Campral Question

[Persephone1]

Campral Question

Hey Juja,

I wandered to a thread that you posted on in late Feb where you mentioned that you were gonna try the meds approach, so I wanted to check and see how that was going for you and just read through here...

So often I witness folks struggling and struggling and just can't get the quit to stick and I want to suggest TRYING the meds (WTF not, right?), but I don't know if it's 'acceptable' forum etiquette to do so? It's worth it, I think, to do whatever we can to save ourselves from the death that alcohol will inevitably bring. GOOD FOR YOU! I hope this works my friend. I've read some amazing stories of how the meds finally did it for people, Bac is a biggie (I'm sure you've heard as well). At any rate, I think it's fantastic you're doing this.

I've also noticed the threads/posts of those on meds as opposed to those who aren't, are like living on two different planets, it's hard to explain. If you read 'em, I'm sure you'll understand...fascinating stuff. We are amazing and resilient creatures! :h

I recently quit smoking on top of quitting the Alcohol, so I have gained a bit of weight. I have deprived my body of plenty of nutrients, so I figure a month or two of eating whatever I desired s/b just fine. I never craved sugar before/while drinking as I got plenty from the alcohol. Now being deprived of it has caused sugar cravings, that seems universal. The exercise and healthy eating is coming along naturally, albeit slowly. Geez, the added stress of dealing with the situation surrounding your folks has gotta be tough. Come and dump here and we'll sort it thru with you. :l

Wishing you all the best, P

[Greg]

Campral Question

Campral did help me stay sober at one stage, and I think I only drank again because I stupidly stopped taking the pills. I had thought they weren't doing anything because I couldn't feel any psychoactive effect beyond a mild emotional stabilizing type of effect, but that was my typical addictive thinking...if it wasn't getting me high I didn't think it was working! Looking back on it, I can now see that Campral was helping me quite markedly, and this became obvious when I skipped doses and became more unstable and obsessed with alcohol.

Good luck!

[bleep]

Campral Question

Greg, it's good to see you again!

Can I ask why you don't take it again if you think it helped?

[Greg]

Campral Question

bleep;1477313 wrote: Greg, it's good to see you again!

Can I ask why you don't take it again if you think it helped?

Hi Bleep, thanks, I hope you are doing well.

My main reason for not taking Campral again was that I have been doing pretty well on Antabuse, although I must admit I didn't fully appreciate Campral's benefits until reading back over an old diary from the time I was taking it.

Another reason is having asked an addiction "specialist" for it more recently but only being prescribed 1 tablet per day by him. I kept that prescription just as a record of how hopeless that particular doctor is!!

My normal doctor has said I am doing ok without Campral and seemed unwilling to try it again unfortunately, but I would not hesitate to push for it if I found myself in trouble with alcohol again.

[Juja]

Campral Question

Thanks for the kind words, Persephone, Pauly and Greg.

Greg>If Campral worked for you, I'd find another doctor to prescribe it.

The Campral works for me, and I have no problem with taking meds if I need them. So, I'll continue to take it, deal with the SE's and hope they'll pass.

I suppose my food cravings are from not drinking, wanting sugar, etc. But I don't think I've eaten that much more than usual, but I feel so bloated and have gained weight, I know. I'm going to stay off the scales for awhile--I don't need the shock. My clothes tell the tale anyway.

Thanks again, everyone. Your responses are appreciated.

[birdseed]

Campral Question

Juja, woo hoo, so glad it's working for you!

I didn't think anything would work to stop my daily cravings, but the Campral is really effective so far, two weeks in. I started with a new pdoc (I'm also bipolar and starting a new meds regimen) and asked him for Antabuse, but he said he wouldn't prescribe that to new patients. So I got the Campral instead.

I'm craving carbs and although I'm controlling my eating, I still feel a bit bloated. I think that can happen early on with Campral. One of the other meds I've started also has a tendency to cause temporary water weight gain so I'm not sure which med is responsible.

It's paramount that I stay sober, so I'll take some bloating over drinking any day.

[paulywogg]

Campral Question

juja,will you keep us posted on how the camral is working and how it makes you feel?side effects etc.i have some but never took it because i stupidly read every s.e and get scared off! im glad its working for you,youre doing great!