Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

[Noelle]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

I hope it works for you too Katie. I went over to the TSM boards and caused quite a ruckus because I use Naltrexone once a day, every day....not just when I'm going to drink as prescribed by TSM. The air was cleared and I understand it totally now and it makes sense. If I ever relapse, I will definately use TSM to get back on track.

I've said this in many different places on MWO, but I have to say I got very lucky with having my psychiatrist being an addiction specialist. She's the one who told me to try the Naltrexone although not TSM. I keep hearing how most doctors are ignorant of how this drug works and it's a real shame. It can help so many people; they SHOULD know about it.

My doctor did, however, have some very harsh, negative words about Balcofen.

I'm going to be watching to see how you do. You can be our guinea pig, okay? It may work quicker than you think, but everyone is different, ya know?

[bleep]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

May I ask what your doctor had to say about baclofen Noelle?

[KatieSmiles]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

Thanks Noelle

xo
Resident Guinea Pig

[Noelle]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

bleep;1105472 wrote: May I ask what your doctor had to say about baclofen Noelle?

I'm sorry, I don't quite remember except that she was very negative about it. I'll ask her about it when I see her May 23rd 'cause I wish I *did* remember. I don't like having holes in my memory like that. But I have it written down in the notebook I write in for when I see her and then I'll remember and tell you, ok?

[bleep]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

Great, thanks. If there is something grim that I'm unaware of, it would be good to find out.

[KatieSmiles]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

Update on Dr appointment!
I went armed with information and was fully prepared to defend my reasons to try TSM. After being chided about my high blood pressure being related to weight gain. She goes on to say, " I've looked into Natrexone for you as I have currently no patients using this medication. Your liver tests are okay, some elevations, but considered normal as you are a drinker. I think you will be a good candidate to take this medication as it will make you drink less." ......Well,.... I was speechless for a second. My first words were "So, I can drink on this medication??? I don't need to abstain???" "Yes" she said, and went on to explain how it blocks endorphins in the brain, I don't really recall exactly what she said as I couldn't believe that she said I could drink on this med.

I asked her if she had learned about TSM when looking into this drug, she looked confused and said " No, I discussed Natrexone with with a colleague who has just come back from medical conference on addiction in the U.S. and it was determined that this could be an effective and safe treatment for an alcoholic to drink less."

She wants me to take 50 per day and be careful about falling into depression, I explained that on TSM you only take the drug when you drink, so one doesn't get depressed and that some start at a lower dosage for a couple days and go up to 50 to lessen SE's. I also explained that some have good results at the beginning and then go back to heavier drink because the brain is fighting to have the feeling it once knew and then it taper back off and the drinker starts drinking less again. She's all good with it and has agreed to let me try it for a year to see how it goes. Her parting words were, "and since you will be drinking less, you will lose weight which will help your blood pressure." I love that woman!

[KatieSmiles]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

TSM day 3.

So far so good, the only side effect I have is dizziness.

[bleep]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

Hah, half the battle is finding a GP who is on board with your choice of treatment, From what I've read, early symptoms are a sign you are susceptible to naltrexone.

Keep it up.

[Noelle]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

KatieSmiles;1108121 wrote: TSM day 3.

So far so good, the only side effect I have is dizziness.

Katie, are you taking Naltrexone and drinking? I mean following TSM completely?

As I said over in Subs, I had some severe pains in my knee and my doctor had to give me a shot in my knee. (ACK!) He also gave me Vicodin, which in the old days, before I took Naltrexone, gave me a great high that I enjoyed way too much. I was hesitant to take it. But the Naltrexone killed the high feeling and only took away the pain. Whew! (I will admit I miss that high!) So obviously the Naltrexone is blocking that high feeling.

Again, I don't follow TSM. I take a 50mg pill once a day and am completely AL-free since 12/27. But from what I've read on the TSM boards, it sure seems to work.

I can't wait to see what my doctor says about Balcofen. I will definately tell y'all after I see her.

Good luck Katie (aka, our guinea pig)!!! :l I'll be watching and hoping this works for you. Maybe more people will try it. No triating up and down, and for the most part, few SEs.

:h

[Guest]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

Thought I should chime in here. I'm using Naltrexone now after realising Baclofen wasn't going to work for me. I've hardly drank since I started it, think that is part my own tools along with coming off the Bac. I feel so refreshed after being in the Bac haze for several months, that I'm not interested in drinking for some reason. Anyway I did decide to drink on Saturday night, I did not get anything from the first drink at all. No buzz, no warm glow, no nothing. It was just like drinking flavoured water. Went on to have a very special, expensive vodka that tasted divine. Again no warm glow, no 'hit', no nothing - and I had to be told to drink up too! On that basis I got through Sunday at an event where most people were drinking no problems. I did think once or twice "Oh, could just have a nice cool pint of cider" but then argued back there wasn't any point if I wasn't going to get any 'effect' from it, would be a complete waste of time and money. Might as well just have a lemonade or apple juice.

I have emailed the Dr who prescribed the Naltrexone today, he says yes this is Naltrexone working.

[KatieSmiles]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

Thanks Bleep, I have a great GP, she is letting me call the shots taking it. She feels it's a very safe drug and has prescribed 300 tabs. I defo feel that I have a drug in my system about an hour after I take it but today (day 4) the feeling was significantly decreased.

Yes Noelle, TSM to the letter.I will only take Nal on the days I drink - one hour prior which for me is generally around dinnertime. I even plan on drinking a few more days this week than usual just to jump start the whole "extinction" process. This scares me as I have worked so hard for years to get those consistant weekly AF days, but I trust the method.

Ukblonde, it does sound like it's working for you! Tonight I have the "can take it or leave it feeling ". At TSM they call this the "honeymoon" as it doesn't last. (for some reason calling it that cracks me up, lol)

[doyourdream]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

Great to see that your doctor is so supportive, Katie!

I'm just finishing my 4th week on Nal. My units are down from where I used to be but not by a lot. I'm more cautious drinking on it because I had a terrible hangover one day when I drank what would have been my normal prior to Nal.

I have my fingers crossed that it will work for me. I didn't have luck on Topamax.

Pre TSM - 35 units at 5 oz. per unit
Wks Units
1-2 32.5 22
3-4 31 29

[KatieSmiles]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

I have my fingers crossed it will work for you too doyourdream!
Remember it takes anywhere from 4- 12 month to rewire our brain. We have a long road ahead. Some call it a rollercoaster ride, I love rollercoasters!

[KatieSmiles]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

Another thing I've noticed, my beverages taste a bit odd. Not bad, just not the same.

[Guest]

Planning to try TSM Naltrexone

Katie

I too have noticed my sense of taste is different. Firstly with food, I usually eat a lot of fish and vegetable as part of a healthy diet. Now the thought of fish makes me feel sick, but I've put that down to the nausea side effect. Drinks, yes I find alcoholic drinks to taste 'flat', there's just something not there. This is fine by me!