Baclofen advice required

[nicnak68]

It's times like this I worry about liver disease because a lot of my SEs could also be symptoms of liver disease

[Mentium]

Well it ain't healthy living that's for sure. All the more reason to get a handle on it - for all of us who are still drinking.

[Spellers]

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[Spellers]

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[knobert]

Hi Nic

I'm really sorry and concerned about how bad you feel. Now your edema has gotten even worse. Liver problems definitely can cause it. I'm sure if you had bloodwork done the numbers wouldn't be so hot. But other things can cause it to. Not long ago, you went to the Dr. and besides telling you to try drinking 1 less glass of wine a night, what else did they say?
Did they observe your edema? Did they take a good listen to your heart? Maybe they could give you something to alleviate the fluid build-up.
First off, really try to avoid salt. Are you eating well? I sound like a broken record but if your drinking, nutrition is even more important. Like Ne said, vitamins are a must, especially B vitamins. If you aren't already, get yourself a good multivitamin plus minerals. Make sure they fully cover the b-complex. I took 2 a day, morning and night. I also took extra vitamin b6. B6 is very important and it dissipates quickly in the body. I took it 4 times a day. If you're taking any amino acids, it's good to take them with B6. Also stay hydrated!! That is hard to do if you are drinking.
Has your drinking decreased at all?

want you to feel better
Knobert

[Mom21961]

It's times like this I worry about liver disease because a lot of my SEs could also be symptoms of liver disease

Nic,

I have almost every documented side effect and then some. I just had a full work up and my liver was fine (miraculously). It's the Bac. Some people have lots of side effects, especially at our dosage. I did take Ne's advice and went on the 4x a day schedule and try to take it at the same time. The edema is out of control for me too. I do have a diuretic, but then my potassium drops even with supplements so I don't often take it. I just keep reminding myself that these will all resolve once we can stop titrating up.

There's not much I won't put up with since the worst Baclofen side effects are still better than the effect of alcoholism on my life. I'm seeing a significant decrease in cravings so I'm just going to hang on by the bloody tips of my fingers until I reach indifference. Then it will all be worth it. Hang in there. We can do it! :thumbsup:

[knobert]

Hi Mom

I'm glad to hear you had the blood work done and everything was ok.

Nic, I hope you get yours done as well. Better to be safe than sorry and it could give you peace of mind.

Mom, I'm glad to hear your cravings have decreased. I know you were having sleep problems. Is that improving too? You mentioned in an earlier post that you had to take something else in addition to your calmsforte. Do you still have to do that?

I increased the frequency of my dosage also when I escalated also. From about 150mg to 300mgs I took 5 doses a day. At 300mgs, I went to 6 doses a day. The 5 doses a day worked best for me. I remember Nic, you and I having this conversation early in this thread. I believe you guys were getting sick to your stomach. I know it helped me in a lot of ways.

So what things are you doing now to "hold on"? I sound like a broken record but are you eating right? Nutrition(vitamins, diet), and hydration are extremely important. If your cravings have decreased, are you drinking less?
I'm curious.
Knobert

[Mom21961]

Mom, I'm glad to hear your cravings have decreased. I know you were having sleep problems. Is that improving too? You mentioned in an earlier version post that you had to take something else in addition to your calmsforte. Do you still have to do that?

I increased the frequency of my dosage also when I escalated also. From about 150mg to 300mgs I took 5 doses a day. At 300mgs, I went to 6 doses a day. The 5 doses a day worked best for me. I remember Nic, you and I having this conversation early in this thread. I believe you guys were getting sick to your stomach. I know it helped me in a lot of ways.

So what things are you doing now to "hold on"? I sound like a broken record but are you eating right? Nutrition(vitamins, diet), and hydration are extremely important. If your cravings have decreased, are you drinking less?
I'm curious.
Knobert

Hi Knobert,

The sleep issues have improved with the 4x dosing schedule and I take the last dose earlier in the evening. I think I'll try the 5x. I don't need the calms forte / melatonin anymore. I won't go into the whole litany of things that I do to try and mitigate all the side effects since I don't want to scare anyone but it's also a mental thing where I just tell myself I need to keep going up and once I get to where I'm going, things will be better after awhile. Yes, my drinking is definitely reduced, but it varies. On super stressful days I drink more. When I titrate up, I see a difference, but if I stay too long at a certain level, my consumption goes back up. It's really a roller coaster ride. I do eat well, stay hydrated, and do the multi/B vitamin thing.

Thanks for asking!

[Stevo]

I titrated up really slowly,I didn't go up unless I got the doctors approval which was around every 6 weeks so I actually didn't have a lot of the SE's that can be experienced.What I did have a problem with as my dose got higher was insomnia,is this the sleep issue that you are meaning Mum?

I can still have this as an issue but I try to take my last dose each day at abou 5:30-6:00 which I find helps,any later than that and I don't sleep until 3 or 4 in the morning.

EDIT-I just realised that I spelt Mom Mum lol,it's an aussie thing haha.

[knobert]

Hey Stevo

I'm sure you've posted it but what level are you at?

[knobert]

Hey Stevo

I see you partake in Joke Of The Day

I liked your list of zingers on page 10. But my favorite was the elephant hiding in trees. It cracks me up every time I read it. I'm bustin' up now just thinking of it.-LOL-

I'm originally from the Midwest. I grew up in North Dakota. Back there you here a lot of ole and lars jokes. they're funniest when you hear them being told because you have to tell them in the Scandinavian brogue ya know, ya you betcha.

I know a lot more but I don't think I can put them on the forum

Put some more up there

Talk to you later
Knobert

[Stevo]

Hey Stevo

I'm sure you've posted it but what level are you at?

At the moment I am taking 132.5mg.

[Stevo]

Just saw the last post Knobert,

Thanks man,if and when I come across a good one I will post it.

There is no way in the world I could do a scandinavian accent mate but do like a joke and I like that there is a jokes section on here.

You keep posting too.

[knobert]

Hey Mom
You said that when you titrate up you see a difference but if you stay at a level too long, your drinking goes up. What's the longest you stay at a level? Dr. A stayed at 180mgs for a long time before he dropped down to 30mg and then up to 270mgs. When he stayed at 180, he described it as a moderated binge cycle. He would have fewer heavy drinking days per month, but he would have binges.
Also, you said on super stressful days you drink more. Are you using your 20-40mgs(for stressful times)? The craving should go away in an hour or less, but get ready for somnolence. When you get a craving, do you drink? Or only when the craving is unbearable. Are you able to fight through some of them?
I've got so many questions but I have to go to bed. I think my brain is fried.
Till later
Knobert

[Otter]

bump