My BAC progress thread

[Funny Girl]

My BAC progress thread

Hangingon - I have used Topa & have not had the SE of trouble concentrating, confusion and the memory problems (topa dopa) that people complain about. Those were not my issues at all. The first time I took it, I was fatigued at the beginning and experienced muscle weakness (which no one else really complained of). I ended up going back down to 50mg from 75 and staying there for awhile and then going back up again after stabilizing and was fine. It immediately took away all desire to drink for me & I was AF for about 7 weeks. When I relapsed I went off the drug. Was off for less than a month, went back on & stopped drinking again. I'm using it now and am taking 100mg with no problems at all. I had one minor slip which consisted of 2 glasses of wine - but overall have done really well on it. It's been many years since I could say that I've had this much time without drinking at all under my belt . . . .I've been very pleased. I was a heavy drinker and occasional drug user. By the time I made my first real attempt at stopping after finding this site, I was drinking a lot on a daily basis, so I've been amazed. Hope that helps with what you wanted to know. I do know that many others have had some success with it too.

[hangingoninFL]

My BAC progress thread

Thanks, FG, that is very good news and gives me hope that if the BAC doesn't work I should definitely try the topa. I am going up to 200 mg daily on the BAC to see if I hit the switch before I decide to give up on it.

[Funny Girl]

My BAC progress thread

My suggestion would be not to drink at all while taking the topa - I know that some who have used it either begin to drink while on it & say it loses its effectiveness, or that alcohol really hits them really hard & they have a bad time. I went off when I relapsed because I didn't want to make it so the drug wouldn't be effective for me when I got back on track. I wanted the help if I needed it.

I also used the supplements for a full week prior to beginning the drug, so I was mentally preparing as well as cutting back - so by the time I began the drug, I was really ready to stop. Just what I did - everyone is different . . . .

[hangingoninFL]

My BAC progress thread

Yes, that is probably part of why I chose BAC, because I had read that I could continue to drink on it; I was afraid I would not be able to quit

[techie]

My BAC progress thread

Hey Hanging I'm doing well on topa too. Not drinking. No desire whatsoever. BTW, I lived for a bit in Altamonte Springs. Not sure if you're close to that area. Have a great 4th!

[moglor]

My BAC progress thread

Hi Hanging, I'm 6' 270lbs, and my usual dose of 37.5mg has significant noticeable side effects, even when I'm stone cold sober. My lips get numb, I start sweating a lot, and I start bumping into things. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts if you change your bac source and take a similar dosage of Liorisal. I've been titrating up over a month, and I know if I took 50mg at once, I'd be incapacitated. It seems likely that the foreign sources of generic baclofen are shipping at a lower concentration than they advertise.. I suppose it's also possible that you're not affected by it, but then I'd wonder if it's doing you any good.

[hangingoninFL]

My BAC progress thread

Well, since I didn't have any severe SE, just kind of an odd feeling, I'm actually going to try to stay at the 50mg per dose, 150 total per day, for at least today and see what happens.

Moglor, you may be right about the foreign source BAC; I would like to try the US Lioresal brand but I was not able to talk my MD into prescribing it. I may start "doctor shopping" until I find one that will.

[mama bear]

My BAC progress thread

Pie...
I tried Topa first and could not deal with the Topa Dopa effect....BAD brain fuzz,forgettting words, etc
just started the Bac last week...

[hangingoninFL]

My BAC progress thread

update

Definitely experiencing SE now that I am at the increased dosage, very similar to the SE of Benadryl (drowsiness and mild dizziness). But, nothing I can't deal with, and I'm hoping they will subside by Tuesday when I have to go back to work since my company generally frowns on employees sleeping at their desks! I will probably stay at this dosage until next Friday, unless I have hit my switch; we'll see what happens when the 5:00 bewitching hour comes around today.

[hangingoninFL]

My BAC progress thread

Well I am having to back down the dosage, the SE were a little too intense. Having trouble staying awake, and I am aware of kind of a weird buzzing sensation (that's the best I can describe it). So, I am going down to 35 mg per dose, 105 total, for a few days. After reading several others' posts, I think when I bump it back up I will start dividing it into 4 doses instead of 3.

[beatle]

My BAC progress thread

Some comments:

Baclofen has similar effects to the "topa dopa" for many people, including myself (fuzziness, word loss or confusion, problems concentrating/focussing). For me, these SEs were the only intolerable ones. Spacing smaller doses more frequently helped with most SEs but not much with the confusion aspect.

My experience is that experimenting with when and how much you take per dose will help you control the SEs.

But remember that while there are many people who have terrible SEs even at low doses, there are also people who have titrated up extremely quickly with almost no SEs. Hangingon, you may be one of those fortunate ones. Don't let your lack of severe SEs deter you. Just consider yourself lucky and keep checking in.

[PhoenixRising]

My BAC progress thread

Up to 225 this week. I've had a lot to drink in the past 2 weeks, not sure why. One was hubby was gone (cat's away, mouse will play) and the other I think has to do with the 10 year anniversary of my husband's death coming up. I am hoping I will hit the damn switch soon. I will try to abstain this week, but I have never made it past 3 days. :upset:

[hangingoninFL]

My BAC progress thread

minor setback

I had to back down to 80 mg per day (20 mg x 4 doses) because the SE (drowsiness and fuzziness) got too much. Oh well, it was accidental that I ended up tritrating up so fast, so I can live with slowing it down for awhile. Definitely not giving up on it though, because it did keep me from drinking too much this past holiday weekend.

[PhoenixRising]

My BAC progress thread

I had to stop in CVS last night (they sell wine) and I actually picked up a bottle, considered it, and PUT IT BACK!!

A first for old P. :thumbs:

[hangingoninFL]

My BAC progress thread

Still experiencing weird SE

Not so much drowsiness, but a weird tingling all over my skin, especially my face and arms. And, strange occasional muscle weakness; for example I would be holding something in my hand, like a pen, and just suddenly drop it. Oh, and also random muscle twitching. I will accept these side effects because they are still infinitely better than the direct effects of too much alcohol!

I think I may have read in some other posts that others have experienced some or all of these SE, but I would like to hear from anyone out there that has.