New here, giving Bac a shot

[COSGringo]

New here, giving Bac a shot

Yes, I have to say this sounds a tad brutal. Not to give anyone a hard time but I am not sure it was meant to be done in this institutional like setting. At least that's how it sounds.

As John Lennon once said, "all we are saying, is give bac a shot".
Sorry it's early here and I have a 5 hour drive to do.

[Beakor]

New here, giving Bac a shot

NNE,

Thanks for all the insight. I had not heard that weight was no longer considered important in dosage target. I think she appreciates the help with the meds, but because she blames the drinking on me she wont admit that she is even drinking. (long story). So communication craters once she starts. I think she really wants this to work but she is scared to death of the process. So we will hold at 110 for another day then begin plus 10 every four days.

I guess the question then is do you stop at the "switch" or go beyond a percentage? Then how long at the maximum before dropping to a maintenance level to be determined.

So much to learn.

[ryrye]

New here, giving Bac a shot

yo Beak, welcome to the forum. I just wanted to check in and say that I fell off and started drinking again. Not as much, but my hangovers felt like I drank a shit ton ... also cannot physically drink as much. I actually passed out in my garage after drinking a little over a half pint ??? Anyway, i have maintained my dose of Baclofen, up to 112mg/day, and I am ready to continue working on not drinking. Can't beat myself up yet.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

New here, giving Bac a shot

Beakor;1347923 wrote: NNE,

Thanks for all the insight. I had not heard that weight was no longer considered important in dosage target. I think she appreciates the help with the meds, but because she blames the drinking on me she wont admit that she is even drinking. (long story). So communication craters once she starts. I think she really wants this to work but she is scared to death of the process. So we will hold at 110 for another day then begin plus 10 every four days.

I guess the question then is do you stop at the "switch" or go beyond a percentage? Then how long at the maximum before dropping to a maintenance level to be determined.

So much to learn.

There is a lot to learn about all of this. A lifetime's worth of study! But as far as the baclofen, and the protocol are concerned, it's pretty simple. (Not easy, mind you!)

Being scared of the process can make things even more tempestuous. I think that was my biggest hurdle, honestly. I was scared it would work, scared it wouldn't work. I was scared of spiders and sharks and my own shadow. All wrapped up into one big ball of anxiety! ugh. I'm SO glad those days are over. (Not that I'm not still put off by the whole shark thing, but whatever. At least I'm limiting my irrational fear to something I don't have to deal with daily!)

Anyway, the more you guys can talk openly about this, the better. (That's just true in life, isn't it?) The blame game doesn't cut it. Neither does judgement. Baclofen treats a chemical imbalance. If you *believe* that baclofen works (and there isn't really a belief that is needed. It does.) then you understand that drinking against one's will is a function of that imbalance. It's not inherently psychological, it doesn't matter why it started or when. It's just a function of brain chemistry. Once the brain chemistry is sorted out, then one doesn't want to drink anymore.
That's not to say that baclofen makes age-old conflicts, underlying resentments, regret, remorse, distrust, bad decisions, lousy communication, go away. It doesn't. And people who start with that often end up with that--only sober. Which (frankly) kind of sucks. On the other hand, it is much more likely that one will be able to deal with all of that and live contentedly when one isn't being hounded by brain chemistry to drink! drink! DRINK!!! Because that's what it is, Beak. A hound snarling, then nipping, then finally taking a chunk of flesh to push one toward the bottle. I'm not making excuses, I'm simply trying to help you understand. Some of us would rather drink than eat. Or breath. That's just how it is. I figure you know this, too, because you're here and you're helping her and you're looking for solutions. The question is, does she know it? Because that fact, when it came right down to it, was what gave me hope. With the burden of addiction gone, the rest was up to me. But the burden was the only thing keeping me from dealing with it all... What a conundrum!

There's some information on this thread that may get you started:
https://www.mywayout.org/community/f2...ead-50513.html
Some of the links don't work anymore, but you may be able to google it and if you have questions, feel free to ask.

I'm glad you're in it with her, and glad you're looking for solutions! I can assure you, just in case you have any tiny little doubts, that the reason she drinks has absolutely nothing to do with you. I hope you can be gentle with yourself as well as with her.

:l

ryrye;1348187 wrote: yo Beak, welcome to the forum. I just wanted to check in and say that I fell off and started drinking again. Not as much, but my hangovers felt like I drank a shit ton ... also cannot physically drink as much. I actually passed out in my garage after drinking a little over a half pint ??? Anyway, i have maintained my dose of Baclofen, up to 112mg/day, and I am ready to continue working on not drinking. Can't beat myself up yet.
Glad you checked in. I've enjoyed reading a bit of your blog. It's a great outlet to keep track, isn't it?
Glad, too, you're maintaining, and are continuing to work on not drinking. Sorry for the hangovers and especially for the passing out. Yikes! Be careful! I know of at least one person who decided that the hangovers were so brutal that he simply considered it aversion therapy and stopped drinking at 75mg of bac. If I hadn't been such an incredible glutton for that kind of punishment I might have done the same. 'cause I remember how much they hurt! (How the hell did I get up and go to work or even get out of bed for coffee back then??? seriously! For decades! ugh.)

What's next? More bac, less booze? How're the SEs?

[ryrye]

New here, giving Bac a shot

i plan to continue going up and im going to continue trying to drink less

[ifulovelife2]

New here, giving Bac a shot

ryrye;1348379 wrote: i plan to continue going up and im going to continue trying to drink less

Up, up, up: it's the only way to go. Yer just have to ride the SEs and keep your eyes on the prize...oh and listen to what Neva and the other old hands have to say. They know their stuff. :goodjob:

[ryrye]

New here, giving Bac a shot

My ears are open, I read, and I listen. I speak less.

[ifulovelife2]

New here, giving Bac a shot

ryrye;1346471 wrote:
I am so excited to finally live life to the fullest, instead of drowning my days in a fog of alcohol! Sorry for the mush ... but I am just feeling on top of the world right now! :H

Are you fricking kidding me? Don't apologise. Mush and gush as much as you like. It's a fantastic thing that you've done. You're getting free from the beast. You're taking control of your life. You've most likely added years on to your life. You're in control and may your God(s) bless you. Welcome to the other side.:l

[ryrye]

New here, giving Bac a shot

06/27/12 - 270ml AL 075mg BAC
06/28/12 - 080ml AL 075mg BAC
06/29/12 - 140ml AL 075mg BAC
06/30/12 - 090ml AL 075mg BAC
07/01/12 - 150ml AL 075mg BAC
07/02/12 - 000ml AL 100mg BAC
07/03/12 - 000ml AL 100mg BAC
07/04/12 - 000ml AL 100mg BAC
07/05/12 - 000ml AL 100mg BAC
07/06/12 - 150ml AL 100mg BAC
07/07/12 - 150?ml AL 112mg BAC
07/08/12 - 180ml AL 112mg BAC
07/09/12 - 120ml AL 112mg BAC
07/10/12 - 172ml AL 125mg BAC
07/11/12 - 160ml AL 125mg BAC
07/12/12 - 000ml AL 125mg BAC

The list above shows my progress with how I am doing with my Titration. I made a mistake that scared the hell out of me yesterday. I had bought a pill organizer, and had filled it up with what I had thought was my Baclofen, but it was actually Atenolol. I always kept the stuff around to ease the hypertension from alcohol withdrawls or just for days when my blood pressure was really high. I registered 160/90 a few weeks ago, and that scared the living crap out of me ... Anyway, I digress. I had taken 75 mg through the day of atenolol, instead of Bac and was wondering why I felt so tired and short of breath. When I went to take pill #4/5, I looked closer and finally realized my mistake. Luckily, I had no ill effects and was able to take the entirity of my 125mg dose between 6pm and 11pm without a problem. I actually had the best 8.5 hour sleep that I have had in a loooooong time and with some vivid dreams about a veloceraptor chasing a girl around on a futuristic train LOL.

As far as side effects ... well I have had little to NONE and I hope this doesn't mean that I have to take a crap ton to find my switch. I feel that the cravings for alcohol are extremely dulled, while otherwise feeling absolutely normal in every other way. The only other way that i know the BAC is working, is that it has made alcohol hard to drink. What I mean is that it has made it so that I feel like I am drinking twice as much as before, and it is just overall less enjoyable ... I just get tired and dizzy.

Well, I thought I would just check in and let you know that I am still working on this adventure that I started about a month and a half ago. Since I have been tolerating so well and I am not working right now, I will be up to 150 mg/day late next week, and hopefully can resist drinking as well!

Edit: I know many of you think that I am titrating too fast, which I may be. However, so far I have had no ill effects and I am willing to push it a little bit while I am off work for the time being. I will continue to monitor myself and am open to backing off if I need to do so. For reference, I weight 100Kg/ 225lbs

[ryrye]

New here, giving Bac a shot

Well, its been a few months since I updated this post and just want to say that I now have 3 consecutive days AF and without cravings! I am at 200mg/day currently and will hold this dose out for awhile to see if the trend continues ... This is 3 months in to treatment and I had a hard time believing this would happen to me Is this ... um the switch?

[ifulovelife2]

New here, giving Bac a shot

No cravings and no booze? Sounds pretty switchy to me. Congratulations!

I think you're right to stay at your dose for a while and see how things go. :goodjob: