Nora's Naltrexone

[NoraC]

8-30-11

Ok - I have had no luck YET getting a Doctor to prescribe the Naltrexone. I finally went ahead and ordered it from River Pharmacy. My GP will monitor my liver function (I told her that I was going to order it anyway). So, I'm grateful for that.
I'm trying to get ready to begin taking it and I have some questions.
#1 - I am currently reading "The Cure for Alcoholism: Drink Your Way Sober Without Willpower, Abstinence or Discomfort". Does anyone recommend any other books?
#2 - Do you take it everyday or only on the days that you are going to drink?
#3 - Any side effects, I should be aware of?
#4 - How often does your Doctor do blood tests for liver function, etc?

I know that I'll be thinking of more questions. I don't know how long it will take to get the med but I am determined. I do not think of this as a magic pill but I do think that it sounds like it could be helpful to me.

Thanks for any input. :h

[fennel]

Nora's Naltrexone

Nora, what is Naltrexone ordinarily used for? I guess I thought it was a regular anti-craving drug? At least your Doc is willing to monitor you. Sorry you have to go the expensive route, though! :h

[fennel]

Nora's Naltrexone

Nora, the briefest of Google searches shows that Naltrexone is used for people hoping to discontinue the use of alcohol and street drugs! Can you send your dr. a link?

Insane that she hasn't heard of it's use in this way. It doesn't affect the liver according to my search.

[NoraC]

Nora's Naltrexone

Thanks Fennel!! I have been looking up liver problems too and haven't found any under normal use.
The book is really interesting so far. Talking about how it helps reverse your addiction. Anyway, I think it is worth a try. I've been doing a lot of soul searching. I know that I have to work at it but, I also need to recognize my disease as what it is. :l:h

[fennel]

Nora's Naltrexone

I can relate, Nora. :l

At any rate, I'll email you the link...you can print it and send it to your doc. She needs to educate herself.

:h

[KatieSmiles]

Nora's Naltrexone

Hi Nora

There is a ton of information on The Sincair Method Forum. By reading and posting I have really learned how the process works and what to expect along the way.

thesinclairmethod.com • Index page

[Guest]

Nora's Naltrexone

NoraC;1171337 wrote: 8-30-11

Ok - I have had no luck YET getting a Doctor to prescribe the Naltrexone. I finally went ahead and ordered it from River Pharmacy. My GP will monitor my liver function (I told her that I was going to order it anyway). So, I'm grateful for that.
I'm trying to get ready to begin taking it and I have some questions.
#1 - I am currently reading "The Cure for Alcoholism: Drink Your Way Sober Without Willpower, Abstinence or Discomfort". Does anyone recommend any other books?
#2 - Do you take it everyday or only on the days that you are going to drink?
#3 - Any side effects, I should be aware of?
#4 - How often does your Doctor do blood tests for liver function, etc?

I know that I'll be thinking of more questions. I don't know how long it will take to get the med but I am determined. I do not think of this as a magic pill but I do think that it sounds like it could be helpful to me.

Thanks for any input. :h

#1 I initially took it everyday, usually mid to late morning but now only take it on days I think I may drink
#2 I haven't read any of the books, simply online research with some advice from Loop
#3 You will probably feel sick the first few times you take it, some people do experience actual sickness but this passes with time. To minimise the risk try 25mg the first time, moving up to 50mg once confident you are ok with it. There are no other real side effects at all
#4 Yes liver function needs to be monitored - only because you are still drinking, no idea of frequency though.

There are some good posts on the Sinclair forum at the moment, including one I read yesterday where a woman says that she believes there is some mental effort required, and that that makes a difference. This is what I believe and I like that because it means you feel your putting something in, not just relying on the pill - if that makes some sense!

[NoraC]

Nora's Naltrexone

Thank you for the info. I will check out that site.

[Otter]

Nora's Naltrexone

This is the last I am going to post about Naltrexone. This article suggests that once you start taking Naltrexone you will have to keep taking it.

The difference between Naltrexone and Baclofen is that Baclofen is an agonist while Naltrexone is an antagonist. Naltrexone works by blocking the pleasure sensation of alcohol so the brain compensates by creating more new receptors which are more sensitive to alcohol.

The Paradoxical Sinclair Method For Treating Alcohol Dependence - Mark Dombeck, Ph.D.

I am not suggesting that you not use it, just that you understand what it does.

[Guest]

Nora's Naltrexone

Otter;1171943 wrote: This is the last I am going to post about Naltrexone. This article suggests that once you start taking Naltrexone you will have to keep taking it.

The difference between Naltrexone and Baclofen is that Baclofen is an agonist while Naltrexone is an antagonist. Naltrexone works by blocking the pleasure sensation of alcohol so the brain compensates by creating more new receptors which are more sensitive to alcohol.

The Paradoxical Sinclair Method For Treating Alcohol Dependence - Mark Dombeck, Ph.D.

I am not suggesting that you not use it, just that you understand what it does.

I thought you had to keep taking baclofen, once you start. I actually take Naltrexone less and less these days. This is because I have found my burning cravings have disappeared, and I have more control over the decision to drink. Since I only take Naltrexone when I think I'm going to drink, I therefore do not take it every day and have not found I need to up my dose in any way. My plan is to work towards abstenance, and not drink much in the future anyway. If I do then 1 small pill, with no side effects at all is zilch compared to being an out of control drunk again - just as the argument for baclofen is regards the SEs. That being the SEs of baclofen are surely better than a life time of drinking, well if you use that for baclofen let's use it for Nal. Except nal is one simple pill, just before you drink and doesn't have any SEs comparable to Baclofen.

Despite my spike again last week (which is normal at this stage) I have have been able to enjoy 1 beer last night, and the night before then go to bed quite happily. All I had to do was take 1 x 50mg tablet before I drank which had zero side effects.

Wish I could say the same for the baclofen dose I took to help me sleep, have woken feeling depressed, dizzy, lethargic and spaced out.

[KatieSmiles]

Nora's Naltrexone

Interesting read Otter, but it is just an article and only one person's opinion (and it's from 2006).

[Heavy Fuel]

Nora's Naltrexone

NoraC;1171337 wrote: 8-30-11

Ok - I have had no luck YET getting a Doctor to prescribe the Naltrexone. I finally went ahead and ordered it from River Pharmacy. My GP will monitor my liver function (I told her that I was going to order it anyway). So, I'm grateful for that.
I'm trying to get ready to begin taking it and I have some questions.
#1 - I am currently reading "The Cure for Alcoholism: Drink Your Way Sober Without Willpower, Abstinence or Discomfort". Does anyone recommend any other books?
#2 - Do you take it everyday or only on the days that you are going to drink?
#3 - Any side effects, I should be aware of?
#4 - How often does your Doctor do blood tests for liver function, etc?

I know that I'll be thinking of more questions. I don't know how long it will take to get the med but I am determined. I do not think of this as a magic pill but I do think that it sounds like it could be helpful to me.

Thanks for any input. :h

1. I read it and have read the Combine study and some other articles from NIH.gov

2. Right now, yes, at least one hour before I drink, but when I have an alcohol free (AF) day, I won't take it all. For the rest of my life, I will carry naltrexone pills. I will never drink without it, but I will not take the drug every day. If you use TSM try to keep the dosage close to when you drink (don't take it at 6 AM and start drinking at 6 PM)

3. It makes me sleepy, I had a few sweat spells the first couple of days when I went to the 50mg dosage. Hangovers are worse. Don't operate any machinery until you see what it does to your tolerance. More side effects can be found on the Sinclair Method Forums.

4. He hasn't. Naltrexone has only shown liver damage at 300mg, or six times the amount a TSM'er takes. I think drinking does much more damage than naltrexone, therefore, I don't think a liver test necessary. I guess the question I ask is if I was not monitoring my liver function when I was drinking 10+ units per day, why worry about it when I am drinking six?

The effects take 16+ weeks, based on the book and what I have read on the TSM forum pages. It is a roller coaster ride, which is why I am keeping it close to home. There is no reason to get in trouble now.

[NoraC]

Nora's Naltrexone

Thank you all so much. I am still reading that book. I got notice that my package has shipped so I'm glad of that. I don't know how long it will take though. I am hoping that I will get it before next weekend but that might be wishful thinking.
I will keep you all posted. :h

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Nora's Naltrexone

Otter;1171943 wrote: This is the last I am going to post about Naltrexone. This article suggests that once you start taking Naltrexone you will have to keep taking it.

The difference between Naltrexone and Baclofen is that Baclofen is an agonist while Naltrexone is an antagonist. Naltrexone works by blocking the pleasure sensation of alcohol so the brain compensates by creating more new receptors which are more sensitive to alcohol.

The Paradoxical Sinclair Method For Treating Alcohol Dependence - Mark Dombeck, Ph.D.

I am not suggesting that you not use it, just that you understand what it does.

Not sure what the point of Otter's post is, Nora. Lots and lots of holes in that article he posted, so take it with a grain of salt, will you? There's some recent research/evidence that points to the fact that Nal does in fact have some positive effect. In fact, I think there are two things posted around here. Neither about the Sinclair Method, though. (I didn't do anything but skim them, but they're here!)

I can't answer your questions, but I can tell you that it's a great thing to give it a shot. Ukblonde has had some success, obviously.
More power to you sister! We're all here to kill the beast.
:l
Ne

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Nora's Naltrexone

Also, isn't River the most expensive of the online pharmacies? I'd suss it out, and save some money! There's a link to online pharmacies in the link in my signature. Sorry I'm not more direct, I'm outta time!