Calling all non-successful BAC takers

[hangingoninFL]

I am curious as to how many of you out there tried BAC and gave it up, for whatever reason. I am thinking about giving it up because the SE are just too unmanageable, and I don't seem like I am anywhere near ready to hit the switch. I may not be a good candidate because I drink primarily to self-medicate my depression. I don't know if I can ever be "indifferent" to alcohol when it is the only thing that (albeit temporarily) pulls me out of the abyss.

[PhoenixRising]

Calling all non-successful BAC takers

Can you titrate down a bit and progress more slowly?

[ignominous]

Calling all non-successful BAC takers

From what I've read you need to titrate up and reach the switch. Don't be a pussy.

[hangingoninFL]

Calling all non-successful BAC takers

Ig, I like your style! I think PR is right, I've just been trying to titrate up too fast, especially now that I'm at the 250 or so range. I actually went AF free last night to see if it helped with SE, and it did, I was able to sleep through the night for the first time in a long time.

So, I will keep on keeping on.

[Seethepony]

Calling all non-successful BAC takers

Hey Hangingon,

Did you notice any change in your alcohol consumption after you started Baclofen? If I remember correctly, you're already on a pretty high dose (compared to me) so I doubt it's a question of being a pussy, or any other feline.
I read some old posts of Tiptronic where he sounded a lot like you - bothered by the side effects and getting nothing in return. But he persevered and suddenly something happened. Now he's a real Baclofen evangelist, and with good reason, - I think he's more than a year alcohol free.

If you've persevered this far you obviously aren't going to be flippant about abandoning Baclofen. What would really bother me is -- do you have another game plan? Baclofen seems to be only thing in the world that really works (short of Jesus paragliding into ones life with a handwritten invitation to salvation, or something). If you quit - what then? Are you just going to accept a life of alcoholism?

[hangingoninFL]

Calling all non-successful BAC takers

I had posted this a while back but I will repeat here so you know where I'm coming from:

Hi all, I haven't posted in awhile, but I thought I'd pass along my experiences lately in case they are helpful to anyone.

I titrated up to 220 per day back in August, but had not properly calculated how much BAC I was going to need. When I realized I might run out, I had to titrate down fairly quickly to about 100 per day for around 10 days. During those days, my drinking, which had significantly decreased, increased to its pre-BAC levels, and I found myself in an emotional black abyss. I have always struggled with chronic low grade depression, but this was much worse.

Well, I got my shipments and started to titrate back up, and am currently at 250 per day. I did titrate up much quicker the second time than I did originally. But, I have noticed three things:

1. My SE's seem to be less this time around, except for the nighttime insomnia, I wake up at 4AM unable to go back to sleep. But the vision problems, dropping things, skin tingling, etc don't seem to be there.
2. The depression has lifted somewhat, but I still don't feel like I did before starting the BAC.
3. My alcohol consumption has not decreased this time around like it did the first time. I am hoping as I continue to titrate up that I will see a decrease again even before I hit the switch.

[hangingoninFL]

Calling all non-successful BAC takers

I just haven't had the success with reduction in alcohol the second time like I did the first time. But to answer your question, no, I really don't have a plan B. So, I guess I am really just whining and complaining about the side effects. I just wish I could find something to help with the insomnia, I've tried every OTC product there is, I might check into trazodone because that is supposed to be helpful.

[PhoenixRising]

Calling all non-successful BAC takers

Insomnia? Huh. I was nodding off at work at the higher doses. What is your dosing schedule?

[hangingoninFL]

Calling all non-successful BAC takers

That's the funny thing, I have to fight off nodding off at work during the day, and I have no trouble falling asleep at night (with the help of at least 5 or 6 dirty martinis), but then wake up at 4AM unable to go back to sleep. Go to work, start all over again.

I have been splitting it up into 4 equal doses taken at 6AM, noon, 5PM, and right before bedtime. I may try front loading it more, but then I'm afraid I'll be sleepier during the day. Last night I was AF and slept all night. I really do think the key is to try to stay AF as much as possible, but I'm not too optimistic about being able to do that. I'm just going to titrate slower.

[mama bear]

Calling all non-successful BAC takers

i had to quit cause my blood pressure shot thru the roof...

[Seethepony]

Calling all non-successful BAC takers

Hey again,
I'm on a much lower dose, but I was doing 25mg 3 times a day - midday, 6pm, 12pm. I'd usually forget the last dose so it was a bit hit and miss. I found that by skipping the last dose and simply having 35 mg twice a day, midday and 6ish, the times of the day when I usually feel like a cold one are covered, and by midnight I'm tired enough to drift off into an untroubled sleep.

Maybe like you suggest you should "front load it more" - I'd suggest two bigger doses rather than 3 spread out.

[PhoenixRising]

Calling all non-successful BAC takers

I was also taking a middle of the night dose when my dosage was high. If you find Bac makes you sleepy, can you take 25mg when you have a potty break in the middle of the night? Maybe you are awake because it has been so long since your last dose?

[hangingoninFL]

Calling all non-successful BAC takers

I have now gone two days AF and have slept like a baby both nights, so its obviously the alcohol plus the BAC that causes my 4AM wakeups. I am going to try and struggle through staying AF at least on weekdays so I can get some sleep for workdays.

[houtx]

Calling all non-successful BAC takers

Hanginon -
I'd be turned off by a site/thread where someone called me a "PUSSY" for not jumping on board...no matter how lightly it was used. I am offended by that term when it is used to belittle someone...See my use of the opposite term below.

But then this person has the word "IGNO" in his name so that speaks volumes....

Many people have had luck with Naltrexone, Topamax and Baclofen. Many people have not had luck with any of the three. Many people are pussies on here.

Many people are obvoiusly DICKS. 'nuff said.

Good luck to you.

[wort]

Calling all non-successful BAC takers

Hi Hanginon,

hangingoninFL;970636 wrote: I have been splitting it up into 4 equal doses taken at 6AM, noon, 5PM, and right before bedtime. I may try front loading it more, but then I'm afraid I'll be sleepier during the day...

I had better luck with smaller doses early in the day, followed by larger doses later in the evening. This left me less dozy during the day, and less craving at times when I was accoustomed to drinking.

If your tabs are 25mg and you are doing 250mg/day, then perhaps five doses:
7:00a: 25mg
11:00a: 25mg
3:00p: 50mg
6:00p: 75mg
10:00p: 75mg

The point is that your doses do not need to be equal.

Keep trying to stay AF. This is the key to minimizing the SE's.

Hang in there!
-wort