New Here, My Baclofen Diary

[TexasAg]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

Howdy SB,

Whats the status? Did the Doc give you the green light?

Cheers!

[SuperBinger]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

Day 25
Baclofen 3x10 = 30mg
Exercise = Walk 3 miles
Alcohol = AF

Moderate hangover.

Hippyman -- Good question. I guess I enjoy the relaxation and lowered inhibitions initially, then the euphoria as the drinking progresses. Basically, I find it fun, despite my intellect telling me that I am poisoning my body, career, and relationships. So far, the consequences have not been sufficient for me to stop. However, I see myself moving from recreation and habit into full-blown addiction, and want to get a handle on it before it is too late.

[SuperBinger]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

Day 26
Baclofen 3x10 = 30mg
Exercise = Jog 2 miles
Weight = 188
Alcohol = AF

Bummed that my weight jumped back up 5 pounds in a week. I blame the Wednesday though Saturday drinking, plus not having the best week for exercise.

TexasAG -- My appointment is today. I have the studies in hand to give my doc, and look forward to my first increased dose later today with his blessing (or not).

[Ne/Neva Eva]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

You know, the whole question about what do we like about drinking...Sends me into a bit of a tizzy.

The first thing I think is, "What's not to love?" (Tongue in cheek, of course) Well...we all know the answer to that, don't we? 'cause here's the thing: The way I used to drink really had very little to do with the booze. The booze was the way I managed whatever was going on in my brain--a symptom of the underlying malfunction.

And while there may be a bell curve of disease, an obvious progression, diseased is diseased is diseased. Right?

I guess what I'm suggesting is that I didn't have much of a choice. Not even back in the waaaay beginning when God was young. I had to do something to be okay. And the medication stops that need. Treats something that restores the balance...

Anyway! Bummer about the increased booze and the weight. Glad you get to see the doc! I'm looking forward to hearing the result of the discussion!

[SuperBinger]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

Day 27
Baclofen 2x10 + 1x20 = 40mg
Exercise = Jog 2 miles, weights
Alcohol = 11 units

Finally had my doctor's appointment today. He was glad to hear that the 30mg baclofen seemed to be reducing my per-session intake. I showed him Ameisen's book and the studies I'd printed out, and a bottle of baclofen I got off the internet (Pacifen). He seemed impressed with the materials, and even left the room to show Ameisen's book to a colleague with whom he'd discussed my case.

I told him about this forum and about "the switch." I explained that my goal is to use High-Dose baclofen until I reach "the switch" and go AF for an extended period (how long? I need to think about these details) and then drop back down until I find my "maintenance dose" of baclofen that will allow me to be a "normal drinker."

Doc seemed a bit alarmed when I told him that some people require dosages in excess of 300mg/day to reach "the switch," but he continued to listen. He asked me why I couldn't just find my "maintenance dose" and stop there. He seemed to think that just using the baclofen to reduce my intake to a reasonable level should be my final goal. I didn't realize until after the appointment that we were defining "maintenance dose" differently during our conversation. He defines it as the dose at which baclofen reduces cravings to the point that they are manageable and alcohol intake is reduced to a low-risk level. I define it as the minimum dose at which total indifference to alcohol is maintained after having hit "the switch."

Using his computer in the exam room, he told me what I already know -- baclofen is approved for spasticity only up to 80 milligrams. He then told me he wanted to read the materials I'd provided before advising me, and that he would call me next Tuesday to discuss what comes next. In the meantime, he told me I can increase to 60mg/day. So, I added another 10mg tablet to my bedtime dose for a total daily baclofen dosage of 40mg. I will keep it there for 4 days before going up another 10mg.

I mentioned this forum many times during the discussion. I mentioned to him that I appreciated him being willing to prescribe baclofen for alcoholism, as many sufferers experience difficulty finding a doctor willing to do so. I think he appreciated the comments.

Regardless of what my doctor tells me on Tuesday, I intend to continue increasing the dosage by 10mg every 4th day or until I experience side effects.

Ne/Neva Eva -- I never experienced cravings to the point that I thought I would die if I couldn't have a drink. I just *really* look forward to it on my drinking pattern days, and I indulged the cravings so often for so long that it became a very strong habit that is now an addiction for me. I really do believe I'm one of those people who was not born an alcoholic, but trained myself into being one. If I had a time machine, I'd go back and definitely find another hobby.

SB

[SuperBinger]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

Day 28
Baclofen 2x10 + 1x20 = 40mg
Exercise = Jog 2 miles, weights
Alcohol = AF

Side effects from increased dosage: I had a period yesterday afternoon where I felt extremely tired -- I could barely keep my eyes open. Not sure this is the "inconvenient somnolence" Ameisen experienced at 270mg/day -- probably not, I'm only taking 40mg! Not helping my energy levels was the 11 units of Alcohol the evening before. Getting out to jog this evening was a Herculean effort, but MyNameIs dragged me out there and I felt 100% better afterward.

I forgot to send a shout-out to Colin in yesterday's diary entry. Thank you very much for the links to the studies you suggested I bring with me to my Doctor appointment. They were great and he took them eagerly. As I keep saying, I intend to go forward even without his blessing, but those materials will, at least, show him that I'm not just venturing in the the great unknown without any evidence to back up my plans.

[TexasAg]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

SB,

I would experience the tiredness everytime I would go up (on lower doses

[SuperBinger]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

Day 29
Baclofen 2x10 + 1x20 = 40mg
Exercise = Jog 2 miles, weights
Alcohol = 11 units

Tex -- Yes, I experienced the same thing. I got another sleepy period on day two of my new increased dosage, but it only lasted a few minutes and wasn't as extreme as yesterday. I guess the adjustment happens pretty quick. Still haven't managed to string together more then two AF days. I know I need to.

[SuperBinger]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

Day 30
Baclofen 2x10 + 1x20 = 40mg
Exercise = Jog 2 miles, weights
Alcohol = ?? Dinner and dancing after work. 1 martini, two wines and a beer at restaurant, more wine at home.

[SuperBinger]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

Day 31
Baclofen 10-20-20 = 50mg
Exercise = Walk 4.5 miles
Alcohol = 13 units. Drank a lot watching UFC 157. Seems hard to imagine watching a fight night without tying one on. I need to get to that point though.

First day on 50mg baclofen. I am increasing the dosage by 10mg every 5th day. I think this seems fairly conservative.

[SuperBinger]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

Day 32
Baclofen 10-20-20 = 50mg
Exercise = Walk 4 miles
Alcohol = AF

As expected, I had extreme tiredness after lunch yesterday, the first day of an increased baclofen dose. That seems to be the pattern. Fortunately, not being at work, I was able to give into it and take a nice afternoon nap. No other side effects noted.

[SuperBinger]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

Day 33
Baclofen 10-20-20 = 50mg
Exercise = Jog 2 miles, weights
Alcohol = 7 units

No side effects noted at 50mg today, but also no reduction in my like-clockwork urge to pour some wine to relax at my usual time of about 7:00 p.m., after the work day and exercise is complete. However, stopping at 7 units is pretty good for me, and it wasn't hard. I'll take it.

[SuperBinger]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

Day 34
Baclofen 10-20-20 = 50mg
Exercise = Jog 2 miles, weights
Alcohol = AF

My doc was supposed to call me today to discuss my plan to go forward, but he did not call. Tomorrow I plan to increase to 60mgs, which is the level he told me he would be comfortable with me reaching before we talk again. Not sure how important this conversation will be -- I'm titrating up regardless of what he says.

[Colin]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

Try printing these and giving them to your doc:-
Suppression of Alcohol Dependence Using Baclofen: A 2-Year Observational Study of 100 Patients
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/59463672/Prescribing-Guide-for-Baclofen-in-the-Treatment-of-Alcoholism-Don.pdf

If these don't convince him then get another doc.

[SuperBinger]

New Here, My Baclofen Diary

Day 35
Baclofen 20-20-20 = 60mg
Exercise = Jog 225 miles, dance lessons
Alcohol = 7 units

Dosage upped to 60mg. Got the same period of extreme sleepiness after lunch I got last time I increased. Didn't last long, maybe a 1/2 hour. I was able to push through it, but if that was a full-time side effect it would not be compatible with my employment. The 7 units of alcohol would almost certainly have been more without the baclofen. I actually was reaching for another glass but was able to just head off to bed.

Colin -- Thanks for the documents. You provided those to me earlier in this thread, but they are great, and important, so it is probably good to have those links peppered around in multiple places. I gave them to my doctor to read, but he has not called me back for the followup discussion.