Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

[beatle]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

I am one of those who expressed strong doubt that cowgal's intentions were suicidal. I felt I knew MA well enough that it seemed nearly impossible to me that she would do that.

As everyone here knows, I am not just a skeptic and a cynic, but I also believe that most conspiracy theories are grounded in truth.

Perhaps we will never know the truth... (insert Twilight Zone music here)... but we all are happy that a near tragedy did not become a tragedy.

Since bac helped you so much before, MA, it might be an idea to try it again under controlled administration? (i.e. somebody else gives it to you:soothe

[cowgal]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

yeah

Beatle, he is still under investigation, extremely strange, I am so lonely right now, how sick is the thought of moving back??? I just want to be around people. Thank GOD I have my wireless pc again...................going to start back w/ aa tomorrow, won't be so lonely that way at least.............and they have helped me so much...............puts me in a positive frame of mind............

I think there is more to it too...............who knows tho, he said/she said????? I don't have a leg to stand on, as I have no memory from 1/12-1/26....................none!! Scarey......

MA:h:l:h:l

[beatle]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

bump... this should help you, eight

[neural.ned]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

bump

[hoping4better]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Cowgirl, do you keep losing weight? You might have an overactive thyroid. Both my mom and I have thyroid issues, and losing a lot of weight without trying or simply not eating is a big sign of hyperthyroidism...as is insomina/waking up at night.

[Lo0p]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

bump...

[Lo0p]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

bump for S.A.S.E.

[beatle]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

BUMP

[Henrietta]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Hit the switch

I?m one of those lurkers ?an avid reader but infrequent poster to this site. Up until now I?ve haven?t felt I had too much to contribute. But today marks my one month AF on Baclofen. And no one is more surprised than I am.

A little history. My goal has always been abstinence. I?m one of those who has finally concluded after 25 years that I can?t have any kind of relationship with this stuff (pretty flat learning curve, huh?). AA and the mainstream rehab approaches have just not worked with me. I?ve always been keenly aware that the issue was my brain chemistry and not my character or my relationship to a higher power.

I searched for some alternatives and found a non-12-step specialist. He prescribed Naltrexone. Though I didn?t know it at the time he prescribed it exactly opposite to what is recommended by the Sinclair Method. Needless to say it didn?t work really well, and after the first few weeks I was getting diminishing returns. When I found MWO, I was filled with hope again. I started the Topamax regime with supplements: that definitely didn?t work. Then I rediscovered Naltrexone again under the Sinclair Method by reading the threads. I had much better results than before, but at a certain level I seemed to plateau out. I still consumed alcohol albeit a fraction of what I once did, but the cravings were still a constant companion throughout my day.

Enter Baclofen. I had become somewhat jaded at this point. After my first Naltrexone disappointment I realized that for whatever reason most in the medical community tend not to take a leadership role in treating addiction. So using this thread as a guide I read everything I could beforehand. Thanks to all of you here and the collective wealth of your experience. I did my research. I tirated up very slowly, and avoided antihistamines, and most importantly prepared myself for the dreaded side-effects. I did have them, but more on that later.

On February 11 the switch happened. A few weeks beforehand I impatiently posted here asking what ?the switch? was like and how would I know it when it happened. At 130 mg per day I got my answer. The best way I can explain it, at least what popped in my mind, was comparing alcohol to a lemon scone! Like a lemon scone, at 130 mg I knew what alcohol was, I knew that I liked it a lot, but it suddenly occupied the same relevance in my brain where I store the knowledge of such things. I was indifferent. Alcohol suddenly intruded into my conscious to the exact same extent that lemon scones did each day: not at all. Excuse the silliness, but its true.

I wanted to wait a while to write, because as I said, I have been very disappointed before. I have had to tirate down pretty quickly from the 130 mg. I?m 5?4? and 110 lbs, and 130 mg did take its toll. I had tingling extremities and issues with sleep. I definitely had the experience at night where my body was dead asleep and my mind was conscious on some level. It was terrifying. Had I not read about that sensation here I would have quit. But then I put it in perspective: accept it or face the alternative. For me, and I don?t think I?m being dramatic, it had become a question of life and death. I am very happy I stayed with it.

I am down to 80 mg a day. A couple days I have thought about it, once after skiing, which for years was a matter of routine to follow up with a drink. I still have a lot of work. Strangely though, I?ve picked up the supplements again, and I swear they are working much better with me. I also realize I need to get into some therapy. I won?t simplify it. This is a very complex monster with many heads. While I don?t believe Baclofen is a magic pill, I know I would not be in this position ?the first position of strength I?ve had in years. I know I have a realistic shot.

[RedThread12]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Thank you for your story, Henrietta. :yay: It will be helpful to others, I know.

I'm so happy for you. And I am still excited that I never have to drink like that again! And so grateful to the MWO bac pioneers.

[hoping4better]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Henrietta, thanks so much for sharing your story. You give me hope!!

[tiptronic_ct]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Bump

[eight days a week]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Thanks for the bump tip, it meant I caught up with Henrietta's wonderful story - great news!!

[azuldog]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Thanks Henrietta

This is a great post. It's hopeful and instructive for me and possibly others. How will you know when you get to your maintenance dose?

all the best,

azuldog

[K9Lover]

Consolidated Baclofen Information Thread

Henrietta;820271 wrote: I definitely had the experience at night where my body was dead asleep and my mind was conscious on some level. It was terrifying. Had I not read about that sensation here I would have quit. But then I put it in perspective: accept it or face the alternative. For me, and I don?t think I?m being dramatic, it had become a question of life and death. I am very happy I stayed with it.

I am horrified at the prospect of this "side effect". Sometimes I experience this without even being on any medication. Does this happen a lot? I just ordered my Baclofen the other day and it hasn't arrived yet. Is this a fairly common side effect of the medication?