Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

[beatle]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

That is such a hopeful story. I hope it is mine next week. (I haven't got the Bac yet, but expect it to come tomorrow.)

[Evie.Lou]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

Such a relief .....I KNOW !!!
I wanted to scream it from the roof tops BUT, then I thought (maybe it's only ME)...
Do I dare be so enthusiastic about this medication and let others feel the disappointment of failure...YET AGAIN ???
I am so very grateful to see you all out there doing this experiment without the medical advise that I know we ALL WISH we had !!!
You are all very brave and I am so proud of you. I really am !!!

[veritas]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

Zen, I'm on 10mgs three times daily, but I have decided to make it four times daily. I started to crave at my bewitching hour and took my evening dose. I saw that Dr Bill spoke of four doses and thought that I would give it a go.

I am quite calm and happy right now.

[veritas]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

I did volunteer work for hospice for a while and I remember how doses of Morphine was such a personal thing. Each person's body was different and each person's pain threshold was unique. I am sure that it is the same here. I do tend to need smaller doses of any medication, but I also seem to need them more often.

[veritas]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

Zen, I am sure that there is going to be such a body of research soon in this area.

I was a "functional drinker" for many, many years before things started slipping out of control. I wonder if the dose is not only weight and metabolism dependant, but also brain chemical dependant.

There are 2 kinds of alcoholics in our family. One kind, such as myself, have been able to drink for many years with little or no problem. It is a slowly progressive dependancy. The other, like my father and youngest brother, experience love at first sip. It is like a intense, whirlwind, demonic love affair. My father died at 39 of alcoholic cirrosis and my brother will die soon. He is not yet 50 and has advanced liver disease.

I could never drink as much as my brother and father, I would be far too sick.

I have four children and I can already see that my one daughter has the intense worrying tendencies of my father and brother. Like them, she is extremely creative and has intense mood swings. My other 2 daughters are very similar to myself. Their eyes light up at the sight of booze, but they seldom go out of control.. but I worry about the way their eyes light up.

My son does just not like alcohol. He hates the taste and hates the feeling it gives him. He is currently going out with a singer and a lot of time is spent in alcohol soaked enviroments. He is happily the designated driver and spends the evening drinking coke or chocolate milkshake. Lucky him.

As far as the mood and anxiety component, it definately plays a role, but there is so much more. My son is the most anxious of all my children, but he does just not respond to alcohol the way my other children do. My mother is a social phobic, but she is completely indifferent to alcohol.

[Evie.Lou]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

veritas;662755 wrote: Zen, I'm on 10mgs three times daily, but I have decided to make it four times daily. I started to crave at my bewitching hour and took my evening dose. I saw that Dr Bill spoke of four doses and thought that I would give it a go.

I am quite calm and happy right now.

I'm taking mine 4 X daily ....round about every 6 hrs.
10mg / 10mg / 20mg /10mg ..........the first dose ... as soon as I wake up and the last, just before I fall off to sleep. I normally sleep 6 hrs a nite so it works WELL for me that way.

This has done a great job in getting me thru a very stressful time, SOBER.

I had been doing 3 X daily ...when I was only on 40mg it went like this..
10mg / 20mg / 10mg
Once I return from the UK I will probably go back to that and when our summer travels are over I will try it once again without any Baclofen.
I did fine for months without using ANY...once the switch was OFF and life was going along in a normal way, I felt no need to medicate.
I will be anxious to hear if others have a similar experience ???

What a comfort to know the Bac has my BACK !!!
Always there when I need the extra help !!!

[veritas]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

Evie, I am craving a little today, but not enough to make me drink.................. yet.

I have just taken my second dose, at 11 am south african time. I will possibly take my next dose at 5pm. I usually leave the office between seven and eight. That is my danger period as I have to walk past my collegues who are relaxing with a glass of wine. I am also usually tired and needing to chill.

If I am still struggling, I think that I will increase my 5pm dose to 20mg.

[Evie.Lou]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

You have done enough home work to understand what the safest way to do it is, RIGHT ??? (silly question, I know you have)..
Trust your "Gut" on if that's your best option ?? Gut...Glut (sorry it must be lack of sleep getting to me)...LOL

I use L~Glutime under the tongue to deal with those little "Twangs" that happen along the way.
It works for me and you can hardly over dose on L~Glut If you haven't tried it, I think it's a really good tool.

I think it is a "temporary inconvenience" that you will SOON over come" !!!
Just my 2 cents on it ???

[veritas]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

Evie, I will take some Glut. I was actually thinking of using L Glut together with Baclofen for a while. I like the fact that it is not mood changing and it really does work. My problem in the past has been that I just get the devil in me when I have a craving and even if I know something works, I will not take it if I seriously want a drink.

Craving to me is like being thirsty. Nothing seems to still the desire until I am on my knees, worshiping the great white toilet god.

[Evie.Lou]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

:teeter: :teeter: :teeter:
Happens to me sometimes toooo........LOL

[beatle]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

I take 6 grams of l-glut every morning (powder mixed in water). I take it on an empty stomach 1/2 hour or more before eating. This is prescribed in "Seven Weeks to Sobriety", but you are supposed to do it before every meal, i.e. 3xday. I don't eat regular meals at regular times, and I snack a lot to make up for my lack of appetite, so I can't do the other 2xday.

Anyway, my point here is just that I have not experienced any effect from this. If I stop for a few weeks, no difference, if I start again, no difference. I keep taking it because it is supposed to be good for you.

Another point-- you can (and probably should) take L-glut in large amounts. The "Seven Weeks" protocol contains 15 grams per day, which probably is the ideal amount, although it may be ok to go a little higher.

Also, I suggest you use the powder. It gets into you faster, it's more economical, and you can also use it under your tongue more easily and in larger amounts.

[louise]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

Veritas, I so hope you can convince your brother to try baclofen. What a tragedy.

[veritas]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

Thanks for all the input.
Louise, I have spoken to my mother about baclofen and she is going to chat to him.
I am a great believer in the 12 step principles, even though I don't go to AA. The first step is about coming out of denial and admitting that you have no control.

My brother tends to find it easier to blame the world. I just see red and explode. It brings back too many memories for me and I realise that this is another area where I have no control.

Have just taken my final dose of the day. I am now up to 40mgs.

Last night I had the most vivid dream as I was falling asleep. Vivid enough to startle me into shocked wakefullness. I did wonder if it was the bac.

In terms of why we drink, I often think that we focus a lot on the negative and forget that shadow only exists because there is a light. Creative people, sensitive people; people who are politicaly aware are over represented in the addiction stakes. Many famous entrepeneurs have also battled with addiction. I do think that for many people, substances can be the gloves to an extra ordinary sensitivity.

[beatle]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

veritas;663485 wrote: Creative people, sensitive people; people who are politicaly aware are over represented in the addiction stakes. Many famous entrepeneurs have also battled with addiction. I do think that for many people, substances can be the gloves to an extra ordinary sensitivity.

This is so true. There is actually a name for this sensitive "constitution"-- they're called HSPs (Highly Sensitive Persons). No, I'm not kidding. Check Amazon.com and you will find several books on this. There are at least a couple doctors specializing in this.

I have a book called "The Highly Sensitive Person's Survival Guide"-- I don't recommend it at all because it has a condescending tone (I probably just interpret it that way, being the HSP that I am) and more importantly, there are some outright factual errors. But I heard the book(s) by Elaine Aron are better.

[veritas]

Veritas takes the Baclofen plunge

I think a lot of us possibly do have that sensitivity within us. It needs to be turned towards giving and understanding though. When it is turned inwards and connects with fear it becomes self absorbed and crippling.

I woke up a bit fuzzy headed this morning, but I have taken my bac and had my morning coffee and am ready to roll. I feel a bit euphoric again, but mildly so.

I have a TV interview this morning. I am specialised in a certain field and have to appear on camera or radio every so often. I have so often felt like misery because I have self medicated the night before. It is great to feel at peace with myself and joyful.

Just a little aside about baclofen and its side effects. Some one wrote, I don't remember who, about feeling cold. I have felt chilled to my bone the last two nights. It has not lasted very long, but it does seem to be a side effect.