Another note from Dr Ameisen

[Guest]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

I believe that 180mgs was my switch dose, but I am afraid the side effects at that level were at least as bad as being drunk. My daily life, mental and physical states we just horrible - so horrible I wanted to die.

I'm sorry but it wasn't any better than drinking. I've been told off in the past for not following advice, but had been sticking to my switch dose after reading here that it should be maintained for 12-18 months. When I mentioned the SEs(which were making me actually suicidal), one or two members quested why I was staying at my switch - that titrating down was the accepted direction to go now. I mentioned the thread in which I read that switch dose should be held, but that seemed to have been forgotten, or discounted at the least. I was scared to go down because I suspected I might drink, but also excited that the SEs might let up and my life become liveable again.

The disappointment and 'failure' I felt yesterday, and today is more or less the same as when I was using willpower or AA methods. Ok I can put it down to the Baclofen dosing, but the emotion is identical.

[Cinders]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

UK,

so horrible I wanted to die.

That scares me. I wanted to die many times when drunk. I do not want to face that sober and not be able to deal with it without alcohol.

If you choose to use Baclofen to get sober, if you choose to just "white knuckle," if you choose Zen Buddhism, if you choose Daoism, if you choose Catholism, if you choose Judaism, if you choose Atheism, if you choose your way out. Just do it.

Do not let any choice you make let you be suicidal. Ever.

Do not let a bunch of internet geeks rule your life.

Your life is your life. You have authority over it.

At the end of the day, UK, I pray you find your way out. Period. I don't care what your way is, as long as you find it.

Much love to you,
Cindi

[bleep]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

How long did you remain at 180mg's UK? I ask because ALL my SE's have disappeared after remaining at whatever level after a while.

[Guest]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

3-4 weeks

[bleep]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

And you still experienced SE's! That's pretty unusual, I think. Hadn't they started to diminish at all?

[Guest]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

Bleep I posted this back in the "Thinking about quitting" thread by the way, when you asked me just over a week ago.

https://www.mywayout.org/community/f2...ml#post1084095

Side effects had diminished but were still pretty horrible, and one or two were not letting up whatsoever.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

hmmmm.

[bleep]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

I read so many threads UK, that I prefer not to rely on memory. Sorry about that. I don't know why your SE's haven't faded, everybody else has reported a decrease after remaining at the same dose for a period.

[Murphyx]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

UK, you said you were going to speak to your doctor about it a couple of weeks ago. I assume you did and followed his/her advice?

I think some people really need to have professional help when taking baclofen. The side effects and how one reacts to them will determine that.

[Guest]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

Murphyx;1092544 wrote: UK, you said you were going to speak to your doctor about it a couple of weeks ago. I assume you did and followed his/her advice?

I think some people really need to have professional help when taking baclofen. The side effects and how one reacts to them will determine that.

Yes I did speak with her. She has no knowledge of high-dose baclofen use, as the majority of Doctors do not and certainly not for addiction/alcoholism.

She didn't give me any advice since she needs to do her own research on this subject. She did however note down areas of concern which she will look into. Until then her only guidance can be not to cease Baclofen.

So so far I have no medical support at this moment in time.

[Chi]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

Ukblonde;1092488 wrote: When I mentioned the SEs(which were making me actually suicidal), one or two members quested why I was staying at my switch - that titrating down was the accepted direction to go now. I mentioned the thread in which I read that switch dose should be held, but that seemed to have been forgotten, or discounted at the least. I was scared to go down because I suspected I might drink, but also excited that the SEs might let up and my life become liveable again.

UK surely you know that an internet message board is not the place to get medical advice if a medication is making you feel suicidal. With something that extreme going on unfortunately it doesn't surprise me that you relapsed. Drunk is better than suicidal. Neither are good.

IMO if *any* medication has the side effect of suicidal ideation then the medication should be stopped. While the evidence seems to show that baclofen is successful for many people, like any medication it is not going to work for everybody.

Maybe you should use other methods that have worked for you in the past? With all that you have been reporting I would not advise you to continue with the baclofen. My advice is to titrate down safely, talk to your doctor if you have any issues titrating down, and then use another method.

[Guest]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

Chi;1092570 wrote: UK surely you know that an internet message board is not the place to get medical advice if a medication is making you feel suicidal. With something that extreme going on unfortunately it doesn't surprise me that you relapsed. Drunk is better than suicidal. Neither are good.

IMO if *any* medication has the side effect of suicidal ideation then the medication should be stopped. While the evidence seems to show that baclofen is successful for many people, like any medication it is not going to work for everybody.

Maybe you should use other methods that have worked for you in the past? With all that you have been reporting I would not advise you to continue with the baclofen. My advice is to titrate down safely, talk to your doctor if you have any issues titrating down, and then use another method.

This is why I have been a little quiet recently, because I do know this isn't the place for medical advice and didn't feel it was the place to share some of this. Also a few people here thought that my depression was part of my personality. In sobriety I am nearly very upbeat and a lot of my personal friends actually admire me for it. Unfortunately my Dr doesn't know enough about Baclofen to advise me, and is currently seeking advice and information herself. So at the moment I have no medical advice.

I also had it said to me many times here that "Baclofen works" and no doubt about this. In fact whenever I expressed doubt I was beaten down. Sorry but this feels too much like an AA or traditional method technique for me. When I was following Traditional techniques I did however keep on going until I felt I had completely exhausted the method, so I will keep going here. Advice from members has been to titrate back up again now I've relapsed, and I am desperate enough to give it another try.

In the meantime I am between a rock and a hard place. Some had implied that Baclofen doesn't cause some of the side effects I've been experiencing, that it's only a co-incidence and not the Baclofen at all. This has made me feel even worse, and did start me thinking that the effects I was experiencing were signs of something even scarier(yes some of my 'symptoms' could be considered definite signs of other serious medical issues). So I am in a very frightening place as a result.

[Guest]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

bleep;1092541 wrote: I read so many threads UK, that I prefer not to rely on memory. Sorry about that. I don't know why your SE's haven't faded, everybody else has reported a decrease after remaining at the same dose for a period.

Sorry for this Bleep I am quite sore because a few months ago I was posting, and being pulled up all the time because I was not remembering posts correctly or at all. I shouldn't take that out on you but it does affect my posting, or lack of it here as a result.

I think I'm harbouring resentment and should probably forgive and forget!

[bleep]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

No worries! It does sound like you are in a tricky situation, and I sincerely hope you manage to find a solution for all this.

[Chi]

Another note from Dr Ameisen

Ukblonde;1092573 wrote: This is why I have been a little quiet recently, because I do know this isn't the place for medical advice. Unfortunately my Dr doesn't know enough about Baclofen to advise me, and it currently seeking advice and information herself.

In the meantime I am between a rock and a hard place. Some had implied that Baclofen doesn't cause some of the side effects I've been experiencing, that it's only a co-incidence and not the Baclofen at all. This has made me feel even worse, and did start me thinking that the effects I was experiencing were signs of something even scarier(yes some of my 'symptoms' could be considered definite signs of other serious medical issues). So I've been in a very frightening, isolated place in the meantime.

Your current doctor may not be familiar with baclofen as a treatment for alcoholism but baclofen has been around for a long time, and the fact that she doesn't seem to be advising you on anything having to do with it seems negligent to me. It shouldn't matter so much WHY you took it, rather that you did, and now you need to go off of it and have issues evaluated. That should not be a daunting task for a competent doctor.

Maybe go to another doctor and get to the root of things? Like I said opinions here aren't a proper substitute for medical advice when one is having confusing or potentially serious side effects. If need be, go to an ER. Whatever it takes to alleviate the fear and symptoms you are experiencing.

As far as feeling isolated.... this place is good for that.... we are all pulling for you :l