This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

[Bruunhilde]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Hey Red, congrats on the new rotweiller! And a police dog too! I hope your kids like him!

Really sorry to hear about the fish tank... I have a freshwater, not nearly as much beauty nor as much work. I admire you for keeping it up with all the kids/work/diet etc.

[taw]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Red....how are you doing these days?? Let us know!!

[redhead77]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Hi Taw (and everyone else too )

Thanks for checking in on me. I had to look back and see when I last posted anything of essence. It looks like late January. I can't even imagine what page this thread was on for you to find it. :H I guess, I'm glad you did. I keep saying I'm going to update it, but I wanted to provide an update that was positive and gave some answers as to what I was doing that was working. I think if I continue to do that, you may not hear from me for a very long time (even longer).

High-dose baclofen (HDB) isn't working for me the way I hoped, or the way it appears to be working for others. I continue with severe SEs that are affecting my life. I've been taking baclofen for over a year now. I've attempted everything to make them stop. I've taken smaller doses more frequently. Larger doses less frequently. I also suffer from ADD, and it seems to make my ADD much worse. My worst SE is the forgetfulness or spaciness. Mine is extreme. I can't find my parked car, I lose almost everything, and I absolutely can't keep my very busy life organized. I need a rather high dose to stop cravings (which I don't tolerate) and when I come down, I start to crave more (although never to my prebaclofen levels). I've gone on Adderall and I've tried Modafanil. I've gone on supps to help with cognition, and I've gone off all my supps. I eat a very clean diet and I excercise. I have other SEs too, but none that I can't cope with. None that are deal breakers for me like the forgetfulness is. I even continue on with all the good SEs too.

I've spoken to my doctor about it (Dr L) on numerous occasions. He does continue to think one should stay on, or near their switch dose. In my case, since I start to crave when I come down, he certainly says so. Yet, he can't help me find an answer to my dilemma. He just plain doesn't know. I haven't discussed this with him for a few months. At that time, he said to stay where I was (I was on 210 or 220) and the SEs should resolve in time. I asked him how long he thought. He told me within 2 months or so. He also mentioned we could call Dr A about my issues. :H Yeah, I don't think that's necessary, and I doubt he could offer anything else that hasn't been tried. We talked about ways I could get around the SEs for my job. At first (since taking most of my dose late at night causes insomnia, he said to take my last dose a few hours before bed.) Then when I explained what I do for a living (in specifics...again) he totally understood why spaciness and forgetfulness is a real concern. He then suggested I take most of my doses at night on the days I work. To even set an alarm. Very inconsistent, but again, I don't think he knows the answers (as much as he wants to). I'm long overdue for a conversation with him. But this time I won't be convinced to stay near my switch dose, or even to titrate up. I'm done with that. I'm going to tell him to include me in the 1% of failures in which the switch doesn't go on to produce a normal life. I actually waited the 2 months on the dose he suggested. Maybe a little longer. I'd like to also mention in our conversations, he has stated that it may not be 99%, it might be closer to 95% or something.

Yes, I'm the only one around here who has quit their job to do HDB. I quit for about 3 months. I'd just like to remind everyone that we don't have a large sample size (or really any at all) of people in certain jobs trying to take HDB to find indifference: pilots, physicians (who are practicing), air traffic controllers, and nurses who work in specialized areas requiring high levels of critical thinking. Just a few professions off the top of my head that have human lives to worry about. There's no room for error in these peoples' jobs. I wonder how people like this would fare in titrating up, while trying to continue working? I know what happened to me at work. And I'm not suggesting everyone would be like me since I'm not having the response to this drug that some others here have had. I felt I had to quit. A mistake in my case could cost a human life, and quite possibly my professional license.

All that said, it's not all negative. Baclofen has completely changed my life. I'm on my way down at the moment (I just started 160). I will stay here for now until I get my next order of Naltrexone in the mail. I've started taking Naltrexone when I have cravings (which are much less than prebaclofen as I stated above). I am astounded at how well I respond to it. When I took it the first few times, I had no idea what to expect. I hadn't read the TSM boards yet, and I've still read very little there. I mostly visited and searched for people on baclofen and Naltrexone (so thank you, UKB for all the info you've brought here recently. I really appreciate it!) The first few times I had some SEs such as nausea and severe headaches. However, I noticed immediately that I wanted to drink less. It was so shocking, my response to alcohol (imagine novocaine running through your veins that numbs the positive aspects of alcohol) that I had to question if I wanted to take it. :H I know, not real mature (but honest), and booze wasn't doing what I needed it to do. I have certain triggers and booze acts like liquid morphine to me. It takes away the pain. It no longer functioned like this. So, sometimes I drank with it, and sometimes I didn't. Until I learned that this is what it has to be. I'm here to beat an alcohol problem, and in my case, Naltrexone blocks what I need to want to drink.

I've taken it 28 times. I've had the same response everytime...that I've drank. I haven't drank everytime I've taken it, however. Sometimes in that hour I wait, and while I'm doing other things the craving goes away. I don't push it. I tried to take it everyday (for about 5 days) and I didn't drink 5 days in a row. Maybe twice. When I do drink on it, it's the same thing. There is no reward. As a matter of fact, one time I took a Naltrexone in the evening, had a glass or two of wine, and decided I wanted some wine the next day. I'd had a horribly stressful day and decided I wasn't going to take my pill. I noticed right away (I usually start to feel soothed within sips, or certainly by a half glass) and I couldn't get there. I think it was still in my system from the day before. I just plain decided alcohol wasn't worth it that day.

But, I do have to take my pill for this to work...

I've recently placed an order for 90 tablets. I plan to take them the way I'm supposed to. Will I be doing TSM? I'm not sure what it is. I will remain on baclofen (whichever dose I end up tolerating) and it will likely be HDB. I mean, over the 80 mg approved by the FDA. Baclofen reduces my daily craving by a large degree. I no longer think about drinking in the late morning, for example, on my days off. I mostly drink due to triggers and stressful events, and this is not everyday. Since my life isn't going to be changing anytime in the near future, I need to learn how to cope with these things without liquid anesthesia. I do worry about being in the 'honeymoon period' and what will happen when it stops. I guess if it does, I still know that it's worked the way it was supposed to in the first place, and I will maybe have long-term success.

So, that about sums up the last couple of months. I'm still at it, but I've switched gears. I hope to not make you wait nearly as long for an update again. I've just been trying to figure it out. And it's been very busy around here with all the changes going on with my family's diet and everything else in my crazy life.

I'm out of here for now. My lawn needs to be mowed. Yes, I live in the Midwest and my lawn needs mowing in March! The leaves are out on the trees, and it looks like it usually would in late April/early May. Very strange and even unsettling. This would be the month that things are starting to defrost. We might have some days in the 50s. For the last I don't know how many days, it's been in the 70s and even 80s. My car measured 86 one day.

Anyway, take care all. :l

xxoo,

Redhead

EDIT: We have had a practicing physician who tried HDB (he wasn't open about being a physician on here). He couldn't function in his job. There is also Dr Phill, but I believe he was done with his career in plastic surgery by the time he took HDB (I don't know too much about him). There is also, of course, Dr Ameisen. He wasn't practicing when he found indifference either. Once again, I'm not saying it's not possible to take HDB and find indifference in certain jobs. I'm just mentioning that it might be more difficult. We don't have many who have tried on here to know. I certainly wish everyone could take baclofen and reach indifference and function. It's a miracle for who it happens for.

[taw]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Thanks, Red! glad you checked in!! I am not in nearly the high stress job you are and wondering if I can do mine on HDB....Time will tell!!

How is your son doing by the way?

[Ne/Neva Eva]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Hey, RedH. Glad you checked in, too.
I'm also glad you're going down. I am (once again) amazed at your fortitude. I hope you don't feel...badly about where you are?

I can't imagine trying to do your job and juggle the demands you have. Period. Regardless of the bac. HDB just adds a whole 'nother level.

Sounds like Nal is a good solution, too. I have a couple of questions: Was it different the second time? Are you uncomfortable with what/how you drink now? Finally, what would you pass on? or suggest that others take away from your considerable experience...

I'm really glad you shared all that, and think it's really important that we have a very full understanding of what it's like to do HDB.

I know I've shared this with you offline, but want to state categorically that I will never, ever understand how or why Levin thinks staying at the switch dose is necessary or possible. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, though. I still think that time is the great equalizer. That was my experience, anyway. And I never really had a 'switch' either...

The weather here is pretty freaky, too. If it keeps up I'm going to have to think about planting entirely different stuff...Like equatorial vegetables. (It's terrible to wish that happens, but oh! the veggies we could eat!!!) The arugula we planted too late last year, that I never touched after it wilted away, is a week or two away from a salad bowl. weird. That is unless the snails and slugs get to it first. Which reminds me, I need to get them drunk!

Hope you are otherwise well and finding a good deal of relief from going down.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Wait. You got a dog? Did I know that? egad, woman.

[redhead77]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

I just want to start by saying, that I meant in my above post, that I didn't write anything of substance since January. Not essence. I knew there was something wrong with that sentence, but the word didn't come to me until 6pm tonight when I was driving. It was nagging at me. This would be a great example of my brain on HDB. It took me most of the day to remember that simple word.

Ne, thanks for your kind words. Not to worry, I haven't gone insane. I didn't get a dog on top of everything else.:H I've gone down and back up again since we've last talked. I don't feel badly, it is what it is. I'm grateful that I've responded to Nal like I have. It might have been a little different the second time, in that it wasn't as concrete. But it's hard to say. I drank three times last week on 180. I think that makes me rather uncomfortable. How I drink when I'm not taking Nal, definitely makes me uncomfortable.

What advice do I have? I think the switch is a switch (in my experience) in that you go from needing to drink to making it an option. I might have tried to have a string of AF days like you did. I think your 30 days was an excellent way to drive it home. It's important to learn other habits to replace the drinking ones (if you possibly can). I'm not sure what would have happened when I tried, either. My triggers would have still been there, strong as ever. It's still worth the try.

Taw, my son is doing much, much better. We sometimes can't believe it. I know this is just the tip of the iceburg too. He's now on his diet and taking his supps. Unfortunately, with his supps he needs more than one pill in the morning and evening. He actually takes two pills from Pfeiffer in his morning formula, as well as his evening. So he's on quite a few things.

I'm taking 300mg of B6 and 50mg of P-5-P in the morning, and 80mg of zinc at night. We are positive it came from me, so the doctor is willing to give me advice over the phone free of charge, until I can get into the clinic for testing. I'm hopeful I'll see benefit there too soon. It takes a few months with most adults.

[windycitylady]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Redhead, I'm running on empty here, but just had to say thanks for the update. I'm rooting for you!

[redhead77]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Windy!! So nice to see you here. Thank you also for the kind words! I meant to answer a question you posed to me a while ago about nuts and my kids. Yes, I feed my kids nuts. We eat all sorts of nuts and whatever nut butters I can afford. It's mostly peanut butter and almond butter at this point (but au naturale). Anyway, just wanted to get that off my chest since I never responded. Have a good night and rest from work! I'm getting ready for more tomorrow, myself. :l

[taw]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Red, I am following your lead and just ordered some Nal...I have tried it before but never with any consistancy, big surprise there, I know!! But I just ordered 60 pills...Here's to hoping is works for both of us!!

[taw]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Red, how is Nal working for you? I am waiting for mine in the mail...hoping for good things!!!

[COSGringo]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Hang in there Red. Thanks for all your help. Nal helped me a bit but not the way I had hoped. Not sure what your doc/insurance is these days but it's cheap if you can get it via insurance and your doc.

[redhead77]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Hi guys,

Don't worry, I'm hanging in here just fine. I'm down to 140 now. I'd been on 160 last week, and missed two 40mg doses two days in a row due to work. I take most of my bac at night on the days I work (I had meant to take those last doses in the middle of the night and slept right through. That's a problem for me when I'm doing it that way.) I was having some stupendous anxiety (I mean really bad) and thought maybe I was coming down too fast, and the missing of the two doses really kicked it up. I ended up getting my period and it's since resolved (like overnight). It's really crazy how much my hormones affect me with anxiety and even drinking. After missing the two days, I just settled at 140. I didn't think I was ready to drop to 120 yet, but didn't want to take 160 after missing those two days.

My head is totally clearing up. It's wonderful to be able to remember where I've put things! At the rate this is going, I'm wondering if I'll even need to drop under 120. My drinking has been stable too. I can't say I've had too much more experience with Nal since my last post a week ago. I'm now out until I get my next shipment. Since that's the case, I've been trying not to drink at all. I've been mostly successful, but I did drink right before my period. This isn't such an unusual pattern for me.

So, it isn't perfection, but I haven't gone off the rails either. I think I have a lot of reading to catch up on around here. I haven't been keeping up. Last week, I worked a ton, and every time I tried to get on my phone to read (I always do this in bed at night, I would drift off or something else would come up).

Taw, I meant to ask you something. Did you notice when you tried Nal before that you felt any differently? I was just wondering how it made you feel when you took it. I think I remember a post from a long time ago, when you posted it made you nauseous, or you threw up. I've read the nausea can be a good sign. SEs on Nal can be a good sign, and they are short lived with most who have them. They were for me. I mostly wondered if you noticed that you drank less on the days you tried it. If alcohol felt different in your system.

I hope everyone is doing okay. I'm going to try to catch up on the threads and come out of my cave one of these days. :l

[LadyLush]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Hey Red,

Glad to see your thread back at the top. I tried to speed read so forgive me if I have anything wrong. Baclofen is what got me where I am; sober. I moved on to Antabuse for the "no way I can drink" mentality.
Baclofen helped me get there. The anxiety was a very strong trigger for me drinking and Baclofen takes care of that. I can not imagine having that anxiety back and it won't be back as long as I keep on doing what I'm doing.

Anyway, sounds like you are doing well and glad the Nal is enhancing your journey. I do remember UKBlonde (I think), saying it upset her stomach in the beginning and then settled.

Glad to see you:l

LL

[COSGringo]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Hey there, I had some serious nausea feeling when I was on Nal. That's what really bugged me. It did help me refrain but I think now I might as well did Antabuse. I did not lose the compulsion just became uncomfortable. Everyone is different I would say.