Consolidated Baclofen Progress Thread

[Lostinspace]

That’s so great to hear, Bacman! I’m glad you found a place of being able to push drinking out of your mind. But do you mean titrate down to a maintenance dose or off of bac completely? Some people are able to come off of baclofen and maintain indifference, but they’ve generally been on it for a long time. And even so I would recommend a little longer than four weeks before going down to your maintenance dose if that’s what you’re planning. If you’re not experiencing any side effects, what’s the rush?

My current situation with bac is that I’m still at my switch dose. I should probably think about titrating down to a maintenance dose soon, given that I’ve been at my switch since September (I think?), but I’ve been too afraid to. Things are really, really good with drinking right now. I never thought it could be this good, this easy. Maybe in another couple of weeks I’ll give it a shot. And yeah, I really need to stop replacing one drug with another. It’s strange because for months I didn’t, but then I got caught up in a cycle of extreme anxiety recently and smoking hits the spot. At least I’ve been able to cut the amount these last few nights.

[brettham]

Bacman, thanks for the post. I'm having some issue wiyh se at 100/110 mgs. I have titrated up maybe too quickly and will probably drop down a bit. My question is if I titrate down to 60/75 can I supplement with campral? I have taken campral but had not stop drink at that time. with baclofen I have been able to stop drinking, this is my 11 day. Still think about it but have been able to resist the demon.

bretham

[dundrinkn]

I have taken campral, but not combined with Baclofen. Haven't heard of doing them together. If your side effects have only been bad recently, I don't think you need to titrate all the way down to 60/75. I would just drop below 100. Maybe even just to 90/95. Sometimes that's all it takes. Stay there a week or two, then go up if you need to for cravings.

Here's the thing. I now know... for flipin' sure... that I can't go down 100mg of baclofen and keep the beast at bay. I've tried. So if your cravings have stayed under control enough for you to be AF for 11 days, I wouldn't mess too much with the magic. This of course is just an opinion. I'm not a medical doctor and some days I barely qualify as a responsible adult.

[Baclofenman]

That’s so great to hear, Bacman! I’m glad you found a place of being able to push drinking out of your mind. But do you mean titrate down to a maintenance dose or off of bac completely? Some people are able to come off of baclofen and maintain indifference, but they’ve generally been on it for a long time. And even so I would recommend a little longer than four weeks before going down to your maintenance dose if that’s what you’re planning. If you’re not experiencing any side effects, what’s the rush?

Thank you for your reply ( I have not had many from those supposedly in the know) - To be honest, I dont really know what I am doing - I feel in a good place, so I thought I might try to come down as I do feel that Baclofen is starting or may become addictive to me - I am getting a nice buzz out of it I must admit - I am open to advice as I say but it seems (apart from your good self, Mom, Mentium and dare I say it SF) few and far between - Even PM's to supposed "experts" have gone unanswered, which is a shame
Like I say I dont know what I am doing but I want to quit Baclofen before I become addicted but certainly not at the expence of AL - maybe you are right, lets see where I am in four weeks

My current situation with bac is that I’m still at my switch dose. I should probably think about titrating down to a maintenance dose soon, given that I’ve been at my switch since September (I think?), but I’ve been too afraid to. Things are really, really good with drinking right now. I never thought it could be this good, this easy. Maybe in another couple of weeks I’ll give it a shot. And yeah, I really need to stop replacing one drug with another. It’s strange because for months I didn’t, but then I got caught up in a cycle of extreme anxiety recently and smoking hits the spot. At least I’ve been able to cut the amount these last few nights.

What have you found your switch dosage to be?
Ha Ha - Funilly enough I have started smoking (maybe 4 a day) which is really shit, maybe I am geared to have two vices, be it Al and Cigs, Al and Bac or Bac and Cigs
Thanks again for taking the time to reply - It is seriously appreciated

Best Regards


Bacman

[Baclofenman]

Bacman, thanks for the post. I'm having some issue wiyh se at 100/110 mgs. I have titrated up maybe too quickly and will probably drop down a bit. My question is if I titrate down to 60/75 can I supplement with campral? I have taken campral but had not stop drink at that time. with baclofen I have been able to stop drinking, this is my 11 day. Still think about it but have been able to resist the demon.

bretham

Hi Brett

What rate have you increase dosage - I started @ 30mg a day for 5 days then 60mg for the next 5 then 30mg extra next 5 days etc etc
I have no experience of Campral I am sorry to say
As dundrinkin says 11 days is 11 days buddy - Well fucking done my friend

Regards and keep going


Bacman

[Baclofenman]

some days I barely qualify as a responsible adult.

I resemble that remark

Regards


Bacman

[Ne/Neva Eva]

I'm having some issue wiyh se at 100/110 mgs.
... can I supplement with campral?
bretham

Not a doctor or medical person, so I can't tell you officially...I don't know why you couldn't try both of them at the same time. Campral works best for people who are completely abstinent. It doesn't seem to work at all for those who are not.

Also, just out of curiosity, what are your side effects and how quickly did you go up? Wouldn't you rather take a medication and stay at a level that keeps you from drinking than chance it? I only ask because I went down too far and drinking alcoholically again really sucks. I would give my eyeteeth to have a mulligan.

I'm not a medical doctor and some days I barely qualify as a responsible adult.

Amen, sister. Gods how I love you and your sense of humor.

To be honest, I dont really know what I am doing - I feel in a good place, so I thought I might try to come down as I do feel that Baclofen is starting or may become addictive to me - I am getting a nice buzz out of it I must admit - I am open to advice as I say but it seems (apart from your good self, Mom, Mentium and dare I say it SF) few and far between - Even PM's to supposed "experts" have gone unanswered, which is a shame
Like I say I dont know what I am doing but I want to quit Baclofen before I become addicted but certainly not at the expence of AL - maybe you are right, lets see where I am in four weeks
...
Bacman

Apologies that I haven't been following the forum as closely as I normally would, so I don't know your whole story...

I'm curious about why you think baclofen is addictive?

I don't know who you're PMing about baclofen, but I don't know anyone who wouldn't answer if they knew you were reaching out. On the other hand, most of us find that what's said on the forum is much more valuable than what can be done in private messages. So if there is someone you are trying to reach via PM, and they don't answer, it's not a bad idea to post on the forum itself. Trust me. I've done it!

Of course, keeping things public rather than private was more beneficial before the forum became a one-person-monologue for Spirit, someone who doesn't know much about baclofen, but claims to be an expert. Have you read the doctor's information about it? If you haven't, please do. It will put your mind at ease. I've posted it recently, but if you can't find it, please post and I'll find it again for you.

So...Baclofen is not addictive, but if you take it long enough you will not want to stop it suddenly. (How long have you been taking it?)

If it's making you feel good (and I've definitely had that experience!) consider it a side effect that will go away, and not something that will cause you to take more of it. That just doesn't work!

I've got to run. Clearly if you're thinking 4 weeks ahead, you're not rushing into anything, which is a relief! But please read more before you make any big decisions.

Best to you both.

[Baclofenman]

Apologies that I haven't been following the forum as closely as I normally would, so I don't know your whole story...

Thanks Ne for taking the time to respond - appreciated - My story is in my signature

I'm curious about why you think baclofen is addictive?

I cant stop yearning for the high i am getting off the Bac, Ne - I am finding myself reaching for a 25mg tablet more often than my plan suggests, which is the same as I used to with Al....lol

I don't know who you're PMing about baclofen, but I don't know anyone who wouldn't answer if they knew you were reaching out.

I thought that too but its said now, I will take your advice

So...Baclofen is not addictive, but if you take it long enough you will not want to stop it suddenly. (How long have you been taking it?)

Im not convinced Ne, I do understand the titrating up and down problems tho - 22 days / 12 AF

If it's making you feel good (and I've definitely had that experience!) consider it a side effect that will go away, and not something that will cause you to take more of it. That just doesn't work!

Sorry Ne - Are you suggesting this is just a mind over matter issue, that it is more placebo than reality?

I've posted it recently, but if you can't find it, please post and I'll find it again for you.

Yes Please

I've got to run. Clearly if you're thinking 4 weeks ahead, you're not rushing into anything, which is a relief! But please read more before you make any big decisions.

Thanks I will - Thanks for your reply Ne

Best to you both.

You too Ne

Best Regards


Bacman

[Lostinspace]

Bacman - Baclofen truly is not addictive. Many of us go through a period with bac early on where everything feels calmer and almost magical. I know I did. I guess it did feel like a high of sorts. But trust me, it doesn’t last. (Although it would be nice if it did because I could use a little anxiety relief in my life right now). As Ne said, it’s a side effect, and one which will wear off. You don’t have to worry about getting hooked on bac.

My switch dose is 360 mg. We’re all very different in that regard. And the smoking may just be an unconscious attempt to fill the void because you don’t know what to do with your time now that you don’t drink. Smoking kind of breaks up the evening. I wouldn’t worry too much about four cigarettes a day at this point. And to reiterate Ne, please read everything you can about bac. Start with the doctor’s prescribing guide:

https://www.mywayout.org/community/medication-research-and-support/61935-baclofen-prescribing-guide-doctors-english-version-5.html

I did a Google search for it and ended up getting a post from this forum with a link to it. If you’re multilingual, you can even read it in more than one language - ha!

brettham - Congratulations on 11 days AF! That’s awesome. I have nothing to add to the advice given, but wanted to acknowledge you.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

I cant stop yearning for the high i am getting off the Bac, Ne - I am finding myself reaching for a 25mg tablet more often than my plan suggests, which is the same as I used to with Al....lol

That's interesting and unusual. Doesn't mean bac is addictive, though. I can understand your concern, for sure, if you feel like you just want to take more! more! more! Does it make you feel good when you do take more?



I've never really heard of that happening except when people are playing around with their doses...Which is another whole story. Are you bipolar, by any chance? Feeling hypomanic or something? (I had hypomania. Again, I was playing around by going up and down--story of my life--and experienced it. It seems that it can be a side effect. But usually for people with a history of bipolar or mania. Even then, I didn't necessarily feel like taking more. I was just flying high. Gawd I miss that feeling. Lol. I can completely understand why people with mild mania in particular don't want to take the meds that normal them out. I felt like superwoman! Anyway...)

Im not convinced Ne, I do understand the titrating up and down problems tho - 22 days / 12 AF

That's great. Congrats! How much are you taking?

Sorry Ne - Are you suggesting this is just a mind over matter issue, that it is more placebo than reality?

Nope. Not at all. While most of our experiences are remarkably similar, we each have our own unique experiences, too. It could just be that it makes you feel better than many of us experience. Ya' know?



On the other hand, maybe. lol. If it brings you comfort or something? One thing we learned over and over again in school is not to underestimate the placebo effect. But that doesn't mean it isn't reality.



As an example, I had really awful side effects until I got to about 100mg. I have no idea if it was just my experience, or if I had so much anxiety about taking the medication that until I got to a level that addressed my anxiety, I couldn't cope with the idea of taking it. (I was one of the HUGE skeptics about this working, believe it or not. And I hated taking it, or any medication. Particularly without a doctor's supervision. Created a whole lot of anxiety for me way back then. Funny to me now...)



The Prescribing Guide can be found here:



Prescribing Guide for Baclofen in the Treatment of Alcoholism ???????_?????? for Use by Physicians



That's the abstract but you can download the PDF in full. It's a good read.



Cheers!

[Ne/Neva Eva]

One more thing about that "feeling good" thing.

My pDoc prescribed a vitamin B concoction for me that's not a prescription but can only be ordered through a certain website with a doctor's approval. For the first week or so that I took it, it definitely made me ZING! Almost to the point where it made me uncomfortable. Like I had too much caffeine on too little sleep. On the other hand, I appreciated the extra energy. She said it was a normal SE for people depleted of Bs and other things and that it would wear off. It did. Dangit.

[dundrinkn]

Ne,
What's the concoction/website. PM or email me if you're not comfortable posting. My doc will prescribe and I am probably in need. Not sure. I've been doing B12 shots and feel better on those but probably need more.

Thank you!

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Ne,
What's the concoction/website. PM or email me if you're not comfortable posting. My doc will prescribe and I am probably in need. Not sure. I've been doing B12 shots and feel better on those but probably need more.

Thank you!

You were actually one of the reasons I talked to her about it.

I'll PM you the info.

[Baclofenman]

Ne, so sorry I did not get back to you last night - I tried believe me but I suffered my first night of serious side effects

I suppose it was my fault - I took too many Bacs - I dosed my self to 200mg rathe than the 150mg that I should have been taking - not a lot but clearly too many

At 21.00 when I was replying to your post my eyes started running and my eyesight went - My focus that is - when right "off", my focus NE, I could not see what I was writing, it made sense in my brain Ne,just came out like I was....a fucking retard

I had to go to bed at 21.00, I pissed the bed and so I am here at 03.15 writing to a woman on the other side of the world, I have never fucking met, crying like I was 5 years old - How fucked up is that Ne

The tops of my arms are shaking,uncontrolably, my hands and fingers tingle an my mouth tastes like I shat in it - What a fucking mess

That's interesting and unusual. Doesn't mean bac is addictive, though. I can understand your concern, for sure, if you feel like you just want to take more! more! more! Does it make you feel good when you do take more?

Up and till last night fuck me yes Ne, was like when I smokes skunk years ago, had a pill - got a kick - after an hour kick wore off - had another pill got a kick for an hour etc - compulsive - fuck me yes Ne, story of my fucking life - Booze, Cigs, Drugs, Bac, tho I am down to Cigs (4 a day and Bac)

I've never really heard of that happening except when people are playing around with their doses...Which is another whole story. Are you bipolar, by any chance? Feeling hypomanic or something? (I had hypomania. Again, I was playing around by going up and down--story of my life--and experienced it. It seems that it can be a side effect. But usually for people with a history of bipolar or mania. Even then, I didn't necessarily feel like taking more. I was just flying high. Gawd I miss that feeling. Lol. I can completely understand why people with mild mania in particular don't want to take the meds that normal them out. I felt like superwoman! Anyway...)

Bi-polar?...- I fucking hope not Ne, I know a guy who is Bi polar, and he is one fucked up man, Sorry to those who have this condition, (hark at holier than tho me talking about fucked up people) he forgets his medicine and scream at his staff or loves his staff, (employees not butler), you never can tell what you are going to get, sad really as deep down he is a good and generous man - just a little unpredictable - Funny after 20 years I can tell what he is going to ge like by his hair in the morning - If he is smart we will have a good day - If it looks like he slept in a bush, hold on to your hats guys - Obvious really but oddly I am the only one who can see it - Maybe I am? - never had a diagnosis but never been for one - I am a moody fucker, thats for sure Ne

You are a superwoman Ne

Ha Ha I just realised what Neva Eva means - How can it have taken me so long? - What a thick **** I am (my wife will read this and beat me for wrting that word on a public forum and beat me as I sleep tonight - lol - I had been going Neeeva Eeeeva, now what can that be etc etc ...lol - What a nobby numb nuts as we (well some of us) over the pond say

That's great. Congrats! How much are you taking?

Last 2 days 150mg, split into 6@ 25mg a day but last night 200mg, 50mg more than I had on my plan - Why? - because I am a twat and let my compulses over rule what (little) sense I have

Nope. Not at all. While most of our experiences are remarkably similar, we each have our own unique experiences, too. It could just be that it makes you feel better than many of us experience. Ya' know?

I think my unique experiences have morphes into "our experiences" due to titrating too quickly - I should have heeded the advice (I sourght) instead of thinking I was more knowledgeable than those who wore the T shirt - I am a ****, Ne

On the other hand, maybe. lol. If it brings you comfort or something? One thing we learned over and over again in school is not to underestimate the placebo effect. But that doesn't mean it isn't reality.

It just feels more than placebo Ne, it feels real - I have an addictive personalitly, that is not in doubt Ne, I am a fucked up man in that regard - but how fucked up next to the next man Ne - I keep using your name Ne, like I am really having a, like phone call with you - I am swearing when I could be being more eloquent - Is that fucked up Ne, or is that real - Using your name, does that sound like I am being aggresive, cos I am not Ne, I want to put my arms over the pond and hug you NE, I really do - Going back to the other comment - Maybe i am bi-polar, I am crying again Ne - I have been taking Sertraline for a while but stopped when the Bac arrived 22 days ago - Maybe this has effected me - Maybe its the Bac - Maybe its the lack of alcohol Ne, - Fuck knows

As an example, I had really awful side effects until I got to about 100mg. I have no idea if it was just my experience, or if I had so much anxiety about taking the medication that until I got to a level that addressed my anxiety, I couldn't cope with the idea of taking it. (I was one of the HUGE skeptics about this working, believe it or not. And I hated taking it, or any medication. Particularly without a doctor's supervision. Created a whole lot of anxiety for me way back then. Funny to me now...)

You know Ne, I was not sure I was going to like you seeing you and SF' posting but this just goes to show how wrong some of my initial judgements are

The Prescribing Guide can be found here:

Prescribing Guide for Baclofen in the Treatment of Alcoholism – for Use by Physicians

That's the abstract but you can download the PDF in full. It's a good read.

Thanks - I have had a look but will have another when I am feeling more settled and able to take it all in

I am adopted Ne, so I dont know my "family" history except that my birth mother split from my birth father because he was a gambler (and most likely a alcoholic), this is recorded in my adoption papers - My adopted brother commited suicide on 7th July 2011 and although I never blamed myself at the time I do more as time goes on - He had money troubles Ne, and whilst i paid off his debts I did not look into the reasons for his issues, which is something I have realised on this journey, is something I am going to have to live with - But I am sure this has nothing to do with my drinking, I have been an alocoholic since day one Ne - and a serious drinker sine I was 14 or 15

.

Cheers!

lol....Cheers Ne

Kind Regards


(A rather fucked up) Bacman

EDIT: I have corrected some of my bad spelling but some still remains - Since my Stroke last year my ability to convert wham my brain thinks to my keyboard skills has rapidly deteriated - I used to care but now I am not so sure I can be arsed to re-read every post 10 times before I post in case the spelling police pay me a visit
Also I am sorry if I have upset retards or those with bi-polar, it was not my intention, now I have climbed down of my hyper post I can see how it may do - I will not rmove it as it was the way I felt at the time - not necessarily my rational view (if that makes sense)

Second Edit

Now I have "come down" I feel really bad about what I have said

We all come here because we have some sort of mental issue - I think

I have not removed the origional post as what I said was the way I felt at the time and as I said in the edit not how I would rationally feel - I am truly sorry to those I know I have offended but I do not remove my posts as I know I am in need of help and being something or pretending to be something I am not at any particular time is falsifying who and what I am at any given moment - Now I feel sick

My apologies, my friends


Bacman

[Baclofenman]

On the other hand, I appreciated the extra energy. She said it was a normal SE for people depleted of Bs and other things and that it would wear off. It did. Dangit.

Oh Bugger - Thats a shame - I am going to resume my dose of 150mg a day but I am wary of going up, so I am going to mainatain this for a week or so - What do you think?

Also do you think a Thyiamine (B1) supplementary pill is any good on its own?

Thanks, my friend



Bacman