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Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

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    #16
    Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

    gratitude;970773 wrote:
    tip, do you think you lost the nervousness about being around alcohol socially because of the bac? or because you are just getting used to it? I've been sober 3 years without bac and I still can't take being around it without that nervous, left out feeling. thanks all.
    I think its a combination of both the bac and time... I really don't feel like drinking, so I don't have that pressure to deal with as well. I think what I've come to realise is that alcohol induces a false sense of confidence. I don't need it, now that I've started to develop my own.

    The bac still helps a lot with anxiety, which is the main reason I'm still at 80mg and not lower. So it helps on that front as well. A double benefit.
    I'll do whatever it takes
    AF 21/08/2009

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      #17
      Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

      Any one in contact with Dr Levin who has broached this subject with him?

      I for one still would like some further information.

      Its not really urgent because I've still got a minimum of another month before I have to address this issue but I need to know before then.
      Started Baclofen 3/9/10 Hit my switch at 250mg on 21/11/10 3.125mg/Kg

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        #18
        Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

        gratitude;970773 wrote: perhaps wildrover or far far away can comment as they are both I believe in contact with dr. levin recently, according to their posts.
        I've not been in contact with Dr. Levin but would like to know his latest thoughts on tapering if anyone does speak to him about it.

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          #19
          Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

          From what I've read, the less you drink while titrating up, the lower the dose for the "switch" to kick in. If that is true (and I have no personal experience in this), it does seem to make sense that folks who hit the switch at a fairly high dose would be able to gradually reduce it after being off the booze for a while.

          I don't see it as an "either/or" issue anyway. I would like to think that people who have had bad results from tapering down would post about that because it's very important information to share, and it's that's really the reason that this site exists ("feel good" is most likely a SE that ebbs and flows).
          * * *

          Tracy

          ?Our freedom can be measured by the number of things we can walk away from.?
          - Vernon Howard

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            #20
            Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

            I am going to be so rude as to try to reach Dr. Levin tonight. I know it's a wussy thing to ask for help on his personal time but, screw it, I'm too desperate to hang on to much pride (what's left of it anyway).
            * * *

            Tracy

            ?Our freedom can be measured by the number of things we can walk away from.?
            - Vernon Howard

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              #21
              Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

              I don't think people necessarily reach the switch at a lower dose if they are abstinent. I think it makes it easier for them to titrate up i.t.o. the severity of SEs / hangovers. You are also in a position to better judge whether it is having any effect yet or not.

              I wasn't entirely AF before hitting the switch, but had tapered my drinking to a fraction of what it had been before I started on it. Having a measure of sobriety gave me a taste of what life could be like and consequently boosted my motivation to persevere.
              I'll do whatever it takes
              AF 21/08/2009

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                #22
                Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

                I remember several weeks ago reading on another thread that somebody had supposedly heard that Dr. A had returned to his switch dosage of 270 (I don't remember who posted that, maybe one of you can search the forum to find it), but I wonder if that is somehow connected to this new protocol of not tapering down that is now apparently advocated by Dr. A and Dr. L.

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                  #23
                  Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

                  Tip, I'm not sure what you are saying. Are you saying it was easier to gauge how much of an effect that it had on craving or that the effects of drinking while on it were so miserable that it was added deterent? Or both?

                  Anyway, I'm really looking forward to trying it. Anxiety has done almost as much damage in my life as booze has, and this is looking good. I can life with sleepiness; I love iced tea too and can counter some of that, I think.
                  * * *

                  Tracy

                  ?Our freedom can be measured by the number of things we can walk away from.?
                  - Vernon Howard

                  Comment


                    #24
                    Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

                    I also read that
                    Started Baclofen 3/9/10 Hit my switch at 250mg on 21/11/10 3.125mg/Kg

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                      #25
                      Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

                      Hello all,

                      This is a good thread. I reached my switch at about 180mg but am down to a maintenance dose at 120. I am waiting to be AF for at least a month before trying to titrate down any further. Most folks I know here are on a lower maintenance dose than what their switch was. As Tips said, once AF it is less of a struggle to maintain than getting there in the first place.

                      Look forward to following the discussion. Thanks guys

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                        #26
                        Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

                        Just spoke with Dr Levin

                        Brief call, I think curtailed to some extent by my introduction that "I couldn't afford his services", I would rather preempt any conflicts before they arise. I'm such a thoughtful idiot.

                        Having said that he was polite and just as my life is the most important thing to me I expect his is to him and I don't expect anyone to give their time for free to any stranger who wants to take advantage of it. Thanks for taking my call and giving me some feedback!

                        He confirmed that OA with all the objective information available to him was now recommending to stay at the dose which first works for you.

                        When pressed for some more information why, he repeated that OA was privy to medical journal articles and other objective information and that this was his idea.

                        Asked for some objective information for us plebs at MYO he again repeated that it was OA's new regime. I guess you get what you pay for.

                        Asked whetther OA was up to 270mg, no comment.

                        The long and the short of it is that he was generally encouraging about Bac, Asked if there was evidence that we would all relapse after a year or "whatever the evidence points too", he said that OA has had success with people for 4 (or was it 6) years.

                        I shall stay at my success dose "switch" when I reach it until I get more information. After all I heard it from God's right hand man!
                        Started Baclofen 3/9/10 Hit my switch at 250mg on 21/11/10 3.125mg/Kg

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                          #27
                          Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

                          Thanks, Ignonimous. The update is helpful. And I don't think you are an idiot - I think you did the smart thing by calling him. I don't think he's "God's right hand man." He's just a guy who knows a little more about this narrow subject than most of his peers. Thanks again for getting it from the horse's mouth.
                          * * *

                          Tracy

                          ?Our freedom can be measured by the number of things we can walk away from.?
                          - Vernon Howard

                          Comment


                            #28
                            Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

                            Thanks Topsy, I also don't literally think I'm an idiot, its a "turn of phrase" designed to make me appear thoughtful.

                            Likewise I also agree that Dr Levin is not "God's right hand man", I don't believe in God.

                            I wish you the best of luck with you Doc visit and look forward to seeing your posts, post , as it were. One of the effects Bac has had for me is that it's made me more reflective.
                            Started Baclofen 3/9/10 Hit my switch at 250mg on 21/11/10 3.125mg/Kg

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                              #29
                              Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

                              Thanks Ig,

                              This is all good to know about.. it makes me think too about what does anyone mean by 'relapse'. Does that mean picking up a drink on the odd occasion or does it mean returning to fully blown abuse of Al (drinking 10-20 units daily)? In my mind relapse would be the latter. I think generally that even if I did have a glass of wine at some point I doubt it would lead to relapse if I was still on bac because I am so relaxed about not drinking. I guess the possibility of relapse after going off bac is still very real though.

                              Another reason for me to titrate down while AF on bac is to find the dose that is right for me to help me maintain abstinence and/or indifference to Al. I figure I am more likely to maintain a dose of 120mg per day for a longer time than I am likely to manage to maintain a dose of 250-300 per day. I'm not sure I could manage that at all much less for years on end.

                              This has given me a lot to think about. But in my heart I know every person is different. The fact that I know so many who have successfully titrated down and stayed AF makes me think that I'm OK to give it a try and go back up if I'm struggling. I just know the high dosage is hard for me.

                              Comment


                                #30
                                Baclofen after the Switch - to taper or not to taper

                                Thanks Fick for the "Thaks Ig' I presume you mean for opening this discussion.

                                I too am a long way from making a decisive move in my game plan based on this new information. Clearly there are some advantages to the "medical community" if we (the rats) are all doing the same thing.
                                Started Baclofen 3/9/10 Hit my switch at 250mg on 21/11/10 3.125mg/Kg

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