Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

[beatle]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

Bump for mog and others...

[Sunnyvalenting]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

Corkit,
Did he have a particular protocol? If so is it available somewhere so we can take it to our doctors?

[Guest]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

Contacted Dr. Fred Levin

Hi. I'm new here and have never posted before--anywhere. Bear with me. I read Dr. Ameisen's book a couple of months ago, along with every other book at the library on alcoholism. (There are a lot of tired trite memoirs out there, ftr.)
Anyway. Figured I didn't have anything to lose, so started the research on Baclofen and ended up here. Ordered online (endless gratitude for all of the info about doing that) and started taking Bac 2 weeks ago. So far so good...though definitely feel it.
I contacted Cinders, heard back from her that I should definitely call Dr. Levin. Drunk or sober. 'cause who is sober at 8:30 at night? And so I finally did. A bottle into my bottle and a half habit.
I'm floored. Still. Just because he answered. But also because he was gentle and thoughtful and more than a little ticked off at what he calls "the drug cartel" referring to pharmaceutical companies. (Amen, brother!) He thinks BAC is a miracle, an ace in the hole, and even has me hopeful for complete recovery. (!!!) His advice was to titrate up slowly.
We spent 26 minutes on the phone. He didn't ask for money (though I would gladly give what little we have) or even my name or 'drug of choice.' (BTW-you don't get something for nothing. I've been there, but you can expect to pay ppl for their time and education. Don't we already pay every time we stop by the store on our way home for a pretty brown bag? Lots of ppl make lots of money off of us folks...)
He gave me his office, cell, and email. And when I asked him why he would do such a thing--well, it's a little fuzzy though I was scribbling notes, but trust was a big part of it. And anger with the way things are handled concerning addiction.
About me: I'm 40. Am not a desperate drunk, but I have been. Now I can mostly maintain. I take vitamins, not prescriptions from an off-shore-no-taxes-and-no-liability-law island without a prescription. I've been to God, rehab and meetings of all kinds more times than I care to think about. 18 months ago I decided to tackle this once and for all and I changed my life with diet and exercise (highly reccomend it). It didn't work either. I can give up white foods, but not white wine. So I went to the library.
I'm hoping for my ace in the hole. And yours too. Thank you all in this forum. sorry if I did something wrong or wrote too much.

[Cinders]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

Research,

:welcome:!!

I am glad you went ahead and contacted Dr. Levin. Yes, he is very kind and caring. At least that is what I picked up from our phone conversation.

I am doing well on the Baclofen, although have been stuck at 120 mgs/day for a while. I can't seem to go any higher, the SE's are getting to me. But, I am simply going to continue at this dose until the SE's become somewhat lessened, and then up I will go.

However, I am able to stay sober at this point. Not at my switch but one of those who feels lessening of cravings while going up. So, I have decided to stay AF from this point on.

I can't wait to hear how you do and looking forward to hearing about your switch when you hit it.

Cindi

[beatle]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

Thank you for your post, research. (It was not too long, imo -- very concise, in fact.)

Many of us have shared the same (or similar -- no one is the same) experiences and frustrations... and complete despair in some cases.

I appreciate your relating your story and your experience with Dr. Levin.

Here's to the ace in the hole!

[realist]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

Lies about Baclofen exposed

IF Dr Levin claims to have a 100% success rate with Baclofen then he is lying through his teeth.
We were very tempted to file charges against him because of malpractice. My husband had to discontinue Baclofen, and the drug nearly killed him. The university hospital drug clinic that eventually treated him, one of the best in the world, told us their own exhaustive trials with Baclofen were not a success and they considered the drug a failure, with at best placebo affect, but at great risk to the patient's health.
If Dr Levin is truly claiming such a success rate, then he shouldnt be allowed to practice medicine.

[Cinders]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

Realist,

Hmm. I recall Dr. Levin reported an 88% success rate with Baclofen.

I am so very sorry it didn't work with your husband and caused health issues.

There is a thread here about Baclofen Side Effects.

It would be great if you posted the SEs and complications your husband had using Baclofen and how high he went before he had to get off of the Baclofen.

The more knowledge for all the better.

We have had some solid sobriety on MWO with Baclofen but the other side, such as failures and why also need to be reported.

Thanks!
Cindi

[Cinders]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

Realist,

Here is the link to the Side Effects thread:

https://www.mywayout.org/community/f2...tml#post944716

Cindi

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

Realist,
I'm so sorry. I can feel your frustration and outrage. But you haven't given us enough information concerning Baclofen to be useful for those looking into using it, or actively using it for a reduction in alcohol cravings.
Many of us have ordered from overseas in a desperate attempt to lower our alcohol consumption. We are guided only by each other. In part because our doctors may be afraid of a costly lawsuit (and rightly so) for prescribing off label.
I am personally considering taking Baclofen off label, and worry about the consequences... As far as I know there haven't been any studies in the mid-west on high-dose baclofen treatments, and very little in the way of life-altering adverse reactions.
If your husband is a drinker like me, then Baclofen may have been a last resort?
I hope you're okay, that he's well, and that you will share information with us. We are flying blind here, without even the reassurance of a local doctor in many cases.
Any information you can impart would be useful.
Neva Eva

[Sunnyvalenting]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

Anyone on bac for alcohol dependence is taking it off label. They need to be aware of potential side effects and limitations of our knowledge. It fiddles with our neurotransmitters and that is not to be taken lightly. having said that, and understanding the dangers of continued alcohol abuse bac has been a lifesaver for me. I am sorry it isn't 100%. I hope there is something out there for everyone.
Please share details of the case which went bad.
Can you steer me to the clinical trials which failed? Are they published anywhere? If not they should be so they can be subjected to peer review. I would at least like to have a person to contact at that university hospital for their numbers.
Thanks in advance if you are able, willing.
sunny

[Otter]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

bump

[Bminor]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

Hi everyone,

I was wondering... for those of you who have been able to speak to Dr. Levin, did he answer your phone call at home or did he return your call? Is his home number how you are still reaching him? Just curious as he did not answer this evening and there was no voicemail so I don't know if the number is still good or not. I do realize that he just may not be available right now and I can try again later. :thanks:

[susanna]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

He'll answer - just call in the evening. Sometimes his wife answers and that's ok too.

Bminor;970211 wrote: Hi everyone,

I was wondering... for those of you who have been able to speak to Dr. Levin, did he answer your phone call at home or did he return your call? Is his home number how you are still reaching him? Just curious as he did not answer this evening and there was no voicemail so I don't know if the number is still good or not. I do realize that he just may not be available right now and I can try again later. :thanks:

[Topsy-Turvy-Tracy]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

He answered when I called, but we didn't talk long because it was a bad time for him. He seems really nice and wants me to call back next week. I'm guessing that the man doesn't work for free though, and I am wondering how much he charges per hour. He did say if I have trouble obtaining a prescription, he can help. He said this method doesn't "maybe" work - it works, a cure for sure. Very likable man. Not sure what to think about the cure. Sure would be nice to bill some of this to insurance, but I have a hunch that ain't gonna happen.

[Bminor]

Dr. Fred Levin colleague of Dr. Ameisen

Susanna, Topsy... thank you for your replies. I actually did get a hold of him later that evening after I posted this. He was very nice and told me to call back the next day at his office because he just didn't have time to talk at the moment. I called his office the next day and set up a time to call him back which will be tomorrow evening so we can speak in depth about Baclofen. What a genuinely kick ass guy. I am quite looking forward to speaking to him tomorrow.