and they refused Naltrexone but gave me camprel. I have an appointment with a specialist be he couldn't get me in until July 15th. I can call the office to see if anyone cancels until then. So Im down to 10 pills left so I'm ordering 30 days supply. I just hope it gets here before I run out. I am hopeful.

I'm having 1-3 AF days a week, so I think I will be ok.

Bob, I'm the complete opposite as you. I have terrible nightmares, coldsweats and disrupted sleep when I stop drinking (which I know happens). I still get very mild headached while on Nal, it kicks in about 2 hours after I take it. I take advil and it goes away but will come back as the Nal is wearing off. It's not unbearable, but noticable.

It's kind of hard to follow this forum, so I will do my best to stay with it. I know I've absent from TSM forum, but with my new job and the 10 day vacation and coming home to a big mess at my house has kept me busy.

Hope it's back up soon.

[Goin4More]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Does anyone know what happened to TSM forum? Is RV9 working on it, or is he too busy to give it the time? I'm going into withdrawal!

[happy4once]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Hi Providence - excellent new in your progress report - Congratulations! I hope your Nal arrives soon...if you only drink at night or at a set time of day, maybe you can cut your pill in half until the shipment arrives. I believe cutting it in half only decreases the number of hours it's in your system, not the potency...so it will still cover you for the night just not the whole day.

G4M - I woke up wondering the same thing. I am hoping Lena can reach RV and just let us know what is wrong with the site. If it's a lapse in payment or something I'm sure we could find a solution....there is a lot of history / information on there that just went poof in the night. I miss it!

[WaitingToExhale]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Hey Providence!

Good to see you back and you sound like you are really making some progress.

I have to agree that having the other forum gone is disturbing. Like Providence, and I suspect others, it was my journal of this road I'm traveling.

There is information and data that that is priceless! To lose all of it would be quite a shame.

To RV9 if you happen to read this forum: An update on what is happening would be greatly appreciated.

That board is a lifeline for many. I hope you aren't taking that lightly.

I'll be more than happy to get another board up and running, and import the old forums if you if you are done with it.

WTE

StillSmiling at the AOL thing if anyone cares to contact me.

[Cinders]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

I am feeling very sad for all you TSMers.

It would be horrendous of MWO just up and disappeared. It is a lifeline for me.

I imagine TSM's website is such for all of you.

I am glad that, at least, you have this alternative place to post while you are figuring out what is going on.

I am selfishly glad you are here, though. I like reading about everyone's journey on Nal. Anything that helps us is good news.

Cindi

[happy4once]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Hi Cinders - it is very odd not having TSM...however, coming back to MWO is very refreshing. So many more stories here and ideas and new/old friends. I forgot how much I missed this place!

WTE - I pm'd RV...not sure what is going on but I would suspect life is just taking precedence over the website and there was a technical glitch that he can not get to for whatever reason. Once it's back up and running I think we need to make sure we have backup admin support going forward as this application is critical to so many of us. I would be happy to volunteer in that capacity (I manage websites in my real life...) but of course it may more naturally fall to Lena and they just have not worked out the logistics.

Not sure if there are any 'Lost' fans out there...but I think it's time to face reality and set up camp on the beach. Should we start a "TSMers Progress" thread so people can consolidate where to post until we are back up and running?

[WaitingToExhale]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Hey Happy - I think a number of people have tried to contact RV9 without success. What I find most disturbing is the lack of any updates on the situation. He is getting mail and his phone is working - although he doesn't seem to be answering either.

A progress thread here could be good. I'm not convinced that other site will be back up any time soon. But I agree, if it does get back up, there should be more than one person in an ADMIN capacity.

[Alabama]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

I have a question. I have been on the Sinclair method for only five days. Too early to really post a long commentary but I can say, so far, Im pretty amazed! Ill post more as time goes on. My question relates to a vacation I have coming up. I normally only drink at nighth so I have been taking the meds on the way home from work. In July (for my 50th birthday!!!) my partner and I are going to one of those all inclusive resorts in the Bahamas. Im sure there will be some drinking during the day as we lay on the beach or by the pool. And then probably drinks with dinner and after. Do I take the meds in the morning and then again at night or will one pill in the morning carry me all day and night. Has anyone had to deal with this? I have the book but I did not find the answer. Thanks all!