The Naltrexone Works!

[adagirl]

I had a party to go to tonight so I decided it was a good opportunity to test out the Naltrexone. I had two beers and felt nothing from them. Not that I would get really buzzed off of two beers anyway, but it was definitely different. I could feel absolutely no effect from the alcohol. Was poured a third and just left it there. No temptation to have any more. There was also wine and gin (my standard favorites), but I was completely disinterested. By 10pm, I was trying to figure out a way to make my exit. Got out of there by 11pm when everyone else was starting to do shots. It was weird to see my friends getting intoxicated and just watching it from the sidelines. Don't get me wrong... I still had fun. It was just way different for me. I am usually loud and the 'life of the party' type. I felt very subdued and in control. I was excited to tell my DH about it when I got home, but I think he just has no idea how profound/surreal this experience is for me.

[Flip]

The Naltrexone Works!

I can certainly retate adagirl! I have EXACTLY the same experiences these days.

It takes a while to get used to seeing everyone else in a different light, but I really enjoy being the sober one now and know that I'm going to wake up fresh and ready to face the next day with great memories of the night before.

I started on Naltrexone too, but I now take campral. I find it better for the long term.

F.

PS does DH stand for dick head? lol

[julie001]

The Naltrexone Works!

I am so glad your meds are helping. You have a lot to look forward to. Good luck.

Julie

[adagirl]

The Naltrexone Works!

Flip;144053 wrote: I can certainly retate adagirl! I have EXACTLY the same experiences these days.

It takes a while to get used to seeing everyone else in a different light, but I really enjoy being the sober one now and know that I'm going to wake up fresh and ready to face the next day with great memories of the night before.

I started on Naltrexone too, but I now take campral. I find it better for the long term.

F.

PS does DH stand for dick head? lol

DH stands for 'Dear Husband'. I guess that one is more commonly used on the mom's boards I go to. LOL

I am curious about the differences between Naltrexone and Campral. My doctor would prescribe either. Do you mind sharing why you prefer Campral? I'm just curious and want to keep my options open in case I ever have issues w/the Naltrexone. I know some people drink past the Naltrexone block and that's why it doesn't work for them. Or, some people need a higher dose to get a true block.

[Flip]

The Naltrexone Works!

There's quite a bit written about this in this thread already, but my personal experience is as follows:

Naltrexone for 6 weeks in 2005 worked really well, but I fell off the wagon because I wasn't addressing the REASONS I drank. I tried Naltrexone again a few months later but it just didn't seem to have the same effect. By Feb 2006 my Dr put me on Campral. That worked straight away (the crap about being sober for a few days first is not true, it works straight away). I went 5 months or so without a drink and then decided I was 'cured' after a weekend away with drinking buddies so I indulged a little. within a week I was back to my old drinking habits.

Four months later I decided that I'd REALLY had enough (Dec last year, my father died and mum was very very ill) so I started back on the Campral. Once again, it worked straight away. This time I've been sober for 6 months and going strong. This time, however, I have spent a lot of time working through the issues which brought me to drinking in the first place. Understanding the motivation is more important than the meds.

The difference between the two? I had a few slight side effects on Naltrexone, but nothing worth mentioning. Campral gives me a 'runny bum' sometimes and the gas that goes with it. But the big difference between the two is that campral keeps on working whereas the potency of Naltrexone seems to wear off. It really only worked well for the first few weeks.

Campral relieves me of ANY psycial cravings to drink - leaving me to deal with the psycological reasons. Now that I have them more or less under control, I have been able to successfully cut back on the Campral (down to only two tabs a day from 6).

I hope this helps, happy to answer as many questions as you have!

Flip

[MDBiker]

The Naltrexone Works!

Thanks Flip, that was a good explaination. I Haven't tried Naltrexone but I agree with you about the campral starting right away. I think it is amazing how fast it worked for me. I also agree the only issues I am having are dealing with my monsters. I was wanting to maybe go to vivitrol after a few months sober. Do you think that is a good idea?
bear

[adagirl]

The Naltrexone Works!

Thanks so much for the thorough explanation, Flip. I've actually heard this a few times now, that Naltrexone works for awhile for some people and then it stops. I also hear ya on having to work on the motivation for drinking. Just sitting at that party being a moderate (almost none) drinker brought up a lot of insecurities for me. I felt awkward, nerdy, reserved, self-conscious, etc. Its good that I'm feeling these things. I am going to go to a hypnotherapist that my doctor recommended and have an in depth 1-on-1 session and so the more I understand about my motivations for drinking, the better she can help me in the hypno session(s) and as part of the deal, she also will make me personalized CD(s). I guess I should also see an addiction specialist (psych). Its covered by my insurance, but I'm just not there yet to make the appointment. Its all so much so fast. I think I will give it a couple weeks.

As for tonight, I have absolutely no craving or desire for alcohol. And, the things that would normally 'trigger' me to want a drink, haven't. Seems almost too good to be true, but I'm gonna try not to worry and just enjoy it for now.

[Flip]

The Naltrexone Works!

MD, et al,

I have no idea what you should do! I am not a Dr - do you have one you can talk to about this? A counsellor who knows your situation may also be helpful.

Personally I would stick to what you know works - like I said, its the demons you have to work with after the cravings have gone. The other thing is working out whether the cravings are pysical or emotional - at six months sober I don't have psycial cravings anymore, but the emotional ones still crop up a lot.

F.

[Flip]

The Naltrexone Works!

Adagirl,

Sounds like you're really on track to beating this thing. The first few times I went out socially and stayed sober where quite confronting and uncomfortable. Like I'd forgotten how to be 'me' without the drink. I guess I had.

Just do things at your own pace - the most important is that you stay sober and look after yourself. Dealing with these issues can be very draining.

F.

[Pisces]

The Naltrexone Works!

Hi,

I'm taking Campral now, and I've found it's helping, but I know I haven't completely conquered my problem, and you've got me thinking...

I don't think my cravings are physical, as I can go without for a bit, but if I get upset or even just bored my cravings get very strong. I've taken up scuba diving which has put me on a real high, but Saturday night went out with my girlfriends to see our fav band and had planned to stick to diet coke, of which I did for the first couple of hours, then GF wanted to buy me a drink, and without hesitiation I said yes, and went on to have 5 beers.

I so regretted it the next morning as I was due to go for a dive, but even though I know I can drink heaps more than that and still function, the movement of the boat made me queasy, even though I don't normally suffer seasickness, and I didn't enjoy the dive as much.

So to sum up, I'm not binging as much, but emotionally I still find it easy to give in to drinking, and I think it's a habit as well.

But considering the emotional stuff I have been going through with my breakup, I'm feeling pretting good, and thanks to the inspiration here I'm not giving up on giving up!

Love Jasmin :h

[MDBiker]

The Naltrexone Works!

Whaddya think nottadoc? (I'm just joking flip) :blush:

[tea]

The Naltrexone Works!

Hi Flip, is Camprol issued on prescription only? What are the side effects (apart from runny bum)?

L

[samm]

The Naltrexone Works!

Naxeltrone warning

I develped my second bout of pancreatitis. Naxeltrone prohibits pain medicine ffrom doing its job. With Pancreatitis, 2 pills of oxycodone just takes the edge of for about an hour. With Naxeltrone in your system, it is horrible. If you had a car acident, heaven forbid, theere would be a fine line between sedation medicine and that would cause death, Proceed cautiously. I am sticking to Camprell, just in the event Pancreatits returns. Goggle it. Late stages of cancer causes less pain.

[adagirl]

The Naltrexone Works!

samm;146880 wrote: I develped my second bout of pancreatitis. Naxeltrone prohibits pain medicine ffrom doing its job. With Pancreatitis, 2 pills of oxycodone just takes the edge of for about an hour. With Naxeltrone in your system, it is horrible. If you had a car acident, heaven forbid, theere would be a fine line between sedation medicine and that would cause death, Proceed cautiously. I am sticking to Camprell, just in the event Pancreatits returns. Goggle it. Late stages of cancer causes less pain.

The good news is that I'm much less likely to get into a car accident now that I'm not driving while blacked out drunk. LOL OK, I shouldn't even laugh, but I understand this is how Naltrexone works and had to weigh that risk. It does freak me out a little that most pain medications will not work on me now that I'm on Naltrexone. Luckily, I don't have any conditions that require ongoing pain medication.

[Flip]

The Naltrexone Works!

So how are you getting on Adagirl? Is it still working for you?

MD - we need to catch up in chat one day and have this out! lol