Male. 32. Average size to thin.
Drinking started as a teenager. Escalated very gradually to drinking often, to drinking every day by age 23. Amount gradually increased during 20's. By late 20's, no ability to sleep at all without drinking. By age 30, drinking some mornings and starting to get withdrawal symptoms. By age 32, drinking 12-15 units per day on average days, just to keep shakes, headaches, racing heart, heaves, anxiety, under bay. No real mental health issues. Started to loose feeling in hands and feet. Odd skin problems. No appetite, but gaining weight. No enjoyment from drinking anymore, just staying afloat.
No family doctor and the ones I saw in walk-in clinics were no help.
Self-administered a detox with Ativan in December, which was unpleasant, but worked. Went a day without drinking for the first time in years. That turned into three. Felt great, so I started drinking again.
In January, in total despair, I got a prescription for Baclofen, 60 mg per day. This helped my withdrawal symptoms of shaking, heaving, and insomnia. Did nothing for the anxiety and racing heart. Was able to detox a second and third time with 60 mg Baclofen alone. Didn't last. Ordered more online and titrated up to 100 mg per day. Started to experience side effects from the Baclofen then - insomnia, confusion, crazy somnolence, low mood. But drinking did go down - a bit. Below 12 units per day, but not much less.
Over two months, gradually tried to get up to 150 mg per day. Every time, side effects became intolerable. Was able to maintain 100 mg per day.
In April, started 25 mg Naltrexone prior to drinking. IMMEDIATE response! I felt awkward and sick drinking AND LOVED IT. Oh, what a great feeling! The only side effect has been some nausea, but I kind of like it, as it encourages me to drink less and eat less junk food. Positive side effect is the Naltrexone seems to counter-act the insomnia caused by the Balcofen.
Pre-TSM: 12-15 units per day, more on occasion
First week's progress: 9, 6, 3, 7, 9, 11, 5 units (So, about half of usual.)
I FEEL GREAT! Especially after the "below 6" days. So alert, like I haven't been in years.
So far I feel no need to go above 25 mg Naltrexone, and the 100 mg Baclofen keeps cravings under control and prevents shakiness after days I do go overboard. The Naltrexone is so comforting. I know it's there if I need it, and I will use it along with willpower. I have a bottle of Valium that never gave me that comfort. It was for use if I "fail". The Naltrexone is there to "succeed."
Drinking started as a teenager. Escalated very gradually to drinking often, to drinking every day by age 23. Amount gradually increased during 20's. By late 20's, no ability to sleep at all without drinking. By age 30, drinking some mornings and starting to get withdrawal symptoms. By age 32, drinking 12-15 units per day on average days, just to keep shakes, headaches, racing heart, heaves, anxiety, under bay. No real mental health issues. Started to loose feeling in hands and feet. Odd skin problems. No appetite, but gaining weight. No enjoyment from drinking anymore, just staying afloat.
No family doctor and the ones I saw in walk-in clinics were no help.
Self-administered a detox with Ativan in December, which was unpleasant, but worked. Went a day without drinking for the first time in years. That turned into three. Felt great, so I started drinking again.
In January, in total despair, I got a prescription for Baclofen, 60 mg per day. This helped my withdrawal symptoms of shaking, heaving, and insomnia. Did nothing for the anxiety and racing heart. Was able to detox a second and third time with 60 mg Baclofen alone. Didn't last. Ordered more online and titrated up to 100 mg per day. Started to experience side effects from the Baclofen then - insomnia, confusion, crazy somnolence, low mood. But drinking did go down - a bit. Below 12 units per day, but not much less.
Over two months, gradually tried to get up to 150 mg per day. Every time, side effects became intolerable. Was able to maintain 100 mg per day.
In April, started 25 mg Naltrexone prior to drinking. IMMEDIATE response! I felt awkward and sick drinking AND LOVED IT. Oh, what a great feeling! The only side effect has been some nausea, but I kind of like it, as it encourages me to drink less and eat less junk food. Positive side effect is the Naltrexone seems to counter-act the insomnia caused by the Balcofen.
Pre-TSM: 12-15 units per day, more on occasion
First week's progress: 9, 6, 3, 7, 9, 11, 5 units (So, about half of usual.)
I FEEL GREAT! Especially after the "below 6" days. So alert, like I haven't been in years.
So far I feel no need to go above 25 mg Naltrexone, and the 100 mg Baclofen keeps cravings under control and prevents shakiness after days I do go overboard. The Naltrexone is so comforting. I know it's there if I need it, and I will use it along with willpower. I have a bottle of Valium that never gave me that comfort. It was for use if I "fail". The Naltrexone is there to "succeed."
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