This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

[redhead77]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

I agree, I may have hit the switch sooner than some, because I didn't abuse alcohol for very long. I don't know. It seems many stories abound. I will say, I think the true heroes are the one's who continue to do this, month after month. Some do it longer than months. Searching for the switch. Dealing with the horrible SE's.

The job fell through. It wasn't what I thought. Which means I need to find another job fast. I can't afford to remain unemployed much longer. I hit my switch just in time. Since I need to get a job fast, it is best to go back to what I'm most experienced in. I will be swooped up. This poses a dilemma, because my past work requires a high level of mental functioning. I'm still experiencing a ton of side effects. Forgetfulness, insomnia (I wake up every 2 hours, am awake for an hour, repeat). I too snafu have that vibration thing in my ears. I explain it as a whooshing noise or feeling. I am having too many SE's to list.

I was planning to stay at my switch dose for a month or two. Then very slowly, start backing off. If I get this job, I will probably have 4-6 weeks before I'm on the floor. I wonder if this will be enough time to adjust to my switch dose, and become highly functioning? Knowing my job, and knowing me, I don't think so. I may have to titrate down sooner than planned.

[coalfire]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

That is an amazing story Red. You have escaped so much psychological (and physical) damage by getting out in under 2 years. The feelings of despair that you experienced on xmas morning well they would have deepened a million fold.I thought that in year 2 I had felt all the despair I could feel in the world but it had not even started yet. By year 6 you don't cry anymore...you just go go dead really. I am delighted for you.I understand your need to go back to work with young kids but would it be worth borrowing 6 weeks salary from the bank? I know debt is crap but if it secures your sobriety it could be the investment/loan of a lifetime and I know you have to be so careful in your job. You have been very careful not to let this affect your career up to now so don't fall at the last fence. You have the rest of your life to pay it back. Anyway I am delighted for you and congratulations again from me.

[bleep]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Red, I would be cautious of tapering down sooner than planned. In no time at all, your SE's will fade away entirely. Can you not pretend you haven't hit your switch, and continue a week at this level? After that, you'll start to see that you are feeling decidedly normal.

I went down dramatically after hitting mine, and blew it. While it's always there, waiting for you, it's not worth the mental anguish of bouncing up and down around it. If it's within your power, just relax at your switch, enjoy the miracle you are experiencing, and go with it. In no time at all, you'll notice the SE's calming down, and before you know it they'll be gone entirely.

[redhead77]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

I can stay at my switch dose for a good three weeks. I will see if the side effects resolve. If not, I will need to start coming down. Looking for the happy medium, where I can work well. Taking out debt for this is not an option CF. I do have a few other options, however. I will do my best to not start working officially before the next 6 weeks. It will take that long to get everything rolling. HR is always super slow. Interviews, physical and drug screen, facility orientation (all you do is sit there, and try not to sleep for a week). I have a little time, just not much.

[bleep]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

I'm pretty sure you'll see a complete disappearance of all things SE related in that time. I know you hate them, but I actually missed mine.

Red, I just wanted to say - the resolve and fortitude you showed in getting here is a lesson for everyone. Once my bac-mania resolved itself, not much brings a tear to my eye, but you reaching indifference most certainly has. You can be justifiably proud of what you have done.

[redhead77]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Luscious, I meant to ask you, why can't we share the thunder? :l

[Bruunhilde]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Redh, I'm hoping you can buy the time, and that you can find your liveable dose quickly. Have you thought about going UP again and then going back down a few days later, to see if the SE's abate? That may sound crazy but from what I've read here, that sometimes helps reduce SEs.

I'm so glad you have a month to figure this out, but I know that will go fast.

Hang in there Redhead, you can do it, I know you can.:l

[Lo0p]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

:goodjob:


:h


and...


:welcome:

[Chi]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Congratulations Red!

Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are truly an inspiration. :goodjob:

[Isolde]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

:ls Red!!! So glad that you've made it and were able to push yourself hard enough to be able to do what you knew you needed to do. Yours an amazing story, thanks for sharing it with all of us.

[terryk]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

redhead77;1099575 wrote: I can stay at my switch dose for a good three weeks. I will see if the side effects resolve. If not, I will need to start coming down. Looking for the happy medium, where I can work well. Taking out debt for this is not an option CF. I do have a few other options, however. I will do my best to not start working officially before the next 6 weeks. It will take that long to get everything rolling. HR is always super slow. Interviews, physical and drug screen, facility orientation (all you do is sit there, and try not to sleep for a week). I have a little time, just not much.

Hey Redhead, It took about 2 weeks for my side effects to peak after my switch, since then (6+ months) I've become 99% SE free. And I had a big helping of the forgetfulness, the fumbling for words, and the walking in to a room only to forget what I was going there for. IT WILL GET BETTER! Hooray!

-tk

[LadyLush]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

Red,

TerryK seems to know what is going on! Girl, I will have my own thunder and we will party til' the day is done! You are here in the states so let's get together! Love to be with Bruun and Neva too!
Keep the momentum going! We need this!

Love ya!

Lady

[coalfire]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

terryk;1099767 wrote: And I had a big helping of the forgetfulness, the fumbling for words, and the walking in to a room only to forget what I was going there for.

-tk

There is something else worth mentioning too. I cant comment on Ses of high dose Baclofen but all those symptoms that TK just mentioned,well I had those for weeks after I stopped drinking.Its only when I saw them written down like that that I thought Wait a minute,where did all those disappear to? I am day 83 and now that I think about it,its only in the last week or 2 that they have disappeared.
Thanks for making me realise that Terry k!
So maybe you are going to have this from both ends ie your brain gets used to Baclofen and also heals from alcohol.Its something for all you Baclofen people to keep in mind too. If you feel dramatically better 80 -90 days after going AF it might not be anything to do with the Baclofen at all. I had all those symptoms that Terry K has listed,some quite dramatically at times but a lot of them have phased out. I suppose its worth mentioning paws in this post too.It might be worth having another read about that too.I dont know whether you plan to remain AF or moderate Red(sorry you have probably said and I missed it) but a 6 week AF run might reallly help you heal and sharpen up your brain nicely before you return to work. Heal..its a great word isnt it? There is also a thread in the HH section called healing your brain although I didnt follow it but I still might have a go at it yet. So I honestly think there is a lot of change on the way for you(all good).

[spacebebe01]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

I am still trying to read back Red and follow your thread, I cant offer any advice but it sounds like your doing well and with the 4 weeks you have I think the plan sounds great.

[redhead77]

This Redhead's Baclofen Thread

I am 7 days post switch. I have managed 2 glasses of wine in the 7 days. Both left me little reward. I've been thinking a lot about what my goal is. Moderation vs abstinence? I think for me, it's moderation, but I'm not getting much pleasure in my wine, so I'm not going to drink for now.

Yesterday at the store, my kids made a beeline for the liquor dept, assuming I was going there for my wine. I said, nope kids, were not going there today. They looked at me perplexed and said okaaaayy.

My sugar cravings have returned. I forgot what those felt like. I'm trying to buy reasonable foods to satisfy my sweet tooth. Dark chocolate almond bark, ice cream made from coconut milk, and fruit. I would like to get back to low carb, but it's not happening for a while. I'll give my body what it needs, as long as it's not booze or wheat. I avoid wheat at all costs. I don't know if any of you read the Heart Scan Blog. It's written by a cardiologist. He advices on how to avoid heart disease, diabetes, and obesity without drugs. He's down on Big Pharma. He's also down on wheat, at least the wheat here in the US. It doesn't agree with me anyway.

The exercise front is looking up. I have worked out 3 times in the last 4 days. I had to take a day off, because of soreness. I don't go to the gym. I let my membership go, when I was more concerned with getting loaded in the evenings, and I was too hung over to work out the next day. It was a waste of money. I do various Jillian Michaels DVDs at home. She does amazing things for my body.

I have been irritable and my fuse has been short. I don't think it has anything to do with baclofen. I think it's cutting out nearly all alcohol. My neurotransmitters, or lack of, are going mad.

Lots to keep me busy. I'm going to my non alcohol support group tonight. Sports have started. That sucks because it's been cold here. Really cold, snow shower cold. Still, it keeps me busy. And the job hunt has begun.

New sobriety, what a gift. It also comes with a set of temporary problems. Do realize, I said temporary.

Hope you all have a wonderful day. xxoo.

Redhead