Nervous about starting Campral - Acamprosate

[Simon2074]

Hiya,

I'm a regular on WQD over on the other site and I toyed with the idea of Acamprosate in Jan this year.... Someone posted me this site for good advice.

After a major slip at NYE, my dear psychiatrist has finally got me sober again and I'm doing OK... but I'm terrified about slipping again and falling back down there.
I've got hold of a prescription for Acamprosate but I'm nervous about this drug.

OK, two things...

1). Why the f**k cant I get Antabuse in the UK? It would SOOOO suit my drinking pattens and to be perfectly honest, it may be the only way actually.

2). OK, I take this Acamprosate and it quells my desires?????
Read this?

Campral (acamprosate) has in vitro affinity for GABA type A and GABA type B receptors, so it's been assumed that the therapeutic effects of acamprosate are due to actions on GABA receptors. However, acamprosate does not share most of the other effects of GABA receptor modifying drugs, such as antianxiety, hypnotic, or muscle relaxant activity. It is therefore possible, perhaps likely, that the effects are mediated some other way. Acamprosate is structurally related to l-glutamic acid (l-gutamate), which is an excitatory neurotransmitter. It's been proposed that acamprosate decreases the effects of the naturally-occurring excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in the body.

I like my glutamate... I think...
Please help if anyones been on this?
How do you feel on day 1/2/3/4?
How does that 5pm drinking urge get shut down by this drug. HOW?
Do you feel weird in any way?
Does it affect your sex drive?
Physical changes?
Does it REALLY help?

Thank you,
Simon.

[wwbarb]

Nervous about starting Campral - Acamprosate

Simon, I have heard a lot of people rave about Campral. I took it for three days and didn't last because my issues are more emotional than physical cravings. I did notice that I "forgot" to want a drink on the second evening - it was weird.

I'm sure someone who has been successful with it will get back you you when they have a chance.

[panadol]

Nervous about starting Campral - Acamprosate

Hi Simon
I've been taking campral for a month now. I was a daily drinker of 2 bottles of wine. I found the campral to be very good. I lasted AF for 21 days then binged. It is possible to over ride the campral if you really want to drink. The first days of taking campral were great and I didn't really think about drinking at all. Maybe it was complacency that got to me. I still have a long way to go to figure out my button pushers! However, I am no longer drinking during the week and this is an achievement. I still intend to be AF totally as it is clear I can't moderate. The side effects from campral are not too bad just the "wind" and a mild GI upset to start with. Absolutely no effects on the sex drive! I would say give it a go it is helping me - Any thing is worth a try!

[MDBiker]

Nervous about starting Campral - Acamprosate

I have been taking it for just over a month. I was sober for about a week before I started taking it. I was given campral (333mgx2 three x day) along with Gabapentin (600mg 3x/day) I also am taking Welbutrin XL x1. When I first started the drugs I had a euphoric feeling; almost as if I were drunk. It made me forget some things, and I was in no condition for sex anyway. I had absolutely no cravings for two weeks. After two weeks I guess I started getting used to the drugs as the euphoric feeling waned. After three weeks, I had no euphoria at all but only wanted a drink when I mentally thought I should have one. My sex drive came back in spades. I have never really had any physical cravings, only mental issues to deal with. I find if I change my focus I will completely forget about the cravings. I also have taken L-glute when I am having a hard time getting away from the wants, but other than that, it has worked tremendously.

wish you well
bear

[dac222]

Nervous about starting Campral - Acamprosate

New Prescription for Camprel

My Dr. didn't want to give me Topamax, I think because of blood pressure issues. Anyway, I just picked up my first prescription of Camprel today. Have not taken it and am a bit nervous about it. I'm due to go on " high school girl's" annual trip on Thursday and will be driving to Texas for that. Thought I might best wait until that was over before I started the Camprel. What do you think? I've been listening to the tapes and taking the supplements and I honestly think they have helped some..... but not completely yet.:new: :h

[lucky 2.0]

Nervous about starting Campral - Acamprosate

Campral is very helpful. Don't know why I stopped taking it but am back on it now. I notice not a single side effect, except I can overcome the desire to drink. And if I do drink, it is less and not nearly as enjoyable as before. It is like I drink out of habit but not because I really want to. I think it lessens the buzz so there is really no point. Sex drive not affected. I really do think it is a wonder and would encourage any and everyone to try it. It is not totally magic- but I know of nothing better.

All the best-

[Flip]

Nervous about starting Campral - Acamprosate

Campral relieves me of ANY psycial cravings to drink - leaving me to deal with the psycological reasons. I absolutely recommend it 100%

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).

there has been plenty written about it on this forum if you care to read it.

Flip

[Simon2074]

Nervous about starting Campral - Acamprosate

Thanks all!!!!

Really good advice - thank you SOOO much.

..."forgot" to want a drink...
The side effects from campral are not too bad just the "wind" and a mild GI upset to start with. Absolutely no effects on the sex drive!
...it has worked tremendously.
Have not taken it and am a bit nervous about it.
I notice not a single side effect, except I can overcome the desire to drink.
I absolutely recommend it 100%

Up to me now, hey?
:thanks:

[jeann944]

Nervous about starting Campral - Acamprosate

Where did you find it?

Hi Simon,

I live in the US and couldn't find Campral for shipping here until last night. A site called drugdelivery.ca. It's way more expensive than the Goldpharma site (which doesn't let the USA come up as a mailing address!), and I'm a little concerned the outfit might be a fake. Have you heard of anyone using this place? Thanks, anxious to start, too.

[Simon2074]

Nervous about starting Campral - Acamprosate

Hi Jeann944,

I live in the UK and my doctor wrote me a prescription, so effectively I get it from any chemist for about 6 quid (the prescription charge) - thank you National Health Service...
Sorry not to be of more help...

S

[dac222]

Nervous about starting Campral - Acamprosate

Campral question

I've been on campral for nearly a week - had one day of running to the bathrom - several days of gasiness, and both of those are now better - BUT I'm feeling so fatigued!!! I know this is also a side-affect, but does that also get better? I can't stand this dragging around!!!

It certainly has helped with the desire to drink and the obsession of thinking about it all the time. I did have a few drinks one evening when with friends - more out of habit than really craving a drink. And I could stop after a few - which was a major improvement!!

It would be nice to be able to just drink occasionally like a normal person, but don't know if you should even drink at all while taking the campral. Do you know?

[Cinders]

Nervous about starting Campral - Acamprosate

Do you think your fatigue may also be from not drinking? I know I am unable to sleep well due to sweats and weird dreams therefore draggy during the day.

I started Campral two days ago and at the same time went AF.

My understanding of drinking while on Campral is that it negates the effect it has on you. Campral is supposed to help you overcome cravings by returning your brain to pre-alcoholism state much sooner than if you quit drinking without it. (The GABA thing..) So, if you drink while on Campral, you are just undoing what the Campral is attempting to do for you.

I have not felt a lessening for alcohol yet but the literature states it can take up to 5 days to take effect. I am just gritting through it hours at a time until it does.

Cindi