1st Dr. Appt. and Naltrexone perscription

[Patchouli]

Hello,

Just wanted to relay my experience with a Psychiatrist, Dr. Jeffrey Becker here in Los Angeles. I'd gotten his name from around these forums.

I am so hopeful about the Naltexone and so grateful to have found Dr. Becker. He spent almost 2 hours with me and asked all the usual pertinent history stuff but also talked about basically being human beings and dealing with the angst that comes with it and how we nurture ourselves and find meaning for our lives. He just completely clicked for me. He had book recommendations and even wrote down that I need to create a creative space for myself (hard to do when the husband is a bit OCD about 'stuff').

He has treated about 10 patients with the Naltrexone in the Sinclair Method approach and has seen very good results in them. I may be patient 11. I will be getting bloodwork done to check my liver and make sure it's okay to take the Naltrexone.

One answer he provided that I saw alot of questions about on this forum was about 'should I make myself drink more to activate the extinction process'. He put it this way, 'don't let habit be the dictation, let the craving be the dictation of your action'. I thought that made sense.

He also had recommended some nutrient supplements for me - some related to craving issues and some just related to my own health. I thought that was pretty cool, not too many MD's even suggest supplements.

So, I'll keep you posted on my journey as I get started and I welcome any advice from those who've been down this path.

Thanks,
P-

[muchthought]

1st Dr. Appt. and Naltrexone perscription

That sounds great! What great luck to find a doctor that will sit and talk for two hours. ???? I am in amazement, maybe I come off as non-communicative or something because no one will talk to me for longer than 10 minutes. I mean a doctor, I do have friends!!! But, yeah, who am I kidding, I overthink to the point I that I have nothing to say.

Anyway, I'm very interested to hear how it alll works for you and wish you the very best. It sounds to me that you are on the road to a new life.

Keep posting, please!!

[muchthought]

1st Dr. Appt. and Naltrexone perscription

ack I forgot to say that your doctor's quote is running in my head. "Don't let the habit dictate your actions..." I am going to try to distinguish between the habit and the craving.

[RV434]

1st Dr. Appt. and Naltrexone perscription

:welcome: Hello and welcome to this wonderful place.

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who can pop a NAL daily and not have any cravings for alcohol. I tried the Sinclair Method for a while but after a very nasty binge night that got me into a real medical mess, I gave up on it and just stick with what currently works.

Keep us posted. I'm trying to pick through posts to determine who's tried The SM (e.g., daily drinkers, heavy drinkers, binge drinkers, occasional drinkers who just drink too much and get stupid, folks who become physically addicted to alcohol, etc,) and when it's worked. I have a sneaking suspician The SM produces less than desirable results for the binge folks, but that's pure speculation (at this point anyway) and based on personal experience.

Glad you found a MD you're comfortable with. Also glad he discussed vitamins with you. Alcohol can cause thiamin deficiency which in turn can eventually lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (also called wet brain, Korsakoff's psychosis, alcoholic encephalopathy, Wernicke's disease, and encephalopathy - alcoholic). Nasty to put it mildly ............

So glad you found us; it's been an incredible resource for me and my dealings with this horrible disease.

[Patchouli]

1st Dr. Appt. and Naltrexone perscription

I was quite surprised as well about the amount of time he spent with me. He doesn't take insurance, too much time put into paperwork and he'd rather spend his time with people. Glad his words resonated with you . . .

Too funny that you claim to overthink and not speak much. Let it out!! I'm assuming you are male, because females speak something like 2 or 3 times the amount of words daily than men do. I couldn't imagine not speaking my mind (although sometimes that would have been a smarter decision).

RV434 - What an adorable pup!!! Is it a Bijon? Yes, I am so glad I found this forum. It helps so much to have a community supporting us on the paths we take in life.

I'm looking forward to not feeling like I wake up with 'wet brain'. I'm wondering, too about the SM and the type of drinking pattern and how effective it will be. I'm glad to hear the Nal has cut out your cravings and helped you remain abstinent.

Going today to get blood drawn. After a little over 2 weeks of no alcohol I had wine with the hubby last night and we shared 1 bottle. The craving to have more was there - but I just heard it and said 'no'. I'm looking forward to hopefully just having some wine and not having that craving when I start on the Nal.

P-

[crawling_key]

1st Dr. Appt. and Naltrexone perscription

Patch,

Does the doc just do Naltrexone or does he have experience with Bac also? Is he fixed cost or by the hour?

Thx.

[RV434]

1st Dr. Appt. and Naltrexone perscription

Patchouli, he's a Maltese, that was taken when he was about 14 weeks old. Here he is at one:

Attached files [img]/converted_files/1362944=5685-attachment.jpg[/img]

[Patchouli]

1st Dr. Appt. and Naltrexone perscription

crawling_key,
His rate sheet looks like this:
Diagnostic Interview -100 minutes $350
Med, Psychotherapy and Nutrition Management - 25 min $150
Weekly Med, Psychotherapy and Nutrition Management - 50 min $225

Yes, he is familiar with Baclofen - he mentioned it on our phone call but didn't discuss it as an option for me in our session. He also was familiar with antabuse and campral.

His address is:
10850 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 850 LA, CA 90024
Office # 310-463-4699

RV434 - - What a precious baby!!!!!