Hi folks,
It's been many months since I've been here. Nothing negative to report in regards to this community, I had just found myself adjusting to life without alcohol. Though Baclofen freed me from the daily cravings and preoccupative thoughts to drink, I found myself yet anxious and very depressed. I also succumbed to very low levels of energy and motivation, as well as interest in those things which once inspired me.
I'm one of a few administrators of another discussion forum of completely different subject matter, and have all but stepped down in regards to my attendence there. During the months that followed my descent from total alcohol addiction, I felt reborn. But anxiety and depression remained despite this appreciated liberation.
I had been meaning to post my story upon my registration here, but just never got around to it. But for what it's worth (in short form), I originally purchased Baclofen online without a prescription, and followed Dr. Ameisen's method as outlined in his book. The outcome was all I had hoped for in a simple and safe, generic medication.
But twice I found that online pharmaceutical sources are not reliable for sustaining an ongoing, maintenance medication such as Baclofen. Shipments wouldn't arrive in time (if at all), and stress and panic would overtake me until drink would once again prevail. Anyway, I finally obtained a legal prescription for Baclofen, but here's my issue...
As anxiety (primary) and depression (secondary) were still very legitimate issues for me, I pleaded with my pyschiatrist to prescribe Buspar as I had done extensive research on the side effects associated with SSRI's. I have pre-existing digestive issues and cannot tolerate further complications due to medications. He finally gave in to my wishes.
The Buspar in conjunction with the Baclofen did wonders for my anxiety. The only drawback was that it made me drowsy. So instead of taking it twice a day, I broke them in half and took them four times a day. Problem solved.
But another issue was that I also learned that I had essential tremor. My head would shake uncontrolably, and I thought it would go away once I had sobered up, as I contributed it to alcohol withdrawal syndrome. However, it persisted afterwards. So I'm also taking Propranolol (a beta blocker) to assist in easing these symptoms.
Now here's the kicker... though I seemed to be doing pretty good as I was, I was still really depressed despite the meds I was already taking. So then I started taking Celexa (Citalopram). The upside is that I nolonger feel depressed... most negative thoughts are removed. However, now I'm craving alcohol again... big time!
It's almost as though this extra added medication is interfering with what Baclofen works to correct (the GABA B receptor). I've voiced my concerns with both my therapist and my prescribing psychiatrist, but neither seemed concerned. Something else I should add is that when filling my script for Baclofen some time back, I was refused 10 mg pills in place of 20 mg. pills. I preferred 10 mg. pills so I didn't have to cut them.
So the following time, I specifically requested 10 mg pills. I was waited on by a new person while the one who had preceded her the time before looked on. When the new person agreed to the 10 mg pills, I noticed that the previous pharmacist (who had told me that my prescription had changed to 20 mg pills as opposed to 10) stared at this one with condemnation. At that time, I just thought they were reserving the 10 mg pills for those with other needs. But it was easier for me to ration by 10 mg.
Ok, so here's my dilemma... it seems like once I added Celexa to the cocktail, Baclofen is nolonger working for me. I'm experiencing preoccupations and cravings every day. And shamefully, I'll admit that I'm drinking every day because of it. I just don't understand this! All I can think of is that either the brew of medications I'm taking is somehow interferring with Baclofen efficacy, or the pharmaceutical companies are catching on to the widespread miracle of this generic medication. What do the rest of you think?
Sincerely,
John
It's been many months since I've been here. Nothing negative to report in regards to this community, I had just found myself adjusting to life without alcohol. Though Baclofen freed me from the daily cravings and preoccupative thoughts to drink, I found myself yet anxious and very depressed. I also succumbed to very low levels of energy and motivation, as well as interest in those things which once inspired me.
I'm one of a few administrators of another discussion forum of completely different subject matter, and have all but stepped down in regards to my attendence there. During the months that followed my descent from total alcohol addiction, I felt reborn. But anxiety and depression remained despite this appreciated liberation.
I had been meaning to post my story upon my registration here, but just never got around to it. But for what it's worth (in short form), I originally purchased Baclofen online without a prescription, and followed Dr. Ameisen's method as outlined in his book. The outcome was all I had hoped for in a simple and safe, generic medication.
But twice I found that online pharmaceutical sources are not reliable for sustaining an ongoing, maintenance medication such as Baclofen. Shipments wouldn't arrive in time (if at all), and stress and panic would overtake me until drink would once again prevail. Anyway, I finally obtained a legal prescription for Baclofen, but here's my issue...
As anxiety (primary) and depression (secondary) were still very legitimate issues for me, I pleaded with my pyschiatrist to prescribe Buspar as I had done extensive research on the side effects associated with SSRI's. I have pre-existing digestive issues and cannot tolerate further complications due to medications. He finally gave in to my wishes.
The Buspar in conjunction with the Baclofen did wonders for my anxiety. The only drawback was that it made me drowsy. So instead of taking it twice a day, I broke them in half and took them four times a day. Problem solved.
But another issue was that I also learned that I had essential tremor. My head would shake uncontrolably, and I thought it would go away once I had sobered up, as I contributed it to alcohol withdrawal syndrome. However, it persisted afterwards. So I'm also taking Propranolol (a beta blocker) to assist in easing these symptoms.
Now here's the kicker... though I seemed to be doing pretty good as I was, I was still really depressed despite the meds I was already taking. So then I started taking Celexa (Citalopram). The upside is that I nolonger feel depressed... most negative thoughts are removed. However, now I'm craving alcohol again... big time!
It's almost as though this extra added medication is interfering with what Baclofen works to correct (the GABA B receptor). I've voiced my concerns with both my therapist and my prescribing psychiatrist, but neither seemed concerned. Something else I should add is that when filling my script for Baclofen some time back, I was refused 10 mg pills in place of 20 mg. pills. I preferred 10 mg. pills so I didn't have to cut them.
So the following time, I specifically requested 10 mg pills. I was waited on by a new person while the one who had preceded her the time before looked on. When the new person agreed to the 10 mg pills, I noticed that the previous pharmacist (who had told me that my prescription had changed to 20 mg pills as opposed to 10) stared at this one with condemnation. At that time, I just thought they were reserving the 10 mg pills for those with other needs. But it was easier for me to ration by 10 mg.
Ok, so here's my dilemma... it seems like once I added Celexa to the cocktail, Baclofen is nolonger working for me. I'm experiencing preoccupations and cravings every day. And shamefully, I'll admit that I'm drinking every day because of it. I just don't understand this! All I can think of is that either the brew of medications I'm taking is somehow interferring with Baclofen efficacy, or the pharmaceutical companies are catching on to the widespread miracle of this generic medication. What do the rest of you think?
Sincerely,
John
Comment