Thinking of starting Baclofen tomorrow

[_EndOfTheLine_]

Hi all, I think the time may have come for me to start Baclofen. Been on a bit of bender all weekend, and I have some mopping up to do in that regard tomorrow. Thing is, I was prescribed acamprosate a week ago and the agreement was that I would try that for 3 months and if it didn't work I would move to Baclofen. I don't know if I want to wait 3 months, and I don't really want to go against doctors prescription ( I ordered the Baclofen online).

Can anyone advise me?

[ifulovelife2]

Thinking of starting Baclofen tomorrow

Hi Line,

I don't know anything about acamprosate, but what info are you looking for on bac?

I'm sure we could help.

You fucked up over the weekend, but the new week starts tomorrow, right? You've made the decision to get your shit together, and together it will get.

[Isolde]

Thinking of starting Baclofen tomorrow

_EndOfTheLine_, if you want to start bac, then I say go for it. I've read a few hit and miss stories about Campral (which is the brand name for acamprosate), but if you look around here, there are a LOT of success stories for baclofen. It doesn't work for everyone, but judging by people's experience with it here, I will say that it seems to work for most.
You say you've already ordered baclofen online? Then go ahead and go for it. And if it starts to work for you, you can go back to your doctor and let him/her know, and hopefully they'll agree to go ahead and write you a script for it, without waiting 3 months to see if Campral will work for you or not.
Bonus with baclofen is that there are tons of experienced people here who will bend over backward to help you out, because they've been through the experience. Not to mention all of the anecdotal evidence and stories found in people's personal threads.

Good luck! Let us know what you decide!

[_EndOfTheLine_]

Thinking of starting Baclofen tomorrow

Thanks for the replies. Started with 10 mg this morning, gonna take 10 mg tid and stay on the acamprosate. I do actually think the acamprosate is providing some benefit,and who knows, there may be synergy between the two drugs. I'll keep you all postedd on how I'm doing.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Thinking of starting Baclofen tomorrow

Looking forward to hearing about it, EOL. Sounds like a really good plan!

[_EndOfTheLine_]

Thinking of starting Baclofen tomorrow

So I'm on 30 mg a day, I think its going OK. Wierd side effects thought- I am quite weepy about stupid shit? Like I was listening to song about home (Ireland, where I'm not at the minute) and it happened. WTF? It's not an unpleasant feeling, but this is not me and I'd prefer if Baclofen just eradication my desire for liquor and left me personality intact . Tell me this will pass! I've also noticed that I'm kind of in love with a girl in my class...I know you are thinking "probably not a side effect" but I know it has something to do with it. I feel like a poet or something haha.

I read somewhere that I Baclofen increases oxytocin levels when I was researching the treatment initially. I sort of passed over this fact initially, but now that I think that it might be a problem. Weeping is not a good look for me. Also, I'm considering the positive side effects of Bac, I'm a bit concerned about its addictive potential...I know everyone says its not addictive, but my capacity to get addicted to things is shocking! (obviously)

Miles

[SlipperyPete]

Thinking of starting Baclofen tomorrow

Miles,

I definitely felt the oxytocin effects for awhile, but it never got to the point where I felt out of control with emotions, and I don't think it really will for you, either. Or at least not for long. Just give it some time and try to enjoy the lovey feelings. Just don't tell that girl in your class you love her. Or go ahead and do it, shit it might be fun.

Don't worry about getting addicted to bac. You'll figure out why soon enough.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Thinking of starting Baclofen tomorrow

_EndOfTheLine_;1197975 wrote: ...I am quite weepy about stupid shit? Like I was listening to song about home (Ireland, where I'm not at the minute) and it happened. WTF? It's not an unpleasant feeling, but this is not me and I'd prefer if Baclofen just eradication my desire for liquor and left me personality intact . Tell me this will pass! I've also noticed that I'm kind of in love with a girl in my class...I know you are thinking "probably not a side effect" but I know it has something to do with it. I feel like a poet or something haha.

Yer not the first brawny mate to find yer tears. Or your lovin' side. (that's my attempt at some sort of accent. Southern American meets British ...something. anyhoo.)

I thought all the Irish lads got weepy over the ol' homeland anyway.

Don't worry. It wears off. Your personality, in all of it's glory, will resume shortly.

Plus it's kinda nice. Think about it. Everyone is lovely when you're going through that. The old lady who pulls out her checkbook in the fast lane at the grocery store? No worries! She's sweet and it's okay to be a little late. The guy who cut you off on the highway? He must be in a hurry. Hope he makes it on time. See? I went through it and I'm back to snarling at old ladies with checkbooks and shouting obscenities at people who actually slow down, or even stop, at yellow lights. feckers.

I would caution you to not fall in love. Really. But many of us have, and we've all lived through that too.

A poet! We haven't had one of those around here for a while. There was a woman who had a way with limericks. It was rather remarkable. I think she was Irish too...

Btw, there are apparently there are people who take bac recreationally, but I would be a bit shocked if you found yourself enjoying it so much you wanted to take more. Plus it doesn't work like that. Really. Just the opposite around here!

[Cassander]

Thinking of starting Baclofen tomorrow

Ne/Neva Eva;1198140 wrote: ...Your personality, in all of it's glory, will resume shortly.

Plus it's kinda nice. Think about it. Everyone is lovely when you're going through that. The old lady who pulls out her checkbook in the fast lane at the grocery store? No worries! She's sweet and it's okay to be a little late. The guy who cut you off on the highway? He must be in a hurry. Hope he makes it on time. See? I went through it and I'm back to snarling at old ladies with checkbooks and shouting obscenities at people who actually slow down, or even stop, at yellow lights. feckers.

...

Hi Ne

I know you are as interested as I am in finding the real meaning. As in what happens next...once we are free...

The part of your post that I quoted above sounds like you are channeling David Foster Wallace's famous commencement speech at Kenyon College a few years ago. Here's a link:

David Foster Wallace on Life and Work - WSJ.com

I really urge everyone here to read it (if you haven't already).

There are probably many messages in it, but for us anxious, self-absorbed types I think its especially meaningful. I think Wallace is reminding us that ...its ...not ...all ...about ...us. We need to get out of our "tiny skull-sized kingdoms" and live. Not easy, especially not easy for an alcoholic, but there it is...the goal. We need to get out of our tiny skulls and live.

Wallace writes: "The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day. That is real freedom."

I think slaying the beast gives us a chance to do that. I think bac gives us a chance to do that.

Cass

[_EndOfTheLine_]

Thinking of starting Baclofen tomorrow

I had 3 pints last night, which is a tiny amount for me and I was able to stop no problem. Only thing is, I had severe anxiety today in class, I literally thought I was going to die (my classmates now think I’m a complete mentalist). So I think I’m going to may the Baclofen. Maybe its the acamprosate/baclofen combination. All I know is, I don't want to experience anything like that again.

[Doggygirl]

Thinking of starting Baclofen tomorrow

Hi EOL. First off, congrats on your progress getting AL out of the drivers seat of your life! Sounds like you had success stopping after a reasonable amount last night - that is awesome!

Your commend about feeling anxiety in class got me thinking and wondering. So this question is really for anyone who might have some insight.

Without any bac or meds in the picture, significantly less (or no) booze compared to normal would CAUSE anxiety due to the rebound effect in the brain, yes? So if EOL was not taking bac (just to simplify the scenario for a moment) then going from many many beers to three beers (an abrupt, significant reduction in AL intake) followed by an increase in anxiety would not be unexpected, right?

Now adding bac to the scenario....

Bac has the effect of countering anxiety in a lot of people (just going by posts here - not from any outside research on my part). But EOL is still on a relatively low dose of bac - so maybe not enough to counteract the withdrawal anxiety effect? Or maybe bac doesn't counter anxiety in all people? Or maybe bac counters chronic anxiety but not acute anxiety?

EOL - I hope you don't mind me posting all this in your thread! It seems related but might turn into a hijack. I am studying now to be an addictions counselor (and I am also a recovering alkie) so I am curious about how all this stuff works.

EOL, the important thing is that you are making progress! There is lots of wisdom on this forum so no need to make hasty decisions if you are not in a life threatening situation.
Hang in there and good luck!

DG

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Thinking of starting Baclofen tomorrow

_EndOfTheLine_;1198228 wrote: I had 3 pints last night, which is a tiny amount for me and I was able to stop no problem. Only thing is, I had severe anxiety today in class, I literally thought I was going to die (my classmates now think I?m a complete mentalist). So I think I?m going to may the Baclofen. Maybe its the acamprosate/baclofen combination. All I know is, I don't want to experience anything like that again.

I'm really glad you were able to cut down, EOL. I experienced my first debilitating panic attacks when taking bac and getting sober. I know they are horrible. There are a variety of things there that may have contributed to your anxiety. I can't tell what your thoughts are about all of it...
I hope you'll share more on here. That always helped me. And let us know how you're feeling now. Hang in there! It really does get better. (And once the beast is dead, that will be GONE!)

Cass, I'll get back to you in a bit! Thanks for the food for thought. You, too, DG!

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Thinking of starting Baclofen tomorrow

Dude! How are you?