Colin, 65

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Colin, 65

Oh. And LVB. He was a funny guy. A tad bit older (by decades) than most of us. He hated the slang and the use of acronyms. He was Russian, I think. Or maybe he just really liked Russian things? I don't remember now. I'm also pretty sure english was a second language. Which isn't saying anything other than the fact that (speaking for myself) I really wish I'd actually learned another one at some point.

We were a much, much more active community at that point. There were probably a dozen (or more!) active threads, and we exchanged posts several times a day and night. It absolutely was difficult to follow. But I gather that the way that MWO is set up (this format) is difficult. I've heard from people who participate on other chat boards (or whatever) that this format is dated and difficult. I have nothing to compare it to, though.

The vast majority of people don't stick around, so it's not a stretch that he didn't. He was very interesting... I hope he's well.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Colin, 65

joanna_d;1428229 wrote: ?????? what's happening ??????

Nothin' Jo. Huge :l sister. Rock on.

[Colin]

Colin, 65

Thanks Ne

Many thanks for the extremely clear responses. I'm still reading.

[joanna_d]

Colin, 65

Arizona, are you an advertiser for this mister phill or something?

[Colin]

Colin, 65

December 12 - 18

Too many extreme mood and sleep changes. Restarted the mirtazapine on Monday. By Tuesday afternoon the depression had nearly vanished. It's only 7.5 mg (45 mg is common for depression) but it seems an essential ingredient in my cocktail.

Amitriptyline and citalopram is a dubious combination. Citalopram has been a great help over the years so I won't be changing that in a hurry but I really want to know if 20 mg or more amitriptyline helps the nerve pain. Gabapentin might also help the nerve pain and seems safer in combination with citalopram.

I'll tentatively blame the poor sleep on the baclofen reduction (150 -> 125) and try taking the last bac 2 hours before I go to bed instead of immediately before.

[joanna_d]

Colin, 65

hi Colin, i've been reading your thread this week. very interesting, thanks. guess i was too self absorbed before to go through all the new threads, and yes, taking myself very serious.
my humor is slowly coming back now, it in a grinning kind of way.

so you're an englishman with a stiff upper lip living in the Brabantse Land?

i can relate to lot of the se's you describe, but could never pinpoint some of them. the migraine halo's and stuff (i've developed an enormous sensitivity to lights, colors, sounds) thanks for noting out the effect on the blood pressure (i was wondering about that, but i don't measure my blood pressure so didn't have anything to investigate it with), and yes also the sudden inflammation of the crotch although in my case it doesn't show that much because i'm not that pronouncedly shaped outwards.

must feel strange, not having massive cravings, not drinking, and still going up on the bac. i can imagine you're wanting to test it. but do mind the hangover please!

and (Ne said that before), StuckInLA has the leg pains like you. i'm curious about your investigations on that.

[Colin]

Colin, 65

joanna_d;1429266 wrote:
must feel strange, not having massive cravings, not drinking, and still going up on the bac. i can imagine you're wanting to test it. but do mind the hangover please!

and (Ne said that before), StuckInLA has the leg pains like you. i'm curious about your investigations on that.

This whole trip feels surreal - as if I'm a character in a science fiction story.

My leg pains seem to have a different cause. They predate this baclofen journey by at least 10 years. Google alcoholic polyneuropathy and you'll see the probable cause.

[joanna_d]

Colin, 65

well, surreal is a term i can definitely relate to when it comes to the baclofen trip...
and now, after my switch a week ago, the decades of drinking seem surreal too. weird feeling.

and about deleting: i was looking for ways to delete my entire thread at a certain point, cause i felt so embarrassed and disgusted with my whining (which of course is also: taking myself too serious). actually i still don't know if there's a way to delete a thread. guess i was too drunk (and/or hungover) most of the time to find that out.

[Colin]

Colin, 65

Ne/Neva Eva;1428262 wrote: Oh. And LVB. He was a funny guy. A tad bit older (by decades) than most of us.

lvb65 posted on a number of different threads and they were all at points where the discussions were almost exclusively concerned with various aspects of baclofen; he was not much of a social chatterbox. Good tip Ne. Search for all posts by lvb65.

When he started his MWO involvement he was the same age as I am now. Another old fart with a sauce problem.

[Colin]

Colin, 65

Hippyman;1431190 wrote: Thanks for this post and I believe Baclofen saved my life. I need more info and that's part of the reason I'm here. I hope to learn more about liquid baclofen and it's long term use?

Try this link.
https://www.mywayout.org/community/f2...bac-71339.html

[IAD]

Colin, 65

Xadrian.....You are the exception to the rule ! Those that quit....and return usually have it harder than before ! Alcoholism is a progressive disease....no matter when you quit, the minute you start again....You are were you were when you stopped ! This is a monster that must be kept in check all your life. Most people can't control this disease as you have been lucky enough to do.......Keep fighting everyone ! Tony

[Colin]

Colin, 65

December 19 -25

The baclofen dose is constant at 125 (5 x 25) mg per day with the last pill about 2 hours before bed which seems to be a good change. I sometimes wake about 1 or 2 hours after going to bed but fall effortlessly back to sleep for a total of 8/9 hours. I might have a short nap in the afternoon but otherwise am not troubled by extreme somnolence. However, I seem incapable of the short periods of extreme concentration needed to play competitive bridge or to address challenging problems. Apart from all the positive effects of baclofen it also seems to blunt the sharp edges. I am still very difficult to please!

There is a wealth of information in some of the older threads.
https://www.mywayout.org/community/f2...nce-42779.html is great reading.

[Colin]

Colin, 65

December 26 - 31

Baclofen has been constant at 125 mg per day.

Had a few days with 30 mg amitriptyline and that was definitely too much - very sleepy all day and almost asleep in the evening. On dropping back to 20 mg the clear mornings reappeared along with better awareness during the day. The amitriptyline is primarily for the nerve problem in my legs and since it has had no noticeable effect I'll taper off it. Next in line will be gabapentin, pregabalin or whatever else the GP dreams up.

I am regularly waking up after 7 or 8 hours sleep and getting up, feeling ready for anything. It's a big pity that the first bac pill squashes this fine feeling. The last time I regularly got up so early was 20 years ago when I was working in Oakland CA. I'd wake early after a night's drinking, shower, get dressed, drive to the all night poker club in Emeryville, have a couple of beers, play a few hands and drive off to work. It wasn't long before I collapsed under this regime and scurried off back to Holland with my tail between my legs. They never asked me to come back to Oakland - I wonder why. How did I get away with this sort of behaviour for most of the last forty five years?

Tomorrow will see me start trying to rush up to +- 200 mg baclofen. 12.5 mg more every 4 days. I'm getting tired of waiting around.

EDIT: Next physical reference is

Colin;1443775 wrote: During the past 12 days ...

[Colin]

Colin, 65

They're counting the stock at London zoo.

London Zoo opens gates to colony of snappers for annual animal census | World news | The Guardian

[Hippyman]

Colin, 65

IAD;1431324 wrote: Xadrian.....You are the exception to the rule ! Those that quit....and return usually have it harder than before ! Alcoholism is a progressive disease....no matter when you quit, the minute you start again....You are were you were when you stopped ! This is a monster that must be kept in check all your life. Most people can't control this disease as you have been lucky enough to do.......Keep fighting everyone ! Tony

I can not beat alcohol by myself. I need all the help I can get. With help I can stay sober...this time 4 sure!