Need help with Baclofen

[wanttobesober]

Hi to All,

I have been watching and reading this website for a while, but today I came to a point that I have decided to ask for some help. Alcohol ruins my life. I would like to try Baclofen as my last hope.
Let me start a little bit of history of myself. (I will be honest here).
I had a very good life till about 5 years ago when my second marriage fell apart because of
my drinking problem. About a month later I got a DUI that had cost me about 15K. I still drink
almost every day. Sometimes 10-20 drinks a day. Especially on the weekends. As you can imagine with that many drinks, black outs are fairly common. On my sober days I am trying to mend my life and eat good and trying to live a healthy life. It is like having two persons in me. I am trying to be good, but as soon as I start drinking, forget it. I can not stop.
I have tried AAA after my DUI, but I did not like it. About a half year ago I tried Naltrexone
but I gave it up after about 3 months. I have read Dr. Ameisen's book about Baclofen and it gave me a little more hope.
I forgot to mention that a lost a good paying job 3 years ago because of my drinking.
Had to file bankruptcy and lost two houses in the deal.
My third marriage is on the rocks again because of my drinking.
Like this would not be enough, Last Saturday on my second anniversary of my current marriage I ended up in a hospital because I have passed out somewhere and somebody called the ambulance. This trip will probably cost me @5K what I do not have, as I am currently working for about the half of the money that I used to make.
I do not know what else to say. I know it sounds terrible. I know it sounds like I am a very bad person. I don't think I am. It is the alcohol.
Enough said.
My question is that I was trying to search some cheap baclofen without prescription, but was not able to find it.
I would like to get some advise which is the better way to get it.
Should I get it from an online pharmacy without prescription or is it better to call Dr. Levin
and get some prescription. I would like to figure out the best way as I do not have too much money to spend on it right now.

I wish good luck to All and appreciate any good advise!

[tiptronic_ct]

Need help with Baclofen

:welcome:

If I were you, I'd opt for getting a prescription from Dr. L and ensuring a stable supply. THen again, I'm sitting in Africa where bac is becoming hellishly difficult to come by.

It doesn't really matter what you decide to do: just start taking the bac! The rest will sort itself out.

[bleep]

Need help with Baclofen

Hi wtbs, and welcome.

I agree with Tip - if Dr L is an option, it would be better to go that route than the internet ordering route. Walgreens has some club you can join for $20 which makes all future purchases much cheaper, and from what I've seen, that offers the cheapest baclofen.

Best of luck.

[Greg]

Need help with Baclofen

Hi there, other members can help more than me with your baclofen questions, but I just wanted to say that I can relate to your drinking experiences.

My drinking had increased to 20-21 standard drinks (about 26-27 units I think) every single night for the last ~2 years before I quit, and was up around 18 or so for about 10 years before that. My family and friends had almost given up on me, but it's possible to recover no matter how much you have been drinking or what you have lost from your life, apart from irreversible health damage of course, which I had started to get very scared of. Baclofen is said to be able to help people regardless of drinking levels.

I always had the experience of being two "people" in one, not as an actual psychiatric disorder but definitely in the sense that a part of me (emotional side) wanted to keep experiencing the effects of alcohol no matter what my other, logical side tried to say or do. Another benefit of baclofen is that it helps stop this over-riding of logical thought by alcoholic craving, without the need for you to keep fighting within yourself. Having some desire for sobriety and some will to carry on with treatment is certainly needed, as you seem to have, but those who have found success with baclofen have said the drug does most of the work rather than the individual having to slog it out/white knuckle it like with other methods.

Good luck with it!

[wanttobesober]

Need help with Baclofen

Hi to All! Thanks for the replies.

I have a couple of other question though. Anybody knows how much Dr. Levin charges for a telephone interview? And once you have the prescription, how much supply can you get?
Do you have to call him periodically?
Also I was wondering how long do you have to take Baclofen? Can you cut back after a while,
or you have to take it for the rest of your life?

Thanks for All the answers!

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Need help with Baclofen

Hiya, Wanttobe. :welcome:

Dr. L's rates vary. In general you don't have to worry about it. I know it's hard to believe but financial remuneration is not on his agenda. Really.

He is, in fact, the way to go for a rx. I understand that the wait to get to talk to him can be rather onerous, though. For that and for other reasons, I would probably do both: Order online and call Dr. L. Immediately.

The finances are a concern. I understand. I completely understand! And can also relate to your experiences with the consequences of chronic alcoholism. It is the single best investment I have ever made. Bar none. Far cheaper than my regular alcohol consumption, certainly cheaper than trips to the ER and DUIs. Can you borrow from Peter to pay Paul and hold the creditors (or whatever) at bay for a while longer?

A word of caution: I would spend the money now in order to make sure that you have enough for a little while at least. Not exorbitant amounts of money, or of bac, mind you. Enough that you can titrate down slowly if you decide to stop taking it or are going to run out.

I'll pm you the info about Dr. L later today, if someone else doesn't get to it first!

As to how long, and how much... Who knows? Does it matter? I don't mean to make light of the concern, at all. I know that for me the toll alcoholism was taking on my life was far greater than anything baclofen could introduce.

Hang in! Glad you posted.
:l
Ne

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Need help with Baclofen

I don't think you are a bad person. Or that I was. I was an alcoholic and made some really, really lousy decisions. Some of them are starting to be funny, now. Some. And only now.

[ignominious]

Need help with Baclofen

Hi Wannabe

I spoke to Dr L and his fee is $150 per 1/2 hour call but he asked me for what I could afford. I sent him about $10 but have felt like a cheapskate ever since!

Could save you money in the long run but I think you are in need of baclofen so start popping those pills as soon as possible whichever way you decide.

I've cut back to 60mg/day from a high of 250mg/day and don't feel like drinking. However I've only been sober for 6 months and the future remains too be seen. There are many older timers who have successfully tapered down, including Dr OA himself. I would suggest you do some more reading here though it will take forever to get to the pertinent bits and maybe get the book.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Need help with Baclofen

I've actually never heard of another instance where Dr. L asked for $150. And I've talked to him many, many times.
Sorry, ig!

[wanttobesober]

Need help with Baclofen

Hi Tip, Bleep, Greg, Eva and Ig!

Thanks for the reply and the kind words from all of you! I have the book I read it about a half year ago. I should have started this experiment long time ago. I was just discouraged by the prices that I have seen on the online pharmacies. I did not want to spent $10 / day on pills that might not work for me. I spent a few hundred bucks on Naltrexone and that was pretty much wasted money. Thanks for the tip with Walgreens. I am in Florida so there is a Walgreens or CVS on every corner. I will try to call Dr. L as soon as I can. I really need to start on Bac as soon as I can.
Eva, If you could PM me with the info, I would really appreciate it!

Wannabe

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Need help with Baclofen

Hi, Wannabe.

I am so sorry that I didn't get bac to you last night. (geez em criminy! sorry.)

It really shouldn't be left up to one or two people to share this information. I'll post it here for all for a couple of days, in case there are any lurkers who want to call too.

His home number is 312-642-5803. You should call between 7 and 9pm CST.
His office number is 312-236-6675. He's there during the day.

He answers his phone, almost always. Even if he's in a session. I gather he must warn his patients in advance that he might be taking phone calls! If he is busy, he'll ask you to call him back. He'll probably give you an appointment or a time frame to do so. This scenario is very likely, so don't be disheartened! I've also been on the phone with him when he's taken another phone call, and he's asked me to call him back. The reverse scenario has also happened.

He is very amenable to special circumstances and to financial concerns.

Talking to him has changed a great deal since my first call a year or so ago! But my husband called him about two months ago to get a prescription and he set up an appointment time during the day, about ten days later. (ouch!!!) (Not that we waited! :blush

i think he'll start you on a pretty conservative dose, and ask you to touch base. I think he'll want to know a little bit about you, but in general respects the fact that we are an anonymous community. He has never broken confidence with me, not once, nor with anyone else I know that has talked to him.

Yes, it's his home. Yes, it's a little uncomfortable to think about calling a shrink at his house at night. He offered this more than a year ago and many, many of us have done it. There is no secret password! :H There is nothing not legitimate about the process. He's a doctor who thinks the world of bac and wants people to find freedom from their disease.

He's a really nice guy.

It took me forever to call him the first time and all of my worrying was for naught. It was effortless.

Hang in, wannabe. The ride is just beginning! (and read! if you haven't been. read more, if you have!)
:h
Ne

[Rusty]

Need help with Baclofen

Hi Wanna,

I echo everything Neva said about Dr. L. He prescribed Bac for me and it changed my life. Also, since he's an MD, if you have other issues....like anxiety, he will give you a script for that, too....not just Baclofen. He's a geriatric psychiatrist and is so well-educated in so many areas. I got a script from him last week for Alprazolam because I was having terrible insomnia and my doctor wouldn't put me on it. And when I sent him a check, I always include a thank-you note of extreme gratitude, and he appreciates that....it goes a long way, believe me. Maybe guys don't do stuff like, that. When you have a consult with him, be brutally honest about what AL has done to you, and if you have other issues as well (bi-polar, ADD, etc.) because he can incorporate other meds as needed, as part of your treatment. Keep us posted. This is a fabulous place!

Rusty

[Rusty]

Need help with Baclofen

Hi Wanttobesober,

I echo everything Neva said about Dr. L. He prescribed Bac for me and it changed my life. Also, since he's an MD, if you have other issues....like anxiety, he will give you a script for that, too....not just Baclofen. He's a geriatric psychiatrist and is so well-educated in so many areas. I got a script from him last week for Alprazolam because I was having terrible insomnia and my doctor wouldn't put me on it. And when I sent him a check, I always include a thank-you note of extreme gratitude, and he appreciates that....it goes a long way, believe me. Maybe guys don't do stuff like, that. When you have a consult with him, be brutally honest about what AL has done to you, and if you have other issues as well (bi-polar, ADD, etc.) because he can incorporate other meds as needed, as part of your treatment. Keep us posted. This is a fabulous place!

Rusty

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Need help with Baclofen

Hiya, Rusty.

You make my heart smile!
L, Ne

[Sprat]

Need help with Baclofen

Hi Wannabe,:welcome:

Good luck! I'm here on the ride with you.

I started a month ago, and I understand the financial concern. I'm taking 175mg a day now, which comes to about $150 a month from the online pharmacy. But I spend much more than that drinking (which is an unfortunate overlap right now).

It sounds like you've had a lot of extra drink related costs, so it's a no brainer. Spending something now to save money in the future, and throw your life in for free = great deal. I'm in.

Let us know how it goes! Sprat