Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

[JustJill]

Since Baclofen decrease Dopamine (a neurotranmitter which allows us to feel pleasure) and the more Bac we take, the lower our dopamine level gets, I'm wondering if anybody experiences true happiness anymore. I mean, I'm happy I'm sober but nothing else in life brings me any pleasure. I have Major Depressive Disorder and take a number of meds for that, but I'm like an emotionless zombie on Bac and it gets worse with each increase. I can't imagine feeling like this for long and the thought that it will probably get worse as I increase makes me want to quit. Who is happy on Bac? Truly happy? Do you play with your kids? Jump on a trampoline? Enjoy the sunset? Please be honest with me...and with yourself.

[PbarE]

Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

Good question, Double J.

I been clean and sober for 95 days. I have been on bac 92 of those. There have been some pleasurable moments, but by and large, I can't say it has been fun. I am looking forward to April 5th, the day I climb back down to my maintanence dose of 120 mgs.

[TracyA]

Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

Wow, Jill. That sounds like a strong reaction. I can understand how bac might have that reaction in someone. I had a very dark, very bad period of time my first time on bac - profoundly bad. Don't know if it was the time in my life or the brand change, but it hasn't happened this time around. I know that UK has also struggled with fairly serious depression on bac. I wish I had some advice. Near as I can tell, no two of our stories are exactly alike where side effects are concerned.

Yes, I'm having a pretty nice life lately - very far from perfect though. A while back I read an article with a quote from someone in a third-world country. It said something like, "We don't expect to be happy here, so we appreciate it when we get it." It made me pause. I don't think there is such a thing as "truly happy" as a state of being (but RedThread is convincing me otherwise). I think we all get moments all along the continuum, from drastically sad and lost, to bored, to joyful. I spend more time to the right of center (if "drastically sad" is the far left) on bac. But that's just my reaction, this time around, on this brand, on schedule of slow titration.

I'm playing more with my dog. My husband wants me to play more with him, so I'm gathering that I must be more pleasant to be around!

I'm sorry to hear that you are having a tough time of it. The SE's are bothersome to me, but not bad on an emotional level, if that makes sense.

What dose are you on right now?

[gratitude]

Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

just jill,
can you point me to the article or study that shows baclofen decreases dopamine. I haven't heard or read that. perhaps it is common knowledge and I just missed it?
I wonder though, is it the BAC that is causing the depression and/or flatness of affect or could it be that the depression was the underlying problem to begin with and drinking just covered this up?
I quit drinking a number of years ago and sometimes struggle with depression/anxiety. can't say I'm crazy happy. but I do get to take part in the world now. even my normie friends go through this. are you sober? still drinking. sorry I don't know your story. grat.

[gratitude]

Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

sorry, just reread your post. you are sober. and you have major depression. got it.
can you still point me in the direction of the studies on dopamine?

[bleep]

Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

Hi Jill,

Sorry to hear you are having a rough go of it. Your question really made me stop and think for a while - I can safely say that baclofen has and continues to be an extremely positive force in my life. In fact there were periods during my titration where I was in a state of chemically enhanced happiness, although that's not what you are talking about, I don't think.

Now, I am extremely content with where I am. I was also unaware of the dopamine effect, and would be very interested to read these studies.

Tracy, there must be a state of true happiness! It's what I was inadvertently searching for in a bottle, I think, now I realise that it's not there, or certainly not in the bottles I looked in! And I looked in a few, I can tell you. But it's there, somewhere, and I hope we all find it, even for a bit.

[Guest]

Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

Gratitude

Whenever I've had periods of sobriety in the last 5 years I've always been happy and grateful. I might have become anxious, or unable to assert myself but I was very driven. Since using Baclofen I've become exceedingly flat. I really can't be bothered to do anything, lost interest in my interests, become a comfort eater, had thoughts about death frequently and just feel wierd. The last time I was like this was 12 years ago when I was diagnosed with clinical depression. That state lasted only a few months and coincided with my drinking starting to increase plus a very 'wierd' person being in my life. Sure I had spells of depression when drinking, or after a bender/binge but it was completely different it was always a depression focused on the drinking act itself, and would disappear with a few days sobriety. When I started Baclofen, whilst I was sceptical about it I did look foward to getting sober and getting on with my life - just like I always have done in the past, including last summer. Although my drinking has almost disappeared I am incredibly depressed. On baclofen I just feel like I could stay in bed for days, not do anything and let the world get on by. I also don't want to interact with anyone at all. I basically don't want to do anything, full stop. I'll go as far to say that I have seriously considered dying, rather than living every day feeling like this.

I have said this before that the morose, gloomy person who has been posting in meds for the last 3-4 months is not how I usually am, either in or out of sobriety. But I have an idea this is only how people know me around here, so haven't spotted a change.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

Wow and yowza, ukb!

I'm sorry to read your struggles, Jill. I certainly experienced a short period of time when I felt rather 'flat' while dosing up. Like bleep, I've also had chemically-induced euphoria. I've NEVER EVER experienced any thoughts of death, or increased depression.

I am content. Simply, happily, unbelievably content. For the first time in my life.

It's a lovely place to live. I hope for the best for you both!
Hugs,
Ne

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

Ukb, whenever I've had periods of sobriety they were fraught with anxiety and depression. Our experiences are so dissimilar. It's very confusing. I wish there was more I could offer.


Ne

[redhead77]

Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

Hi JustJill,

I'm sorry you aren't feeling well. I'm not sure if it's all sunshine and daisies, but I tend to hope true happiness is out there. A forever optimist here, to my own detriment at times.

I have been lucky so far in that I haven't had depression since starting bac. I was very depressed prior, maybe even suicidal at times. I was worried because I went off the only antidepressant that kept me from jumping off a bridge to start this. I haven't thus far had any crippling depression return. I still do drink some now. I wonder if this is why?

They say there is a period of time following alcohol cessation, I believe it's called PAWS, where many people suffer from depression. Many alcoholics have messed up neurotranmitters from drinking and then with the life altering process of losing the crutch, they many sink into depression. I guess it's a large reason for relapse. These are people not on bac, of course. I'm not sure if people on bac, have the same thing or not. I would assume yes, but maybe for some, the bac helps take away the crippling anxiety that alcohol cessation tends to elicit. Of course, I have read about people who have the anxiety too. I don't know. No hard pressed rules it seems.

I hadn't read that about dopamine. I had read some stuff about serotonin. Alcoholics tend to have low levels of dopamine anyway. I guess that's why Wellbutrin tends to work so well in alkies. Or, that's what I've been told anyway. Of course, my doc won't let me take it while I'm on this stuff. Sigh.

I hope things start brightening up for you Jill.

[PbarE]

Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

redhead77;1087906 wrote: They say there is a period of time following alcohol cessation, I believe it's called PAWS, where many people suffer from depression. Many alcoholics have messed up neurotranmitters from drinking and then with the life altering process of losing the crutch, they many sink into depression. I guess it's a large reason for relapse. These are people not on bac, of course. I'm not sure if people on bac, have the same thing or not. I would assume yes, but maybe for some, the bac helps take away the crippling anxiety that alcohol cessation tends to elicit. Of course, I have read about people who have the anxiety too. I don't know. No hard pressed rules it seems.

I am glad to see someone mention PAWS, which is very real and a major pitfall on the road to permanent sobriety. It is actually a topic worthy of its own thread (assuming there is not one buried out there somewhere). What do you think, red?

By the way, PAWS = Poat Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. The treatment centers spend about an hour on it in your typical 30 day stay. Its a shame, because this what ultimately does most of us in.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

there's a thread. There's ALWAYS a thread. lol. sort of.

[JustJill]

Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

I'm not depressed on Bac, I'm flat...like totally emotionless. I do find that my anti-depressants are working better now that I'm sober and keeping me out of the dark hell-ish black holes I sink into. Depression is not what I'm experiencing now.

And Ameisen talks about the effect on Dopamine in the book. I can't quote it just now because I loaned it to a friend.

[gratitude]

Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

Jill,
sorry to hear about the flatness of emotion. I have been told by someone close to me that some antidepressants had that effect on them. did you have the flatness before BAC? did the ad's help before the BAC or was the drinking squashing their effect? also,was there any dose of BAC where you did feel good? what dose are you at now?
not trying to be a BAC cheerleader just trying to isolate variables.
I have a non scientific theory that their are different types of alcoholism with different neurotransmitter pathways affected. hence, the success of some people on nal or BAC or some other method. hope it works out for you.grat

[gratitude]

Anybody truly happy on Baclofen?

uk,
did you ever find a dose of BAC as you were titrating up that felt good? and have you ever had any success with anti depressants?
I am not a doctor but it sounds like you have major depression that was covered up with the alcohol. I had the exact symptoms you describe. to the point of not being able to get out of bed at one point for several days. have you ever seen a good therapist? this and zoloft probably saved my life. I urge you to seek out a doctor and a good therapist. take care.grat