Hi, I'm new

[hopefulinOz]

I've tried Campral and Naltrexone without success. I'm delighted that I am going to be participating in a clinical trial of baclofen, starting week after next. I know I might end up in the placebo group, but I hope that even if so, the structure of the trial will help me to get some more alcohol free days under my belt. :new::thanks:

[available]

Hi, I'm new

Hi Hope and welcome to mwo. I cant give you any suggestions on the drugs as i stopped without any though if i had needed help there would have been no hesitation in getting whatever it took.

Where is the clinical trial at if i may ask. Finally they are starting to realise that Baclofen has benefits to addicts in Oz (which i am gathering is where you are from).

Head over to the Newbies Nest, there is normally always someone around on there and we are all at different stages on this journey to become af.

[Xadrian]

Hi, I'm new

hopefulinOz;1652965 wrote: I've tried Campral and Naltrexone without success. I'm delighted that I am going to be participating in a clinical trial of baclofen, starting week after next. I know I might end up in the placebo group, but I hope that even if so, the structure of the trial will help me to get some more alcohol free days under my belt. :new::thanks:

If it's the Dutch trial by the University of Amsterdam, the chance you are in the placebo group is 1/3.
The chance you will get low dose baclofen is 1/3 and the chance you will get high dose baclofen also 1/3

If you will get the real baclofen, you will probably notice some (mild) side-effects from the beginning, like slight head-ache, weak muscles, etc.
In that case, you know you have the real baclofen. The placebo probably will give you no side-effects (otherwise than a possible "placebo-effect", of course).

[spiritwolf333]

Hi, I'm new

Hi-Hope -thanks for the post. This is good news to read. I have wondered how someone might respond to possibility of ending up in the placebo group. Seems like you have a positive attitude right from the start.

Please keep posting. (How severe is your alcoholism?)

[flasht75]

Hi, I'm new

Good luck on your journey! And remember that you may need a higher dose than what you take in the study (assuming it's not the placebo of course), so you can always order more when you're done until you hit your 'switch'

[flasht75]

Hi, I'm new

Palladium, did the higher dose work for you?

[flasht75]

Hi, I'm new

Never mind Palladium. I saw your other posts and I'm glad you were able to take enough to hit your switch! I am so glad there are more studies on the efficacy of baclofen, but I wonder about those who participate and don't receive a therapeutic dose - which unfortunately can lead to the belief that it isn't effective

[MickeySoFine1972]

Hi, I'm new

Just out of interest and sorry to derail the thread but ...

Where are the current trials being done and whem will they be completed?

Mickey

[neophyte]

Hi, I'm new

hopefulinOz, have a look at this link

Search of: baclofen alcohol - List Results - ClinicalTrials.gov

[hopefulinOz]

Hi, I'm new

Thanks everyone, for the welcome.
I can't figure out where to put my location, but yes, I'm in Australia.
I've been told I have a 70% chance of getting the actual drug as opposed to the placebo. Either way, at the end of the trial they will give me a script. It is still difficult to get a doctor here to prescribe it as it's off license.
I can remain on my anti depressants during the trial, but no valium, antabuse, campral or naltrexone.
As for how severe is my alcoholism, I drink 2 bottles of wine most nights. Sometimes I use antabuse to give me a few days off.

Oh, the trial nurse told me it is a double blind study, so only the pharmacists know the dosage that will be given.

[techie]

Hi, I'm new

Welcome to the boards!

[skullbabyland]

Hi, I'm new

HopefulinOz, thanks much for posting about this. Please do keep us updated, and very glad you got into this study with such promising chances and a script etc.

Very interested to hear of your experience. Thanks and good luck

[neophyte]

Hi, I'm new

hopefulinOz;1653135 wrote: Thanks everyone, for the welcome.
I can't figure out where to put my location, but yes, I'm in Australia.
I've been told I have a 70% chance of getting the actual drug as opposed to the placebo. Either way, at the end of the trial they will give me a script. It is still difficult to get a doctor here to prescribe it as it's off license.
I can remain on my anti depressants during the trial, but no valium, antabuse, campral or naltrexone.
As for how severe is my alcoholism, I drink 2 bottles of wine most nights. Sometimes I use antabuse to give me a few days off.

Oh, the trial nurse told me it is a double blind study, so only the pharmacists know the dosage that will be given.

given you have access to this forum as a resource, i imagine you will find out quickly if you get placebo or not due to the side effects. I wonder how the internet has effected these studies in general. anyone who is in a study can quickly look up the drug and better, find a support forum where people post the day to day experience on the medication.

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Hi, I'm new

Hi HopefulinOz and welcome to the forum.

Very cool that you're in a study. I've never done anything like that, but have read a lot about them. Are there other components? Like therapy or required AA? Did they screen for things other than alcohol? Like drug use, depression or other mental illness? (You don't have to share anything too personal! I'm just curious and think that I want to do something like research someday.)

I was a 2-bottle-a-night drinker too. I quit drinking alcoholically a little over 3 years ago with baclofen.

I am glad you found us as a resource, but I have a caution for that too. I love this place and have spent a lot of time here making friends and learning fascinating things for the last 4 years. BUT, there's a lot of misinformation. Please be aware of the fact that anyone can post anything here, and their experiences might not be relevant to your experience. (And some of it can be nonsense. It's the internet, of course, and anonymous, and full of drunks like I was...)

I hope you'll keep us updated about your progress, and what it's like to be in a study.

[hopefulinOz]

Hi, I'm new

Hi Neva Eva,

Counselling will be provided during the trial as well as liver testing. No AA. I hope.
I have told them I also have depression and anxiety. It is ok for me to take my anti-depressants on the trial, but no valium or any anti-craving meds.