I am immune to antabuse

[sunshinedaisies]

I am immune to antabuse

Snapdragon;1483698 wrote: Hi Sunshine - does Branston Pickle contain alcohol? It would never occur to me - it's one of my favourites too

It doesn't contain alcohol Snap - but the pickle has vinegar - which a lot of folk say isn't something that is affected by AB - but is definitely affected me !! I also love HP sauce and have just had egg, chips and peas WITHOUT HP sauce !! I am not going to risk any chances of it affecting me - when I had the Branston, it didn't even dawn on me not to have it - but I felt really bad afterwards - and all the signs were the same as when one drinks on AB, but a lot milder.

[Hippyman]

I am immune to antabuse

Merovie;1482152 wrote: I must be the unluckiest person alive but I swear I am totally immune to the effects of Anatbuse. The only thing that happens when I drink on it is that my skin flushes red. That's it. No sickness, no negative physical or mental reaction whatsoever. And I HATE A.A. Being told I have a "disease" and that I am "powerless" over and over again does two things: One - it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If I'm powerless, then so be it. Cue Sera Sera. And secondly, saying I have a "disease" absolves me of personal responsibility.

But I really want to quit - and I was hoping Antabuse would scare me into submission, but IT JUST DOESN'T WORK.

Am I alone in this, or have others had the same problem?

I am no fan of AA but I don't understand why you would object to the word disease. That's exactly what I have a DIS...EASE! Having a disease means I am responsible to do what ever it takes to treat that dis ease. God forbid if someone has kidney disease it's there responsibility to somehow get themselves to dialyses. Since I accept that I have the disease of alcoholism it's my responsibility to find treatment to help me heal. There are many to choose from. In my case I tried many things and meds helped alot. I've used Topamax, Camprel, Naltrone and yes I've used Antabuse as a safety net. The med that works best for me is Baclofen. When I take Baclofen it takes away the constant compulsion to drink and gives me the power to say NO. It's still up to me to say NO. There are other tools that can help you. Don't give up. You CAN get and stay sober. I KNOW YOU CAN! This time 4 sure!!! :l

[Hippyman]

I am immune to antabuse

sunshinedaisies;1482950 wrote: Wow - I started taking it and an hour after I took a HALF a tab, I had a cheese and Branston pickle sandwich - the Branston pickle is a UK relish - anyway I had a reaction to IT !! Hadn't even given it a thought but after I had the sandwich, I started feeling ill - and very strange. It was the AB - !!!!

Maybe you have a duff batch? where did you get it from - is it the stuff from your g'f? maybe it is old and out of date and not as effective........just a thought.

hugs, sun XX

I had a reaction once from some canned tomatoes that had started fermenting...yikes, that was not fun! That's the only time AB gave me any bad reaction. I treat it with respect!

[Struggles 106]

I am immune to antabuse

Hey Merovie-are you around?

[Merovie]

I am immune to antabuse

Yes

I'm still around. I just seem to have no reaction to antabuse. I normally only drink beer but I was at a party and had about three screwdrivers and still no reaction. Not even the flushing of the skin. It's frustrating. It seems there is no point to taking the antabuse if it is not going to work.

[Struggles 106]

I am immune to antabuse

Hey Merovie

Well..that is a drag. I am glad it works for me. I wouldn't be where I am without it.

I am going to do some research to see if there is an explanation. Knowing how it works on a cellular level makes this a bit mind-boggling for me.

I'll post what I find out. I've heard this a couple of times so it warrants some looking into. I am very curious

[K9Lover]

I am immune to antabuse

Hippyman;1483802 wrote: I had a reaction once from some canned tomatoes that had started fermenting...yikes, that was not fun! That's the only time AB gave me any bad reaction. I treat it with respect!

Ummm...HappyHippy? Should you have been eating those anyway? When you open up a can and steam and bubbles come out, it's probably best to toss it! LOL

[K9Lover]

I am immune to antabuse

Was it prescribed by a doctor? If not, you might not even be taking Antabuse. There's always that possibility.

[Nursie]

I am immune to antabuse

Ditto K9.
Where did you get it from?
I had a reaction to my breath spray, because I remembered too late, that scope has alcohol. It was a minor reaction, but I will never test it further than that. I am too scared and I don't even want to take a chance that I wouldn't succeed this time. If I take antabuse, I believe I will become deathly ill if I drink, and that's all I need to stay sober.
Ann, I'm interested to see what you find out!

[Merovie]

I am immune to antabuse

Yes I got it from a doctor

And a pharmacy. I'm totally baffled.

[K9Lover]

I am immune to antabuse

Well I am baffled too!
How are you doing now, are you still drinking on it, and still no effects? You should talk to your doctor about that.

[Merovie]

I am immune to antabuse

I am going to try the baclofen

[Merovie]

I am immune to antabuse

Actually, the withdrawal symptoms of baclofen seem kind of scary.

[YouKayBee]

I am immune to antabuse

Merovie;1494242 wrote: Actually, the withdrawal symptoms of baclofen seem kind of scary.

The withdrawl symptoms of alcohol also sound scary too! To be honest you don't sound like you want to stop drinking. The messing about with it is also a reason why some doctors won't prescribe a variety of medications willy nilly, because people put their lives at risk just as Mollyka has posted.

[Snapdragon]

I am immune to antabuse

mollyka;1494241 wrote: I haven't ventured round the boards much lately - but this thread TRULY baffles me??!! WTF would you take Antabuse in order to 'test' does it work? Sounds like you are truly 'powerless' or just rather foolish. And yes I have a disease with a perfect cure - not drinking - this just all sounds daft to me.
Not for one second think I haven't struggled with giving up drinking - but everything I tried - tools, antabuse, AA, they were all to STOP me - not to play with them. Seems to me you may be putting the responsibility for your drinking onto everything else rather than looking into your own mind and finding the determination to just STOP - then use the AB et al as added support as opposed to a 'cure-all'
I spent many years saying I would do anything 'except' - the main 'except' was AA - finally added that to my tool-box - doesn't do me any harm and it is far from an 'all or nothing cult' - there is enormous support to be found there if you WANT it.
And finally --- only last week a brother of a recovering alcoholic pal of mine died from 'playing' with antabuse -- he had a heart attack - would take a tablet every Monday and then drink at weekends - his weekend started moving back and reached Wednesdays - he died in front of two of his young children

I agree with Molly - why WOULD you even try to test Antabuse? Why WOULD you risk your life like that?

I have been taking Antabuse for 3 weeks now. It is my FINAL resort to quit alcohol. I don't take this drug light heartedly - it is a dangerous drug (if not taken correctly) and can cause serious long term liver damage - and yes DEATH if taken with alcohol.

I worry about taking Antabuse WITHOUT alcohol - because I know it affects the way the liver works and can affect your health (I have been prescribed Thiamine and high dose vitamin B by my doctor whilst taking it to help counteract some possible side affects).

I am taking Antabuse because I want to get healthy again. I want to be alcohol free and start treating my body with respect. I wouldn't event take one sip of alcohol to test if it's working or not - for all I know my doctor may have prescribed me placebos - but that's OK - I'll never find out - whatever I'm taking it's working for me.

Antabuse, Baclofen, Topax etc etc - these are all serious drugs with potentially serious consequences if not taken correctly. I find it incredibly sad that some people are 'playing games' with these 'tools to sobriety' and hope that no-one else loses their life in the process.