Introduction

[HurricaneMatt]

I'm a 33 yr old unemployed, single guy with a history of alcohol/drug and psychiatric problems. My most recent problems started last year when I was promoted to a high paying job in Hawaii. It was a dream come true. I had tons of money and lived in paradise. It seamed like a great time to ubruply stop taking my antidepressant and mood stablizer while increasing my use of coke/marijuana and alcohol. Sounds like a good idea right? I spiralled out of control into depression, anger, paranoia, insomnia, anxiety, panic, etc. In retrospect I should have hospitalized myself. I took a leave of absence and returned to Pennsylvania. I was too embarassed and emotionally unstable to return so I was laid off...

I haven't had any illegal drugs or alcohol since Febuary. However, even after returning on legal meds I was unstable and unhappy. I just knew that the medications aren't enough. Everyday was a struggle even on medication and not doing drugs/alcohol. I lived in a constant fear that everything would fall apart and eventually it did.

Now, I decided to try baclofen. I ordered a bunch of it online and started taking it 3 days ago. I started at 80mg the first day. I didn't notice any side effects so I increased to 100mg day 2. I notice people writing about being tired but I just feel normal. Suprisingly "normal". I don't know if its a placebo affect but I like it! I'll take it!

[SlipperyPete]

Introduction

Hi Matt :welcome:

Am I reading that right that you started on 80 mg??

Never heard of anyone doing starting off that high.

But congrats on making a good decision by starting bac and coming here

[Cinders]

Introduction

:welcome: Matt,

I understand the conundrum. Been there done that.

For today, step back, look at what is important and understand YOU are the important person in the equation. (Without you, what matters, eh?)

Baclofen helps so many people, so does Naltrexone, so does AA, so does ....

What is important is YOU. Period.

Give yourself some time to get sober from all substances, give yourself some time to think about what matters. Then figure out how to get from here to there.

Getting sober may take medical help. Just sayin' from a person who has a bit of experience in sobering up. (sigh)

Love,
Cindi

[RedThread12]

Introduction

Hey Hurricane: Welcome to MWO and especially to the baclofenyist section. Baclofen saved my life! This entire forum is full of amazing stories and information. I hope you'll take plenty of time to read and digest. I started bac in Oct. '09 and went from drinking all day, every day, to being fully free from "addiction" right away. Like, in one day. So everyone's story is different, as yours will be.

I started at 30 mg/day and had IMMEDIATE relief from craving. I'm one of the lucky ones! But I did titrate up pretty quickly and had NO side effects that were particularly unpleasant. If you do some reading, you'll see that some people have SE's that remind them of past illicit drug experiences, which was the case for me. I must admit, the first night was weird, when I got up to go to the bathroom and walked into my closet and sat down on the vacuum cleaner. It made me laugh pretty hard, so I thought that was a good thing!

After a couple of months on bac I quit taking an anti-depressant I had been prescribed when I was deep into drinking. It just came naturally, no "big decision," just didn't seem necessary. And apparently isn't, because I still don't take it and depression is no longer a part of my picture in any way. Having the capacity to do more, with a more even balance of mind, is where baclofen has taken me. I wish the same for you.

So you're not drinking? And taking bac for it's anti-anxiety, etc., properties? I say GO for it. I will follow your story with great interest and support you in any way I can. I have a friend who is weirdly brilliant. I gave him Dr. Ameisen's book and he immediately understood the implications of baclofen for a variety of conditions that all describe how our minds get stuck in repeating, unhelpful patterns. I think we are at the very, very beginning of discovering how powerful and useful baclofen can be. There are some MWO member who have had relief from serious OCD, depression, etc. Hopefully they'll chime in here when they see your post. The good/bad news is that when people get well they often move on and we don't get to find out how far they've come with baclofen. That's why reading back through the threads is so important. You'll find a lot you can relate to, even if alcohol is not being your most significant problem right now.

Baclofen may or may not be an answer for you. I hope it is, as it is for me. But what an incredible journey you've started and with admirable courage and commitment.

And so I must add, with all respect to all members, there were very few people taking baclofen when I joined this forum. Even so, I benefited greatly from everyone's experience of what it is like to be living a life that feels like it has been "taken over" by something not of our own choice. Good f'in luck to you, Hurricane! As you'll see over and over, just don't give up on finding your way out. I'm certain in CAN.

And Cinders, you were here when I found MWO (I was blacked out drunk and do not remember how I found the forum or signing up!). You were an inspiration to me then and an inspiration to me now. You ABSOLUTELY do not give up. You are awesome.

Oops. Sorry for the quick hi-jack, Hurricane. Back on-point, titrate as you feel is appropriate. Pay attention to your own response to the drug. It IS a drug, and a powerful one, at that. And again (gawd, I didn't realize how obsessive I am about this!), read, read, read back into the threads to see how many different ways people have done it and the different experiences they've had. Doing that kept me out of the ER when I accidentally overdosed on baclofen, and has totally empowered me to have and keep a life I love. I think I'd be dead without MWO.

[Dosage0]

Introduction

Hey Matt, welcome and good luck with your journey! I would strongly advise you to contact Dr. L or follow a titrate schedule of someone under a doctors care. I know some people have gone that high right away, but there are some really horrible side effects people have experienced. I think by going that fast you are raising your chances for SEs as your body needs to adapt instantly to a larger dose rather than gradually through time. I am not a doctor and I have zero medical training. I am simply going off of the information that Dr. L has provided to me and I think he has more experience than most any other doctor with baclofen for addiction. Two cents,

Rob

[Nursie]

Introduction

Hi Matt and welcome! Your story makes perfect sense to me. We do what we do and that's why we're here, right? I'm glad bac is helping you. I'm on topa for starters and so far so good I think. You're doing great!

[HurricaneMatt]

Introduction

SlipperyPete;1186216 wrote: Hi Matt :welcome:

Am I reading that right that you started on 80 mg??

Never heard of anyone doing starting off that high.

But congrats on making a good decision by starting bac and coming here

Yes, in fact I'm a little concerned myself. I don't feel any sedation or mental fogginess as others report. Should I be concerned?

[HurricaneMatt]

Introduction

RedThread12;1186246 wrote: Hey Hurricane: Welcome to MWO and especially to the baclofenyist section. Baclofen saved my life! This entire forum is full of amazing stories and information. I hope you'll take plenty of time to read and digest. I started bac in Oct. '09 and went from drinking all day, every day, to being fully free from "addiction" right away. Like, in one day. So everyone's story is different, as yours will be.

I started at 30 mg/day and had IMMEDIATE relief from craving. I'm one of the lucky ones! But I did titrate up pretty quickly and had NO side effects that were particularly unpleasant. If you do some reading, you'll see that some people have SE's that remind them of past illicit drug experiences, which was the case for me. I must admit, the first night was weird, when I got up to go to the bathroom and walked into my closet and sat down on the vacuum cleaner. It made me laugh pretty hard, so I thought that was a good thing!

After a couple of months on bac I quit taking an anti-depressant I had been prescribed when I was deep into drinking. It just came naturally, no "big decision," just didn't seem necessary. And apparently isn't, because I still don't take it and depression is no longer a part of my picture in any way. Having the capacity to do more, with a more even balance of mind, is where baclofen has taken me. I wish the same for you.

So you're not drinking? And taking bac for it's anti-anxiety, etc., properties? I say GO for it. I will follow your story with great interest and support you in any way I can. I have a friend who is weirdly brilliant. I gave him Dr. Ameisen's book and he immediately understood the implications of baclofen for a variety of conditions that all describe how our minds get stuck in repeating, unhelpful patterns. I think we are at the very, very beginning of discovering how powerful and useful baclofen can be. There are some MWO member who have had relief from serious OCD, depression, etc. Hopefully they'll chime in here when they see your post. The good/bad news is that when people get well they often move on and we don't get to find out how far they've come with baclofen. That's why reading back through the threads is so important. You'll find a lot you can relate to, even if alcohol is not being your most significant problem right now.

Baclofen may or may not be an answer for you. I hope it is, as it is for me. But what an incredible journey you've started and with admirable courage and commitment.

And so I must add, with all respect to all members, there were very few people taking baclofen when I joined this forum. Even so, I benefited greatly from everyone's experience of what it is like to be living a life that feels like it has been "taken over" by something not of our own choice. Good f'in luck to you, Hurricane! As you'll see over and over, just don't give up on finding your way out. I'm certain in CAN.

And Cinders, you were here when I found MWO (I was blacked out drunk and do not remember how I found the forum or signing up!). You were an inspiration to me then and an inspiration to me now. You ABSOLUTELY do not give up. You are awesome.

Oops. Sorry for the quick hi-jack, Hurricane. Back on-point, titrate as you feel is appropriate. Pay attention to your own response to the drug. It IS a drug, and a powerful one, at that. And again (gawd, I didn't realize how obsessive I am about this!), read, read, read back into the threads to see how many different ways people have done it and the different experiences they've had. Doing that kept me out of the ER when I accidentally overdosed on baclofen, and has totally empowered me to have and keep a life I love. I think I'd be dead without MWO.

I really appreciate you taking the time to read my story and respond. It feels good that I blabbed that all out and it wasn't for nothing. You mentioned over dose. What signs should I look for that I am titarting too quickly?

[tiptronic_ct]

Introduction

:hallo: Matt and :welcome:

Talk about diving in :H

If you're not experiencing any SEs yet, just start taking it slower - it isn't a race.

Good luck - looking forward to hearing about your progress.

[bobsd]

Introduction

Hey Matt,
Good to see you here... I am on day 4, starting a little slower than you (still at 5 mg/day per Dr. L's recommendation). But we all have our own path. I wish you the best of luck. You will be back in Hawaii soon enough!

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Introduction

HurricaneMatt;1186205 wrote: I'm a 33 yr old unemployed, single guy with a history of alcohol/drug and psychiatric problems. My most recent problems started last year when I was promoted to a high paying job in Hawaii. It was a dream come true. I had tons of money and lived in paradise. It seamed like a great time to ubruply stop taking my antidepressant and mood stablizer while increasing my use of coke/marijuana and alcohol. Sounds like a good idea right? I spiralled out of control into depression, anger, paranoia, insomnia, anxiety, panic, etc. In retrospect I should have hospitalized myself. I took a leave of absence and returned to Pennsylvania. I was too embarassed and emotionally unstable to return so I was laid off...

I haven't had any illegal drugs or alcohol since Febuary. However, even after returning on legal meds I was unstable and unhappy. I just knew that the medications aren't enough. Everyday was a struggle even on medication and not doing drugs/alcohol. I lived in a constant fear that everything would fall apart and eventually it did.

Now, I decided to try baclofen. I ordered a bunch of it online and started taking it 3 days ago. I started at 80mg the first day. I didn't notice any side effects so I increased to 100mg day 2. I notice people writing about being tired but I just feel normal. Suprisingly "normal". I don't know if its a placebo affect but I like it! I'll take it!

Hiya, Hurricane.
Congrats on all the sober time. That's impressive and I hope you're feeling good about that on a regular basis. (Sorry about the job, and the location! oy. But you know what? HI is expensive. And season-less. And the fish are really big and scary in that part of the ocean. Most importantly there is much to be said about what opportunities you'll have when you get well. Okay. Pollyanna pep talk over. )

The thing about titrating up is that one level might be fine and the next one might bite you in the butt. Previous experience and current sobriety will go a long way in helping ward off anything unpleasant. Stay the course and as someone wise once told me, jkttdp. (just keep taking the damn pills)

Keep in touch, Hurricane!

[HurricaneMatt]

Introduction

So I have noticed something. I feel fine most of the time. Occasionally, I slowwwwllly feel like my brain and emotions are getting flushed down a toilet. I can't explain it any other way. I lie down and noticed I'm exhausted and its hard to breath. It seems like it takes a lot of energy just to breathe. I should also mention I have been trying to lose weight and only eating 12-1500 calories a day. So I'm not starving but it could be just an energy crash.
The strange thing is when I wake up I feel great. It feels horrible going to sleep but I feel more refreshed when I wake up than I can ever remember. Very clear minded, positive, and just genreally in a good mood for a while until it happens again in a few days.
Has this happened to anyone else?

[redhead77]

Introduction

:welcome:Matt!

It's probably not best to go on a calorie restricted diet right now. I know the feeling of wanting to fix everything at once, but right now your body is going through enough changes. Give yourself the best chance you can with bac, and then work on the diet. When you reduce your alcohol intake drastically, there is a period where your blood sugar may suffer frequent lows. Make sure to eat often right now...every couple of hours. As healthful as possible, but this can be hard too, when you aren't feeling well, or exhausted from the bac. I would tend to get as much done as I could in the morning, when I would wake up feeling more refreshed. The breathing thing is likely the muscle relaxant effect of bac. A common complaint here!

I'm not sure how you're titrating now (I read your earlier stuff). I've noticed the same thing you speak of. It usually has to do with a dose increase, in my case. I'll be doing fine and a couple of days into my dose, I'll start suffering some. The literature I've seen, says it takes an increase in a bac dose 3-4 days to take hold. It can take 5-10 days for an increase to peak. I guess just try to be mindful of what you're taking, and how many days into it, when trying to suss out what's going on.

[redhead77]

Introduction

One other thing. Many, many people around here have lost weight on bac. Whether it's the quitting drinking thing, or just the drug itself, remains to be seen. I gained early on, I didn't have the energy to try to diet. I've now lost 30lbs. There are many more, who are now in the best shape of their lives. Just give it some time. I'll bet it will happen when it's meant to, for you too.

[HurricaneMatt]

Introduction

So I got up to 210mg, then realized I was going to run out and had to cut back to 90mg a day that just run out completely. Now I had none today. Tracking just showed my shipment outbound customs NY today. It was delivered within 24hrs last time so my fingers are crossed I'll get it tomorrow and not Monday. The shivering and hot sweats has gotten less but not gone completely. I'm so sick and tired of always feeling terrible. I wish I could have a normal life without any drugs, legal or presciption.