scared to start

[GettingSerious]

Hi everyone. I have never posted before. I've been dithering around here since November, when I discovered this Baclofen thing. I need to stop drinking. I know this. I can't. I know this also. I would like to try Baclofen. I'm just...scared. I'm scared to call Dr. L. I'm scared to talk to him. I'm scared to go it alone. I'm scared to start taking a drug with side effects, withdrawals. I'm scared it won't work. I'm scared it WILL work. Day after day, I do nothing. What's wrong with me?

[bkyogagurl]

scared to start

Ok.. first off.. its ok to be scared. but don't be scared here. We are all here in the same boat and we all want to help each other. There is nothing wrong with you. Its hard to reach out. You will be amazed though at how many people really do want to help you.
Don't be afraid to call. I called my GP... I called his office a million times and cancelled my appt. because I thought he was going to send me out of his office thinking I was crazy cook. He was so proud of me for stepping up. Stepping up before I had completely destroyed my life... He has been nothing but a fabulous support in life since and he even pays my co pay for me when I come in....
so please don't be afraid to talk to people.
All you can do is try... if you have side effects... that are untorable.. stop.. I am taking Topamax and I dosed up little by little... did pretty well. The only way it won't work is if you don't try.
I know what its like to lurk cause you are talking with the infamous lucker herself...but I am trying to make more of presence because I need to get back on track with myself.
If you need anything POST. Let people be there for you.. this is a good place and people will answer.
Hang is there and believe me I know all about being scared... (((((((HUG)))))))))

[TracyA]

scared to start

Your fear is understandable. It is scary. Part of Amesien's theory (and experience) is that a heightened level of anxiety is what creates the drinking problem in the first place.

I'm less of afraid of the side effects since talking to Dr. L. I'm less afraid of the withdrawals because he's only a phone call away, the pharmacy is only two miles away - so I shouldn't ever be in a spot of running out.

I'm scared it won't work too, or that I won't be able to tolerate it due to other health issues. But, it's hope - real hope for a real cure.

Give him a call. I promise you won't be scared talking to him. He's not intimidating and was very good at making me feel safe (I grew up with military medicine and have always had issues with doctors).

It's just a phone call. If you decide you don't want to move forward with the baclofen, you don't have to. You have the power to choose, every step of the way.

Welcome to MWO, BTW.

[TracyA]

scared to start

BK, your GP sounds very cool.

[bleep]

scared to start

Hey Serious, welcome.

No need to be afraid. This is such a positive thing. As Tracy says, your fear is understandable, but it's groundless.

Some people, like myself and Murphyx, had a real gas on the SE's. Others have a rougher ride, but you'll see from their posts that everyone gets in to it. It becomes a mission, a journey, and it's not a solo ride - you have everyone here behind you all the way, and people do, they get stuck in to your epic ride. Everyone wants everyone to succeed, and you'll be no different.

You're already no different - we want you to succeed now, and you can.

Why not take the first step, and see how that goes, and reassess from there?

Good luck friend.

[dixon]

scared to start

Hi ,
I am too scared to take Baclofen for my AL addiction thinking that why it is not widely prescribed by Doctors.Is it illegal to prescribe Baclofen for alcoholic ??
What does happen to doctor if someone dies or get strong seizures because of its prescription ??
If it is safe to consume, why does it taking time to give a formal and explicit approval for it as a treatment ??:confuse
Any ideas or clarifications are most welcome ,
Dixon

[libmit]

scared to start

Hi Getting Serious,
You posted here - that's a step. There's nothing wrong with you. I think people do things when they are ready to do things. Even if they think they're ready, they're really not until they actually take action. That's OK. You'll take action when you're ready.

I've tried topa, nal and now bac. I WANT the bac to work. I've tried them all without a doctor - ordered the drugs online. I did tell my husband each time in case something happened, but luckily nothing has happened.

I'd say to keep posting, ask questions you're worried about, and eventually, you'll be ready and you'll take action.

Libby

[bleep]

scared to start

Hi Dixon,

I think sheer ignorance is the debilitating factor that stops most doctors from prescribing baclofen. I'm hoping it's because they are too busy reading up on other advances, but I suspect this is not the case.

Nobody has died yet from baclofen, and they've been using it for a while now. High doses have been taken, under doctors orders, for other reasons, and it's proved to be safe for them.

[redhead77]

scared to start

Right on Bleep. You said it. People haven't even died when trying on bac. It is not illegal to prescribe this way, just off label. Lots of stuff gets prescribed off label.

[edostan]

scared to start

Hi Getting Serious.

I'm glad to see that you are getting serious about ending your alcoholism.

I so understand your fear. My biggest one was that it's just not gonna work for me. Second biggest was that it would work and I would lose my best friend, alcohol. If I thought that I could never pick up a drink again, I'd have never started with baclofen.

Well, I'm at 120mg, haven't hit the switch, still drinking but it's getting harder. Here's the thing though. Baclofen, as many people report, really helps with the anxiety, those fears just aren't there for the most part, or at least aren't as prevalent. I haven't taken a xanax (sp?) since I started baclofen. Well, I think I took one on like my second day of bac. Used to take one before any kind of serious human interaction, including teaching, staff meetings, going somewhere with my wife, meeting friends, etc.

Do this thing, and hang in there!

Jeff

[GettingSerious]

scared to start

Thanks

Thanks for the quick replies. I was looking over some of the posts and was unhappy to see some references to women having a harder go of it than men. Can't get a break, can we, ladies. Anyway, whatever the SEs are, they've gotta be less toxic than the constant sense of shame, self-reproach, and the slow but steady ebbing of one's self respect.
I've got to do this. Of course, I'm a glass of vino in at this point, feeling a little less scared, but then that's why I drink in the first place.

Now if I could just find the post with the procedure to call Dr. L, I could ruminate on it for a few days, maybe call Monday evening when I'm good and penitent after the weekend. I feel like I've seen a post like that before but can't find it - help anyone?

[TracyA]

scared to start

Getting Serious, good for you!

I'm send the info on Dr. L. via pm.

[TracyA]

scared to start

dixon;1069644 wrote: Hi ,
I am too scared to take Baclofen for my AL addiction thinking that why it is not widely prescribed by Doctors.Is it illegal to prescribe Baclofen for alcoholic ??
What does happen to doctor if someone dies or get strong seizures because of its prescription ??
If it is safe to consume, why does it taking time to give a formal and explicit approval for it as a treatment ??:confuse
Any ideas or clarifications are most welcome ,
Dixon

Dixon, I don't know where you are, but in the US it is not illegal to prescribe it off-label. Getting a doc to prescribe at the high doses we discuss here would be difficult though.

It's really unlikely that anyone would die of baclofen. The only the case that I've heard of was in an MS patient who had an implant that delivered baclofen directly to the spinal cord. The pump failed and the patient, who was already very compromised physically, died in withdrawal. Withdrawal is probably the biggest risk we face, but I haven't heard of anyone who takes bac orally dying of withdrawal.

The doctors who do prescribe are taking a chance. No doubt about it. But they take a chance when they prescribe anything, and baclofen is pretty low risk. I think they are reluctant to prescribe for two reasons: 1) They know nothing about the drug being used in this way; 2) Alcoholics tend to be more unreliable patients and higher-risk patients than your average Joe.

Just my opinion.

[TracyA]

scared to start

And I should add 3) The high doses discussed here well exceed the FDA maximum of 80 mg per day.

[bleep]

scared to start

I'll probably get shot for this, but I don't actually know if women have a harder time than men. Our sample size is very small, and currently has a number of women who are battling / battled to hit the switch, which I think could be swinging perception that way.

There are also a few women on this forum who are no longer active, who were indifferent after the very first dose of baclofen.

I see Tracy has sent you the Dr L information, so you should be good there.