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**Ne/Neva Eva** · April 29, 2013, 03:43 PM

Bac Newbie

Hi Budda and welcome to the forum.

Here's a link that will help with figuring out the meds thing:

https://www.mywayout.org/community/f2...pps-48038.html

There may be more information to check out than just what's listed. And of course, everything that could possibly go wrong is listed in a variety of ways. (As an example, I would bet that alcohol is contraindicated with baclofen. And everything else you're taking.

)

More on titration and a plan to follow. I'm sure others will chime in, but there is a thread specifically devoted to that somewhere. Using google as a search engine and putting My Way Out in the search (with baclofen and titration, maybe) should elicit some results. (Google is much better at navigating this place in some ways!)

Having a (flexible) plan is a really good start, as is reading, reading, reading.

**StuckinLA** · April 29, 2013, 03:47 PM

Bac Newbie

:welcome:

Can't help with med interactions, sorry. But as for the bac, you'll probably want to start out with 5mg/day for 3 days, maybe in the evening or around bedtime. Then you can go to 10mg/day, divided into 2 doses morning and evening, for the next 3 or 4 days. Then you can go up between 10-20 mg/day each week.

You can also search MWO for Dr L's titration schedule. There's a thread about it I think.

You'll also want to order more bac soon. It goes quicker than you think, and it's really super no bueno to run out.

**JoanC** · April 29, 2013, 04:46 PM

Bac Newbie

:welcome:
Just got a prescription today for following schedule

5 mg three times a day for 2 days - so that's 15mg for two days administered in three doses of 1/2 tablet (I have 10mg tabs)

increase to one 10mg tablet three times a day - so that's 30mg per day spread out over the day - stay at that and report back to doctor if not working before more increments, goal is abstinence

Re the drugs you list, I am not familiar but precautions on the packet (i.e., advise your doctor if you are taking ....) include tricyclic ADs, meds for lowering blood pressure, iboprofen, Levodopa & Caribidopa (Parkinson's), Fentabyl and other CNS drugs, Lithium.

Even if your doctor hasn't prescribed it, you might ask for advice? Good luck

**JoanC** · April 29, 2013, 04:59 PM

Bac Newbie

Sorry Buddah

More specifically, that should have said

5 mg three times a day for 2 days - so that's 15mg for two days administered in three doses of 1/2 tablet (I have 10mg tabs)

increase GRADUALLY to one 10mg tablet three times a day - so that's 30mg per day spread out over the day - stay at that and report back to doctor if not working before more increments, goal is abstinence

**spigot** · April 29, 2013, 05:50 PM

Bac Newbie

I can vouch for citalopram (Celexa) and propananol (Inderal) being safe with baclofen. My blood pressure gets a little low sometimes, but my doctor's not worried about it. As far as ropinirole, drugs.com says:

Using baclofen together with rOPINIRole may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience some impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you.

AKA: You should be fine, but double-checking with Dr. Levin or your family doctor wouldn't be a bad idea.

I sometimes take clonazepam (Klonopin) and zolpidem (Ambien) with baclofen, and drugs.com displays the same warning for those medications. I'm still alive and kicking without any issues.

**TexasAg** · April 30, 2013, 08:53 AM

Bac Newbie

Hi BB, :welcome:

Just wanted to say hello and best wishes on your journey.

Cheers!

**buddabelly** · April 30, 2013, 02:08 PM

Bac Newbie

Thanks

[SIZE=2]Thanks to all of you for your info and well wishes.

Well today is my first day AF in about a fortnight.. I have lots of day ones. The difference is this time I'm determined to make use of the advice and support on this site. I figure if I sorta make myself accountable, in a way, I will keep better track of myself. I will get myself a plan. I will raid the tool box and report in on a regular basis. I hope to get to know you all better. I've been doing a lot of reading on here and can relate to so many things that are said.

I've spent the last week tapering off. Having once had a seizure from withdrawals, I don't want another one. The dry heaves, the sweats and the raging anxiety were awful. I tried to explain to my mum, in between throwing up and throwing wine down my throat, that the only thing that stopped me being sick was the thing that was making me sick. The addicts dilemma. The only thing that momentarily gives me relief from my depression and anxiety only serves to make it worse. All A does is switch my bloody head off for a while when I can't tolerate being in it any more.

I did rehab last year, and got ten months AF. Six months into this time I started to go downhill. Depression and anxiety. I went to the Docs. Unfortunately despite numerous visits and seeing a different Doc every visit by Dec I was a total mess. Not drinking but not very well at all. I was terrified to leave home, answer the door or the phone. Needless to say at the end of Dec I drank. This pattern has continued since then. anxiety not controlled and waiting for the new AD's to kick in. I've been on Propananol for a month now which helps with anxiety, not the alcoholic wd type though ! Still feel flat and yuk, but I felt a spark of hope today, not drinking and writing this.

I read a poem today, written by an addict, where he called his addiction ' The Hellbound Train '. Well I want off it please !

Please God, with your help I can get off and STAY OFF !

Love Lea:h

**bleep** · April 30, 2013, 02:34 PM

Bac Newbie

Lea, best of luck. Have you started taking baclofen yet? You have the pills, no time like the present to get cracking!

Baclofen should help with you withdrawal as well.

**buddabelly** · April 30, 2013, 03:04 PM

Bac Newbie

Start tonight

Hi Bleep, I'm starting them tonight. 1/2 a tab. Easy does it. Hope they help me sleep.

**buddabelly** · April 30, 2013, 04:30 PM

Bac Newbie

whole tab

Tried to cut tab in 1/2, no joy, it shot all over the place have taken a whole one. Then started to panic about buying drugs on-line. Are they the real thing ? Could it kill me ?

Well 30mins later I'm still here and feel ok. Relief. God do I have an anxious brain.

**JoanC** · April 30, 2013, 05:02 PM

Bac Newbie

Try using a kitchen scissors to cut - hold the tablet over your palm so the two halves fall into it - they are chalky and tend to crumble a bit! I would imagine what you are buying online is just fine. It is a really old drug, and not drastically expensive on a regular prescription relative to some other stuff. I took a whole one by accident last night and am still alive

G'night

**buddabelly** · May 1, 2013, 01:29 AM

Bac Newbie

Good Morning

Well, no major ill effects. It didn't kill me lol.

Thank you Joan,I will try your suggestion.

I didn't sleep at all last night. But no worries. I felt calm and so grateful I had got through a day with very little discomfort, considering the way I'd been feeling for my last few days of drinking. I'm ready for day 2.

Plan to take 5mg, 5mg, 10mg.

Joan, was it you that said your Inhouse Pharmacy order wasn't allowed in Ireland ? I've read so much I can't remember who said what.

Lea:thanks:

**JoanC** · May 1, 2013, 02:43 AM

Bac Newbie

yes Lea, that was me, but the problem seems specific to Ireland. I have not read anything here about delivery issues to the UK, but others can perhaps advise?.
I went to see Dr Jonathan Chick (Edinburgh)... mentioned by various people on here (UKBlonde, Bleep, Otter). It is expensive but well worth it if you are worried about starting Baclofen on your own. The price includes follow-up consultations via email or phone, and he will write to your local GP if you want
I found him to be very kind and very professional. I expected a short meeting but instead it was a long and thorough consultation (with me blubbering a lot... about issues that cropped up!!) that looked at my history (I have suffered from anxiety for a very long time), my family history wrt alcohol and mental illness, my patterns of drinking etc. He ended up writing two scripts (one for Baclofen and one for Naltrexone in case I wanted to try limiting rather than abstaining).
If you are looking for UK based care and a prescription that you can use at a local pharmacy, I would really recommend him.
cheers - JC

**buddabelly** · May 1, 2013, 09:05 AM

Bac Newbie

Thank you to all that have replied to me.

Spigot I had to have a chuckle at the quote :

"Some people may also experience some impairment in thinking and judgment."

That's a given for me, at any time. Tabs or no tabs.

Thank you all for help .tt

I've bought the tabs on-line, so no doc involved yet. I'm seeing GP on Sat. I highly suspect that she will have a fit with her legs in the air. I've actually only seen her about 4 times, not much consistency at my surgery. I've been struggling, this time, as opposed to all the other myriad times, with totally overwhelming anxiety, worse than I've ever know and the usual what's the f*****g point depression for the last 8 months and it took a full blown " I'm going to die " panic attack in the surgery in front of my doc, to get something for it. I couldn't breath or get any air into my lungs right there in front of them. Although I suffer with chronic anxiety, that has never happened like that to me. I told him I was anxious, see.

I'm not making any decisions about the Bac right at the moment.Whether to see Dr Chick and get him to write to my GP. Too soon to think about. Today I'm sticking to 5mg 3 x a day.

I don't want to drink at all. The thought makes feel sick, but I don't stay this way. My head is giving me payback, big time. Right at this moment I'm good. That's all that matters. You lot are making that possible.

Thank you

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